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Today I have a review of the kind that lets me take a break from chips, circuit boards, and other bits of hardware.

My regular readers know that I work with video surveillance systems. So I couldn't pass up the new 4 MP camera, and when I ordered another batch of the familiar DS-2CD2032 cameras, I picked one up to test as well. But since the DS-2CD2032 is now available in an updated version called the DS-2CD2032F-I, I decided to combine the two and write one review covering both. So, read on if you're interested in components for proper video surveillance systems.

I understand that writing about a converter like this now is a bit like reviewing a steam locomotive's smokestack: interesting, but nobody needs it. But I figured that if I ended up needing one, it might come in handy for someone else too.

Today I’m reviewing a mixed bag of different types of batteries. It’ll be brief, but with numbers.

Somehow, I haven't been writing many reviews of AliExpress products lately, but I just had to write one about this item. It all started when, on August 25, I ordered a whole bunch of little things (probably like many others did)—some for myself and some for friends who'd asked me to. The packages have started arriving recently. I'll probably write about some of the other things I ordered too, since a few of them are interesting. But for now, here's a review and complaint.

Many of you are probably familiar with this situation: at the worst possible moment, your camera (and plenty of other devices) says, “Battery depleted”—and it doesn’t care that you only have a couple of shots left to take. Batteries usually come in genuine and clone versions; this review is about the latter.

Yes, you read that right: I’ve already reviewed these batteries, including putting them to use. But this review is different from the previous one. I’ll also answer some questions that readers often ask about products received for review. Anyway, if you’re interested, the rest is as always below the fold.

This time I decided to experiment again with batteries in a less common size. Read on to find out what I got (and didn't get) in the end.

Just recently, TrustFire came up in one of my battery reviews. I had just received some batteries from this very brand, and they were 18650s. This review won't be very long, but it may be useful. As always, the rest is after the jump.

I often need to quickly check the temperature of electronic components while working. I used to use a homemade contact thermometer with a DS1821 sensor. It was fairly accurate, but the contact measurement method has its drawbacks, so I ordered a small non-contact thermometer. If you're interested, the description and photos are below.

At work, we have quite a few portable radios, powered by Ni-MH batteries. They charge them any old way, so the batteries fail quickly. Lithium batteries were ordered as replacements. If you're interested, read on after the break.

I have an ESR meter built using a circuit designed by GO, a fellow member of the pro-radio forum. I’m sure some of you use this meter too. I use it all the time, but when it runs on a 9V battery with the display backlight on, it drains batteries pretty quickly, so I decided to order a pair of rechargeable batteries for it. Details after the jump.