Tech, devices & gizmos

[Archon]

Got yourself a fresh pair of Sennheiser headphones, a brand new Galaxy smartwatch or a shiny new Xiaomi smart dildo? See an innovative product? Thinking about buying a new gizmo? Or do you have an opinion about a product?

Post it here!

 

[Archon]

I'll be first.

Got a Xiaomi Mi Watch recently as a present. Can say it looks very good, but it's a glorified smart band with a smartwatch screen. Basic stuff, no app store or anything. So tracking, weather, watch and music control functionalities, but nothing else. Also can't sync it with anything other than Strava (no Google Fit etc.). Software is also a bit off (Xiaomi...).

Says it holds up to 16 days on a single charge but that's also very hard. Most likely a week and a day or two, without the horrible, battery-draining Always-On Display.

Very grateful for it as a present, and at its price point (around 100€) I doubt you can do better.

For my money? Avoid. Work harder, buy a Garmin.

 

[MDD]

Got a Garmin smart music watch, best £300 I've spent in last few years. Syncs to starva and other apps. Really accurate and GPS coverage is brilliant. I think it's water proof too, but I don't dare try it out.

After some Bose headphones which don't come cheap. Recommended any? I know it pays to invest here. My old ones have been laid to rest.

 

[Jetflag]

do cars count?

 

[Archon]

do cars count?

Well not originally intended for 'em but bring it! Love cars myself.

 

[Jetflag]

Aight then. just got myself a Ford transit Custom l1h1.

which i'm currently DYI'ing to fulfill the following roles:

- 5 person (family) transportation,
- Sleep facilities for 4 á 5 people( though that is pushing it/will be cramped)
- office space including desk with 120 volt power plugs & wifi
- mini kitchen including 1 cooking plate & 1 sink with tap water
- Shower, semi outside but with a shower curtain.
- (mini) compost toilet.
- lounge facility with large feet-up couch/ panoramic view
- room for but not limited too: 2 (wind)surf boards 3 sails, 1 boom and two masts.

 

[Archon]

Aight then. just got myself a Ford transit Custom l1h1.

which i'm currently DYI'ing to fulfill the following roles:

- 5 person (family) transportation,
- Sleep facilities for 4 á 5 people( though that is pushing it/will be cramped)
- office space including desk with 120 volt power plugs & wifi
- mini kitchen including 1 cooking plate & 1 sink with tap water
- Shower, semi outside but with a shower curtain.
- (mini) compost toilet.
- lounge facility with large feet-up couch/ panoramic view
- room for but not limited too: 2 (wind)surf boards 3 sails, 1 boom and two masts.

You're modding a van? Pics!!

 

[Jetflag]

You're modding a van? Pics!!

will do when, finnished, right now its a pigsty lol

 

[Archon]

Wondering if I should get a Samsung S23+ when it comes out.

On the one hand, it's very expensive and I don't really have the need for such a phone. I could resolve a few more pressing issues with that money in the meantime, because I saved up already.

But on the other hand, I really want it.

Wonder which side wins??

 

[dmgtz96]

do cars count?

 

[Archon]

Samsung S23+ (the one I want) expected to cost around 1200€. Damn. That's very expensive (and definitely more costly than the S22+), especially after import and taxes.

 

[dmgtz96]

Samsung S23+ (the one I want) expected to cost around 1200€. Damn. That's very expensive (and definitely more costly than the S22+), especially after import and taxes.

I think it's worth it if you're coming from a budget smartphone and this is your first "big boy" phone. The performance improvement in a flagship is crazy compared to that of a budget phone.

Otherwise it's really up to you. If you already have an S21/22 it's probably not worth it and you can hold onto your phone for the next couple of years.

 

[Archon]

I think it's worth it if you're coming from a budget smartphone and this is your first "big boy" phone. The performance improvement in a flagship is crazy compared to that of a budget phone.

Otherwise it's really up to you. If you already have an S21/22 it's probably not worth it and you can hold onto your phone for the next couple of years.

I'm upgrading from a midrange smartphone. But...do I need it? Like, really? I use my phone while on the shitter and to communicate with people (sometimes Maps, hiking apps and normal stuff like that for when I'm not near a PC). I don't take selfies, I only take a picture if something is really interesting (and when I'm hiking). That's all a budget/midrange smartphone can do well. My phone is decent enough as well, and it was only third the cost.

But maybe it's one of those items on the checklist I need to tick off. Something I unreasonably want and that's it.

But then again, imagine what hiking gear I could get for that money + pay for the entire year's worth of planned trips. I could put new brakes on my car, sort it out cosmetically (clean up a few little scratches and dents and polish, curb rash on the rims). I could save for the Himalaya trip I'm planning in the next 5 years.

But I want a stupid phone...

 

[Archon]

Starting now!

 

[Magdelayna]

For you Apple heads - im trying to decide on my next upgrade,after still using my old iMac from 2009 hehe.

I was initially going to get the 2021 M1 iMac....but now im debating whether to get the new M2 Pro Mac Mini with a decent monitor?

Or another option - an M1 Pro Macbook Pro,which have come down in price recently? But Ive got to say a desktop does appeal to me slightly more in regards to producing...

 

[Archon]

Just preordered my S23+ with 512 GB of storage for around 1260 Euros (price was the same for the 256-GB one as part of a promotion). It will be 2 hard, long weeks before it arrives but for now, I'm just glad I don't have to decide anymore.

 

[dmgtz96]

Just preordered my S23+ with 512 GB of storage for around 1260 Euros (price was the same for the 256-GB one as part of a promotion). It will be 2 hard, long weeks before it arrives but for now, I'm just glad I don't have to decide anymore.

that's super dope. What color did you get? Did you get any Samsung accessories along with the phone?

 

[Archon]

that's super dope. What color did you get? Did you get any Samsung accessories along with the phone?

Black. Unfortunately I couldn't get my hands on that gorgeous grey. I'll get Buds 2 Pro at some point - I'll have to.

 

[dmgtz96]

Black. Unfortunately I couldn't get my hands on that gorgeous grey. I'll get Buds 2 Pro at some point - I'll have to.

I would 100% recommend the buds 2 pro! They're what I use at work and cancel noise pretty well if you adjust them correctly

 

[erickUO]

My best purchase in 2023 so far is SEAHF AWK F150C earbud. It was suggested by a local low-end audio hobbyist forum. It’s my first 150 Ohm earbuds and costs only ~9 USD. The sound is wonderful: spacious soundstage, clear yet non piercing highs, subby but full low end. It easily beats any well known earbud brands in the ~10-30 price range. It comes with flexible braided cable, foam replacement, and earbud case (yes, for only ~9 USD). Will definitely buy again in the future... or maybe try another 150 Ohm earbuds.

Also, I'm not a Mac fanboy, but using M1 MBP for few months at work and it's impressive. At first I thought the fan was defective, but turns out the processor is just too cold, so the fan didn't start spinning. Even after 8 hours of work.