MINIX NEO N42C, a small computer based on the Intel N4200
9-03-2018, 21:54
I’ve come across computers and TV boxes made by Minix in reviews many times, but this is the first time I’ve had one of the company’s computers on my desk. I’ve read quite a few good reviews of this manufacturer’s devices, but I’ve also had a fair number of computers from other brands pass through my hands, so I was doubly interested to see whether Minix really is any better. Inspection, teardown, tests, summary table, conclusions.
120 GB M.2 SSD from RECADATA
9-03-2018, 21:31
A brief review of a relatively small drive from an unknown (at least to me) company, RECADATA. Nothing extraordinary, just a small SSD. Inspection, tests, and conclusions.
Mean Well SDR-120-24, the first of six
5-03-2018, 18:11
Not long ago, I published a review of a high-quality power supply from the well-known company Mean Well. Today it’s the turn of another “test subject.” In this case, I have an industrial model designed for mounting on a DIN rail on my workbench. Let’s take a look, take it apart, and test it—business as usual.
Sousim Electronic Load Controller, or Another Device for Using Up “Excess” Electricity
22-02-2018, 13:47
Last year, I reviewed two electronic loads made by Sousim. I successfully put one of them to use, and today it’s the turn of the second, which originally could only be controlled using a computer.
VAC1100A ammeter-voltmeter with a measurement range up to 120 V and 100 A, and a little more
19-02-2018, 13:53
It's been a while since I last picked up a soldering iron. A little while ago, I received a very useful little gadget, and today I plan not only to show it off but also to put it to work on a real project. Warning: lots of photos, which may be a problem for users on expensive data plans.
Uni-T UT-D07A Bluetooth adapter for UT181A, UT171A, and UT71E multimeters
19-02-2018, 04:44
A while ago, I bought a Uni-T 181A multimeter and thought that the only thing missing from the complete setup was a Bluetooth adapter. I got one as a New Year's gift, and today I'll tell you about it. Unfortunately, it turned out that things weren't quite so straightforward. More on that in the review...
A Pair of 18650 Holders: Keystone vs. Blossom
Today I have a short review of a pair of branded holders for 18650 batteries. One of my readers sent them to me for a comparative test and review, so now I can share the test results with you.
AlldoCube Power M3 4G, a tablet with a 10.1-inch screen
9-02-2018, 19:55
Today I'm reviewing a tablet from Cube, a relatively well-known company—or AlldoCube, as it now calls itself. I've reviewed tablets from this company before. I also mentioned that I used one of their devices for a while and was generally quite happy with it. Let's see what they've come up with this time—and whether they got it right. A look around, tests, teardown—the usual.
Small, simple oscilloscope
6-02-2018, 04:16
Some time ago, I published a review of a kit for building a simple oscilloscope. It would have been fine, except that its bandwidth was very limited. I wouldn't say the little device I'm reviewing is much better, but it's rated for a bandwidth of up to 4 MHz. Let's see what it is and how it works :)
Advanced XJW01 LCR Meter DIY Kit
28-01-2018, 21:34
For quite some time now, I’ve been using a homemade meter for measuring capacitor capacitance and ESR, built from a circuit designed by GO, a member of the ProRadio forum. I also use another, equally popular meter, the FCL from the cqham website. Today’s review is of a device that claims higher accuracy and, in practice, combines the two meters mentioned above. Warning: lots of photos, little text. This may be an issue for users on expensive data plans.
Zidoo H6 Pro, a TV box based on the AllWinner H6
20-01-2018, 03:09
I've already reviewed TV boxes based on SoCs from Amlogic, Rockchip, Realtek, and even ZTE, but this is the first time I've had a device with an AllWinner processor in my hands. It's also my first TV box from Zidoo, a company I've heard more good than bad things about. So today we'll take apart, test, and inspect the H6 Pro from Zidoo, powered by an AllWinner H6 SoC.
RPS-120-27 power supply made by Mean Well
18-01-2018, 12:13
I mention Mean Well power supplies very often in my reviews, and even more often in the comments. Their products occupy a segment where the price is not exorbitant, but the quality is very high. One of my regular readers sent me this power supply specifically for testing, and I’m very grateful to him for that. He also asked me to put it through its paces, which is exactly what I’ll be doing today. So, if you’re interested in branded but not exactly cheap power supplies, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
24 V 1.2 (2) A Power Supplies
16-01-2018, 04:04
This is the third and, for now, final review in a series about used power supplies for various DIY projects. Today I’ll tell you how a power supply can sometimes turn out, when tested, to be an “overclocked” version of a simpler PSU. I hope you’ll find this interesting—or at least useful. Tests, schematics, and other nonsense as always after the jump.
Bidirectional HDMI Switch
16-01-2018, 03:48
As it happens, I often need to use a couple of devices with HDMI outputs at the same time, but my monitor has only one input. So I decided to make switching between sources a little easier. I used to solve this by using the monitor’s second, VGA input. Then I got more devices with HDMI, so I had to use an HDMI-to-VGA converter. Eventually I got tired of that and picked up an HDMI signal switch for myself—and to review. So, here’s another short review
Another power supply, this time 48 V, 0.5 (1) A
13-01-2018, 04:50
As I mentioned in my previous review, I received several different power supplies, and today I’m reviewing the next one. Last time it was a 12 V power supply, but today’s model has a less common output voltage: 48 V. It still has its own area of application, which I’ll discuss at the end of the review. As usual, I’ll cover the tests and circuit diagrams, and answer some of the questions people asked in the comments.
MIXZA 128GB microSD memory card
12-01-2018, 04:04
It's been a while since I reviewed a memory card. To be precise, I've only reviewed two: 32 GB and 64 GB cards. This time I decided to try a 128 GB card. I got it to test devices, since prices for cards of this capacity are gradually coming down, and users increasingly want to use them in dash cams, tablets, and so on. Naturally, people ask questions like, “Will it work with a 128 GB card?” So today, another short (really short) review of a small memory card.
12 V 0.5 (1) A Power Supplies
12-01-2018, 03:39
Many readers know how much I enjoy writing reviews of power supplies. As it happens, I recently got my hands on quite a few of these devices. The thing is, not long ago a well-known store started offering a variety of power supplies pulled from equipment, and today I’ll tell you about one of them.
Alfawise H96 Mini TV box based on the new Amlogic T962E SoC
2-01-2018, 23:51
Another TV box has landed in my hands. Although it’s based on an SoC from the well-known Amlogic, this isn’t the all-too-familiar S905/912, but something new to me called the T962E. It’s a rather contradictory TV box. Find out more in the review, which, as usual, includes testing, a teardown, and more.

