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Neximuss

Experienced blogger, influencer and in spare time CEO. Grow up under high IT and music influence, today considered as an online marketing expert, especially in SEO and Usability topics.

What Router Should I Buy?

My Home

What is a wireless router and how will I find the best one for me?

Finding a good router may seem like a simple task, but with the myriad of routers on the market it can be quite an ordeal to pick something that will be good for your needs. There are numerous factors to consider and these may seem really complicated to those who are not as tech savvy as a smaller portion of population who know exactly what they want. Judging which router is the best and which one you should actually buy is not too difficult, but it isn’t as simple as picking out a random one based on price or the vendor’s advice. Finding a great wireless router that will serve your needs has become even more tiresome because of the latest wave of 802.11 ac routers that are the newest addition to this specific market. When you combine all the factors you need to look into before you pull out your wallet, you may even feel a bit overwhelmed. In fact, you are probably better off knowing a thing or two about wireless routers before spending money to buy a random one that may be a complete disaster for your specific demands.

To keep it simple, we will explain what a wireless router is and what it is supposed to do. A wireless router is a device that delivers an internet connection to all the devices in the network by two means – wires and wireless. Basically, all the devices connected to the router either by the Ethernet cable or via the wireless will be able to connect to the internet. Some other features routers generally offer are USB connectivity which enables the user to, for example, connect a printer so that anyone on the network can use it, a firewall which is supposed to protect you from some internet threats, and, of course, services that enable you to stream multimedia content in your network such as UPnP and DLNA. Good routers offer even more and you will be able to, for instance, protect your children from seeing unsuitable content online, monitor which devices connect to your network, create user accounts for guests where you will disable them from seeing shared devices, you can prioritize the type of network traffic that you need the most, etc. There are a lot of features to consider before you potentially spend a couple of hundreds of dollars.

In order to make this as easy for you as possible, we have tested 40 routers and narrowed the selection down to only 4 routers which we consider to be the best options. We have done this by testing their range, signal strength, speed, data loss and numerous other factors we will discuss in depth in this review. We have done this testing over the stretch of four months in order to be able to compile the most accurate information you can find on the internet.

Some features you need to keep an eye out for when choosing a wireless router:

Frequency bands – there are two frequencies at which the wireless router operates, the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. 2.4GHz offers more coverage but it also runs a higher risk of having connection drops and all sorts of interferences. 5GHz is newer and less saturated which means less interference and a better browsing experience. Ideal router is dual band and operates on both these frequencies.
Wireless LAN protocols – wireless LAN protocols are basically telling you the transmit rates of your router, and you can logically assume that these influence your speed. The most common protocol is the 802.11n which allows for 450Mbps at maximum. 802.11ac is the latest one and it enables you an impressive transmit rate of 1.3Gbps, but it operates on the 5GHz frequency. If you get a dual band monitor, however, you will be able to use both as you can switch between protocols.
Network coverage – your high end router will be useless if you can’t get the signal to all the places you need it in.
Additional features such as additional RAM, additional storage space on the router, USB connectivity, parental controls, Quality of Service to prioritize the kind of traffic you prefer, Gigabit Ethernet ports for hyper fast internet over the Ethernet cable and many more features.
Price – your budget will be the greatest determining factor in the end.

Best Router – Asus RT-AC66U

Asus RT-AC66U is the best tested router on this list and now you will know exactly why. At a medium price, this router shows excellent performance in many areas and perhaps its most prominent feature is its great range which simply surpasses the ranges of other routers we tested. It is a dual band router which enables you to use both 5GHz and 2.4GHz frequencies to connect to the internet.

Asus RT-AC66U PROS:

The best thing about Asus RT-AC66U is its range which is excellent and which can be further increased by about 20% if you attach an external antenna to the router. You will most likely never need this, but the option is there. It has additional 256MB of RAM memory in order to process all the requests faster and more efficiently, and you can literally feel the difference between this router and the regular one without added RAM. The two USB ports are fantastic in case you want to connect devices like printers, consoles, blu-ray players and so on. This is a major positive as most routers have none or just one USB port, so if you want a shared printer, this is the router for you. Asus RT-AC66U also has a myriad of additional advanced features you can use, but you will probably never need them. Perhaps the best feature it offers that is useful out of all these additional options is the AiRadar which expands and optimizes your coverage inside a multi leveled building. If you need to cover several floors of a building, Asus RT-AC66U will do the job perfectly. Asus RT-AC66U also has a Gigabit Ethernet port which enables you to simply connect via a cable and enjoy the super fast and stable internet.

Asus RT-AC66U CONS:

During our testing, it happened a few times that we lost connectivity. However, these instances lasted too short and were too few and far between to be considered a major con. This is a high tech router and will seem a bit difficult to use at the first glance, but after that it is smooth sailing.
Asus RT-AC66U is a great router at a medium price and it is definitely worth the money. It’s the best router you can buy in case you need range and if you are in a multi level building as this router delivers the signal to every corner you need it in. It has additional RAM which makes it process requests even faster and is therefore fantastic for a bigger network. It is a bit technical, but you get used to it really fast.

Bestbuy Router – TRENDnet AC1750

TRENDnet AC1750 is a bit lower down in the price range than the Asus we reviewed. This does not make it worse at all, as this is our second recommendation in this review. TRENDnet AC1750 is a dual band wireless router and it offers excellent features which build a pretty long list of positives. At this price, this is one killer router that will definitely deliver the signal and speed where you need it and will make it very easy for you to set it up.

TRENDnet AC1750 PROS:

TRENDnet AC1750 is a dual band router that works on both 802.11n and 802.11ac protocols and enables you to switch between 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies easily. This immediately means good stable internet which is only better when you connect directly to the Gigabit Ethernet port on the router via an Ethernet cable. It has one USB sharing port, which means you can connect a printer or any other device that needs to be used by everyone on the network. A really cool feature of this router enables you to create a limited user account for a part of network users if you need to. The best feature of this router we rated fantastic is its throughput which simply overshadows some much more expensive and technical routers. Lastly, this killer router is extremely easy to set up and use, and that is a major advantage as not all of us are very tech savvy.

TRENDnet AC1750 CONS:

We have had some issues with slow switching between screens on the interface which was a bit annoying, but nothing major. Perhaps the biggest problem with this router is that it is wobbly and does not seem very stable in some orientations, which was something that should not have been overlooked during design and production, but isn’t a flaw that can ruin your user experience.
To summarize, TRENDnet AC1750 is a really good wireless dual band router with impressive throughput and good range. Its range is perhaps only a small nuance worse than that of the Asus RT-AC66U, but this should not be a big deal unless you really need or want the Asus RT-AC66U feature that enables you to send the signal to even the farthest corners of a multi leveled building. TRENDnet is also extremely easy to set up, and when we combine all the features we mentioned, its testing results and client feedback, we can be confident enough to mark TRENDnet AC1750 a best buy option.

Bestseller Router – Netgear N900 WNDR4500

Netgear N900 WNDR4500 is a bestselling wireless dual band router and it dons a really sleek look and incredible features for the price of about 100$. The reason this router is so popular is simple – it offers a lot of options for the tech savvy and is still a breeze to set up and use, which is an excellent reason to buy this wireless router.

Netgear N900 WNDR4500 PROS:

Netgear N900 WNDR4500 is a dual band router that operates on 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies and uses both 802.11n and 802.11ac protocols. The impressive thing about this router is its band throughput when it is using the 802.11ac and 5GHz. It offers stable connection and a decent range, and its band throughput at 2.4GHz is definitely not stellar, but above the average. This may not seem satisfactory, but it is important to know that it is competing with some high end and expensive routers that are built for the technologically demanding clients. It is extremely easy to set up, which is a major positive and a desirable thing for those who are not so tech savvy and hate complicated setup processes that are unnecessarily complex and time consuming. Netgear N900 WNDR4500’s setup is none of those. When it comes to some advanced options, the most interesting one that is definitely useful for a family is the parental control which enables you to limit access to certain areas on the net to your kids.

Netgear N900 WNDR4500 CONS:

This router is fantastic, but it does not come close to Asus RT-AC66U when it comes to range or the 2.4GHz throughput, which are still the main things to look for. Though it does have an USB port, this port is limited only to storage devices, which is a major disadvantage for those who want to add a printer, console, or any multimedia player to the network.
To summarize, Netgear N900 WNDR4500 does indeed have all the makings of a fantastic wireless dual band router, but it is not the best router out there. However, you will get everything you need from it if you are not as tech savvy. You will be impressed by its unprecedented 5GHz frequency throughput which is simply top notch. A price that is slightly down the ladder may attract you, and to be fair, for that money this router is a really good choice.

Cheapest Router – ZyXel MWR102

ZyXel MWR102 is the cheapest router we have listed here in this review and at about 30$, it offers quite a bit of nice features that may be enough for some. This is not a dual band router and it uses 802.11n protocol and the 2.4GHz frequency to operate. It is a solid affordable router that is praised by many, and its small compact size is a really good reason to love this device.

ZyXel MWR102 PROS:

A definitive first thing that is a great advantage is this router’s affordability. At the price of 30$, this router is accessible to just about anyone, and to be realistic, it is something that will perfectly suited to satisfy all the base needs and is a good buy for the non-tech savvy people who just want a good cheap router. It has a really astonishingly good throughput for a router of this price, and this is one of those things that will impress you from a device of this caliber.

ZyXel MWR102 CONS:

This router has the transfer rate of maximum 150Mbps and that is just not nearly enough for a larger network or for some demanding internet users. However, we cannot really expect much more from a cheap device, but we can guarantee that this is the best one out there that satisfies the base internet needs.
To summarize, ZyXel MWR102 is a solid cheap wireless router that can be used as a router, access point and a client bridge. It is really compact and small, so you can literally put it in your pocket and carry it around. This is also a good thing. ZyXel MWR102 has a very good throughput and is actually a really impressive device considering its specs and the price. For those who have only basic needs, this is a solid, hard to regret choice, but if you need more from a wireless router, consider any of the other three we have described.

Conclusion

Finding a good wireless router is not as easy as it sounds, and this is why we have spared you the troubles of extensive research and brought you this comprehensive review. This review is a product of a four month long research and the results presented to you are compiled with the intention of making your selection a breeze. To recap, we have mentioned four routers worth buying, and ranked them according to their features. In that respect, Asus RT-AC66U is definitely the best and offers pretty much most of the things a tech savvy person will need, and most importantly, an incredible range and throughput. Our second choice and the best buy option is a router that will give you the most in proportion to its cost, and that is Trendnet AC1750. Trendnet AC1750 is suitable for both the tech demanding clients and the base users, as it is very easy to set up. The dual band router that has great feedback and sells like fire is the Netgear N900 WNDR4500, and we have mentioned exactly why this is the case. However, sometimes your budget just can’t stretch that far or your needs are much less demanding than the most, and you just want a nice simple router that won’t really reflect on your wallet. If that is the case, you will do good to buy the ZyXel MWR102, which will cover all the basic grounds and cater to your needs perfectly.

What Guitar Should I Buy?

Audio, Other

When you want to enter the world of guitar playing, the most important thing for you is to choose the right instrument for yourself. A good axe (synonym for guitar) that will help you in your early endeavors can sometimes even mean the half of your playing abilities and it will definitely speed up your learning process. Now, choosing the right instrument for yourself is never easy, any professional guitar player can tell you that, as most of them went through a lot of instruments before settling for a perfect one. Some people started on beat-up instruments that were always out of tune and still managed to make a career for themselves.

Although, when it comes to guitar playing talent is important, but only to some extent. Everything else comes down to practice, and for practice you need a suitable tool that will aid you in the process. Yes, you could use that old guitar that your uncle had since you were born, but it would take a lot of fine-tuning and repair for you to even start playing on it properly. That is why the best sensible solution would be to buy a good guitar for beginners. Entry level electric guitars are instruments that are not that expensive, but still provide a solid all-round performance that is required for your first steps in the guitar-playing world.

As we have already mentioned, choosing the right guitar for yourself is an important, but also excruciating process. The best option would be for you to get to a music store and start testing instruments, which would realistically take a lot of time. That is why we have done this part for you. We have interviewed musicians from almost all music genres about the best entry level electric guitars and then went on to test them. After thirty products and two months of testing, we have settled on the four products which have given us the best results during our tests.

Two of the most important features of these instruments that we have given special attention to were the price and the performance. Guitars cost a lot of money, as they are tools that are crafted with extreme precision and are made to last longer, therefore cheap instruments that are actually good are very rare. When picking up a guitar for the first time you also need to consider the playability, as not all of them are easy on beginners. We have gone through all of these and many other aspects of guitars while testing them. So, let us present to you the top four guitars for beginners among which you will hopefully find an answer to the question of which guitar you should buy.

Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC112V Electric Guitar

Yamaha has made musical instruments for a very long time. From their pianos to their guitars, these instruments have been made with special care and are well known through the music industry. The Pacifica series of electric guitars has been around since 1990. The PAC112V, or just 112V, is a guitar manufactured in Indonesia and is an update of the first Yamaha 112 released in 1993. The guitar has a lot of features that should be detailed for you, including the neck made of maple, which has a very comfortable feel – a feature which is very important for beginners.

The fingerboard is made of rosewood and features 22 frets 350 millimeter radius, which makes the fretting easier and faster for any kind of fingers. The body itself is made of alder and has a nice round shape which is a trademark of Yamaha guitars. The 112V comes with a vintage tremolo, which can fortunately be locked as it is not a feature that is desirable when it comes to the beginners because the use of tremolo can detune your strings and tuning them again after a couple of songs can be a big of a hassle. If you are using the guitar for the first time just leave the tremolo locked. You can use it later when you have mastered the instrument.

The pickups on this guitar are custom wound Yamaha Alnico pickups, which give out a nice passive sound. There are two knobs on 112V used for tone and volume, plus the five-way pickup switch which is situated on a really nice location, just below the tone knob. The performance that Yamaha 112V gives is a really solid one. You can play blues, rock ‘n roll, punk, classic rock and even some hard rock on this guitar without any major problems. The only thing that this guitar is not able to play is heavy or trash metal, as the humbucker pickup is not really made for shredding.

The Yamaha 112V electric guitar is a really durable and reliable instrument, and considering the handling and mid-range price this guitar is just a perfect match for a beginner. That to say, 112V is not the best guitar out there, but it is a solid axe that will be your practice companion for a very long time.

Squier by Fender Classic Vibe Stratocaster 50s

Squier is a branch company of Fender that is most known for producing cheaper versions of legendary Fender instruments. Of course, if there is a cheaper version of some instrument, it mainly means that the product is not of the same quality. But, this is not true in all cases. Taking into consideration that Squier has been producing Fender knock-offs for a very long time now, they have certainly perfected it.

The Fender Classic Vibe Stratocaster 50s, or simply abbreviated Squier Strat, is one of those guitars that must be one of the best kept secrets in music industry, as it is an instrument that is worth more than the money you pay for it. When you ask professional musicians about the Fender Stratocaster, almost everyone of them has had one in their possession. Even though this is a copy, it still retains all of the features of a classic Strat. The body of this Squier Strat is made of alder and has that legendary Stratocaster shape. The neck is made of maple and features a maple fingerboard with 21 frets and radius of 241 millimeters. As you can see, the radius is not as big as it is on Yamaha 112V, but it is big enough for a person with average fingers. This 50s Strat also comes with a vintage tremolo, which cannot be locked, but it gives better performance than the 112V one as it will not detune your guitar very often.

There are three vintage style Strat single-coil pickups on this guitar and they produce a sound that makes you feel like the guitar is almost singing, just like the original Stratocaster did. Also, there are three knobs, one for master volume and two for tones of neck and middle pickups respectively, plus the five-way position blade for pickup switching. The performance of this Fender copy is amazing, as most people will not notice the difference between this one and the original. The sound that it gives out is suitable for almost all kinds of music, including classic rock and blues. So, if you like imitating a guitar virtuoso Jimi Hendrix, this guitar would definitely be up to the task.

The heavier genres of rock music, such as metal suffer on this guitar also, but that is because Squier did not want to change anything from the original Stratocaster. Fender Classic Vibe Stratocaster 50s is not the best guitar on the market, but considering the price and performance it is a steal. Plus, the handling and playability make it a perfect choice for aspiring beginners.

Ibanez RG450DX Electric Guitar Black

Ibanez has been known for their solid instruments that are cherished all over the world by guitar shredding artists, especially when it comes to the harder genres of rock music, such as metal or alternative. Artists who are known as shredders, such as Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big fame, prefer using Ibanez axes in their performances.

So, for example if you want the full glory of sounds that the Ibanez can provide to you, but are on a lower budget the RG450DX is a perfect instrument for you. The body is made of basswood and has the classic Ibanez look to it with sharp horns and curved bottom. The neck is made of maple and has a rosewood fingerboard with 24 frets and a radius of 400 millimeters, which is really wide and offers better precision than the Squier Strat and Yamaha 112V. The pickups on RG450DX are Infinity pickups by Ibanez and they offer a wide variety of tones, from warm ones for power ballads to really sharp ones for heavy metal. RG450DX has an Edge-Zero II tremolo bar which can fortunately be locked, but despite locking it the guitar will not detune that much.

Two knobs allow you to control volume and tone respectively, with five-way switch enabling you to switch between various magnet combinations. The performance of this piece of musical equipment is rock solid. You will be able to play almost any genre on it, but you can see that the guitar was designed for the heavier kinds of music, like metal or trash metal. The thin, flat neck is really sturdy and offers great playability. The RG450DX is just made for those screams with the tremolo bar and fingerboard that allows better maneuverability.

The heightened precision really helps with beginner players, as you will be able to move your fingers with ease over the neck. To summarize, RG450DX is not the best Ibanez product, but it will give you a solid Ibanez experience that the professionals have with their more expensive equipment, plus the price is great on this one as it is cheaper than the Yamaha 112V and the Squier Strat and gives out almost the same performance as those two.

Epiphone Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar, Ebony

Epiphone is best known for producing Les Paul Gibson series of guitars which are famous across the world. Gibson series are made for any kind of music genres and are a favorite of many touring artists such as Ace Frehley of KISS fame, Jimmy Page or even Zack Wylde. Whether you want to use it for live gigs or recording this guitar has got you covered. Les Paul Stanard by Epiphone is basically a cheaper version of Gibson guitars, made for mass production. This does not mean that this guitar is just a cheap knock-off, as it has almost all of the great features like the bigger brother Gibson.

The body is made mahogany and is shaped in the classic Les Paul round design. The mahogany neck features a rosewood fingerboard which has 22 frets and radius of 300 millimeters, which means that it has a good adjustability rate to almost all kinds of fingers. Two Alnico humbuckers give you the legendary Les Paul sound that has been cherished by guitarist over the course of 50 years. Four knobs, two for tone and two for volume, are situated on the lower part of body and are easily accessible, as is the three-way pickup selector at the very top. Les Paul Standard gives a great vintage performance that is expected from Epiphone guitars.

You can virtually play any kind of music with it, from classic rock to heavy metal, from chord progressions to virtuoso solos. This guitar is a sturdy and reliable axe that will not fail you for a very long time. Considering the price tag and that it is almost just like the Gibson series, this guitar is definitely accessible for beginners, which would enjoy the playability and the great sound that only Les Paul guitars are capable of. There is nothing much to say about Les Paul guitars that has not been said, and while the Standard model is not the best guitar that came from Epiphone, it is still on par with other axes out there and will satisfy the professionals and amateurs alike. Definitely a highly recommended guitar for beginners.

Conclusion

Finding the right guitar is extremely hard and takes a lot of time, especially if you are just entering the guitar world. Because of this, we have tested out the market and the products for you so that we could present to you the best entry level electric guitars out there. Choosing the right guitar is very important at the beginning of your axe-wielding experience and it depends on many aspects.

Most of those aspects are in the area of personal interest, and that is why we have tried to present to you four different guitars that are all unique respectively. Yamaha 112V is a good guitar for various genres and is a solid piece of music equipment that is well worth the money you pay for it. Fender Classic Vibe Stratocaster 50s by Squier is a copy of a classic Fender Stratocaster that has all the great feature of this guitar and costs almost half the price. This Strat, as well as Yamaha 112V, has only one real drawback when it comes to beginners – it is not so great for playing heavier genres of music, such as heavy metal. This is where Ibanez RG450DX comes in, as it is a solid guitar that costs less than the previous two and is almost solely designed to play heavier music, which does not mean that it cannot play other genres too.

The true all-rounder of the musical genres is the Les Paul Standard by Epiphone, as it is, just like the bigger brother Gibson, a guitar for everything – from soft ballads, over poppy tunes to heavy metal. To sum it all up, finding the right guitar for yourself comes down to preference. We have presented to you four model that passed our tests with flying colors and we hope that we have answered your question of which guitar you should buy.

Best Low Light Camera

Other

Taking a good snap in low light depends on two things: your digital camera and your skill and understanding of which factors influence the quality of your shots in low light conditions. That said, you can basically conclude that even if your camera is perfectly built to take excellent photos in dim situations, your first shots will be blurry. However, as skill is something you can definitely work on, choosing a good low light camera is something you don’t want to do without some serious thought, as most of them cost quite a bit of money. The most important thing you need to know is that you will get the best picture in dim conditions if you use a digital camera with a big image sensor. Basically, this means that you need to look for specific features that will allow you to make fantastic and quality images in all conditions, and your camera will need to have all or most of these features to be able to capture some really good shots in the dark.

To enable you to find the perfect low light camera, we have gone to great lengths to test out over 30 cameras that bragged about their low light performances, and we have narrowed this selection to only 4 which we will review in depth. We tested these low light cameras by using them in all unfavorable conditions, such as dim lights, pitch black dark, and even in dim lights and bad weather conditions. While some of them performed pretty well, we had to make the cut and thus we chose the ones that not only shoot, but virtually see in the dark, and removed the ones with average and below average performances. We also tried to satiate all needs and the 4 cameras that made the cut befall in different price ranges so that even a person on a lower budget can get a camera that has proven to take nice low light images. That said, we have to mention some key features that we used as comparison points and that you should look for when choosing your ideal low light camera.

Features to look for in a great low light camera:

Low aperture – also known as the f-stop and the speed of lens, aperture is basically the amount of light the lens can capture. The lower the aperture number, the better. For instance, an f/1.4 camera can capture two times the light of an f/2 camera and is best suited to shoot in low light.
Image quality in relation to ISO – ISO is a number that represents the camera’s sensitivity to light. The higher it can go without making the image grainy, the more suited the camera is to shoot awesome dim light images.
Larger image sensor – the bigger the camera sensor is, the better quality your low light image will be. It’s that simple.

Best Low Light Camera – Sony DSC-RX100M II

Sony DSC RX100M II Best Low Light Camera

Sony DSC-RX100M II is a camera made in heaven for those who need great low light image quality, and it was built to provide the best low light capabilities and comes at a reasonable price all things considering. This camera was our top performer during the testing, and what was particularly impressive is how it handled the high ISO snaps. It has a sensor that was literally made to capture any and all light that is there, and it shows in the quality of images. The Sony DSC-RX100M II can literally see in the dark, and now we will list some pros and cons of buying this camera.

Sony DSC-RX100M II PROS:

Sony DSC-RX100M II has 20.2 MP and it is the most impressive sensor resolution in the batch of all the cameras we tested. The Ermor R sensor was made to capture low light pictures, and it does its job perfectly as the noise levels were extremely low and practically inexistent. The ISO sensitivity of this killer low light camera goes up to the astonishing 12800 – and even when ISO is set up to its max, the camera performs in dim light and produces fantastic shots. The aperture of the lens is f/1.8, which is incredibly accurate, and the camera has 3.6x zoom capabilities. In addition to that, the tiltable 3 inch LCD screen will allow you to see what you are doing perfectly, even in the bright light which can be very annoying for photographers. The Sony DSC-RX100M II is easily connectible to a smartphone, tablet or a computer via Wi-Fi, and this is a really cool feature that allows you to avoid all the cables.

Sony DSC-RX100M II CONS:

The only thing we did not like about Sony DSC-RX100M II is the fact that the battery charging is only in-camera, which could pose a problem for some. It is not a major flaw, but it is definitely a bit annoying and an obvious oversight by Sony.

To summarize, Sony DSC-RX100M II is an excellent choice of a low light camera, and comes at a reasonable asking price considering all that it offers. The incredible ISO sensitivity of Sony DSC-RX100M II makes it the best camera on this list, even though the battery charging could have been solved better.

Best Buy Low Light Camera – Sony DSC-RX100/B

Sony DSC-RX100/B is another Sony camera designed to take excellent low light shots, and that is exactly what it does. It has most of the features of its brother, Sony DSC-RX100M II, but it also offers a lot of things for a lower price, which is a fair ratio. In fact, this camera is the best buy option on our list precisely because it has so many good qualities for a price that is about 200$ lower than our best choice, and that is quite a price difference.

Sony DSC-RX100/B PROS:

Sony DSC-RX100/B has a sensor built to absorb all the light there is, and it does so like a Swiss watch – without fail. It features the impressive 1 inch Exmor sensor of 20.2 MP which captures the light efficiently and displays all the details perfectly. Its aperture is f/1.8, which is simply top notch and will ensure excellent image quality. Sony makes really good cameras that have no ghost and flare issues, and Sony DSC-RX100/B is no exception to this rule. The ISO sensitivity will push your camera to the max 6400, and even at the maximum, this camera will not have any image processing issues or disturbances. Sony DSC-RX100/B dons a 3 inch LCD display that is no sensitive to bright light, and that is a really good feature.

Sony DSC-RX100/B CONS:

Sony DSC-RX100/B is pretty impressive, but the Sony DSC-RX100M II can push the ISO sensitivity to the outstanding 12800, and that is a major difference between these two cameras. To add to the list of things that could have been done better, we will mention that it does not have Wi-Fi and that the charging can only be done in-camera, which is not very convenient.

To sum it all up, the Sony DSC-RX100/B is definitely a camera worth buying and is a unit that will give you the most for the money. While there are definitely better cameras out there, but it would be excruciatingly hard to find a better low light camera in this particular price range. The Sony DSC-RX100/B excels in many things, out of which the most important are its aperture, ISO sensitivity and its large sensor, which, when combined, provide you with everything you need to shoot exceptional images in dim light conditions.

Best Buy Low Light Camera – Sony DSC-RX100/B

Sony DSC-RX100/B PROS:

Sony DSC-RX100/B CONS:

Bestseller Low Light Camera – Nikon COOLPIX P7700

Nikon COOLPIX P7700 Best Low Light Camera

Nikon is famous for the quality of its cameras, and this one does not disappoint either. The Nikon COOLPIX P7700 is an exceptionally good camera that performs well in low light conditions, and it has a moderate price which, in combination with its popularity, skyrocket it to the best selling spot in our review. In fact, this moderate camera has a lot of good things going for it and has literally sold more units than the rest of all the cams we had on our testing list thanks to its ability to shoot quality images.

Nikon COOLPIX P7700 PROS:

Nikon COOLPIX P7700 dons a nice large 12.2 MP CMOS sensor, which is ideal for capturing images in low light situations. Its aperture is a little lower than that of its Sony predecessors on this list, and it amounts to f/2.0. However, do not be fooled as this is a really good feature, especially considering the price differences between this and the aforementioned best low light cameras. The Nikon COOLPIX P7700 performs well and your pictures will not be grainy even if you push its ISO sensitivity to the max 6400, which is cool as most low light cameras are not able to make a grain-free image when you do this. The swiveling 3 inch LCD screen is very practical. It has Wi-Fi, and the wireless connectivity is a really neat feature to have in a camera than can save you some time and frustration, as you can easily connect the device to your smartphone, tablet or computer without the hassle of fiddling with cables.

Nikon COOLPIX P7700 CONS:

Nikon COOLPIX P7700 is definitely a good low light camera, but there are some things that could have been done better. For instance, the annoying in-camera battery charging is also a flaw of this camera, and we find it very strange that Nikon has overlooked this impractical issue. The image processing speed could definitely be better, as it sometimes takes up to 4 seconds to between shots, and that can be extremely annoying. If you want to avoid this, you are better off with Sony DSC-FX100M II, as you will not have any lag issues with it and it has much better features.

To sum it up, Nikon COOLPIX P7700 is a really good camera – it is balanced, has nice features and its price is not at all unreasonable in proportion to its capabilities. It has a lot of positives, including a large 1 inch sensor, great ISO sensitivity, good aperture, and so on. It major flaw is the lag in between taking pictures, but if you want to avoid this issue, you are probably better off purchasing any of the two before mentioned Sony low light cameras where this issue is non-existent.

Cheapest Low Light Camera – Canon PowerShot ELPH 330

Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 Best Low Light Camera

The Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 is the cheapest camera on this list that takes really nice low light pictures. While it does not really compare to the Sony cameras we mentioned or the Nikon COOLPIX P7700, the Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 has a lot of good things going for it and it is definitely worth considering, especially if you are on a lower budget. After all, while this Canon camera is in a lower league than the others we reviewed, its price is also a fraction of the asked prices of the best cameras.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 PROS:

This cheap camera has a Wi-Fi, which enables you to wirelessly transfer all your pictures and videos to your computer, smartphone or tablet. The Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 has a very sensitive 12.2 MP CMOS sensor, which, when combined with the 6400 ISO sensitivity, makes for some really good, vivid images. The sensor is pretty large at 1 inch of size, and because it is highly sensitive, you can expect some really good shots, even in the dim light situations. Another positive of this camera is its price, which is levels below what you would expect to pay for a nice low light camera.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 CONS:

It does not come close to Sony DSC-FX100M II, Sony DSC-FX100/B or the Nikon COOLPIX 7700. It does not have a good battery life, which is not a good thing if you are often on the move and want your camera ready at all times. The instructions that accompany the camera are not very clear.
To summarize, buying a low light camera on a budget is a challenge, and even despite all the deficiencies the Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 has, it is still a top notch camera within its specific price range. The battery life may not be all too impressive, but it is important to keep in mind that the Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 has certain features like Wi-Fi that even the much more expensive cameras do not have. Overall, Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 is a good camera and when compared with other low light cameras within its level, it definitely takes the crown.

Conclusion
A good low light camera will have to be able to perform in the lowest of lights and take a perfect snap of anything in pitch black, even if it is a moving object. To provide you with some solid choices, we have tested a lot of low light cameras and written comprehensive reviews for the 4 selected. That said, if you are here to find the best low light camera, you can trust that the Sony DSC-FX100M II will deliver and that you will enjoy its numerous excellent features. If you want to get the most out of your money, and don’t mind having a slightly inferior camera, then you will save a bit of money and walk away pretty happy and satisfied with the Sony DSC-FX100/B. Sony is not the only company on this list that can brag about excellent low light cameras, as we have the Nikon COOLPIX 7700 that is definitely the best selling item for a good reason. The Nikon low light camera will definitely deliver a lot for a reasonable price, and even though it does not stand shoulder to shoulder with the two killer Sony cameras, it is still a good choice that will disappoint only the too demanding. However, if you are on a tighter budget, you won’t care for all that and will continue to see what you can get for a lower price, in which case we would recommend you to give a shot to the Canon PowerShot ELPH 330, which is a really solid cheap low light camera.

Top Gadgets

Gadget Reviews

It is impossible to deny that we are in a digital age. You can find all sorts of devices on the market. Technology is so advanced and every day something new is being invented. Do you remember times when we had those old mobile phones and computers. A phone with camera was science fiction, and the same goes for computers. Nowadays, we have all of that and even more. The market is very versatile and offers us a lot. So, we decided to make an article about top gadgets which make our life easier and most of us have at least on these gadgets. We are all infatuated with our mobile phones, tablets, lapotps, iPods, iPads and all other tech gadgets which make our life easier. On this list we have put the best smartphones, cameras, e-readers and consoles, and some of these gadgets are already available and some of them are coming out very soon. We tried to put gadgets from various categories so that everyone can find something. Many companies have already presented their new products, and some of them are going to do that. Google recently unveiled its new Nexus tablet that brings many advanced features at an affordable price.

Top Gadgets

All of these companies have left some surprises for the second half of the year, and mostly is expected from Apple which never stops to amaze us with innovative technology. Consumers are used to constant improvements and new products. So the companies are always trying to invent something new and unusual, and of course useful. One thing is very interesting for all of these gadgets. Every year they are getting better and better. They are constantly upgrading their features, adding some new specifications and inventing new gadgets. Return fifteen years backward and ask yourself could you have ever thought that you would be able to have a 3D TV in your home. In that time people would consider you crazy and you could only dream about something like that. And today that is actually available and it seems so normal to all of us. It is impossible to put all the gadgest on the list, because that would be a very long list. But we have chosen top gadgets which are high quality gadgets and those which people often buy. Price, features and versatility are also important specifications of a high quality gadget.

Smartphones – Samsung Galaxy S4

First of all we will start with smartphones. Smartphones have never been bigger in their size and storage capacity, as well as the opportunities they provide us every day. Soon we will all have mini computers in our pockets and diversity of smartphones means that everyone will find something for themselves. The Samsung Galaxy S4 has upgraded hardware and some very interesting software innovations that will allow you to easily control your phone. The new Galaxy is probably the most powerful phone on the market with an eight-core or 1.9 GHz quad-core processor (depending on markets where it is delivered), has 2GB of RAM, up to 64GB of memory via optional microSD card.
The screen is much better, bigger and sharper then the one on Samsung Galaxy SIII. This smartphone has a very good battery that lasts considerably longer than the Samsung Galaxy SIII and iPhone. In addition, the Samsung Galaxy S4 has great features with dual cameras, and at the same time you can record video and image from the front camera to insert a picture in the back. Another great feature is Translator that supports nine languages and translates speech to text and text-to-speech.

Cameras – Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

Except having camera on your phone, we all prefer to have this top notch gadget with us, especially if you travel a lot. It is much easier to take photos with a real camera then via mobile phone. And you will all agree when we say that it feels totally different. We have chosen the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS which is one pretty amazing camera. It looks really stylish and modern, and it is entirely made of plastic. The buttons are very large with well defined of sensation when you are pressing. This camera has pretty amazing ultra zoom feature, and has optical zoom lens with 50x magnification.
You can take your photos in JPEG and RAW format individually and combined. It has great LCD screen that rotates and very effective optical stabilization. This camera is very easy to use and with it you will take some great photos. The Canon SX50 HS records on standard SD cards, and has USB and A/V and HDMI output. Rechargeable lithium-ion battery that comes with the device is solid and provides about 315 photos or 420 minutes of playback on a single charge, which is a solid result. This little gadget is a very powerful camera with great zoom we recommend it to those users who want to take photos from a great distance.

3D TV – Sony Bravia LX900

This top gadget is a bit expensive, but it is worth every cent. We have chosen the Sony Bravia LX900 since this is one of the best 3D TV’s on market. This TV has it all, but literally. Slim and stylish device with high quality of 2D and 3D images. You get two pairs of 3D glasses and with them you will fully enjoy in your favorite movie. Also there are Internet, Media Player and WiFi on this amazing top notch gadget. Another great thing about this TV is that you can save energy. Every Bravia TV is environmentally friendly. Model LX900 has an intelligent Presence Sensor with face detection technology that can determine if you are in front of the TV. If you leave the room and don’t come back, the screen will turn off. If you do not look in the direction of the TV and read the newspapers, the screen will dim. Now that’s a smart way to save energy.
So, if you are looking for a 3D TV with great features then you should get the Sony Bravia LX900. You will experience a true 3D in your own home with your friends and family.

Tablets – Razer Edge Pro Gaming Tablet

Here is one excellent gadget for all the gamers. You will definitely enjoy it. This gadget is a combination of tablet, PC and console all in one. On this tablet you can run all PC games and applications for Windows 8 devices. This gaming tablet has some excellent features. This tablet runs on Intel Core i5 processor. There are Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics and optional Nvidia GT 640 LE graphics card. The screen is 10.1 inch IPS with HD resolution of 1366 × 768 pixels, and of course the operating system is Windows 8.
This little gadget is specially designed for all the gamers and we must say that there are more and more gamers on mobile platforms. With the Razer Edge Pro Gaming Tablet you will definitely have unforgettable gaming experience. You will be able to go on a next level in gaming industry and enjoy in top notch gadget. Besides for playing games, you can use it for all other purposes. For easier and more comfortable playing, the Razer Edge offers numerous add-ons like controllers, dock with integrated controllers and keyboard and additional USB connectors. This is highly recommended gaming tablet for all those who want to experience something new.

Gaming Consoles – Play Station 4

This is one of the most anticipated gadgets of the year. We are all so anxiously waiting for the November 15th when the sale will start. This is an official date and we are all hoping that nothing will change that date. When Sony announced discretely that they could bring the next generation of PlayStation consoles we were all skeptical and most of us didn’t believe in that rumor. But then they revealed it all and they impressed the whole world. The new console looks very promising and has so many great new things. But the most important thing for every gamer are the games. How will they look like? And they look spectacular. All those speculations will go in vain when we start to play PS4 in our homes. And that will happen very soon.
You will be able to play remotely with your PS Vita. With new design that looks pretty cool and new dualshock controller you will definitely enjoy in this amazing top notch gadget that is coming very soon to out stores, and from there it will come in our homes. And the thing that is most amazing among all the features is the price. It will be available for most people.

E-reader – Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight

E-reader is an electronic device that is specifically designed for the purpose of reading digital e-books. Any device that can display text on the screen can be used as an e-reader, but real e-book readers are designed primarily for reading texts. The main advantages of electronic book readers are better readability on screen, especially in bright sunlight and longer battery life. Depending on the size of memory, a single e-reader can hold several thousand books. This is perfect for all those who love to read and this gadget is a perfect gift for them.
The Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight is great e-reader that has one very interesting feature. Namely, what truly separates the new Nook Simple Touch from the crowd of tablets and e-readers on the market is the GlowLight that illuminates the screen from edge. When you’re outside, you can turn off GlowLight to get pure experience of e-ink, and when you’re in the dark, the amount of light emanating from the screen can be easily adjusted. You can clearly see the screen and everything displayed on it. So, if you are looking for a great e-reader, then you should definitely buy this little gadget.

iPod – Apple iPod Nano (7th generation)

This little top gadget is a small MP3 player which is one of the best models. Basically, the Apple iPod Nano is the same device that Apple has released in 2005 and there are seven different versions. But we have all agreed that this is the best one. It has some great features like Nike + fitness application, and comes in the same aluminum chassis as well as other Apple products and can be paired with Bluetooth wireless headphones. With a memory of 16GB you will be able to listen literally to all of your favorites songs.
This is also the first iPod that has a home button. You have the possibility to store videos and movies on iPod Nano. With the help of Nike, the Apple has developed a fitness app for the iPod. App counts your steps, distance, time, and number of calories you lost. Also with the help of this application you can run. This device is simple and small, suitable for all users that need a device that will fit in your pocket and the one on which you would be able to store up to 10,000 songs. The Apple iPod Nano is currently one of the best MP3 players in the world.

Laptops – Lenovo IdeaPad Y500

If you’re a creative professional, gamer or multimedia addict, the Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 is a perfect laptop for you. Laptop comes with some great features such as Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB of hard drive space and Ndidia 6eForce GTX 650M GPU. That is more than enough to play all the latest games or watching videos. This laptop has two graphic cards. The Ultrabay technology is available on this laptop. That is interchangeable bay with which you can swap an additional graphic card, or for additional disk or fan. Also we must say that the design of this laptop is very stylish and powerful. Another great feature of this device is its keyboard. Besides being spacious, impeccably strong and well organized, it comes with excellent and very attractive red backlit keys.
If you are looking for a cool laptop that has great features and looks pretty amazing, then this laptop is for you. You can play games, watch your favorite movies and enjoy in all of your activities on the Lenovo
IdeaPad Y500. Another great thing is the price which is more than reasonable.

CONCLUSION
In summary, we must say that we tried to choose some of the best gadgets here. All of the above mentioned products are high quality models which will provide you unforgettable experience. We have chosen these categories, because people usually use them. We all need a phone, or a laptop, and for those a bit more demanding customers we have chosen consoles and gaming tablets. In this modern era we are all addicted to these gadgets and we need them for our daily routine.

Top Portable Speakers

Audio, Other

If you want to take your mp3 player, iPhone, or your laptop on the road and convert it to a music system, you would probably want to buy some high quality portable speakers. These little devices are created with the purpose of bringing top quality sound from your smaller devices without using much power. These are usually a system of two speakers combined in one or just one speaker and two speakers combo, either powered by USB or rechargeable batteries. Whether you are going on a beach or just having some burgers outside with your friends, these devices will definitely come in handy. They are of special use on business or vacation trips when you are stranded in your room and just need some music to relax. Some speakers have wireless portability, others are charged in different ways, but there is one common thing for all of them and that is the ability to produce sounds of high quality from your smaller devices. It does not really matter what you are going to use these speakers for; the important thing is that they will at one point in your life be of a great use to you, even if you think that that might not occur.

Top Portable Speakers

Over the course of a couple of months we have tested around forty products available on the market and we have come up with the list of ten products that have passed them in flying colors. Testing included cranking the volume to the maximum while playing heavy metal, testing the bass ability with some dub step and of course testing their durability at high volumes. And in the end, we compared the price of each device in order to bring you the ten top portable speakers available on the market. When choosing the perfect portable speakers, there are a lot of things you need to consider. It is not just a matter of purchasing ones; you have to check their features, the ability of portability and ease of use. You might think that it could not be complex to use these kinds of speakers, but even the smallest products have some issues. Comparing all of the products out there is certainly time consuming and grueling. That is where we come in, as we have done these things for you, and now the only thing that you have to do is to select one off of our list and enjoy your music on the go.

IHOME iHM79BC Rechargeable Mini Speakers

Top Portable Speakers - IHOME iHM79BC Rechargeable Mini Speakers

Let us start off with the iHome product, the iHM79BC portable speakers. These speakers are a nice piece of electronic equipment which will satisfy your needs for sound waves. They are designed in such a way that when you twist them they expand and provide you with the fullest sound that they are able to produce. The cable that comes with iHM79BC is a two-in-one cable for USB charging and the 3.5 mm audio jack. These speakers can easily fit in your hands and therefore they can also easily fit into youe bag pocket. They can be connected to any kind of device that supports the 3.5 mm audio jack. The battery life is not that great, around eight hours, and it is capable of recharging. The sound really distorts at high volumes which can be a problem, but the sound reproduction on the lower volume levels is near perfect. iHM79BC are in the mid price range and are overall good speakers worthy of their spot on the top portable speakers list.

Altec Lansing iM-237

Top Portable Speakers - Altec Lansing iM-237

The iM-237 by Altec Lansing is one of the best portable speakers out there. This little device is powered by three AAA batteries that can last for about 24 hours, which is an impressive feat. A single speaker that gives out clear and high quality sound is just what some people need. Although it has no other means to supply power than the AAA batteries, this amazing speaker has won over many hearts. It can be plugged in almost every device that has a 3.5 mm jack output, and even in the 2.5 mm inputs if you buy the optional converter. iM-237 is very small and has the neat feature that enables you to wrap the cable around it, so that it can be fitted in your jacket pocket. The only drawback, at least to some people, is that it only reproduces sound in mono. But, other than that, this is definitely top portable speaker on the market.

iLuv SmashBox

Top portable speakers - iLuv SmashBox These speakers by iLuv are actually a combo of speakers in one device. They come with this neat feature where you can put your playback device in the box of the speakers, in the protective mesh, so as to protect it from outside conditions. They are powered by two AA batteries and can last up to 12 hours of constant play. These are actually the loudest speakers on the market, as they can reproduce music at an amazing volumes. They are connectable with every kind of a device with 3.5 mm audio jack, the mp3 players, iPods, iPhones, mobile phones etc. The oval shape is really attractive, and a fact that they come in a closable box that you can easily carry around makes them even more appealing.

Plus, the price is amazing for this pair of speakers and it only has one drawback – the controls are on the inside, so you have to open the box to get to them. Other than that this is definitely one of the top portable speakers.

Sony SRS-P7

Top portable speakers - Sony SRS-P7

These passive speakers by Sony are a wonder to behold. They do not need any kind of battery or power supply as they are juiced by the jack input. Taking that into consideration they still provide an amazing quality and volume of sound. These speakers are able to reproduce sound from any device with a 3.5 mm jack output, so basically, they can reproduce from anything. SRS-P7 come with a special bass duct design from Sony to make those bass lines more recognizable in the mash of portable sound reproduction. The speakers can be connected together for more portability. The only real drawback is that these speakers are a bit too big for some people. Nevertheless, they are still one of the best portable speakers out there with a small price.

Sony SRSM50

Top portable speakers - Sony SRSM50

The SRSM50 by Sony are two small black boxes that will reproduce sound from almost any kind of device. They are powered by three AAA batteries, but come with an additional AC adaptor for those occasions when you run out of juice. The constant reproduction can last for about 12 hours. When you want to move the SRSM50 speakers around, you just “clip” them together and you are good to go. For speakers that have the additional AC adaptor you would expect them to be very loud, but that is not so. Despite this drawback, the sound that they do reproduce is of an amazing quality that can satisfy anyone’s ears. The price is not that good too, as you would expect more from them for this price range, but still, they are better than most of portable speakers on the market.

Sony SRS-A27

Top portable speakers - Sony SRS-A27

The SRS-A27 speakers by Sony are a pair of grey portable speakers. They can either be powered by 4 AA batteries, or by an AC adaptor which is an optional purchase. SRS-A27 can easily be connected to any kind of devices. Even though they use passive technology, they still need some more juice to crank it up. They are a bit on the bulky side and are probably better off being desktop or laptop speakers, but since Sony markets them as portable they can be found on this list. Do not get us wrong, these speakers are not half as bad as some are on the market. Still, for this price range we expected more from them, as we were hopeful when seeing their size and the fact that you can purchase an AC adaptor for them. That being said, they do offer a broad sound range and the sound that they reproduce is beautiful to say the least.

Here you have one of the best portable speakers produced by Sony – the SRSTP1. These speakers with passive technology do not require any kind of battery or additional power supply, as they take their power straight from the 3.5 mm jack, which in turn enables them to be connected to any kind of device. SRSTP1 are a combo of two speakers in one and they feature a really slim and cool design which makes them very portable. Just pop them in your bag and you are good to go. They are also the loudest portable speakers on the market. Seriously, when we played The Master of Puppets by Metallica on them we almost received serious ear damage. The only drawback that these little guys have is the sound range which is a little on the low side. Other than that, these speakers will bring to you the portability you need and are well worth the money you pay for them, making them one of the best portable speakers out there.

X-Mini MAX II XAM7-B

Top portable speakers - X-Mini MAX II XAM7-B

The X-Mini MAX II are yet another nice portable speaker set that is widely praised and for good reason, as these little killer speakers give out a nice deep and full sound. They use a standard mini USB and charge really quickly, which is a great advantage. You won’t believe the bass treble or the mid tones these portable speakers produce. The most important thing is that these X-Mini speakers are very light and very durable, which will literally enable you to carry them around in a bag or a purse without even feeling them, and without worrying that they will sustain any kind of damage. Basically, these mini portable speakers sound great, cost very little, and your chance of finding something that sounds this good in this price range is almost zero. These are it.

Kinivo ZX100 Mini Portable Speaker

Top portable speakers - Kinivo ZX100 Mini Portable Speaker

The Kinivo ZX100 Mini portable speaker is very cheap and pretty good for the asked price. We were initially very skeptical before we tried this mini speaker ourselves, but the full sound we got from it dispelled any and all doubts we had about it. While this is hardly a sound system, it is definitely a good thing to keep close by and handy as it will be very practical in scenarios when you want to play some songs using your iPhone, MP3 player, laptop or tablet. Interestingly, and definitely unexpectedly, this thing can definitely crank up some volume and fill up the room, which is, to be frank, amazing considering its size. Another good thing is its durability and lightness, which will allow you to carry it around without really feeling is weight.

Conclusion

There are dozens of instances where we want to play a song for someone and our phone is just not strong enough to do the song justice, so we just give up with a promise to send them a link later. Sometimes, when we are travelling, and generally when we want to take a weekend off, we would like to have some music without taking the whole stereo system with us. Portable speakers are an excellent solution to all these problems, and this is why a lot of people choose to buy them in the first place. It is always awesome to have them at hand, and if they are small enough, you can just put them in your bag or purse and forget about them until you need them. The selection presented to you showed some really good portable speakers in all possible price ranges, and we ensured to include only the ones that are really good and that produce nice, rounded and full sound that fills the room and does the music justice. With one of these portable speakers you are sure to enjoy your music on the go and never have situations where you have to listen to bad quality sound simply because your stereo system is too heavy to tug wherever you go.

Best iPhone Pedometer App

Software

We have tested dozens of pedometer applications for iPhone and we have chosen the best one there is on market. Whether you have just started to exercise or you want to know exactly what is your level of physical readiness, pedometer can help you on your way to a healthier life. This little device is also now available as an application for iPhone. Pedometer counts every step you take and calculates how many miles have you walked in a particular training or day.

Experts recommend 12,000 steps a day to keep our bodies prepared to deal with all the difficulties we face. If you belong to the “advanced” group, you will be delighted by another function that pedometer offers – it calculates the number of calories burned during walking / training. Thanks to TV and computers, we often spend a lot of time sitting and eating junk food. Technology makes us fat, but if we use it wisely, it can help us to lose weight. And this application will help you in that mission.

With a pedometer iPhone app you can keep record of your steps each day. With the help of such application, you can find out how much you have walked in a day and how many calories you spent walking. You can also keep a diary of walking, and make a plan for how you intend to walk that day in order to get a desired figure. We must all agree that the Apple has brought a revolution in the use of mobile phones in general. They completely changed the way in which mobile phones are being used and how they are functioning. Almost every day some new application is out. There are apps for almost everything, so it is no wonder that they have discovered an iPhone pedometer application.

Best iPhone Pedometer App Features

What are the main features of this app? First of all, as we said in the beginning, you are able to count your steps whether you are walking or running. Then you can see how many calories you have spend during your activities. You can enter various activities like running, cycling or exercising at the gym. Some apps give you the possibility to record what you are eating. As you can see, iPhone pedometer application is versatile and it can be used in various purposes. If you enjoy in fitness and other physical activities, then you should definitely get a pedometer app for your iPhone.

Main features of an iPhone pedometer application:

Counts your steps while walking or running
Records calories
Keeps record on all your physical activities during the day.

iTreadmill

This is one of the best iPhone pedometers on the market. It is one of the most accurate pedometer apps. You can use it for walking indoors and outdoors. The app really resembles a real treadmill display. There are 9 different parameters to choose such as distance, pace, speed, step counts, time, average pace, calories and average speed. It is very flexible and very easy to customize it.

You can set the speed you want to run like on the real treadmill. VCR controls will allow you to pause and stop your run, or even save it. On history table, your walks and runnings will be saved so you can keep monitoring your past fitness activities. When you cover the front of your iPhone, the back light is shut off. This way you save battery on your iPhone and that is one big plus. This is great if your iPhone is in your pocket or a purse.

Another great feature is AUTO PAUSE/RESUME. This feature will automatically pause your app if you stop running and walking. And when you start to move again, it will resume the tracking. The PocketStop technology provides amazing accuracy and that is one of the reasons why this pedometer is the best. It is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. It requires iOS 4.3 or later, and it is optimized for iPhone 5.

There is no more need to buy expensive equipment for exercise, since with this iPhone pedometer you have it all. You can use it everywhere and at anytime. This is one really great fitness application which will allow you to stay fit. All of your progress and hard work will be recorded and you will have full insights in your physical activities.With iTreadmill app you will definitely stay in good physical shape.

Accupedo Pedometer

Here is another great iPhone pedometer which is also very accurate and has some pretty great features. Measures how many steps you have taken, how much calories you have burned and how much time it took you to do that. It has an amazing charts which shows all the steps you have taken in a day, week, month and year.

We all love to brag about almost everything we do in our daily life and we love to share that with our Facebook friends. With this app you can share your daily walk report and make your friends jealous. You can put your phone into your pocket, purse or waist belt and start walking or running. Although, we would recommend if you put it on your waist belt, because that will give you the best results while using this iPhone pedometer app. It accurately monitors your daily walking and counts burned calories.

There is also a feature that allows you to set up your daily goals. For example you want to walk 15000 steps in a specific period of time or during the whole day, you can set up that goal and observe the progress which is shown in percentages. In this way you can achieve better results in losing weight and staying fit. All the information you need are being displayed on your mobile phone.

Another great feature is language. You can choose from a list of languages and pick the one that suits you best: English, French, Dutch, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Chinese, Spanish and Swedish. It requires iOS 6.0, and it is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. One thing is sure – you will stay fit and in perfect shape if you use this iPhone pedometer application.

Map My Walk

This application for iPhone is pretty advanced and it allows you to monitor almost everything about your body, starting from counting steps to heart rate. It has a great user interface. You can map your route, track your activities, control what you eat and of course you can share all those information with your friends on social networks. Some of the features are: distance, time, speed and heart rate.

This is a fitness tracking application that enables GPS on your phone. There is an endless list of sporting activities to choose from: walking, running, dog walk, cycling, stairs and many more. After you have chosen your activity, you choose your route. Map My Walk iPhone pedometer has three options for choosing your route. You have My Routes, Bookmarked and Nearby. Once you have chosen your route, you can start doing your activity.

This pedometer will also keep track on how much calories you have consumed and burned, what you have eaten, how much do you weigh and how much water you drink daily. Map My Walk iPhone pedometer will also keep track of your workout in a very detailed list. You can also see your stats like elevation of your walk and pace. It is compatible with various Bluetooth heart rate monitors. Another great thing about this app is that you can view all of these information online on your computer. If you go to their official site, you will be able to see all the things you have on your phone transferred onto your computer.

This is a great app for keeping track of your fitness activities. It is compatible with Android phones, as well as with iPhone, iPad and Ipod touch. This pedometer will keep you fit and healthy. Download this app and enjoy in your fitness activities.

Pacer Pedometer App

Here is another great iPhone pedometer application which will keep track of your health and fitness activities. This app counts your steps, how much you weigh and it keeps data of your blood pressure. With a great user interface and option to put some information about your pressure and heart, this iPhone pedometer application will satisfy even those most demanding customers.

All of your activities you will be able to view in charts where your progress will be on a weekly, monthly, six-monthly and all time basis. In this way you will have total insight in your health. Another great feature is the Plan section where you can set up your goals and of course try to achieve them. The most important thing for every success is discipline, and with this feature you will be able to achieve that. Blood pressure is crucial for our health, and with this app you will be able to keep track of it. You can keep your phone in your pocket, purse or armband. The Pacer Pedometer will accurately count your steps and keep you in shape.

This pedometer is one of the easiest to use. It has such a simple setup and it is great for all those who want to keep track of their health. You can lose weight, control your blood pressure and exercise. Of course, you can also listen to your favorite music and completely enjoy in your fitness activities. Set a goal, adjust the settings, play some music and start running. You will definitely be satisfied with the Pacer Pedometer App.

Another great thing is the possibility to choose between various languages. Here is the list: English, French, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Traditional Chinese. It is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. With this iPhone pedometer application you will keep an eye on your health, stay in good physical condition and you will achieve your goals.

Conclusion

We have to say that an iPhone pedometer application is one really useful app which will allow you to monitor your activity and health condition. Pedometer is a device that measures the number of steps, the traveled distance, calories consumption and time spent in walking. As you have seen, during this review, we have introduced you with the best iPhone pedometer applications. All of these apps have great features which can keep track of your physical activity. The iTreadmill is currently the best on the market. It has great user interface, you can use it indoors and outdoors and keeps track of all your activities.

With the Accupedo iPhone pedometer you can share your walk reports via Facebook, you can set up a goal and enjoy in your exercises. With the MayMyWalk iPhone pedometer, you can use your GPS, make your own routes and keep track of your heart rate. With the Pacer Pedometer App you will lose weight and control your blood pressure. As you can see, all of these iPhone pedometers have one goal – to keep you in good shape and help you preserve your health. So, go to iTunes and download one of these great applications. You won’t regret it surely.

But if you want to use an app with an activity tracker …

then read our Fitbit vs Bodybugg article or go straight to Amazon and buy the Fitbit Charge and use it with the Fitbit App. You can’t make anything wrong with that decision.

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Pico Projectors

Gadget Reviews

The need for perfect presentation anytime and anywhere has brought towards the development of smaller projection devices. During the past decade the projectors have started becoming smaller and smaller in size, providing the ability to perform a presentation on the go. Through this development many sizes of projectors came along, most notably pico and pocket. Now, the pico and pocket or palm-top sizes of projectors do cause some of confusion, mainly because of their similar size. Pocket projectors are not really suitable for your pocket, as the term is mainly metaphoric because of the size of around 5 x 5 inches.

Pico projectors on the other hand are comparable to the mobile phones when it comes to size and weight. If you are in the need of a small projector, you should definitely consider buying a pico projector. It really is easier to carry around a small device that can be used for projecting, rather than a bulky projector. These devices are usually considered to be perfect for business trips where you can whip one out at a moments notice and showcase your presentation to potential business partners. It does not have to be about business also, as some gamers use these projectors to enhance mobile gaming experience.

When it comes to pico projectors, choosing the right one can be tough, as it is the case with any kind of electronic equipment. The research and features that you want in a pico projector can take a lot of time; not to mention the comparison of products which can be a grueling task. That is why we have done your research for you, and after twelve products, we have come up with the best four pico projectors that will suit most of the users needs.

There are a lot of pico projectors out there, and during the last two months we have tested most of them in various ways. Starting with various surfaces for projection and different lighting conditions, ranging from a dark room to a brightly lit outdoors. Another aspect that we have incorporated in our tests was the projecting distance or its maximal reach. You will be amazed with the finds, as some of these small devices can really crank it up in that department.

Here are some of the features that you should look into when purchasing a pico projector:

Resolution
Projection distance
Contrast and aspect ratio
Brightness
Picture quality
Device compatibility (e.g. PC, Mac)
Connections (e.g. VGA, HDMI, USB, etc.)
Price

Pico Projectors

Best Pico Projector – Optoma PK320

Optoma is a company that revolutionized the field of small projectors and that being said, the fact that our best pico projector choice was made by them is not as surprising. The Optoma PK320 has awesome performance and features that will simply amaze you.

PROS:

The native projecting resolution of this device is 854 x 480 pixels, which is not really the best resolution on the market, as some pico projectors can go up to 1024 x 600. The maximum size of the image is an another story, because this projector has the maximum image size of 150 inches with aspect ratio of 16:9, which is the largest possible image size on the market and it enables you to reproduce an image similar in size to your normal projectors. PK320 has a maximum projection distance of a whopping 235 inches. The contrast ratio between the lightest and darkest point is 3000:1, another one of the leading points when it comes to the Optoma PK320. Add to this contrast ratio the brightness of 100 Lumens and you have yourself a picture that is very bright and can even be spotted in mild sunshine, which is an another great feature for such a small device.

The quality of picture that PK320 produces is amazingly crisp and clear, which enhances the opportunities that you can gain from this pico projector. With 2 GB of internal storage memory, you can easily store your files on PK320 and project them without any additional devices. Device is compatible with PC and Mac, plus it has the remote control what makes it a lot easier to use the projector. The various connections for the PK320 include VGA, mobile device connections, composite audio/video cable, micro USB and mini HDMI connections. Plus, there is a micro SD card slot where you can plug in your micro SD card and either transfer data or project from it. The price is reasonable as such devices cost a lot more, and if you compare its features, the the Optoma PK320 turns out to be the best pico projector on the market.

CONS:

The PK320 product has no real cons, except maybe that it needs to be plugged in the electrical socket to get the best brightness level.

That being said, the price you pay for it is well worth, as this pico projector is definitely best one out there. Mainly because of the features, connections and the excellent performance that it displays.

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Best Buy Pico Projector – FAVI E3-LED-PICO

Favi E3 might look like a surprising addition to this list, but it is an excellent pico projector that is almost on par with the Optoma PK320. This excellent product by Favi has amazing features and excellent performance that will leave a satisfactory smile on your face.

PROS:

E3 has a maximum resolution of 854 x 480, just like the PK320, and a maximal image size of 110 inches with the aspect ratio of 16:9. This size is considered as the industry standard for the past few years. With the contrast ratio of 1000:1 it might not be the sharpest display that you get, but this shouldn’t be the reason to pass on this device. With an above average picture quality and the biggest lamp life of 30 000 hours, this device is definitely a best buy pico projector. The E3 is compatible with PC and Mac and has the remote control ability, just like the PK320. The connections that this device is able to establish are very varied and they include the standard VGA and mobile connection, composite AV and your standard USB and HDMI connection, with the addition of micro SD card slot. The internal memory is just 0.031 GB of space, but this is not a disadvantage as most pico projectors have smaller quantities of internal storage or none whatsoever. The performance of this machine is generally good, when you consider the image size and the sharpness, plus all of the connections that you are able to establish with this device.

CONS:

The only real con of the Favi E3 is the brightness level, which comes up to 50 Lumens. It might not be the best brightness level out there but still gets the job done properly. Another thing is the exclusion of micro USB and mini HDMI connections, which really comes in handy, especially when connecting the projector to smaller devices.

The price is similar to the Optoma PK320 which is obviously a lot better in terms of performance and image size.

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Bestseller Pico Projector – AAXA P4 P4X

AAXA is a well-known brand when it comes to pico projectors and the P4 is a product that supports this statement. The AAXA P4 is a really popular device to people who buy and use pico projectors, and we are going to present you some of the features that will prove that this is a bestselling device.

PROS:

With resolution of 854 x 480, just like the Optoma PK320 and Favi E3, the AXXA P4 brings out the best out of your presentations. Maximum image size comes up to 100 inches and the aspect ratio is 16:9, which makes this projector a decent addition to our list. The picture quality comes very near to the performance of PK320, as it is very crisp and clear, thanks to the contrast ratio of 2000:1 and brightness of 80 Lumens. P4 is also very lightweight, as it weights only 6.4 OUNCES. We were amazed by how light it is, as you almost do not notice it in your pocket. The internal memory of AAXA P4 is 2 GB, which allows you a lot of space to put your music, videos and all other files necessary for your perfect portable presentation. The connections included with P4 are your standard VGA and mobile device connections, composite AV, micro USB and standard USB connection, with the addition of micro SD card slot. The performance overall is good and this device is definitely on par with the Favi E3, but there are some minor setbacks.

CONS:

The biggest setback when it comes to the P4 is the exclusion of any kind of HDMI connection, which taking into consideration the development of modern video reproduction should be a standard in these kind of devices. The life of the projector lamp is only 15 000. This might not sound that bad, but it is the lowest life span when it comes to standard pico projectors. Another minor setback is the maximum distance of projection which is about 80 inches.

The AXAA P4 is a really popular pico projector, which is to be expected when consider the mid-price range and the high performance levels of this device. That being said, it is a definite bestseller.

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Cheapest Pico Projector – Optoma EP-PK-101

With Optoma being one of the biggest names on the market, it is understandable that they would produce pico projectors of any kind and shape. Let us introduce to you their low-budget addition to the family: Optoma EP-PK-101. This projector is indeed meant for those who are on a small budget therefore we did not expect great things about this projector. Nevertheless, it proved us wrong in several instances.

PROS:

This little device has an astounding maximum image size of 60 inches and a projecting distance up to 100 inches, which is the same as in AAXA P4.

These two features might not sound astounding, but they are since this is a very small projector with weight of just 4 ounces. The PK-101 only has one connection available (two if you count the jack for the micro USB through which the device is powered) the standard composite AV input. With contrast ratio of 1000:1 and 20 000 hours of lamp life, this device can produce amazingly good and bright projections on almost any kind of surface.

CONS:

There are some obvious drawbacks when it comes to this projector. The first one would be the lack of any other connection than he composite AV one. EP-PK-101 is nowhere near the bigger brother PK320 with the performance or features. That being said, you should consider that this was one of the first pico projectors out there, therefore it is understandable that it is not good as others on the list.

Still, the price on PK-101 is excellent, considering how much are the other products on this list worth. PK-101 might not be the state of the art pico projector, but it still gets the job done dutifully and will not fail you if you are in need of a quick portable presentation. PK-101 is the cheapest pico projector out there and is an excellent choice for people with on a lower budget.

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Conclusion
There are a lot of aspects that need your attention before buying a portable projection device. We have taken upon ourselves to test a certain number of devices and do the selection for you, in order to save your valuable time and money. The best pico projector out there has to be the Optoma PK320, as it has the best performance in all aspects and the best possible features that you can look for in a portable projector. If you, for some reasons, don’t want the PK320, then you should consider getting the FAVI E3. Its level of performance is almost on par with the named best pico projector. That being said, E3 has a bit lower brightness level and the exclusion of some connection options that the PK320 has. The most popular pico projector and a bestseller is the AAXA P4. It comes surprisingly near the performance of PK320 and E3 and it is a trusted product by many. Still, the exclusion of HDMI connection and the longevity of the lamp separates it from the first two devices. If you are on a really low budget, then your option would be Optoma EP-PK-101, as it is the cheapest pico projector on the market. This projector only has one AV connection and the performance is not that great, so you are better off by saving some extra bucks and going for the bestseller.

Gifts for Geeks

Gadget Reviews

It’s the holiday season or a special occasion and you don’t know what to buy for your geeky someone in your life. It could be problematic, considering that everyone likes different things and you may be way off base with just a regular gift. It has to be cool and unique – especially if it’s a birthday gift or some significant date in the geek’s life. Now, it doesn’t have to be that hard and there really are some universal geeky things that any smart person will love, just because they are simply awesome.

Picking the right gift can be a real chore and there are a lot of people who find choosing gifts incredibly stressful. The more important the person you want to surprise is, the pressure level is goes higher. It’s a conundrum. This is why we have created this really cool list of ideas for a geek gift which covers a lot of bases, and we included some universally cool geeky stuff that will be great for just about anyone. In fact, you may want to keep some of these items – but remember that these are not for you! Unless of course you are a geek and you want to reward yourself with a really cool gift. That is completely understandable.

Don’t be deceived that the geek in your life will love any techie thing you buy or any rare book you procure. In fact, that is an expected gift and if a lot of people know your special geeky person, you can bet that someone is going to come up with the idea to buy something generic like that. If you really want to get something techie, make it with a really original spin no one will anticipate. If your geek loves a certain series of movies or books, find something related, but don’t buy the book or the movie in question because they probably have it. Sometimes the best gifts are things which are both useful and cool, and this will ensure that your awesome geeky person will always think of you when they use it –and that is most likely exactly what you are going for!

We went through some trouble in order to pick out the things that are truly awesome gift ideas for geeks. We even went to the length of going through wish lists of some very geeky people we know. It was a lot of fun and we came up with the ultimate gifts for geek’s guide that is sure to have some neat ideas to make this gift hunt very simple and easy for you.

Gifts for Geeks

Tetris Constructible Desk Lamp Light

Tetris is something most people have played in their lives, and if you have an older geek you want to surprise, you can bet that they are going to have tons of fun with this Tetris LED lamp. This is a fantastic idea for any geek if you are unsure of what they may like, and if you have one who likes only specific series, books and movies, and is generally a tough cookie, you are safe with this gift. Of course, unless you decide to keep this yourself because it is simply awesome.

You can literally move the Tetris blocks exactly the way you would in the game, which means that you can assemble this lamp any way you like.

This in turn means that you will probably spend less time working than shifting the Tetris lamp around, so you will be well advised to keep it away from the desk when you want things done. The way this lamp functions is actually quite cool – you have 7 interlocking Tetris blocks which will glow the neon colors when you put them all together. If you want to turn the lights off, all you need to do is to disassemble one of the pieces and voila!

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DCI Pop Quiz Clock

If you know someone who is a good mathematician and/or studies something related (basically anything brainy), then this is a simple but smart gift idea. The Pop Quiz Clock is the kind of thing that is sure to really catch the eye and will be a great addition to any office wall. The thing is, a clock like this will definitely draw really diverse and interesting reactions, and it would probably be worth the money just to see the faces of some people when they are asked about the time. Of course, the clock is a clock and it works just like any other, but this one is a genuinely symbolic gift for a math or physics student, or anyone who studies or works in an area that requires a bit of careful calculations. Also, because it looks like the good old fashioned chalk on board, it’s a really nostalgic throwback to the school times when you really had to worry about those pop quizzes, and your geeky buddy never seemed to be phased.

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Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi is the ultimate geek product, because it is THE one thing that geeks and computer freaks wanted for a long time, a small enough computer to fit in your pocket. We are not talking about PDAs, smartphones or similar devices; we are talking about an actual computer with a processor, graphics processing unit and read-only memory. The storage device for this mini-computer is a SD card which can be used for booting and storage.

The design is very small, but it has all of the connectors that your normal PC has, including an Ethernet connector, HDMI, two USB 2.0 slots, RCA video, SD card pocket and 3.5 millimeters audio out jack. The machine is powered by a microUSB socket. This mini computer is capable of almost everything your normal PC is, things like word processing, playing video games and even playing high-definition videos. The Raspberry Pi comes in a shape of a small motherboard, without casing, and has two mounting holes for easy installation. This is definitely a great gift for geeks as it represents a computer device that can fit in your pocket. You would not need to spend a lot of money to make your geek happy as this is a reasonably priced gadget.

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8″ Nebula Plasma Ball

This is a gadget that is based on the genius design of the eccentric electricity freak Nikola Tesla. What it is essentially is a glass ball full of gases which in combination with electricity provide an interesting light show. This plasma ball actually has a protective coating on the glass, as it is not a toy and the direct contact with gases powered with electricity can be harmful. Interestingly enough, if you place your fingers on the ball, the plasma will respond to your movements and you will feel a pleasantly-mild tickling sensation in your fingers. This gift is perfect for all of the geeks out there. It is a small object that can be plugged in the electric socket and left on the table for people to enjoy the intricate show of electricity and gases, and it does not cost a lot.

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USB Missile Launcher

Can you imagine a male who did not want a rocket launcher in his childhood? Well, here is a perfect gift, not only for geeks, but also for people who have retained their inner child. This missile launcher is made of plastic and it is powered by a simple USB cable. All you have to do is plug it in your USB PC port and you are good to go. The missile launcher can be controlled in such a way to move left, right, up or down and of course to shoot out three foam imitations of rocket missiles, and all of this whit a simple tap of a button on your PC. The product comes with a CD ROM whit a program, USB cable and paper targets. Perfect gift for your geeks that can be set up in the study room, or even in the office, so that some stem could be let off quickly.

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Levitron Ion

The Levitron Ion is a levitating and rotating globe that can be situated on your office desk or in your study room. It is also perfect for geeks and freaks. Developed by a team of international engineers, this device uses intricate combination of electric coils and magnets that create the effect of levitation. The modern design looks perfect and will amaze everyone. Just set this on the table and it will become a great conversational piece. The globe is “set on” a mirror-like base which is plugged in a power outlet. Levitron Ion is a perfect gift for your geeks, or even for your office workers and it is definitely worth the money you will pay for it.

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Flying Alarm Clock

Here is a piece of electronic equipment for those who have problems in waking up in the morning. The Westview PI-744 is a flying alarm clock that at the set moment of the alarm starts the propeller and goes off flying around the room. It will not stop flying until you get up, catch it and set it back to the base. Even though the snooze option is available, it is unlikely that anyone would use it. This alarm clock has a big blue back-lit display which enables you to read time properly and it is powered by four AA batteries. If you have a geek that has trouble getting up in the morning, this would be a perfect present for him/her. Or, maybe, you could purchase it for yourself if you are one of those people.

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Star Wars USB Flash Drives

If you have a Star Wars geek and want to buy a gift for that person, you better stray off the usual things. Star Wars freaks are well known about their almost fanatic and religious devotion towards the franchise, and that is why whatever you purchase the person might already have. That is where the USB flash drives come in, as they are a perfect gift, because of their functionality and their looks. These three USB flash drives are designed after the three popular characters in the franchise, Jedi Master Yoda, Sith Lord Darth Vader and the adorable little robot R2D2. They come in sizes of 8 GB, and the R2D2 one even comes with a preloaded themes and desktop wallpapers, plus it makes the R2D2 signature sign when plugged into the computer. What a better gift for your Star Wars freak (or yourself, if you are one of them) than these amazing USB flash drives that will help to back-up your data and will also look awesome on your keychain. Plus, the prices are really reasonable, so you will get a great bargain for these products.

Robo Vacuum

Geeks like robots, even when cleaning, they would definitely prefer to do it their way. The Robo Vacuum is a really smart way to clean up all the debris from the floor and will work best on smooth surfaces, but despite not being an all purpose cleaning bot, it’s still a really cool gift for your geek. Especially if the geek in question does not have a habit of paying attention to the mess they leave behind. There may be a long way to go to have those handy house cleaning robots the Jetsons have, but still – it’s a good start as any. In case your geek is into robotics and techie stuff, they are going to love it, especially because it has a dose of humor in it. Not to mention that in case they have a cat, in that case they will have even more fun with it because this may become a source of a lot of fun.

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LEGO The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

What a better gift for a geek than a LEGO set piece, and if that geek adores Lord of the Rings, you are in luck. This buildable LEGO dice is actually a fun twist on memory game for two to four players. The point of the game is to find dwarves lost in the Hobbiton by using tips and hints by Gandalf the Grey and some other Hobbits. Once you build up this game board it is easy to store it and to take it out for another go at the game. It comes with building instructions and the rule book for the game. This is a perfect gift for geeky kids or friends that love Lord of the Rings franchise, and it is ha a very nice price that will not make you spend a lot of money to make your geek happy.

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Conclusion

Whether your geek likes some obscure franchises or some mainstream geeky stuff, picking out a perfect thing and still being original is really somewhat of an ordeal. You may feel overwhelmed and a bit pressured if that person is close and important, so you may feel like you need to find something they will simply adore. Some of the things we have described for you are really original and unique, and it is unlikely that someone else will think of the same things. It’s always important not to buy a generic, boring gift for anyone, much less for a geek who has some really demanding standards. These gifts are mostly budget gifts, so you won’t have to worry much about that part. The crucial thing is to pick out the one your geek will like the most!

Fitbit vs BodyBugg

Other

Whether you are very serious about your fitness or just plainly want to know what is going on with your body on a daily basis, activity trackers can help you. You can get rid of all paper based calorie loss calculations and calendars if you transfer to these electronic devices that offer a lot more. Activity trackers are basically an advanced version of pedometers. While pedometers are electronic portable devices that measure every step based on your hip movements, activity trackers do more than that. Accelerometers or altimeters for distance tracking, calculators for your calorie loss tracking, some of them are able to monitor your heart rate and even the quality of sleep.

What is the best activity tracker?

So, in layman terms, activity trackers are handy devices that help you oversee your fitness levels with computer-aided calculations for certain parameters. The term “activity tracker” has been used for these devices ever since the release of the original Fitbit in 2009. They usually come in pair with an internet-based or mobile application which help you to have a better insight in your lifestyle and physical health. Some of these devices can be connected to a smart bathroom scale and other similar devices in order to provide you with the most accurate data about your body. There are many forms and design shapes so they can be attached to your waist via clip-on technique, or they can be in a form of a watch that goes around your wrist. There are even some devices that can be attached to your shoe.

When analyzing the best activity trackers out there, you have to take into consideration a lot of elements and features. The main ones being the amount of information with which such a device can provide you and of course, looks and design. Most people do not want these kinds of devices to be intrusive or seen by other people, and that is what makes the design a very important aspect.

We have tested a lot of products out there, around fifteen of them, and we came to conclusion that two companies provided the best activity trackers on the market: Fitbit, with the original activity trackers, and Apex Fitness Group with their BodyBugg line of products. We really did not know how to select the best product from these two companies, as they all have different features that make them great. That is why we are going to present to you both, Fitbit and BodyBugg products, so that you can choose the best one for yourself. Your style and preferences will determine which one of these products is the most suitable for you, according to your needs. So, without further ado, let us present to you an in-depth review of these products.

Fitbit

The Fitbit Inc. produced the first activity tracker ever, the Fitbit Tracker. Fitbit Tracker was the first fitness device that was an update of the pedometers. The device used a three-dimensional accelerator to measure your body activity, such as the distance you have walked, floors you have climbed, calories burned, basically everything you did, plus the length and intensity of these activities.

The device used a display to convey this information and came with a wireless station that enabled the user to charge the device, connect it to a computer and upload the data to Fitbit website. The upload of data to the website enabled the user to use numerous features, such as overview of physical activity, tracking of set goals, food log and interaction with other users. The website is free to use even today, whether you own a Fitbit or not. The design of this device was a breakthrough, as it was a small device which could be clipped on your body so that you can wear it all the time.

There were numerous products developed in the Fitbit line since 2009 and the original Fitbit, such as the Fitbit Ultra, Fitbit One, Fitbit Zip, Fitbit Flex, Fitbit Force and even the Fitbit Aria which is a wireless smart scale for measuring of weight, body mass index and body fat. Fitbit Ultra was basically an upgrade to the original product with new features such as a new altimeter that could measure the floors you have climbed, digital clock and stopwatch.

Fitbit Force is the latest addition to the family and it has all of the features that its predecessors have had. Released in 2013, Fitbit Force comes with a beautiful watch-like design and it is a light-weight device that you would not even feel. The constant tracking of your progress is available through the top-notch accelerometer and you can access it with one touch of a button. This activity tracker tracks the number of steps you have taken, number of stairs you have climbed the distance you have traveled and the duration of these activities.

Force is even able to calculate, based on all of the mentioned measurements taken, how much calories you have burned during your daily activities. At the end of the day, there is no need for you to take off this device when you go to bed, as it is able to track your sleep pattern with number of hours you have slept, how quickly you fell asleep and how many times you awoke during the night. All of these features come with a friendly alarm that will silently wake you up without bothering any people around you or even the person you are sharing your bed with.

Another great feature of the Fitbit Force is the ability to connect wirelessly and automatically with a number of different devices through Bluetooth technology, including your PC, iPhone or your Android based devices. When connected to a device, only a tap of button on your Force will activate the companion application. Also, through this application you are able to connect to your personal dashboard where you can overview and calculate your data seamlessly, set up your goals and keep track of them.

There is even an award system which gives you badges for your achievements. Fitbit Force is also able to integrate itself with other relevant apps, including Run Keeper, Map My Fitness, My Fitness Pal, etc. To sum it all up, this device is perfect for people who want to track their daily and nightly activities, whether they are professionally into fitness or just partly interested in the everyday activities of their body. With Fitibit practically inventing the activity tracker devices, you know you cannot go wrong with their products. That being said, when you add the great price for this product, we can say that the Fitbit Force is one of the best activity trackers on the market.

BodyBugg

The largest chain of fitness centers in the world, 24 Hour Fitness, created a nutritional supplement company called Apex Fitness Group. This company was the creator and distributor of the 24 Hour Fitness’ activity tracker named BodyBugg. This device comes with a number of features. First of all, the device can be strapped anywhere on your body and is able to calculate the calories you have burned. So, basically it is a device that is excellent for people who want to exercise. The display, a watch-like designed device, is an optional purchase which will enable you to receive this information in real-time.

This device is basically a calorie management system, as it tracks how much calories you have spent and how much of them have you consumed. All of these results can be viewed on the optional display but also on your Android based devices, your iPhone or personal computer.

The BodyBugg system enables you to connect wirelessly to those devices via a companion application. Upon the purchase of this device, you will be awarded a free six-month long subscription to the website where you will be entering a nutrition and fitness program. Through this program you will be able to enter the food you have eaten and based on that data you will receive suggestions for your future meals. The BodyBugg system also comes with one private session with a BodyBugg coach. The coach will help you set up your fitness program and your device. There is also an option to purchase the further aid of a fitness coach.

The website itself also enables you to upload all your data and calculate precisely how much calories have you burned and based on that, you can set and monitor your goals for the future. This device is specifically made for people who are professionally into fitness or those who want to lose weight, as it is a very precise device when it comes to calculating the number of calories you burn.

Online programs, goal and food consumption monitoring systems with additional help from a personal coach are features that lean towards the statement made in the previous sentence. The features you get for the price you pay are amazing and the satisfactions of many customers who have used this device are the proof of what this device is capable of. That being said, and taking into consideration the relatively modest price, BodyBugg is definitely one of the best activity trackers out there on the market.

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Conclusion: Fitbit VS BodyBugg

While testing these devices, we have come to the conclusion that they are definitely the best activity trackers on the market, and you can see from the overview of their features. They are both an advance version of pedometers, and are also excellent fitness aid tools that will satisfy even professionals. Considering all the features, one can see that the Fitbit Force is an all-purpose tracking activity device. It can be used for numerous purposes, such as for fitness training programs, weight-loss programs or even health monitoring. BodyBugg on the other side is a strictly fitness tool that built to help you lose weight and improve your training. Both, Fitbit Force and BodyBugg offer internet based services where you can monitor your data.

The Fitbit website is completely free to use, while the BodyBugg one is free for only for six months after you purchase the product. Still, the BodyBugg web service is full of helpful courses about fitness and weight loss programs, what justifies the monthly subscription. Fitbit Force has some additional features that are not included in the BodyBugg system, such as the sleep monitoring ability.

It also has to be noted that the Fitbit comes with a real-time display that will convey the measured parameters, which is a paid service with BodyBugg. There is one BodyBugg feature that is non-existent when it comes to the Fitbit Force, and that is the additional help from a fitness coach that will enable you to develop and improve your fitness or weight-loss program. While this feature is not free and requires a monthly fee, you still get one free session after you purchase the device.

Product Recommendation: The Fitbit Alta

This Fitbit tracker is the best buy tracker currently on the market. You can’t do anything wrong by buying it.

That one session will certainly help to set your goals on the right course. Also, BodyBugg offers a full customization program which can be found on their website. The program will be based on your age, weight, height and your personal goals. Taking all these features into consideration, one can see why these devices are the best activity trackers on the market. Now, it is just up to you to select the one that suits you the best and fits your needs. You will get an all-purpose device with Fitbit and a strictly fitness and weight-loss aid device with the BodyBugg.

This article was updated on 14th May 2018!

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What is the best activity tracker?

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BodyBugg

Conclusion: Fitbit VS BodyBugg

Product Recommendation: The Fitbit Alta

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