Megir Milanese Mesh Men's Chronograph

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VWJR392/

I received this black chronograph at no charge, in exchange for this review. 

This seems to be a solidly made watch. The band is stainless steel mesh, and is pretty comfortable. It definitely appears to be durable. The clasp works very well.

The watch itself is fairly heavy, and feels like a quality time-piece for the price. I did notice one somewhat odd thing with respect to the stopwatch functionality, although in general, the stopwatch works well. The three smaller dials indicate minutes, seconds, and tenths of seconds. In fact, the tenths dial has hash marks between the numbers, so in theory you could time down to the hundredths of a second. The oddity is that the smallest dial goes around once every two seconds instead of once a second. The dial has numbers in the correct places, but it is still a little odd.

Personally I prefer watches with number on the dial, (instead of just lines) but I realize that is my personal preference.

If you are looking for a well-made watch in this price-range, this chronograph from Megir may be a good choice.

BNISE Compact 10 X 42 Birding Binoculars

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XW2B8G5

I received these birding binoculars from BNISE at no charge, in exchange for this review.

The binoculars come with a case, lens covers, a strap, and a cleaning cloth. They focus smoothly, and they seem pretty well-made. They are described as "compact" birding binoculars, but they don't seem particularly compact to me. They are about the same size as other birding binoculars that I own.

The binoculars have a field of view of 303 feet at 1000 meters, which the manufacturer describes as an "Ultra-Wide" field of view.

These BNISE binoculars are comfortable to hold. The manufacturer states that they are "O-ring sealed" and that they have "fog-proof construction." While there is a photo of these with water on them, it's not clear to me whether or not they are truly waterproof.

The view through these is clear and fairly bright.

Overall, for the money, I think this is a pretty good pair of binoculars.

iSpin Pure Brass Fidget Spinner

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072LQKC37

I received this pure brass fidget spinner from iSpin at no charge, in exchange for this review. I am very pleased with the quality of this fidget spinner, and it has become one of my favorite high-end fidget spinners. It is clearly a quality product. The balance is perfect, and this spinner spins almost silently. I was able to get it to spin for almost four minutes when spinning it on a solid surface.

While spinning, the colors appear as colored circles, which is a nice effect.

This fidget spinner can easily be taken apart, as the six colored spokes simply unscrew from the center. The bearing in the middle can also be removed pretty easily, and can be tightened using an included small tool. The fidget spinner comes in a nice case, and includes a small pouch.

There are not many fidget spinners that I would give a five-star rating to, but this one deserves it. This really is a very high-quality fidget spinner from iSpin.

Walway 4-Port USB Charging Station

https://www.amazon.com/Charging-Station-Walway-Universal-Smartphone/dp/B07115VKT4

I received this 4-port USB charging station from Walway at no charge in exchange for this review.

This is a pretty basic, quite functional charging station. There are slots for four devices, so one can charge several phones, tablets, etc., all at once. This charging station from Walway comes with an AC power cord, but you'll need the USB charging cords to connect between the charging station and your devices, as none are supplied.

The technical specs state that the ports will charge at up to 2.1 amps, which is pretty good, and, I believe, the max charging rate that Apple devices are capable of. My only quibble is that none of the charging ports are QuickCharge capable. I realize, of course, that this would have added to the price.

Overall I am pretty happy with this 4-port USB charging station from Walway. At the current Amazon price of under $15, it provides a fair amount of bang for the buck.

Clifford The Big Red Dog Stuffed Animal

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0728BDJ3Y

I received this Clifford The Big Red Dog stuffed animal at a large discount, in exchange for this review.

Clifford stands about seven inches high and is about four inches long. His legs are flexible, so it is possible to have him lay down (though he does not do this on command.) The color seems to be the right "Clifford Red." Clifford is appropriately soft for a stuffed animal. I did notice some nylon stitching along his back that looks like it might be coming out a bit, which is one of the reasons I am rating Clifford four stars. He's also a bit small, in my opinion, for the cost.

If you're looking for a smallish Clifford The Big Red Dog stuffed animal, you may be pretty happy with this one.

HY-BIRD Triangle Stainless Steel Fidget Spinner

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XZKBNH6

I received this stainless steel fidget spinner at a large discount in exchange for this review.

This is, without question, the best fidget spinner I have used, and I have tried quite a few of them. This spinner spins very smoothly and very quietly. It is smaller than most fidget spinners. It is made from stainless steel instead of plastic or whatever material the more common, less expensive fidget spinners are made from.

This spinner seems perfectly balanced, which is more than I can say for some of the others I have tried. Perhaps the most significant benefit of this fidget spinner over others is how long it spins. With other spinners, I was typically able to get them to spin for between a minute and thirty seconds to just over two minutes when spinning on a solid surface. I was able to get this HY-BIRD fidget spinner to spin for four minutes and eleven seconds, on the same surface.

I could not be happier with this fidget spinner. The only concern I have is the cost. This fidget spinner costs about ten times what some of the less expensive spinners cost. Even so, everything about this fidget spinner says "quality." If you are looking for a fidget spinner that is not your average fidget spinner, this stainless steel one from HY-BIRD could be the one for you.

Chef Brooklyn Kitchen Shears

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KSR0OVO

I received these kitchen shears from Chef Brooklyn at a deep discount, in exchange for this review.

Although these kitchen shears do seem extremely versatile, as they have several additional tools built into them, I just can't recommend them, for one main reason: they come apart, into two pieces, far too easily. I realize that this is considered a feature, but for me, the way this feature is implemented is a flaw.

The idea is that the shears should come apart easily for cleaning. The problem is that if you open them to their widest open position, as I often do when using shears like these to open boxes with one blade, these shears simply fall apart. This is both inconvenient and, I fear, potentially dangerous.

I have attempted to open boxes with these using just the serrated blade, which can be used with the shears closed, but it really does not work all that well.

Some of the other built in tools are a screw driver, a bottle opener, and a nut / shell cracker. According to the item description, other tools included are a straight blade, a fruit and vegetable peeler, and a fish scaler / chesse grater.

I imagine if you really want all those tools in your kitchen shears, and don't mind the fact that the shears separate into two pieces very easily, you might like these shears from Chef Brooklyn. They're just not for me, though, which is why I rated them just two stars.

Wimius 4K Action Camera

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MUQER5Q

I received this Wimius action camera at no charge, in exchange for this review. I reviewed a similar action camera back in March. 

Much like the camera I reviewed in March, this camera seems somewhat cheaply made. It doesn't have a cover for the charge ports and Micro SD card slot. (You'll need to purchase a Micro SD memory card, as it is not supplied with the camera kit.) I struggled with the battery cover for quite some time. It is not attached, so it just pops off. Putting it back on requires the notch to be at the side that it does not release from, which is both counter-intuitive, and also misleading, based on the picture in the manual which shows the cover off, and the notch on the wrong side.

The camera does seem to capture pretty good video. There are several video modes. I did notice that the sound cut out in the middle of a recording, and I don't believe I did anything that would have caused that.

Another issue I experienced while recording is that when I tried to zoom, I inadvertently accessed the WiFi button, which is part of the same control mechanism. The only way I was able to zoom in and not access that WiFi button is to look carefully at the button, and access it with a fingernail. This is not a workable solution. Also, if you do access the WiFi button inadvertently, the camera shows a WiFi screen on the back of the camera, instead of the video it is recording.

As I said in my previous action camera review, it is not fair to compare an action camera like this one, which costs less than $50 including two batteries and all sorts of other accessories, with a GoPro camera costing at least five or even six times as much. There really is no comparison. This is a three-star review, (and not a lower number of star-review) because of the very low price this kit sells for. If you're in the market for a serious action camera, this camera is not for you. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a really inexpensive action camera, perhaps to give to a child, or to use for just the most basic functions, this action camera from Wimius does seem to capture good video, and it certainly won't break the bank.

Novcolxya Model RC Car 1/18 Scale Pickup Truck

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQLDD4L

This is a pretty cool radio-controlled four-wheel drive truck that I received at a deep discount in exchange for this review. I should start by saying that I've never driven a radio-controlled anything before receiving this truck. So I am not an experienced reviewer when it comes to these kinds of things.

I was able to figure out how to charge the battery, connect it, etc., relatively easily. The instructions could definitely be clearer and more detailed, though. I essentially had to figure out most of the stuff on my own. I think the manual is not really written for novices.

I had some trouble with the linch pins that hold the cover to the frame, but eventually figured it out. I say that even though I now seem to have two linch pins left over, and can't figure out where they should go! (The cover must be taken off to attach the battery.)

When I took the truck out to the driveway to drive it for the first time, I was impressed by how fast it was, and how easy it was to steer. This thing is definitely fun to play with! It is very fast, and it also seems fairly durable, as a number of times I inadvertently drove it off the driveway and it held up just fine. It also ran reasonably well on grass, and through leaves.

One nice addition to this kit would have been a spare battery. When the battery runs down, you can't just swap in a second battery, though I imagine you could purchase a second battery separately.

Overall I am pleased with this radio-controlled truck from Novcolxya.

FINOX Stainless Tower Point Cuticle Scissors

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017DVZFDU

This is an excellent pair of stainless steel cuticle scissors that I received at no charge in exchange for this review. These scissors are made in Germany. They are finished in a matte finish. They come with a leather holder, as pictured above.

After using these manicure scissors a little bit, it is clear that they are a very high quality product. The scissors open and close with a smooth, solid feel to them. The tip is extremely pointy, and is curved a bit.

If you are in the market for a pair of manicure scissors I believe you would be pleased with these.

CREED Nimbus iPhone 7 Case

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L07DDVE

This is a very good iPhone 7 case from CREED that I received at no charge, in exchange for this review.

The case is quite simple, yet also sleek. It is entirely black. There are two parts to it--an inner, rubbery part, and a harder plastic shell. I think this case will provide reasonable protection for the iPhone 7.

The case fits well, and the buttons and cutouts allow the buttons on the phone to work as designed. The fit was a little bit tight, and it's a bit difficult to remove the iPhone from this case. I have used other, similar cases that also fit well, but that do not make it quite as difficult to insert and remove the phone. Also, unlike some similar cases, there is no cutout on the back to allow the Apple logo to show.

Overall, this is a good, well-made case that I believe will provide adequate protection for the iPhone 7.

Ultrasonic Pest Repeller (3-pack)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N9IRVWY

This is a set of three ultrasonic pest repellers that I received at a discount in exchange for this review. I live in the country, so it is inevitable that some pests wind up getting into the basement. I have used two other ultrasonic pest repellers similar to these for some time, but I think the area was simply too large for two units to cover effectively. The fact that pests were occasionally still present seems to support my belief.

I decided to try this set of three, in addition to the units I already had, in an attempt better cover the entire area. While it is too early to tell, since the instructions indicate that it could take weeks to see results, I can provide my impression of these units.

I like the fact that one gets three of these as a set for a reasonable price. I also like the fact that there is a light that illuminates when they are plugged in that indicates that they are working, or at least that they are getting power. One of the ultrasonic units I already had is similar to these, but when plugged in there is no similar indication that it is getting power.

There are units like these that offer more features. For example, the other unit I have is larger, has multiple lights and multiple modes, and each indicator light lights up in sequence as the unit cycles through the various modes. Of course that unit sells for about what three of these units sell for, so it is understandable that it would be larger and offer more features.

Overall I think this set of three ultrasonic pest repellers provides a good combination of price and coverage and I am pleased with my purchase.

The Treat Luxury Automatic Wood Watch  

https://www.littleoak.store/products/bobo-bird-luxury-automatic-wood-watch-men-skeleton-bamboo-watch?variant=39037256906

This is a very interesting watch that I received at no charge, in exchange for this review. The most interesting thing about it, as you can see from the photo above, is that you can see the inner workings of the watch. You can see the inside watch mechanism from both the front and the back of the watch face.

The outer part of the watch is bamboo. There are a total of five different colors available, including two woods that are lighter than the one I chose, and two variations on black. The bands are leather, and the company says that the watches are handmade.

These watches do not have batteries. The watch winds itself based on the movement of the person wearing it. If you don't wear the watch for some time, it stops, just like any other automatic watch.

The crown screws down tightly, and must be unscrewed before it extends out. Once extended, rotating the crown will move the hands, allowing you to set the watch.

There are luminescent spots at each hour, and on the hands, so that you may tell time in the dark.

The watch is very solid, and quite heavy.

The one thing that I did not like about this watch, and this is just my personal preference, is that the dial does not have numbers. I know a lot of people like this type of design, but I prefer numbers on my watch dials.

The Treat Luxury Automatic Watch comes in a fairly intricate wooden box that would most certainly be suitable for gift-giving. 

Overall I think this is a unique, quality timepiece.

RIMSports Quality Ankle Straps

https://www.walmart.com/ip/183500787

This is a pair of very good ankle straps from RIMSports that I received at no charge in exchange for this review. These straps are used for weight training. You simply attach the hook or clip on the cable to the large metal triangles on the ankle strap.

These ankle straps come in three colors. In addition to the black on black--the color I chose, they also come in pink on black and turquoise on black. The straps are well-labeled with clear indications for left and right. They are easy to attach, and comfortable to wear, due to the relatively thick padding.

Overall these ankle straps from RIMSports seem to be very well-made, and I expect they will hold up well.

Nexgadget 4K Action Camera

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MAWLMUH

I received this Nexgadget 4K Action Camera at no charge in exchange for this review.

Let me start by saying that this camera is not close to the quality level of, say, a GoPro Hero. It also costs approximately 20% of what a GoPro costs, so it really is not fair to compare the two. The four-star rating I am giving this camera-package is most definitely taking the very low cost into account. There is a huge difference between a $65 action camera and a $350 action camera, as well there should be.

The Nexgadget camera is small and compact. It is about--perhaps even exactly--the size of the GoPro Hero 4. (I have not compared them.)

The menu functionality is fairly intuitive, so the camera is easy to set and use. The image quality seems fine, with one huge caveat. The zooming functionality is essentially useless. Rather than zoom smoothly, each time you click the button to zoom in or zoom out, the camera zooms a set amount. There is also a very audible "click." You really would not want to zoom at all while creating a video, which is why I say the zoom functionality is essentially useless.

You will need a Micro SD memory card to use this camera.

The camera does come with a whole slew of accessories and mounts. I did not test the waterproof case, but it seems as if it may be waterproof, as advertised.

I can't recommend this camera for anyone looking for something similar in quality to a GoPro. However this camera could be perfect as a first action camera for a child or young teen. If a camera like a GoPro is not in the picture for you (pun intended) and your options are no camera, or this camera from Nexgadget, the price is certainly attractive enough to make this camera a reasonable option.

iDiskk 32 GB iPhone Flash Drive With Dual Lightning and USB Connectors

https://www.amazon.com/iDiskk-Lightning-Connector-External-Certified/dp/B01FD6D2KU

I received this iDiskk flash drive at a significant discount in exchange for this review.

This is an excellent little flash drive with both a Lightning connector for Apple devices and a standard USB connector. The connectors are at either end of a metal piece that has a metal cover that swivels to cover the end that is not in use. The swivel piece clicks solidly in place. 

The cover end has a slot in it, so this flash drive could easily be carried on a keychain.

The flash drive seems to work perfectly in a Windows computer. I have not tried it in an Apple device, but I have no reason to believe that it would not function equally well.

This is a well-made, quality device. Even the plastic case that it comes in has been designed well, with indications on it showing how it locks and unlocks.

If you need a flash drive that will work in both Windows and Apple devices, this drive from iDiskk could be an excellent choice.

Mega Creative Jewelry Tree of Life and Heart Pendants

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N6QL5NM

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MT8UVGO

I received both of the Mega Creative Jewelry pieces above at significant discounts, in exchange for this review.

Both pieces have S925 stamped on the back of them, indicating that they are sterling silver. I have no way to verify that, of course. I did notice that the included chains do not have anything stamped on them, so the company may not even be claiming that the chains are silver as well.

Both pieces include many small crystals, which Mega Creative says are Swarovski crystals. Again, I have no way to know whether this is true or not.

I rated the Tree of Life four stars, and the Heart Pendant three stars simply because in my opinion, the heart pendant is a little bit gaudy. If you like that sort of thing, feel free to ignore my star-rating.

I don't think either of these pieces would qualify as "fine jewelry", but assuming they are really sterling silver, and assuming the crystals really are Swarovski crystals, they are attractive pieces available at fairly low prices. The workmanship seems good. If you like this kind of jewelry, you would probably be happy with these.

Shinngo 10,000 mAh USB-C Portable Charger

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2UFXA9

I received this portable charger / power bank at no charge, in exchange for this review.

This is one of the best looking, sleekest portable chargers I have seen. The rounded edges, and the interesting shape this unit have are not common when it comes to portable chargers. 

Another nice feature that this power bank has is that it can both charge devices that use a USB Type-C connector, and can also be charged using a USB Type-C connector. Of course USB-A works as well, but Type-C is faster. So this is a very versatile power bank.

This unit also has a flashlight built into it.

The one negative, and it is kind of a big one, is that this unit is a bit large and heavy for a 10,000 mAh portable charger. I have used several power banks with this much or even more power, and they were lighter and/or smaller. Because you'll probably be carrying this around with you, since that's what most people use power banks like these for, the extra size and weight is an issue.

This Shinngo 10,000 mAh portable charger does work well, and it looks good. If you don't mind a little extra size and weight, this power bank could be an excellent option.

Upow Bamboo Charging Station and MixMart 6-Port USB Charger

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GRF2Z6I

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NBVJ9W1

I received this Upow Bamboo Charging Station and MixMart 6-Port USB Charger at no charge in exchange for this review.

The charging station is well-made. The wood is nice and solid, and the top part is held in place with four small magnets at the corners. There are four large slots which can hold iPads, large cell phones, and small cell phones. There are three large cutouts in the base, which allow for the routing of charging cables. (You can see those in the picture above.) There are also two small cutouts in two of the rows--four small cutouts all together, (not visible in the picture) which allow for even more flexibility in cable routing. One could charge up to four average-sized cell phones, and two iPads or similar devices at the same time, which would make use of all six of the charger's available charging ports. I would rate the bamboo charging station five stars.

The 6-port USB charger also seems to be well-made. My issue with it, and the reason the overall rating for the two items together is four stars rather than five stars is that I think the actual charging ability should be greater. Four of the six ports are capable of 2.4 amps, and the remaining two are capable of just 1 amp. At a minimum I would have liked to see all six ports capable of 2.4 amps, and ideally at least one or two of the ports should have been capable of QuickCharge 3.0 charging. For this reason my overall rating of the two items together is four stars.

Easy Home Digital Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Easy-Home-Digital-Wrist-Blood-Pressure-Monitor-with-Heart-Beat-Pulse-Meter-Function/48858847#about-item

I received this digital wrist blood pressure monitor at no charge, in exchange for this unbiased review. I really wanted to like this monitor, as it seemed like it would be easier to use than the more typical arm-cuff type of monitor. Unfortunately, though, I really didn't like this monitor at all, and I won't be using it.

The main issue I have with this blood pressure monitor is that it seems quite inaccurate. I tested it a few times on myself, and once on my wife. I followed all the directions in the manual. Every  reading was significantly higher than the readings obtained by my arm-cuff monitor. A blood pressure monitor that is inaccurate is not a useful device.

Another issue with this wrist blood pressure monitor is that it is quite uncomfortable to use. My wife's fingers became numb and tingly, and she hated the feeling. That did not happen to me, but I also thought the discomfort was significantly higher than with arm-cuff monitors.

There are other trivial things I did not like about this device, but in light of the above, most are not even worth mentioning. One, though, is that it seems almost impossible to pack the monitor into the small carry pouch without it turning itself on inside the pouch, and then attempting to monitor blood pressure. It gives up after ten or fifteen seconds, but it is still annoying.

I simply can not recommend this wrist blood pressure monitor.

Eletist Play Tunnel For Cats

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6O2W0J

This is a pretty simple cat play tunnel that I received at no charge in exchange for this review.

The tunnel has three tube sections, as pictured. It is a bit smaller than I thought it would be, but that could be a positive as well, in that it doesn't take up that much room. The material is "crinkly", and makes some noise as the cat (or cats) move through it. The play tunnel folds up into a fairly compact space, though it does not come with a bag to store it in, as some similar products do.

The cat that this tunnel was obtained for does seem to enjoy using it. She did pull the ball apart from the tunnel within a few minutes of being introduced to the tunnel, so don't plan on having the ball remain attached very long. 

Overall this is a pretty good product that the cat definitely enjoys using.

Vorfreude Cardiology Stethoscope

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HCFW620

I received this stethoscope kit at no charge, in exchange for this review. Since I do not know how to use a stethoscope, rather than attempt to review this item myself, I asked my wife, a pediatric surgeon, to help with this review as she uses a stethoscope regularly in her practice. The following is what she had to say about it.

"This is a high quality stethoscope. The ear buds are comfortable and are a size that I imagine would fit most ears. The sound acoustics are clear and the different frequencies are obtained by altering the pressure on the diaphragm. This does take a bit of practice, but is not difficult to master. The stethoscope is a good weight to carry comfortably, and is sleek in design. The lifetime warranty on parts is a great feature, and the included pupil pen light is a great little addition. Overall I am very pleased with this stethoscope, and will use it routinely in patient care."

Azalco 6th Generation HD Virtual Reality Headset

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N6QUQ6G

I received this Virtual Reality headset at a significant discount, in exchange for this review. Although I have not used any VR headsets extensively, I have experience with a few others that I had received for review purposes. I can honestly say, without any reservation, that this one from Azalco is the best of those that I have tried.

The main reason I really like this VR headset is that my phone stays in it solidly, and I don't have any concerns about possibly scratching the phone's screen. I could not say that confidently about the other headsets I have tried. In fact one of them was so bad, my phone would not stay in place at all, rendering that headset useless to me.

The Azalco headset comes with a remote that can be connected to your phone via bluetooth. The remote allows for control in VR apps that require it. It can also be used to interact with a media player. It operates on two AAA batteries, and paired quickly with my phone.

The head straps adjust easily, and the headset is comfortable to wear, with ample padding around the eyes.

Also included in the package are a larger set of silicone pads, to attach to the bottom of the unit if they allow for a better fit with your device than the attached, thinner ones do. A screen cleaning cloth completes the package.

There may be better Virtual Reality headsets available, but if so, I have yet to try one. I am very pleased with all aspects of this headset.

Neodymium Bar Rare Earth Magnets

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NALNUOQ

These are incredibly powerful magnets which I received at a significant discount in exchange for this review. I say that they are incredibly strong because I literally can not separate them now that I allowed them to attach to each other!

The fact that I now have one magnet and not two is 100% my own fault. The magnets were shipped in a well padded box, and had a plastic separator between them. I had no idea that the attraction would be so strong that I would not be able to separate them if I allowed them to connect.

The magnets are so strong, they actually scare me a little. I am being very cautious not to allow them near any computer, cell-phone, etc, for fear of damaging the data storage. These are STRONG magnets!

If you need a couple of incredibly powerful magnets, I can definitely recommend these.