Support the project on Patreon




HY-510 thermal paste and thermal pad
15 2754+3$2.13

HY-510 thermal paste and thermal pad

HY-510 thermal paste and thermal pad
15 2754+3$2.13
This isn’t my first review of various thermal interface materials, and today I’m going to try another thermal paste and another thermal pad. They’re useful things for electronics hobbyists, computer enthusiasts, and others, so I decided to test them out of curiosity. There’s also a bonus in this review: a test of three types of thermal adhesive and one more thermal paste.
Go to storeRead more
Adapter for an electronic load for testing power supplies with a USB output
4 9211+5$2.8

Adapter for an electronic load for testing power supplies with a USB output

Adapter for an electronic load for testing power supplies with a USB output
4 9211+5$2.8
A very brief review in which I’ll show you a useful accessory that expands the functionality of the electronic load I reviewed recently.
Go to storeRead more
ZKEtech EBC-A10H Electronic Load
27 85174+8$50 (без учета накладных расходов)

ZKEtech EBC-A10H Electronic Load

ZKEtech EBC-A10H Electronic Load
27 85174+8$50 (без учета накладных расходов)
A little over three years ago, I reviewed the ZKE EBC-A10 electronic load. It quickly became one of my main instruments for battery testing, and you’ve probably seen both the load itself and the graphs I included in my battery reviews. The instrument turned out to be genuinely useful. As far as I know, my review was either the first or one of the first, but it’s time for an upgrade. Today, I’ll be taking a look at the new version of this electronic load.
Go to storeRead more
Compact voltage converter with Quick Charge
6 0393+4$1.23

Compact voltage converter with Quick Charge

Compact voltage converter with Quick Charge
6 0393+4$1.23
A review of another converter, this time designed for a single port, but with QC support. I’ve already reviewed a similar board, but this one is cheaper and smaller.
Go to storeRead more
5 V 8 A Voltage Converter with Four USB Outputs
13 6265+4$2.77

5 V 8 A Voltage Converter with Four USB Outputs

5 V 8 A Voltage Converter with Four USB Outputs
13 6265+4$2.77
I decided to order a few different inexpensive converter boards to try out, and today I’m reviewing the first one. There’s nothing unusual about it: just a standard converter, without even QC, but with an output power of up to 40 W.
Go to storeRead more
ABOXOO ET001 Electronic Cigarette
4 42230895р (около $13)

ABOXOO ET001 Electronic Cigarette

ABOXOO ET001 Electronic Cigarette
4 42230895р (около $13)
Today I have a somewhat unusual review for me. There won’t be any teardown or special tests—mostly just a description, a look around, and my subjective impressions. The subject is an electronic cigarette with a design I’m not used to.
Read more
24V-20A Power Supply
18 9641+5$23.47

24V-20A Power Supply

24V-20A Power Supply
18 9641+5$23.47
I decided to write another simple, down-to-earth review of a 24V-20A (480W) power supply.
Go to storeRead more
9 1082+7$7.81

"Clocks that don't tick" from China with a Japanese display

9 1082+7$7.81
Continuing my reviews of all sorts of interesting things from Tao, I decided to write about something I ordered simply "for fun"—partly out of curiosity, and partly because I really like VFD displays. And let's not forget that every beginner electronics hobbyist is supposed to build a clock of their own :) These aren't my first clocks, of course, but whenever I build something like this, I remember my first ones, based on the KR145IK1901. So today's review is more of a nostalgic look back at clocks.
Go to storeRead more
Mecool KM9, a TV box with an Amlogic S905X2 processor
10 8950+4$51.99

Mecool KM9, a TV box with an Amlogic S905X2 processor

Mecool KM9, a TV box with an Amlogic S905X2 processor
10 8950+4$51.99
I’ve already tested a TV box based on Amlogic’s new S905X2 SoC, and wasn’t entirely satisfied. Although it offered good performance and ran cool, it had a lot of software issues. Now I’ve finally got my hands on another model from the well-known Mecool brand, and today I’ll take a look at what it’s like and whether anything has changed. As always, I’ll inspect it, take it apart, run some tests, share my conclusions, and wrap up with a summary table.
Go to storeRead more
A couple of small isolated voltage converters with bipolar outputs
7 6281+1$1.33

A couple of small isolated voltage converters with bipolar outputs

A couple of small isolated voltage converters with bipolar outputs
7 6281+1$1.33
A few more useful little things from Tao, and voltage converters again—but not ordinary ones: these have bipolar outputs.
Go to storeRead more
Liitokala HG2 battery, or how Chinese sellers rip you off, part 2
46 8526+11$3.05

Liitokala HG2 battery, or how Chinese sellers rip you off, part 2

Liitokala HG2 battery, or how Chinese sellers rip you off, part 2
46 8526+11$3.05
After my review of a Chinese clone of the VTC6 battery, one of the readers asked me to test another battery. This time, though, it was sold under the Liitokala brand and listed as the HG2—a name and appearance similar to those of another very well-known battery, the LG HG2. In the end, he ordered a single battery and had it sent to my address as a sample (many thanks to him for that). I received it and ran a few tests, which I hope will help us figure out what kind of battery this is.
Go to storeRead more
A radio amateur’s helper: three thermal adhesives and one thermal paste
53 2425+8$1.7

A radio amateur’s helper: three thermal adhesives and one thermal paste

A radio amateur’s helper: three thermal adhesives and one thermal paste
53 2425+8$1.7
Not long ago, I reviewed a thermally conductive adhesive for attaching all sorts of heatsinks to all sorts of electronic components, and one of my readers asked me to test a few more similar compounds. So today I’m reviewing—or, more precisely, testing—three types of adhesive and one thermal paste. And at the end of the review, there’ll be a table and a graph bringing together all the thermally conductive (and not so conductive) compounds and materials I’ve tested.
Go to storeRead more
A Small 15 W Isolated Voltage Converter
5 0292+2$3.3

A Small 15 W Isolated Voltage Converter

A Small 15 W Isolated Voltage Converter
5 0292+2$3.3
Another isolated converter, this time stepping down 36–75 V to 12 V. It’s relatively low-power at just 15 W, but I still think it’s useful. A look inside, a little information from the datasheet, tests, and conclusions.
Go to storeRead more
Current-sense shunts, 1–47 mΩ, 0.5%, from Isabellenhütte
6 4500+5$0.1-1.1

Current-sense shunts, 1–47 mΩ, 0.5%, from Isabellenhütte

Current-sense shunts, 1–47 mΩ, 0.5%, from Isabellenhütte
6 4500+5$0.1-1.1
Continuing my series on components, I decided to post a review of current-sense shunts from the well-known company Isabellenhütte. I also needed these shunts for the power stage of an electronic load, and since I was ordering from one seller, I decided to get a variety and ended up ordering 6 values. I'll say right away: these are interesting shunts, but as always, more details in the review.
Go to storeRead more
QC 3.0 controller for repairing a charger
33 1762+7$0.3 (1шт)

QC 3.0 controller for repairing a charger

QC 3.0 controller for repairing a charger
33 1762+7$0.3 (1шт)
Not long ago, I posted a review of a QC 3.0 charger. It was very inexpensive when I bought it, but turned out to be not fully functional. In fact, the QC feature itself didn't work. To fix it, I found the right chip on Taobao, ordered it, repaired the charger, and decided to report back in case it might help someone.
Go to storeRead more
Voltage converter + control module with a nice design
15 02710+6$31+5.5

Voltage converter + control module with a nice design

Voltage converter + control module with a nice design
15 02710+6$31+5.5
Not long ago, I came across an interesting kit on Taobao—or, more accurately, not a kit but a converter control board, since it’s also sold separately. Curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to order one and give it a try. There was also a useful story involving the seller. Anyway, it’s best to read about it in the review.
Go to storeRead more
Main camera for the Cubot Power and its replacement
5 9710+2$19.99

Main camera for the Cubot Power and its replacement

Main camera for the Cubot Power and its replacement
5 9710+2$19.99
This story began quite a while ago, around the middle of August, when I was writing a review of the Cubot Power phone. After publishing the review, I put the phone aside for a while, and a few days later I needed it to test how well it could scan barcodes. But then I suddenly discovered that the camera's autofocus had completely stopped working. That's what can happen sometimes when you take something apart. More after the jump.
Go to storeRead more
Tanix TX6 TV box, another option based on the Allwinner H6
23 36150$44.99

Tanix TX6 TV box, another option based on the Allwinner H6

Tanix TX6 TV box, another option based on the Allwinner H6
23 36150$44.99
This is my third review of TV boxes based on the Allwinner H6 system-on-chip (SoC). In my opinion, this processor is unfairly overlooked, with more attention given to models using Amlogic and Rockchip chips. Though the recently released models with newer Amlogic chips, made using a smaller process node, will probably draw even more attention. But let’s get on with the review: as always, I’ll take a look at the box, take it apart, run some tests, and wrap up with a summary table.
Go to storeRead more