Batteries for Uniden radios, BP-38 BP-40
18-09-2018, 14:47
Not long ago, I was asked to buy a number of batteries for some radios. It was a pretty straightforward job: I found a suitable listing on AliExpress, placed an order, and a while later picked them up at the post office. But is everything really as good as it seems? Today’s review is a “micro” one; I’ll try to keep it short and stick to the facts.
NCR18650B 3400 mAh from LiitoKala
5-08-2018, 12:50
A brief review of NCR18650B batteries with the LiitoKala logo, bought on AliExpress. In appearance and specifications, these batteries are very similar to the well-known Panasonic NCR18650B, but cost a little less. As usual, the review includes an inspection and thorough testing.
DS-2CD1141-I or another Hikvision camera
17-06-2018, 20:18
Not long ago, I posted a review of a relatively expensive 8-megapixel camera. Today I'm reviewing a somewhat simpler model, both in resolution and features. Its key advantages are its 4 MP resolution, low price, and well-known manufacturer. As always, read on for the rest of the review.
LiitoKala Lii-40A 21700 4000mAh batteries
22-05-2018, 11:43
I've reviewed and tested various batteries, from camera batteries to cylindrical cells in all sorts of sizes, but this is the first time I've had 21700 batteries in my hands. Technically, they're ordinary batteries, just a little larger, but I was still curious to find out what they can do.
Reolink RLC-410WS 4 MP, 5 GHz WiFi and built-in memory card
19-05-2018, 03:53
I've already had a camera from Reolink in for testing. It performed quite well, at least in my opinion, but was essentially an advanced version of a "baby monitor." Today, we'll be looking at another product from this manufacturer, but in a somewhat different form factor, better suited to setting up a home video surveillance system. As always, the review includes an inspection, a teardown, and a brief comparison with a camera from the same brand with comparable claimed specifications.
Nickel strips, or what is used to connect cells in battery packs
18-05-2018, 02:39
Not long ago, I saw someone mention that there aren't enough reviews of unusual products, so today I'm reviewing just such a product. Though I wouldn't call the product unusual myself, I haven't come across reviews like this, which is why I decided to write one. I've often seen people ask what is used to weld battery packs. Obviously, a special strip is used, but what types are there, how do they differ, and which one is best? That's what I'll try to explain today.
Goldenfir 32 GB SSD
24-03-2018, 04:13
I needed a small-capacity drive to run a Linux server. After comparing the prices of HDDs and solid-state drives, I chose a budget 32 GB Goldenfir SSD and would like to offer you a brief review of it.
Review of the KSGER 2-in-1 soldering station with T12 tips and hot air gun
27-12-2017, 11:59
A year ago, I reviewed a Chinese soldering station with T12 tips and an STC controller. I planned to buy a hot air gun to go with it, but as often happens, my plans changed while I was comparing options and looking around. Browsing the selection at the KSGER T12 Store, where I was shopping for a hot air gun, I came across a versatile 2-in-1 soldering station built around an STM32 controller. Today, I’m pleased to bring you a review of it. Shipping and packaging
USB tester, or attempt number two
23-12-2017, 01:30
Not long ago, I reviewed a USB tester with a certain “feature.” The comments on both the review and the video sparked quite a heated discussion, and today I’ll try to explain what was going on. So, scandals, intrigue, investigations.
A brief look at a small mSATA-to-M.2 adapter
18-12-2017, 00:41
I was gradually running out of free disk space, so I decided to expand my “living space.” I also remembered that I had an M.2 SSD lying around since spring, along with an adapter that, as it turned out, I’d bought by mistake. After browsing AliExpress, I found a suitable option—or, more precisely, the cheapest suitable one—and ordered it. So today, here’s a mini-review of a simple little thing: an mSATA-to-M.2 adapter.
WeLoop Hey 3S Fitness Watch
8-12-2017, 21:59
At first, I wanted to title this review something like “yet another smartwatch,” but that doesn’t quite fit what I’m reviewing here. “Fitness tracker” doesn’t seem quite right either. That’s because this watch isn’t really “smart” yet, but it’s clearly more than just a fitness tracker. So today’s review is about a fitness watch from WeLoop.
Power bank for 8 18650 cells, or almost
28-11-2017, 01:09
A few power banks for 8 18650 cells crossed my path. I ended up bringing one home to my workbench “for testing,” which is what I’ll be talking about in today’s mini-review. I should probably warn you right away that this power bank has basically just one notable feature: it can hold a large number of batteries. Otherwise, it’s pretty basic and doesn’t really do much.
HDMI dummy plug, or how to bring a PIPO X10 back to life
23-11-2017, 17:35
A little over a year ago, I bought PIPO's new mini PC, the PIPO X10. I liked almost everything about it: a large screen, a built-in battery, and an external antenna. But almost immediately, a problem became apparent: it wouldn't work properly. And it wasn't just me—this was a widespread issue. I played around with it for a while, then eventually put it on the shelf. One of my readers has now suggested a way to bring this computer back to life, so today I'll explain how to revive the PIPO.
Reolink C1 Pro mains-powered pan-and-tilt camera with 2560x1440 resolution
10-11-2017, 01:27
Some time ago, I posted a review of the inexpensive Escam pan-and-tilt camera. Today, I'm reviewing another pan-and-tilt camera, but one in a higher class. To get straight to the point, I think there are at least two main differences: resolution and build quality, though in fact there are more. For those who want the details, this review includes an inspection, a description of the software, some tests, and, of course, a complete teardown “down to the last screw.”
64×32 RGB LED panels, or how to buy this kind of equipment in China
27-10-2017, 20:45
This is already my fourth review of LED panels for building displays. This review wasn’t originally part of my plans, and neither was buying these panels. In my previous review, I wrote that a seller’s mistake had left me with a controller, so I ordered another batch of LED panels for it. Since I had a specific display size in mind, I had to order panels with a resolution of 64×32 pixels. So, this is a brief review, a little theory, and answers to some of the questions I was asked after publishing the previous installments.
Review of the AUKEY PA-T15 charging station with 5 USB ports and Quick Charge 3.0 support, plus a brief comparison with the AUKEY PA-T1 Quick Charge 2.0
19-10-2017, 00:37
Phones, tablets, smartwatches and fitness trackers, sports watches, e-readers, headsets and speakers, power banks, and plenty more all need a free USB port from time to time. At home, and especially at the office, there often aren't enough outlets to plug in all the chargers you need. I'd been planning to buy a charger with several USB ports for a long time, but never got around to looking through the options. What finally prompted me to buy one was a colleague asking me to help choose a model. Writing this review took quite a while—you'll see why later—and in the meantime, my opinion of the Aukey brand changed dramatically.
BlitzWolf BW-S4 charger with an honest 50 W of power
16-10-2017, 23:40
Not long ago, I posted a review of an almost no-name charger (power supply) rated for 5 V and a claimed current of 7.2 A. As it turned out, the actual power was considerably lower. Today I have a model from the better-known (or perhaps simply known) brand BlitzWolf on my desk, with a claimed combined output current of up to 10 A. Inspection, teardown, tests—as usual.
Raxfly charger (power supply), 5 V with a claimed current of 7.2 A
4-10-2017, 15:54
Not long ago, I was asked to review a USB charger. Since I enjoy tinkering with all kinds of power supplies, I agreed. So I’ll take it apart, examine it, and test it.










