Neocore E2 Review 2022

I say 2022 because the E2 has been released so late in 2021, so it may as well be classed as 2022 as that's when the majority of buyers will be getting to grips with this tablet and when the customer reviews will start to pour in. If Neocore's other versions are anything to go by this tablet should fare well. Will it rank as high as the E1 and N1 among users? It's too early to say. Only time will tell.

 

Although it must be said, both the E1 [Info] and N1's review scores have started to fall over the past year, going from almost five stars on Amazon to just over four, so the timing was right for a new release.

The new version is basically a revamped E1. That's a good thing, as the E1 is / was a capable tablet. But the new and improved E2 has had some significant upgrades.

E2 Improvements

In a nutshell those are - a more powerful Quad-Core Processor, extra TF card space (now sitting at being able to handle up to 1000GB), higher resolution Full HD screen, higher quality back camera, slightly longer battery duration, stronger WiFi and an aluminium rear housing. The rest is practically the same as the E1. Same RAM @ 3 Gigabytes and an equal 32GB built-in storage as standard. Next: Review Video.

Necore E2: https://amzn.to/3ybksnQ [Amazon UK]

The rest you probably already know about if you are aware of the E1's spec. If not, it's basically GPS, Bluetooth, HDMI, dual cameras, 2 stereo speakers and a headphone connection. All mentioned in the review video above.

 

Neocore E2 Specification Run Down

 

• Android 10 OS
• 10.1" HD Display
• MediaTek Quad Core Processor [2Ghz]
• 32GB built in storage
• 3GB RAM
• Dual Band WiFi
• Micro SD slot (max 1000GB)
• Front + Rear Cameras
• Twin Stereo Speakers
• Headphone Connection
• HDMI
• Bluetooth
• GPS
• 7000mAh battery
• 2-year Warranty

2K Screen?

Neocore claim their new screen resolution is 2K, but technically this isn't correct. 2K must be, at minimum, 2000 pixels in width [horizontally]. The E2 falls a little short of that at 1920x1200. Still a very good screen though. But more like 1200p, not 2K.

 

Upgrades That Should Have Been In The E2

 

Neocore really should have bit the bullet with the E2, by not adding a bigger SD storage, as 512GB is enough, but instead they should have evened up the amount of RAM to 4GB. 3GB is a strange amount really. While 3GB is still an odd but good amount, 4GB RAM is what the the best sellers in this price category now have, unless they're called Samsung, Lenovo or Huawei.

 

Verdict

All in all the E2 is well kitted out in virtually every department, and will serve most people well regardless of whether they are buying it for general everyday use, for light to medium gaming, or as a device soley used for media related activities thanks to it's upgraded WiFi for smoother, faster online streaming, and huge SD capacity for storing an entire library of films to watch on the go.

 

July 2022 Update

 

A quick update. Overall, all models of Neocore tablet seem to have been on the receiving end of some fairly bad review feedback. Now, all models, that were hovering around the 4.8 out of five stars on Amazon are all now more closer to a solid 4 out of 5 stars. The E2 is no exception. 

 

Couple that with the ratio of reviews, and E2 not really having that many when compared to the other models, it's clear to see that the future review score doesn't appear to be heading in the right direction for the new E2. What are the reasons. Is it more choice / competition, more expectancy from buyers, or just lapses in quality control that result in batches of devices that end up with faults more quickly. I don't know for sure. Who knows, feedback might start to improve as time goes by.

 

However, looking through some of the reviews, of both the latest model [E2] and previous models, the main areas of complaint are no doubt with performance issues. Slow / laggy performance, incompatibility with apps and other devices, and overall lack of quality. Add to that, there are a concerning amount of complaints regarding the support, or lack of it. I've read many instances of Neocore just outright ignoring buyers who have had problems with their device and want to return it. 

In terms of performance issues, I think one of the main issues here is that most buyers purchased a Neocore tablet because of their marketing slogan, which is something like a "great British brand". From review comments, those buyers thought they were buying a British made tablet, and more than likely thought it would be much more reliable than something Made in Asia somewhere on the cheap.

 

But the truth is, regardless of where a tablet brand claims to be "made" / put together, open up any tablet, regardless of brand (Samsung, Lenovo, Huawei, Neocore, and even Apple), and I would bet you significant money that practically every major component in that tablet was made somewhere in Asia [Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, China etc]. From the processor to the RAM, the motherboard and everything else.

 

Reality is, almost everything that goes into a tablet these days is made somewhere in Asia. So what is so "British" about Neocore if everything inside it is made in Asia. Is it the outer plastics? It's possible, but I don't think so, as that would mean that Neocore would have to order tablet components separately and then build the tablets in the UK somewhere. 

 

That's a big stretch as its very time consuming and not very cost effective. No. In all honesty I would say the whole process of manufacture / building the tablets is all done in Asia somewhere, and then shipped to the UK.

 

What else is so "British" then. Not sure how British that makes anything. Neocore would never be able to sell tablets at the price they do and still make a healthy profit if they didn't, at the very least, source all internal components from Asia. They would not be able to compete with practically every other company / tablet brand that does this, because they all do. 

 

In fact, so much electrical manufacturing has been outsourced to Asia, that I find it very hard to believe that any of the building process for any Neocore tablet is completed in the UK. If it is, and they are happy to show proof, I would be more than willing to accept an invite to their facility where all these "British" computers are made and inspect the internal components for their level of "Britishness" [tracking all serial numbers + reading product supplier documentation] and oversee the building process of each device. I would video the whole process of course so I can show all my visitors. 

 

And it would be a great selling point for Neocore. To have someone actually confirm, with video proof, that what they sell really is totally British. I suspect I'll be waiting a long time for that invite. Anyway, I just wanted to clear that up for anyone who thought they were buying something that was truly British. My opinion. It's just a marketing tactic. Playing on the patriotism of the English. And by the looks of their selling figures, it's worked well over the years.

Quick little update. On the back of the new E2 it says - "Designed and Engineered in London, United Kingdom". Designed. What does that really mean. A design / prototype sketch was made up in the UK and then sent to manufacturers in Asia. Not sure how much relevance that has to anything. I mean, it's just a very generic, run of the mill tablet, that looks the same as practically every other cheap tablet. Give or take the possibility of a different button or camera location here or there, I can't see any significant differences in design from the rest of the budget models currently out there for sale. They're all basically the same.

 

Engineered in London. Not sure what could be "Engineered in London" either if the tablets are manufactured / built in Asia somewhere and delivered to England already built. Could it be that the devices are shipped from Asia with no Operating System, and Neocore are having to install Android on each machine. If that is the case, all that involves is a few taps on the screen to install a fresh Operating System. Pretty much anyone can do it. If that is correct, and Neocore are considering that [installing an out the box - ready-to-go Google owned Operating System] "Engineered" in some way, I find it quite amusing how that would make anything "British".

CUZN UC-200 Water Filter In The UK

Water filters, these days everyone wants to filter their water. And why not. The water in the UK is terrible, filled with fluoride and god knows whatever else. I read a report that stated the water supply in some areas of the UK had traces of Oestrogen (Estrogen). 

This was in London if I remember correctly. There are many cases of pollutants being present in water, not just in the UK, but also in the USA and all around the world.

 

 

A good UK alternative to the CUZN UC-200 - The WFM Complete filtration system, which comes complete with filter (KDF filtration) capable of lasting up to three years.

 

Anyway, due to people waking up to the potential danger, and also wanting to drink / consume water that tastes better, there are many water filters to choose from. One of those is the CUZN UC-200. CuZn Water Systems is a great company to deal with.

Their Water Filtration Systems are excellent. Reviews are fantastic. And I've personally read many instances from customers praising them on their excellent after-sales support.

 Another highly rated, widely compatible UK alternative: Water2buy Water Filter Reverse Osmosis kit RO600 - All in one 5-Stage Water Treatment System With Pump.

 

However, what you must be made aware of is the fact that their products are predominantly made for the USA and Canada. UK sinks and water systems are different to those in the above mentioned country's. That's not to say that you couldn't set up a CUZN UC-200 in the UK if you or someone you hired to install it had the knowledge to do so.

But it would be much less hassle buying a Water Filtration System that is specifically made for the UK. There are many to choose from.

 

 Water Gem Filter Tap System

 

The cheapest of the products listed here. The Water Gem under sink filter system. Noted as extremely easy to fit, and reported to work very well. Effortless filter replacement and low maintenance costs (filters are cheap) compared to many others.

And if you're thinking to yourself - What about all the reviews I've read on Amazon UK and eBay UK that say it's a very good product and mostly all give five star review scores. Well, basically all those reviews are pulled from the American Amazon and American / Canadian eBay.

Have you looked through to the profiles of the people who left those reviews? I have, and they are mostly all from either the USA or Canada. In fact the only UK reviews I could find on eBay UK (I found 2) were both complaining that they could not install the product because the fittings are not correct / compatible.

Tilswall Metal Detector Reviews UK

Customer reviews are actually pretty good. But I think the reviews and your expectancy if you buy a Tilswall is dependent on what you expect for the money. If you're just buying a tilswall to have a little mess around with, detect shallow items on the beach, have some fun digging up old coins at a shallow depth with the kids, then yes, the Tilswall isn't bad for a laugh considering how cheap it is.

 

Before writing this "review" [it's not really a review] I looked at what reviews were out there for this model, and I couldn't help to notice that there is literally one video review which is basically a promotional slideshow video of images.

But the people who made the video are so clueless, or they think their watchers are, that they actually claim that the Tilswall TST-TCY-P, and I quote, "is one of the best professional metal detector in the market today."

In truth, the Tilswall is a kids metal detector, nowhere near the level of being classed as a professional metal detector. If you want something at least entry-level professional, I would advise you to take a look at the Garrett Ace 250 or the C-Scope CS1MX.

Tilswall is a Chinese company and their business name is Shenzhenshijimiankejiyouxiangongsi. A bit of a mouthful. But credit to them, when it comes good products in terms of value for money / good revews and customer service / support, they do appear to a very good track record.

And for how cheap the Tilswall TST-TCY-P is, it's not too bad to either practice with, or have a mess around with digging for items no deeper than say 4 inches [that's just my own opinion on the average depth capability].

It's also a decent choice for those who want to give metal detector a go for the first time [new hobby tryout for the extra time due to the plandemic] but don't want to jump in head first and spend a pot full of money on a nice pro detector only to end up discovering metal detecting isn't for them and their nice pricey detector ends up sitting in a cupboard for a few years, or ends up for sale on eBay.

Tilswall do state the deepest this metal detector can detect items is 18cm, which is  7-inches. But in my opinion that is a stretch. Of course, sometimes the type of soil, whether its dry / damp, the type of metal buried etc can affect conductivity greatly. But I seriously doubt this detector has the power to find items at 18 cm. The Ace 250 and 1MX certainly can but they are more expensive. However, it's money well spent.

But lets not forget, apparently some of the items found in the Saxon hoard [Staffordshire Hoard] were only 2 - inches deep. And if I'm not mistaken, one of the guys who found the Saxon Hoard did so with an old second hand detector he bought from a car boot sale.

That means, even if you had your little Tilswall TST-TCY-P over in the area where the Saxon Hoard was buried before it was found, and you were the lucky person who was in the right place at the right time, you more than likely would have found some of that treasure with the Tilswall TST-TCY-P.

NPOLE 7" IPS Quad Core Kids Tablet

I'm always on the lookout for decent tablets. And with a big majority of tablets for Kids lacking where quality and specification are concerned, I was surprised to come across one that can compete with some of the Fusion5® models made specifically for children. The NPOLE 7 Inch has great reviews and offers really good value for money.

Once powered up, the instant attention grabber is how sharp and clear the screen quality is. Being IPS, and with a respectable PPI, this is not your average washed out, low resolution display that we see so consistently in kids tablets, this one is very similar to what you will find in an adults tablet costing considerably more to buy.

A huge selection of games and Apps, ranging from learning, puzzles and character based come installed and ready to use. Being Android based, you also have the ability to download any other App(s) you may want your child to use via Google Play.

 

Parental Controls

 

iWawa software installed on the device provides excellent parental controls, including the option to time-lock the tablet so that your child can only use the device for a set period of time. This is a great feature for concerned parents who don't want their child using the tablet for too long.

 

Each session can be controlled. Not by only limiting duration either, but also censored so that the child only see's what's suitable for their age range. Disable iWawa (password protected by an adult) and the NPOLE 7 Inch can be used just like a normal Android based device.

 

 

NPOLE Features

 

Responsive touch screen (Multi-touch) and feature rich for the price, the bare bones consist of the Android Kit Kat Operating System, a Quad Core Processor @1.3GHz (per core), 1GB RAM and 8GB Internal storage. A Micro USB port, 3.5mm headphone jack, Micro SD slot, internal speaker, standard Dual Cameras, WiFi and Bluetooth.

Concerns

 

One downfall is the 8GB of internal storage space, of which just over 4GB is available to use. The rest is taken up by the operating system and additional software. At this price some aspects have to be sacrificed a little. Not to worry though, it's easy to add more storage space if needed by adding a micro SD card to the slot. This model can house an extra 32GB (max).

The Processor, although no heavy hitter, is adequate for a device such as this. It can handle the running of several tasks at once, but don't push things too far or you may experience some lag / issues with responsiveness. 

 

While it should be a bit better, the battery life is fairly average at around 3 - 4 hours from a full charge. There are two charging methods. USB cable or mains adapter (both included).

 

A good mix of colours for boys and girls, like Pink, Blue, Purple and Green are available. And each one comes complete with its own matching protective case. The case has a handy little back stand and also a loop so the child can attach a string / cord and place it around their neck.

This is shown in one of the promotional images for the NPOLE, but it is not recommended to be used in such a manner, as it looks like it has the potential to be dangerous. Anything that goes around a kids neck like that can be a hazard. Even more so for younger kids. 

 

With that out the way, all things considered, this is a great device for 3 - 10 year olds. With not much else to contend with, other than the Fusion5® KD077 and a few others, this is definitely one of the best at this cheap price point.

The Problem With Panasonic Eneloop Batteries

Ready to use out the pack Panasonic Eneloop NiMH Batteries (Both AA and AAA) have been around for a while now. They are considered by many to be the best rechargeable batteries you can buy. From the standard (classic) Eneloops packing an extremely long shelf life, to the PRO Eneloop being especially suited to high-drain electrical devices, Panasonic Eneloop certainly tick a lot of boxes when it comes to a good rechargeable battery. 

Genuine Panasonic Eneloop BK-3MCCE/4BE Nickel Metal Hydride AA Batteries, Classic AA 4-Pack

I agree, they are the best. With Duracell and Energizer coming in at second and third. The standard Eneloops can be recharged up to 2100 times, while the PRO Eneloop (2500mAh) can manage a normal in comparison 500 recharges. That's still very good considering the high mAh, low self discharge and suitability for high drain devices. 

So, what's the problem with them?

 

Like other well-known brands of rechargeable batteries that lots of people buy, such as Duracell and Energizer, Panasonic Eneloop are faked like crazy. Fake Eneloops are very hard to avoid. As well as genuine Eneloop, many fake examples are for sale on eBay and Amazon, which consist of an unhealthy mix of easy to spot fakes and some that are not so easy to detect. 

In terms of packaging and battery labelling (wrapping), there's not that much difference. And if viewing small pictures on a sales listing with low quality pictures, it certainly makes it more difficult to be able to spot online before actually committing to buy them and opening the packaging to test / charge the batteries.

Besides, people just grab pictures from the Internet anyway and post them in their listing. So you may think you are buying some genuine Eneloop from the picture, but what you receive may look a bit different from the image used on the listing.

How to tell the fakes

 

There are some tell-tale signs that can distinguish the fake from the real. The most common being incorrect spelling on the batteries themselves. The second is the colour, which can be confusing as the colours of genuine Vs counterfeit can be very similar (see the links below for examples).  

Dates should be stamped / pressed into the battery wrapper / labelling. Furthermore, sizing can also be slightly different. And the batteries can have many more subtle signs that show their fake-ness. This is by no means an exhaustive run-down, but really just a quick list of common things to look out for.

If you want more information on what to look out for you can find more here and here. So that, is the issue. It is getting harder to find genuine Eneloops. 

And due to the fact that they cost around double the price of your average Duracell or Energizer comparisons (2000mAh+), it can make it a costly road to go down when trying to source and buy genuine Panasonic Eneloops online. Shame really, because they are the best rechargeable batteries.

I see some websites telling people not to buy Eneloops on eBay, but then they recommend buying them from Amazon. But this is flawed advice in my opinion, and I'll tell you why. First off, these days most people selling on eBay are also selling on Amazon. To add to the problem, the way Amazon is set up makes it very possible for the companies selling fakes to sell their useless fraudulent batteries on an Amazon listing that previously sold genuine Eneloops.

That's because when a seller runs out of stock, either Amazon themselves (if they have their own Eneloops in stock) or a new seller (potentially selling fakes) takes the place of the previous seller and gets to sell their stock to fill the demand if they have stock stored at an Amazon warehouse.

This is known as Fulfilment By Amazon (FBA). Or, I believe, even if they don't have stock stored at an Amazon Warehouse they can still use the "sell yours here" option or still be put into position as the main seller. That is when you see either sold by Amazon, or, in a quick example: "Dispatched from and sold by 7dayshop Limited" (which is a current seller of this product on Amazon UK).

This selling strategy can and does eventually destroy the reputation of the listing and Eneloop batteries themselves. Bottom line: It may not be as bad as eBay, but its not that hard to sell fakes on Amazon. And sellers do so regularly. This is also confirmed from some reviews I have read, where the customers were really disappointed with their "Eneloop" batteries.

Stating that they just don't hold a charge whatsoever. And this feedback was on listings where the previous reviews were excellent. Take from that what you will. Could it be down to a fault or quality control issue with original Eneloops, or someone who sells fakes got put in the selling spot.

I know which one of these scenarios I would go with. One of the key questions is how well do Amazon check their stock received from sellers (FBA) for being fake, and if sold by Amazon themselves, is that stock confirmed as genuine.

Of course, Eneloops, specifically the PRO versions, can be quite fragile in terms of what charger they are used in (best to buy them as a bundle kit that comes complete with an Eneloop specific charger), what device they are used to power, etc. So could some bad reviews be down to buyers not being aware of how delicate the PRO versions can be.

I'd have to say yes. But not all the bad feedback is down to that, as there are similar reviews on the standard 1900mAH Eneloops, which are much more compatible overall, so I would say occasional bad batches and fake batteries are the culprits.

With fake batteries being the most predominant. All you can do is educate yourself on how to tell real from fake, which of course not only includes the information provided here and at the useful links above, but also checking the reviews and company reputation of the sellers.

However, the real proof is in the product. The genuine article still dominates most marketplaces overall. If you do some or all of the checks, are satisfied to proceed with the purchase and end up buying some genuine Panasonic Eneloop, they should perform really well and last many years. If they don't, there's a good chance they are not real Eneloop.

Duracell 4 Hour AA / AAA Battery Charger Review

Having owned the Duracell Ni-MH 4 Hour AA / AAA Battery Charger (CEF14UK4 model ) for a few months now, I thought I should write a quick review and give you my verdict. First off, I want to tell you what made me buy this exact model. I wanted a charger that actually lets the user know when the batteries are fully charged. I have owned an Energizer charger for a good while, and it has worked well enough.

But it does not have any indication for telling the user when the batteries are full, only for "charging" (constant solid red lights). So that was one main reason. The other reason was for wanting something which doesn't take all night to charge. Some battery rechargers take 12+ hours, which is way too long for me. As well as being too slow, I also think its a bit of a safety / fire hazard.

So the CEF14 Hi-Speed ticks all the boxes. I was going to buy a "Smart" charger by UNiROSS, but after reading through a lot of reviews on eBay and Amazon, one key design fault / complaint became apparent. That is, while these Smart chargers do have a digital screen that shows the charging state, they do not indicate when the batteries are fully charged.

What a silly feature to leave out of a supposedly "Smart" charger. Some of the buyers were very annoyed to discover this, after they had purchased the charger of course. I would be too if I only found out this problem after I purchased the item. But thanks to them leaving their reviews I knew not to make the same mistake.

So I thought its best to spend a bit more money and get something that is considered as more reliable in terms of indicating. The Duracell CEF14 uses LED lights to let a user know the current state of the batteries.

Those LED light indications are as follows:

No battery = Lights off.

Charging = Solid Red Lights.

Charge complete = Sold Green Lights.

Error / Bad Battery(s) = Flashing Red Lights.

 

How Does The Duracell 4 Hour AA / AAA Battery Charger Perform

 

So far very good. I'm glad I bought this model over the hundreds of others that are out there for sale. The charging time is indeed about 4 hours for 1300 mAh AA batteries to be fully charged. If not a little longer. But the charging time will obviously differ if using lower or higher capacity batteries. But make no mistake, compared to other chargers that can take a ridiculous amount of time to charge, this one is fast.

Duracell state: "It allows you to get up to 4 hours of use in just 45 minutes of charging". But for me, I wouldn't want to destroy the batteries by aging them prematurely, putting them on charge for just 45 minutes, when they are definitely not fully charged within that timeframe. 

However, Duracell claim that their technology allows for a safe partial charge that protects that batteries from any harm. I think I'll stick to a full charge for now. A cool feature that this model has is Overcharge protection. The batteries that turn green (full) will automatically stop charging (or trickle) when the charger is still plugged into the mains.

One other positive that has really surprised me with this charger, is how cool it stays. It hasn't got "hot" like some chargers do. Some get dangerously hot. In fact this one has remained just slighty warm in comparison to other chargers I have used.

However, I have only had it plugged in for around 5 hours maximum at one time, because that's all it needed before all the flat batteries were fully charged. 5 hours I hear you say, you said it took 4 hours to charge 1300 mAh AA's. Well yes, it's around 4 - 6 hours. But the reason for it taking a little longer is explained below.

How Reliable Is the Light Indicator System

 

The lights are very bright and clear, but the light indication is the one area that isn't as reliable, or as impressive as the rest of the product. Don't get me wrong, it isn't terrible by any means, and it works without fault most of the time. It's just that sometimes the lights can give out a false positive.

As in, one, or both sides will turn green much too fast, and I know for a fact that there is no way they are fully charged yet as they were totally flat. Also, there have been a few instances where I plug the charger in filled with 4 AA batteries, and one side will start to flash red. This indicates some sort of error.

But sometimes this can be due to the batteries being brand new and not fully broken in yet. It can take a few recharges for them to be fully woken up, as in all the cells are ready for action. Which I think was the case for me.

However, in all instances the quick and easy fix was to unplug the charger from the mains, give it a few seconds, and then plug it back in. This fixed it every time for me. So really its a small hindrance but not one that would make me hesitant to recommend this product. This is why the batteries can sometimes take a little longer to charge, because of a few plug outs from the mains and plug back in to reset the charger.

Most of the time that has elapsed is taken up by when I actually discover the error. So if its been sitting there for 30 minutes in that state before I notice it, that eats away at the charge time.

Please note: I have not used any triple A batteries in my CEF14. I only bought this model for double A's. But it can charge both types (4 in total at one time), and I suspect it would work exactly the same but charge AAA's even quicker, or around the same time.

My Duracell charger came with 2 AA's, but some models come complete with 2 AA's and 2 AAA's. Overall its an excellent little well built charger, and I'm glad I bought this one over the others. Compared to what else is out there for a similar price, I would not hesitiate to buy this exact same model again. Has worked well so far. There's also a five year Guarantee offered by Duracell for peace of mind. Read the excellent reviews on Amazon.

Cheapest Rolex Submariner Watch Alternative

Do you really need a Rolex watch in your life. The amount of watches that are out there which are so much cheaper than buying a Rolex is substantial. However, if you're looking for a watch that closely resembles a Rolex Submariner in appearance, works well, and at the cheapest possible price, a serious contender has to be the Invicta Pro Diver (Seiko NH35A Automatic movement). 

 

Yes, it's certainly not as refined and nowhere near the high quality of an original Submariner, but for the low price its actually a great alternative for those who don't have much money to spend but still want something that looks similar to a Rolex. Put them together, side by side in comparison, and you'll have to look closely to see the difference. 

There's also some that look very similar to other Rolex models, such as the Sea-Dweller and Datejust. If you want one of those look for a brand called Pagani [Lot's on Amazon]. They are pretty decent. If someone is looking from a distance, it would be hard to tell if what you were wearing was either a Rolex Submariner or an Invicta Pro Diver [8928OB].

Yes, you could say, and many do, that the Invicta Pro Diver is a replica of the Submariner. And for the most part, it is! But its not an out-and-out fake or a cheap copy like much are out there. It does have its own brand name, Invicta, and they do take some pride in their workmanship. Much more than the many run of the mill no-name Rolex replica's that flood the marketplace. No, this is good quality watch for the price.

In fact some reviewers actually own both and have done some comparisons. A few even conclude that there isn't really all that much difference when it comes down to time accuracy and in some cases, even how it feels on the wrist. 

Of course, the biggest difference between the two is not only the price, which is huge, but also the fear of damage, or lack thereof that comes from wearing the Invicta over the Rolex. Superb little timepiece. The only downfall is the aftersales service, which going on what a few customers have reported isn't that great.

Pull Out Waste Bin 600mm Cabinet

Save space and conceal the waste with this very convenient pull out waste / recycle cabinet bin. The one I'm talking about in this post is the 600mm version made by REJS, but these pull-out bins are also available in 300mm, 400mm etc, obviously with smaller bins. The one concern most people have when it comes integrated bins is the smell.

Pull Out Waste Bins for a 600mm Cabinet

However, most companies are well aware of this and have kitted them out with fairly tightly fitting lids. This prevents any smell as much as possible. Add to that the fact that the bins are inside the cabinet most of the time with the door closed and you have a double whammy of smell prevention. You could even put a little stick on air freshener inside the kitchen cabinet to keep things smelling fresh.

Instructions for this model aren't the best, but the unit is very easy to install, even without much guidance and comes with all the required fixtures and fittings. This model can either screwed / bolted to the floor or attached directly to the cabinet door. It's a very versatile unit, with a nice smooth slide-out motion. Just make sure to get all the measurements correct before purchase so installation goes according to plan and the fit is nice and snug.

Nixon Regulus A1180 Watch Review

Nixon Regulus A1180 Digital Watch Review. Available in the UK, USA and Canada. When it comes to digital watches, especially supposedly tough digital watches, one can't help but compare it against the Casio G-Shock range. Genuine G-Shocks do offer excellent durability and can be found for sale at a reasonable price. The Nixon Regulus A1180 however, does fall into a slightly higher price range (in come countires) than many of the G-Shock models. But In my opinion the Nixon Regulus is priced accordingly.

Pictured: Nixon Regulus A1180 Camo

As well as the super cool Military / Navy Seal style appearance that does a good job of drawing people to the A1180 to begin with, It also has some features that many people will find very useful, so I can see why there is some hype, and a competitive price tag around the Nixon Regulus.

Nixon Regulus All Black / Red

The main features of this watch are the twin Chronographs, water resistance to 100 meters, two stopwatches, countdown timer, 3 alarms, a great illumination light, and a five year battery life. But the main feature for some, is the A1180's overall toughness and durability. It is a solid watch. And like previewed in the video, which basically shows a brand new watch after 1 year of use, it's longevity seems to be excellent.

Video: Watch review after one year of ownership

A wide range of different colours are available. Some of those include: Gold, Grey, Olive, Black, all Black, Clear, Dark Slate, Black/Red, Sand Brown, Multi-Camouflage Tropic Green, Black/White/Lime and Carbon. There's also stainless steel versions out there for sale (Regulus SS A1268). Those models come in Silver, Gold, Black and Gunmetal.

The only negative experienced by the individual in the video review after one year was a slight distortion of the lower part of the LCD, apparently from the pressing of the front button(s) over time. Overall, a good watch for the price.

Here's a few other watches that are also talked about on this blog: Casio F-94WA | Rolex Sea-Dweller | Rolex Datejust 41 | Casio W-800H | Old Seiko

Casio models that could be considered rivals to the Nixon Regulus A1180: G-Shock GX-56BB-1ER | G Shock GW-M500F | G-Shock GD-350-1BER | G-Shock GW-7900-1ER

Classic Casio F-94WA Watch Review

Classic Casio F-94WA Watch Review. The Casio F-94WA is one model that has gone somewhat under the radar when compared to some of the much more well-known models, such as the classic F-91W and W-86 [here]. Maybe one of the reasons for this is due to it being a bit harder to find for sale. Don't get me wrong, it's not super rare or anything. But take a look on Amazon UK, US and Canada, and you won't find the Casio F-94WA on there being sold. It is more widely available in Asia / India. Update: I did find it for sale on Amazon. See the link below for availability.

Casio F-94WA - Check Availability

You can, however, find the F-94WA for sale on eBay, and on the official Casio website (only for India I believe). After some research on eBay, it is clear that some of sellers that have the F-94WA listed are actually selling fakes. I've looked through a lot of feedback, and trust me, there are quite a few fake F-94WA's that have been sold, and also some that are still listed (on eBay UK). So if you are looking to purchase one from eBay be careful. But really, this is the case for all Casio's. They are replicated like crazy.

So, what does the Casio F-94WA offer. Well, other than not looking like your average digital retro Casio, which is a good thing if you want something a bit different to what everyone else is wearing but still remain brand loyal, and packing a much better microlight than the F91W (but not better than the real Illuminators), the bare bones aren't much different. The Casio F-94WA does have the hourly time signal though (beep beep at the hour), which I personally think is great.

A 7-year battery life comes as standard, but do check the age of the stock if you can to see how fresh it is (ask the seller). You can always replace the battery though if it doesn't quite last seven years. This model takes the CR2016. Be sure to buy a decent brand of CR2016 to maximise your chances of getting a nice long battery life from the replacement. I recommend either Sony, Duracell, Energizer or Panasonic. They are very cheap to buy, so that's a bonus.

Two different colours of F-94WA are available: The F-94WA-8, which has the darker / charcoal colour trim. And the F-94WA-9. This model has the yellow trim and is reviewed in the video above. Both are exactly the same other than the difference in appearance. A great little slightly quirky Casio to add to your collection.

Panasonic Toughbook Refurbished UK

Panasonic Toughbook Refurbished Laptops UK. The Panasonic Toughbook range has been around for a number of years now. There are many models to choose from, all with their own set of features. Of course, it's obviously in the name, and a key feature throughout the entire range, but just so you're aware, all the Toughbooks are splash proof, shockproof and generally as tough as old work boots.

 

 

One of the newer, much more expensive models. The high specification Panasonic CF-54

They're not invincible, though, so you should still treat them with respect. And, as mentioned, many of the models have different features to suit different types of people and professions. Some are touchscreen, and some are not. Many have a swivel screen design (display can be turned all the way round), while some models are designed more like a conventional laptop but can still be used as a tablet.

There's even tablet-style models, such as the CF-D1, which are geared towards diagnostics / engineers.

 

Price Vs Spec Vs Condition

 

Brand new Toughbooks, like the CF-54 pictured above are expensive.

The CF-52 on the other hand can now be found for sale at a very good price. However, if you buy either used or refurbished, the savings that can be made are huge. And considering the high specification, coupled with how well suited they are for real life usage, it makes a lot of sense to buy one.

Some older Toughbooks for sale (Used and Refurbished) are extremely cheap. Even though many have very high specifications, such as i5 Processors, 8GB RAM, large internal hard drives, GPS and RS-232 connectivity. There are some good deals for the extremely versatile CF-19 MK6 right now on eBay UK.

Toughbooks are great for small business owners, military personnel, those who work outdoors a lot, car garages, the construction industry and people who are sick and tired of their laptops constantly breaking and want something a bit more tough, rugged and reliable.

 

Be an Eagle-eyed buyer

 

One word of warning when buying used or refurbished in the UK or US.

Be sure to inspect the pictures and read descriptions carefully, as a lot of what's currently out there for sale has more than likely not been well looked after due to the large majority being previously used by employees, not personal owners.

Once they reach what the company deem to be the end of their service life, or the time frame for all the computers to be upgraded under contract, they are then sold to a computer recycling company who will refurbish the computers and resell them. That's where you, the buyer of the refurbished machine comes in.

I'm not saying that they won't work or will have problems, they have been refurbished after all, and should be in full working order. Like I said, just be sure to do your due diligence, view the product images enlarged, check seller feedback and read product descriptions fully so you know exactly what you are buying. Other than that, you can't go far wrong.

Jamo D365 Speaker Specification

Here is the specification for the old school classic Jamo D365 speakers, as shown on the speakers themselves. Jamo D365's have become fairly hard to find for sale these days in the UK, especially in very good condition. Taking a quick look on eBay UK and there is not even one pair for sale. Yes, there are smaller Jamo's, like the 265's (not many), and bookshelf style, but no 365's. See a more up-to-date Jamo Subwoofer here, the Jamo C912.

 

From the front of the speaker

From the back. (Made In Denmark)

Rolex Sea-Dweller 12,800 ft 3,900 m Price

Rolex Sea-Dweller 12,800 ft 3,900 m Price. If you don't want to read you can find the price below. While all Rolex watches are waterproof, people who need or want a basic level of resistance usually go for one of the less depth demanding models, like the Datejust 41, or the GMT-Master II. Both of which have a water resistance depth of a respectable 100 meters.

But if its extreme depths you're after, you need look no further than the Rolex DEEPSEA Sea-Dweller [also known as the Rolex Deepsea 126660]. This super pressurised diving watch is capable of an almost unbelieveable depth of 12,800 feet, or 3,900 meters. I don't know for certain if this model holds the watch submersion depth record, but it much be somewhere in the top 10 for sure

Pictured is the D-Blue model, which displays a nice light blue dial at the top, fading into a dark blue (almost black). Representing the change from shallow (in comparison) to the deepest depths of the sea that divers can reach.

This is a serious watch, and the demand is rather high for this model. Prices do vary greatly depending on where you buy it from. If you can find one for sale, with many dealers you may also be able to haggle a little and get the price down, especially if you are paying the full amount by cash or card. Of course, you can also obtain this watch and pay for it in installments, but I would not recommend that. If you don't have the money, don't buy it.

If you want something much cheaper but still an excellent watch for deep sea diving, the Omega Seamaster Professional Planet Ocean may be a better fit. A beautiful watch with a master chronometer and a water resistance limit of 600 meters (2000 foot).

If you need something a lot cheaper than both of the timepieces talked about here, you could consider the Invicta 8926OB Pro. It's what some people call a poor man's Rolex. However, don't be put of by this label, it's an excellent watch for the price.

Betron D51 Bluetooth Speaker Review

Betron D51 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker Review. I was in the market for some new speakers for my desktop computer. You know, the ones that sit at each side of the display monitor. I looked and looked, mostly on Amazon (There are so many PC speakers on there for sale), and one thing that became apparent was the amount of negative reviews for most of those types of speakers. I didn't feel comfortable spending my money because the reviews didn't give me much confidence in the products.
 

 

Read the impressive end-user reviews for the Betron D51

 

Anyway, I thought, why not go the wireless route. I mean, some Bluetooth wireless speakers can also be used as "wired", where the USB + headphone jack plug into the computer and the Bluetooth signal on the wireless speaker is disabled when in USB mode. So one of those would work just as good as a pair of PC speakers. And they are very cheap! Please be aware: Not all wireless Bluetooth speakers have this option.

Some can not be used with the Bluetooth disabled. Despite what you may believe, being in close proximity to any device transmitting a Bluetooth frequency is not good for you, and I didn't want to be sitting at my computer right next to the speaker for hours at a time while its transmitting the Bluetooth signal. So this was one of the main selling points for me. Thankfully, the Betron D51 can be used just fine with the Bluetooth disabled. And it comes with the leads included to be used in wired mode straight out of the box.

So, what's the performance like. Well, it works really well. It's loud enough. Maybe a little too loud for my needs. If I'm watching a film or YouTube videos, etc, I don't even need to have the volume any higher than 30% on my computer. That's with the Betron D51 on maximum volume. But you must remember, if wired to another device, such as a Tablet or desktop computer, the volume can be controlled by that manually.

I believe that would be the same with a Smartphone. The volume can be adjusted by both devices.

 

Pairing

Like I said, I bought my Betron D51 to hook up to a computer (AUX), but when it first arrived I did test it out with a Smartphone. Pairing was extremely fast, and it never lost the connection once.

However, I was within a 5-meter range, so I'm not sure how strong the connection would remain beyond that point. The maximum range is 10 meters.

How to pair the Betron D51 

Example: To pair to a Smartphone - Turn on the Bluetooth (on the Smartphone) and get the phone onto the screen where it's ready to search for new Bluetooth devices to connect to. 

Turn on the Betron D51 and press the button with the letter "M" (I believe this stands for menu mode) on it. See the picture below. 

 

 

When you see the blue light on the front of the D51 flashing continuously that means it is now in Bluetooth mode searching for a device to connect to. Once your Smartphone finds the new device (the D51) accept the connection and your all paired up and ready to go.

Battery life

 

When I first bought the Betron D51 I did use it on its battery for a while. To be honest, it seemed great. But it should be good when being used for the first time brand-new out of the box. After that day, I have constantly used my D51 plugged into the computer, so its not using the internal battery.

I have no idea how long it would last after 6 months to a year of constant use, but the reviews of this product on Amazon are mostly excellent, so I can't see it being any worse than what the standard battery life expectancy is for wireless Bluetooth speakers in general. And Betron is quite a good low priced brand for speakers, so I would say the battery would be okay.

Should you buy

 

The Betron D51 certainly gets a five star review rating from me. I'm glad I went with a Bluetooth speaker capable of wireless and wired rather than a pair of the classic desktop / laptop speakers that sit on each side. With the D51 I turn it on, it works well, the sound is clear most of the time (this depends massively on the quality of the video / clip / music), it's loud for its size, and it was very cheap to buy. No problems to report, still going strong after 10 months. A fantastic little speaker that looks more expensive than what it is.

Forgot to mention, it even has an SD / TF memory card slot, which I've never used, so you can play music directly from the memory card. A one-year warranty is also included. I would recommend this product.

Quick update for September 2022

Not much to report except the speaker still works perfectly in 2022. I use headphones most the time these days, but when I do use the Betron speaker, which I am doing right now while writing this, it is still working really well.

Looking for the instructions / user manual? You can find the PDF ready to read or download here.

Rolex Datejust 41 For Sale Price UK

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41 [126334-RHOSJ] For Sale Price UK. What is there left to say about this beautiful watch that you probably haven't already read on a different website. With it's Sapphire Crystal glass, 904L stainless steel, Solid 18 Carat White Gold Fluted Bezel and superlative chronometer quality and Swiss precision. The model pictured below has the Dark Rhodium Dial (with Jubilee Bracelet). But there are other colours available, most notable are the black (with diamonds), white and blue dials. Rose Gold is also an option, but is the least desirable in my opinion. But each to their own. We all have different tastes and preferences.

Check Sale Price

One example well-worth taking a look at due to it being slightly more unique looking to the rest, is the Grey Datejust 41 with Roman Numerals. Anyway, enough about the different types of Datejust 41, let's talk money. What's the damage (the price) for such a prestigious timepiece. 

Prices do vary quite dramatically. However, if you come across one that is too cheap (new or used), or must appears a little too good to be true, it's most probably a fake. Always make sure to buy from a reputable company / seller. Genuine Rolex watches are never cheap.

Practial, reliable and dependable, reviews are solid for the Datejust 41. The Datejust 41 is not just a nice watch, but also a fairly decent investment. New and used prices for Rolex watches have increased somewhat over the last year. And some people buy a Rolex for that very reason. 

So, while you won't get back the full amount of what you paid, if bought brand new, and then a few years later decided to sell, it would still fetch a good price. And don't forget the pleasure you got from wearing the watch in the process. Rolex watches are remarkable timepieces.