I don’t about you, but I love smart home gadgets. We have them sprinkled throughout our home, and truly believe they have both enhanced our daily lives, as well as give us a true sense of security. I was so excited to be chosen as part of the Merkury Innovations Smart Home TryaBox campaign. I couldn’t wait for my box to arrive. What we were all being sent was a surprise. When my box arrived, I couldn’t wait to tear into it. I received their Indoor Wi-Fi Plug, their 720P WIFI CAM, and their Smart Wi-Fi Bulb – White. Definitely a great box of goodies!

These products can be run by one app. It is free and availabe on IOS and Android. I have an Android phone. It is a Samsung Note 9. The app you download is Geeni. Once downloaded, you add your home (name it), and location. These run off a 2G network. Most homes are 5G with new higher speed cable. We have a router that does 2G in our home as well, so we can operate some smart home products that we use. The home page of the app has categories. If you are attaching a smart plug, just click on that option, and it walks you through the steps, which is nice. Pretty user friendly. I can’t state enough though. Have your 2G password ready, lol. I started with my 5G out of habit, and had to reinstall the app with my husbands phone number. After that, and a few curse words from my husband, lol, we have been connected and up and running without issue. Now, once you have your smart home item connected, and you use Amazon’s Alexa, go to your Amazon account and enable the Geeni app. You can operate all of these gadgets from the app, but it is a lot of fun to just ask Alexa to do it.

The Merkury Innovations Smart Plug was the first item I tested out. It just plugs into your existing outlet. It has a great size to it, and does not block the other outlet, which is key to us. We have a lot of plugs, lol. I already stated how we connected it to the app. We use our Alexa to operate it on a daily basis, though. This smart plug can handle a 3-prong plug. We chose to plug in a decorative light that I love, my flamingo light, lol. But, we also use this outlet for our Christmas tree. I can’t wait to be able to use Alexa for our Christmas tree, with this smart plug. I can’t wait! It’s going to be so much easier with all the items I place around my tree. Our plug has been working flawlessly so far. We are very pleased with it.

Merkury Innovations Smart Plug (From the manufacturer)

-No hub required, Wi-Fi is built in

-Plug in, download the free Geeni app and start controlling your lights and appliances from anywhere in the world

-Slim and compact design will blend into your power outlet without blocking adjacent slots

-Works with Amazon Alexa, The Google Assistant and Microsoft Cortana

The Merkury 800 White Dimmable A19 Smart LED Bulb was the 2^nd item we installed. We placed it over our kitchen island. We keep that light on 24/7 pretty much. This LED light bulb is bright at 800 lumens, which I love, and it is dimmable. It does not need a separate hub either. You can dim it from the app, but yes, it is also dimmable with Alexa. How cool is that! Just say, Alexa (whatever you named your light with Alexa) at 25%. It will adjust your light down to 25%. This is perfect for when we head to bed. It is also operable with Google Assistant or Microsoft Cortana, according to Merkury Innovations. The light, even when it’s on full brightness, is still pleasant to the eyes. It’s outer covering is white plastic, which is what my family seems to prefer. I also like that it won’t shatter if I drop it. Overall, we are loving this bulb. We cannot find any negatives with it, and love being able to operate it remotely. Even when traveling, no more timer needed for your lighting. You can operate this remotely which is a dream.

Merkury 800lm (60W Equivalent) White Dimmable A19 Smart LED Bulb (From the manufacturer)

-No hub required, works out of the box with your home Wi-Fi. (2.4ghz wifi network required)

-9-Watt, 800 Lumens, equivalent to a traditional 60-Watt incandescent bulb

-Control your lights from anywhere with your smartphone using the Geeni app (iOS, Android)

-Easily control your lights with Amazon Alexa, your Google Assistant or Microsoft Cortana

The third item we received to test is the The Merkury Innovations WiFi 720P Smart Camera. We had no trouble connecting this to the app, or our Alexa. It has worked flawlessly since we plugged it in. It comes with the camera, a detachable power cord, and a USB adapter to be able to plug it into a regular outlet, in case you don’t have a USB outlet, and a round piece of double sided sticky tape, in case you want to mount it to your furniture or wall. The base, or stem, if you may, is unique. It is flexible, so you can turn it to eh desired angle you need. I really like this feature. It’s our first camera with that option. The image comes up pretty clear. The only downfall we have found with this camera, is the volume when speaking through it. If there is a lot of noise in the room where the camera is, and you are trying to speak through it via the app, you can barely hear the person. For us, there is a 5 second delay in the speech feature as well, which is not a real negative for us. Since we use our camera for security, to see what’s going on, the speech issue is not a major issue. If there was a break in at night, then that room would be quiet at that time anyhow. From the app you can press an alarm, press and hold to speak, record, and take photos, and playback. The alarm feature, when pressed on the app brings up a motion detector setting You can choose from low, medium, and high. This is a nice feature, because you can set it on, once everyone is in bed.

I have an Alexa Show, so I can actually ask Alexa to show me that room (You name the room for Alexa), and it brings up the camera view. I love being able to do that. Smart home technology to me, is a fun and positive option. We placed the camera, for now on our desk, so it faces our door into our garage. It captures most of the room there. At night time, the IR takes a few minutes to get adjusted to the dark. It’s not as fast as some cameras, but hopefully a break in doesn’t occur the second you turn the lights out. That, so far, is the main negative we have found with this camera. You can overcome this negative, however, if you have a nightlight in the room. Our room that we placed it in, is a pretty dark room at night. IR needs some light source to be effective. Here’s a photo of the night view on the Alexa Show:

We are going to continue to use it, as it is a pretty nice camera to use. The alarm is not an audible alarm that the camera emits. What it does is sends you a notification to your phone. It comes up as an alarm symbol. I like this feature. It will give you time to act, before melee breaks out, hopefully. You can also enable the notifications from your Alexa, Google, or Cortana device as well.

Merkury Innovations Smart WiFi 720P Camera (From the manufacturer)

-No hub required, Wi-Fi is built in

-24/7 live video streaming: see your home on your phone in 720p HD and control vision from anywhere  

-Alerts on your phone: get motion alerts so you know if anything happens

 -Night vision done right: see the whole room at night

-Talk and listen: hear the baby or talk back to get someone’s attention

-Flexible stem to bend and mount at any angle

-Turn alerts on and off by voice with Amazon Alexa, your Google Assistant & Microsoft Cortana 

Over all, we are very pleased with both the Merkury Innovations products and their Geeni app. Since we have been up and running, everything has been working very well, and these products have enhanced our lives in a positive way. I love having the added security camera. We have been needing to add one to that room. I suffer from frequent anaphylactic reactions, and being able to operate my lights remotely, actually make my life easier. Not to mention, when we are out of town, we can both access and operate these new features to our home, remotely. A win, win, win, all around. Definitely check out what this company has to offer.

Availabe to purchase here:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Merkury-Innovations-Smart-WiFi-720P-Camera/835969619

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Merkury-Innovations-A19-Smart-Light-Bulb-60W-Dimmable-White-LED-1-Pack/512088827?athcpid=512088827&athpgid=athenaItemPage&athcgid=null&athznid=PWVUB&athieid=v0&athstid=CS020&athguid=0957a8b7-516-169a5c0bfa591e&athena=true#https://www.walmart.com/ip/Merkury-Innovations-Smart-Plug-1-Pack/126201995?athcpid=126201995&athpgid=athenaItemPage&athcgid=null&athznid=PWVUB&athieid=v0&athstid=CS020&athguid=d54623a0-18b-169a5c25aa9fcc&athena=true 

I received these products to test. All opinions are my own. I do not profit monetarily at all from this review or from any sales of these products. All product facts come straight from Merkury Innovations.

I am always thrilled to be accepted for one of Tryazons’ parties. I was exceptionally excited to be able to participate in the 3Doodler Campaign. I love creating things, but I have yet to even come close to mastering the 3D pens on the market. 3D doodler has a great product, I am very impressed. I received their 3Doodler Create Pens to play and party with, but they also carry a beginner’s line, and a line great for younger kids, called #Doodler Start. Now, if you are a pro at it, or a professional, they even have a line for you, called 3Doodler Pro, and it looks impressive. Last, but not least, they even offer a kit for classrooms, called the 3Doodler EDU. The 3Doodler Start was The Best Creative Toy of the Year for 2017, too! We took the pen on the road as well, since it is so portable. You can really have fun with it anywhere.

They have a wonderful website, with 5 main sections on it: Store, Projects, Educators, Support, and Blog. The website is very easy and clear to follow and understand. I am highly impressed with their Projects section. It is a lot better than others I have used, and looked at. Their projects are actually free to print out as well, which I really love! I printed out a few to use at my party.

In my package I received 2 3Doodler Create Pen Starter Kits, 1 DoodleStand 2.0, 2 Different Color Packs of ABS Plastic Sticks, and 2 Doodle Pads. The Create Pen Starter Kits include: 1 Pen, 1 AC Power adapter, 1 instruction pamphlet, 1 Quickstart Guide, 1 wrench, 1 mini screwdriver, and 1 long tool to clear the passage with. I love the stand that this company offers. It can hold up to 75 Doodlestrands, and 1 Pen. Because the pen has a rubber guard by the tip of it, it will even hold the pen if you have the power cord attached to it. The power cord attaches to the top of the pen. It plugs into a regular 2 prong outlet. The included pamphlet offers some easy to read, and understand instructions. You can also go their website, and on the first page of the Shop section, you will see a Getting Started Tab. Press that, and it takes you to a page, where you can choose your pen. So, I clicked Create, which is the pen I have, and it took me to a plethora of information. This is the direct link for that section: http://the3doodler.com/getting-started/create/?_ga=2.159286396.778643117.1500502727-1931972569.1497930577 There are videos and manuals there to help you on your journey. Here is the main Youtube video for getting started: https://youtu.be/LVPqK4L5p2Y   Have your pen ready, so you can follow along. It is basic, for example: On the side of you pen is the off, low, and high switch, as well as, the ports for accessories. It shows you that the top of the pen houses the air vent, the power port, and the port for your plastic strips to be inserted. The buttons to make the melted plastic come out, are called extrusion buttons.

These are on the front of the pen. The larger one makes it go faster, and the smaller one, makes it go slower. It’s a fast visual, which makes it easier to adjust your speed. I really like that. I also like how they are not located on the side, like some other brands. I would always hit it while trying to create, and that was sooo annoying. Now, the back side of the pen houses a clear section, which is the Maintenance Housing. You can see how mush plastic you have left in the pen, and access the inside of the pen from here, if you have an issue, like needing to clear a blockage. Last but not least, it warns you about the tip, or nozzle of the pen. It gets very hot while in use, and takes a bit to cool down after the pen is turned off, so be careful! Then it will go through other videos about turning on and operating your pen. You can choose to just read the pamphlet, but having a video visual, can make it easier for a lot of people. The pen has two settings: low, and high. On the low setting, the lightbar turns green when ready, and blue when ready for the high setting. The bar is on the front, top of the pen. The included plastic with the kit is ABS, which has to be used on the High setting. The low setting is for PLA, which was not included, but can be purchased separately. This pen can accommodate it. Now, to operate it, after you place a piece of plastic in it, and the light is on, go ahead and press one of the extrusion buttons once to start it. Pressing once again, will stop it, and double clicking one of these buttons will reverse the direction of your plastic, so you can remove it, and start a new color; easy peasey. Now, they state to trim the ends of your plastic after removing it from the pen, so it’s ready to be reused. This is easily done with a pair of scissors. Now, if you are trying to reverse your plastic, and it won’t, that means it’s too short to reverse, and you will have to use the rest of it, to remove it. They have videos on how to use the included tools to troubleshoot, in case you have an issue removing any plastic.

Time to create and enjoy. Being aggravated is not allowed, lol! I printed out a few projects ideas, but you can find others for free, or for purchase on the internet. I am ecstatic by the free library of projects 3Doddler’s website offers, though. Their videos give you hints on how to do 3D drawings, and more. Nothing takes the place of practice, though. With their DoodlePads, which have grid measurements on them, it was easy to place a project paper under the mat, and then create from there. Here is a link to some of their videos, for ideas: http://the3doodler.com/videos/ . Some hints I learned from their website. For a flat pattern, press form onto the surface. For a 3D pattern, when creating a line up, hold it for a few seconds, so it can solidify, and then pull quickly away, to separate from the creation.

I have a 10 year old son, who has tried 3D pens before too. He is at my skill level, which is, we will say, the fun level, lol. I feel safer with him using this pen. Since the plastic inserts are straight, and not long and curvy, the pen is easier for him to handle, which in turn makes it safer to use. I homeschool him, so I love to bring creative items into our home. This definitely fits the bill. Their website also shows all types of kits they offer, which can be highly fun, and educational for children. I am really impressed with this company overall! Under their Educators section on their website, the even have STEM included, which is beyond wonderful. You can create, or copy patterns. Learn how physics work in 3D builds. You can even have your friends create their own wine glass, or beer bottle markers, at the beginning of a party. Scientists do say, that as we age, are brain ages also. To keep It young, and quick, we need to keep using it, challenging it. This is definitely more fun than brain games on a tablet or phone, that’s for sure.

You can purchase any of their pens directly from their website, or Amazon. Here is a link to their community page: http://the3doodler.com/community/ 

All opinions are honest and my own. I have no financial ties to Tryazon or 3Doodler. I received this set in exchange for testing their items, and sharing my experience, only.

LED lighting and Bluetooth speakers are everyday items in our household. Bluetooth speakers are great for home, work, vacationing, poolside, and more. There is also always a need for a backup lighting source, be it for emergencies, camping, vacationing, work, and convenience. This product from LightingEver fits the bill for both. Not only is it a convenient source of light, it also has fun lighting options, and a built-in Bluetooth speaker. It has an internal 2200mAH battery, which allows for many hours of both music and light. It can go all day on low, for lighting alone. This light is so usable. It can be placed on the table, or hung with it’s built in hanger. It comes with both an Aux cable, and a micro USB cable. Don’t forget to pull the plastic off of the silicone ring on the bottom of the speaker. It really helps to keep the speaker/light in one spot on your table.

This product is very easy to use. My husband and I both have Samsung Galaxy Note 5 phones. It comes up as LE Lights01 to pair, no code needed. It states paired, so there is no guessing with this speaker. You can use both separate from each other. You do not have to use both the light and speaker together. You tap the center of the light to make it turn on, and to go through the colors. The last choice before off, is a beat to the music mode, which is pretty cool to watch. It’s very disco that way. You can even use this to answer calls.

There are 6 different colors to choose from: red, blue, green, purple, light blue, then the disco mode. Tap and hold the center area, to go to the white color mode. It comes on in low, tap again to go to medium, and again to go to high. The fourth tap has the white light in flashing/beat mode, and the 5^th tap is off, for the light. You can just listen to music, audio books, videos, or anything you want via the Bluetooth speaker.  The sound and volume are pretty nice on this speaker. All types of music have been pretty clear, and enjoyable to listen to. The controls are on one side of the light, and the ports are on the opposite side of the speaker. You can listen to music, etc.. via an Aux cable, Bluetooth, or Micro SD card. You need to supply the micro SD card. This unit charges via the included micro USB cable. The Aux cable is also included. It does hold a pretty good charge with it’s 2200mAh internal battery, but can be used while plugged in. I like that feature. Not all Bluetooth speakers can be used while plugged in, I have found. I love the hanger option. You can hang it from your hood while working on your car. You can hang it in your tent for lighting, or from your umbrella at the beach, or backyard patio. It does not get hot to the touch, so it’s safe for your children to use.

Overall, this is a fun, and very usable light/speaker. It has so many benefits, and can be used in many different ways. I have found it to be well made and durable. I, as usual, have dropped it quite a few times, lol. So, if you are slightly clumsy like me, you should be good with this product. It is a fun product to use. 

This product is available here for purchase: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MS3LOXW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I received this product at a discount. All opinions are my own, and very honest.

At first glance, this product really impressed me. We go through a lot of Bluetooth headphones in our home, too. I love the thick and sturdy storage case this product came in. The zipper functions perfectly, and it easily holds the headphones and charging, Micro USB cord, when not in use. The cord is a longer one, which I am really appreciating. They have really shortened many charging cords nowadays, and that is really starting to annoy me. We use charging stations a lot, and you can’t charge everything in one area, if all the cords are short. In your package, you do get the headphones, the charging Micro USB cord, directions, the storage case, and 2 extra pairs of silicone ear buds in different sizes. These headphones are very sturdy in hand. The two arms that unfold, do so well. No weakness in the joints noted at all. I love, love, love the splash of celery green color on the ends of the black headphones. It really gives this set a sporty look. I charged mine immediately upon arriving. The charging port is on the underside, of the right arm. All of the controls for the headphones are in this location as well. (They do, however, have other color options available.)

On the right arm, you will find an actual on/off button, a + button, a – button, and a telephone button. On each arm, there is a small button that retracts the earbuds. This is the style where you pull the earbud out of the arm, to your desired length. I can see pushing that button by accident, so be careful. It is the first button, on the top of the right arm. If you remember that, you can avoid retracting your earbud, lol. The + and – buttons are on the side of the right arm, which will help you avoid that too. There is no LED light when charging. When you turn on the headset, it vibrates, and then you can see the blue/red LED lights. They are located at the on/off switch.

I have a Note 5, and I did not have any issues pairing with this headset. It comes up as SX-990 to pair. No code was needed. Make sure you pull out extra wire when fitting the headphones on, Otherwise the weight of the headset, when you move around, will pull the earbuds out of your ears. Once they are fit, they stay in pretty well. I bopped around, and they stayed put. The sound quality is awesome. I listened to one song with a lot of ranges, and a lot of bass, and it sounded great! The song was Cold by Maroon 5. I was able to enjoy music from Rap to Boccelli. I like all kinds of music, and I am really enjoying this headset. It has a mic for calls as well. Something my husband has to have. He is always on the road for work, and needs to have the ability to take calls at all hours. Since there is a separate button for calls, it really makes calls easy. This set has a high sensitivity microphone, which has helped keep his calls clear. It also has CVC 6.0 Noise Cancellation technology. I can sit and listen to music in the living room with the TV on, and my son playing games on his laptop, and just hear the music. So, I think it works really well. You might want to not listen to music while driving because of this though, lol.

Now, when listening to music, you control the functions with the + and – buttons. To increase or decrease volume, you need to press and hold the coordinating buttons. To restart a song, or go through the playlist, you need to just press, not hold and press, the + and – buttons. So, this is like most headphones, and easy to do.

These headphones will connect to IOS and Android. It has Bluetooth 4.1 technology in it. This helps with longer battery time, from what I read. I haven’t tested the standby hours, but it is stated to have this battery life: “supports 18 hours talking time, 16 hours music playback time, and more than 300 hours standby time.” We never have just talk, with no music either, lol. Now, these headphones do talk to you which I like. For example, when you turn the headset on or off, it says things like, “Power Off”.

My husband has officially taken off with these headphones, lol. He also has a Samsung Galaxy Note 5 phone. He, like myself, has had no trouble with connecting to these headphones. The calls are nice and clear, both on and off Wi-Fi calling. The double tap of the mfb, or telephone button, does indeed bring up the last number called. When a call comes in it does state, Incoming Call, and then spells out the number. We have been able to get through a day of use on one charge, too. The calling feature where it tells you in the incoming number, is very valuable if you are driving. It gives you the ability to know who’s calling without looking at your phone. Now, when a call is coming in, and you do not walk to accept the call, you just need to double tap the mfb button; that’s it!

Overall, these are comfortable to wear. The sound has been great, the calls clear, and easy to do. We both have been appreciating the storage case. My husband likes these so much, he has claimed permanent ownership of them, lol.

These headphones are available here for purchase: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XRYQJ2Z/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I received these at a discount. All opinions are expressly my own.

#Elite1sReviews #HobestDirect #Hobest #Ad

I was so excited to be a part of Tryazon’s Ozobot Home Party. I homeschool my youngest, so I am always eager to get my hands on new tech. The Ozobot is a very simple and fun way to experience the world of coding hands on. The thought of coding for most people, equals boredom and the feeling of being defeated, before you even try it. My youngest is a computer attic. He loves everything that has to do with computers, and gaming. Since this is a hands-on method to inspire and teach, it is perfect for him. This little robot has been tested for ages 8+.

The Ozobot is part of the Stem Learning Practice, which is a big part of today’s education. What is Stem? Stem is: “STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach.” It’s a feel-good moment for a parent to introduce this to their child. It definitely was for me. I feel that this is also great for older people, that are newer to computers. It’s a fun way to keep the brain stimulated, as well as keeping your motor dexterity up. It will also be a great generation gap filler for some grandparents to interact with their grandchildren. A win, win overall, for everyone.

You can get Ozobot Evo in a starter package. It includes the Ozobot Evo, a 9 piece playing field which is double sided, 1 micro USB cord, 1 carrying pouch, and 4 colored markers. The playing field has a green banded side and a blue banded side. There is a Quick Start Guide in the kit as well. You can go to  http://ozobot.com/manuals to download the actual manual. That is what I did. You can check out their website for all the information you will need. (http://ozobot.com/) They even have all the different codes this little guy knows, clearly displayed there. Ozobot can remember up to 500 codes at one time. The website also teaches you how to draw lines, and add code. You can print games for your Ozobot, as well as print out the codes, too. There is a free app to download. “The Ozobot app is designed for tablets with 9 inch screens or larger, camera availability and iOS 6.0 and Android 2.3 (or newer).” I only have Android products, so I was only able to test out the app for Android. I downloaded one app: Ozobot Evo. Other Ozobot apps will come up in the search, but this is the newest version of the Ozobot, and only this app will work for it. There are sections on the app that state coming soon: Ozo Tunes and Maze Runner. We can’t wait for them to be ready. The app is free to download. There is an Ozoblockly section on the app. This is the website for that: http://ozoblockly.com/. Unfortunately, “the Ozobot Evo video tutorial is coming soon”. More to look forward too, lol. I printed out multiple pages of each printable game, and code sheet. That way, I have a folder ready to go for playtime. Now, there are online games on the www.ozobot.com website as well. There are three main sections on the website: Products, Play, and Education. So, it is pretty quick and simple to find what you are looking for.

The Quick Start Guide has you set up the playing mat, green side up. The pieces are a thick laminated cardboard, and fit together like a puzzle. Then you press and hold the button on the Evo, until it flashes white, then release and place it on the starting spot. It takes over from there. It’s a great way to get started hands on with it. It will keep going on the board until you hold and press the button and it turns off. The Evo makes the cutest little sounds and flashes multiple colors. My son love it. The app can be finicky, and sometimes the Ozobot doesn’t want to pay attention, lol. In other words, it’s just like a child, lol. They do state that it is important to calibrate your Evo each time, before you play with it. You can draw a black circle on a piece of paper, or white board. I drew some on paper , and then laminated it, for future uses. Then press and hold the power button on the Evo for approx.. 2 seconds. It will start to flash white. Quickly place it on the black dot, until it flashes green. It is now calibrated. Now, on the video it flashes white for a good bit, as well as green. My Evo barely flashes white or green, but it does calibrate, so don’t panic if yours is like mine. I had emailed support, and they were fantastic at getting back to me and answering my questions. That was a huge relief for me. I hate companies that refuse to help out. 

The Education section is packed full of information to use as a family, or as a classroom set up. There are many sections to go through: Teacher’s Guide, Ozobot Tips, OzoCode Reference, OzoBlockly Getting Started, Calibration Tips, Log Sheet, and so much more. The amount that you can do and learn from this little guy, is really up to you, and how much you plan to follow and learn from this website. It is definitely worth delving into. Even though I laminated everything, it did not interfere at all with the Ozobot Evo being able to pick up the lines and codes.

They describe it as a three-tier system. First you need to draw the lines for the Ozobot to follow. Second, you drag and drop blocks of code (their OzoBlocky System) within the lines. The third thing is to take what you have learned, and create your own actions, and “world” to play in. To add another twist to the Ozobot, on their webpage, they even offer Marvel skins, that take on lights on sounds of the characters. For a reluctant learner, this might really help to inspire them.

I initially had a lot of trouble getting my Evo to connect to my app. There is a little trick to it. When you are loading your app, make sure you give it permission to use your Bluetooth. Then whenever you are accessing the app, turn on the Evo next to the device, at the same time. That way it is able to connect. Since I have started turning the app and the Evo on at the same time, I haven’t had an issue at all. This robot has become one of my son’s favorite “toys”. I hate calling it a toy since it is robotic based. It really is so much more than a toy.

We had so much fun at our Ozobot Tryazon Party. People were amazed at how interactive it was. They could not believe all the different ways you can interact with it too. We all had to agree that the lights and sounds that this little robot makes, is what really brings it alive to people. It gives it so much personality. I loved seeing all ages play with it. One is now giving one to her grandson for his birthday in June. She loves that he can learn with it, and she can interact with it, with him too. We had an older teacher there, that just fell in love with it, and everything the Evo can do. She was so impressed. This overall experience has been so much fun! I truly recommend the Ozobot Evo for all ages over 8.

You can follow Ozobot and be a party of their community on Facebook, here: https://www.facebook.com/ozobot/

There are even Ironman and Captain America Smart Skins available. We love that type of thing in my household, lol. This website has the packages available here: https://shop.ozobot.com/collections/all-new-ozobots. My son has officially put them on his wish list, since both Easter and his birthday are coming soon.

I received the Ozobots Evo to present the party, and share my experience. All opinions are solely my own and 100% honest.

My home and my family operate on electronics. It’s not avoidable nowadays either. I even homeschool, which makes electronic devices necessary. Even though we actually have a home phone still, lol, almost all of us have a smart phone and tablet. My youngest wishes he had a smart phone but that isn’t happening, lol. We already have and use one multiport charging device that had a tablet holder with it. They are so handy to have and use. So, I was excited to find this one from NtonPower, sold by the Surge Pro Store. This unit is smaller, and more convenient to use than my other one. It has a stand that runs the entire length of the unit. It can fit one table or a couple phones, easily. This charging/power unit has three 3 prong outlets and 3 USB outlets on it. Now, with the USB ports, there is a maximum 2.4A fast charging speed for each port, but the catch is there is a 3A in total output. So, if you have Android products like me, you can only really charge one item at a time. My Note 5 and my tablet really need the 2.4 to charge at more than a trickle. My tablets and phones, in my home, have no trouble charging one at a time. Most IPhones’ charge at less than that speed. Now, using the actual 3 prong outlets, while using the USB ports at the same time, does not slow down the USB ports, or interfere with the outlets. Even after being fully in use for a few days straight, my unit is still completely cool to the touch. I even had it lying flat on the carpet, with all my initial testing. It still stayed nice and cool. I’ve had many a USB charge get hot, but I’ve had no issues with this one. Size wise, this dock station measures out at 18.5” long, 3” wide and 1 ½” tall, at it’s tallest point. The wire stands out about another 1” before it really is fully bendable to turn whichever way you need it to. Now, here is a spec, direct from the seller: “Built-in intelligent IC module that auto detects and distributes optimal USB output for your devices, which offers full-round overload, overcharge outlets protections.” Remember, when reading that, that they translated that into English. There is no reset button, only an on/off switch. This station has a regular 3 prong US plug on it.

Product Specification

-Power Rating:1875W, (125V 15A)

-USB Input: AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz

-USB Output: 5V2.4A Max Per Port, 3A 15W

Package Contents

– 1 x MSP-3A3U

– 1 x User Manual

– 1 x Guarantee Card

Overall, this unit functions very well. The only con for me, is the minimal output all together for the three USB ports. Since I have only been using one port at a time, the charging speed has been there, which is great. This unit is great for a desk set up/work station. I can set up the tablet, charge my phone, and have my computer running at the same time. It’s perfect for that, and it’s perfect for someone like my son. He can use his tablet, while working and playing on his laptop. The tablet, phone stand capability is great for charging, and for using it as a stand. The unit is made out of a thick plastic, and there are 4 silicone feet on the underside, which helps keep it from sliding on a table. The cord is 5ft long, so you can easily plug it in, and set it up on your desk. You won’t have to worry about skype calls on your tablet since you can keep it plugged in while in use. My son skypes his friends all the time, so this, again, is very useful for him. We are very happy with this product overall. The only thing we would change is the USB output overall for the three ports.

This product is available here for purchase: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZXJ9RZ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

#GotADiscount # NtonPower # SurgeProStore #USB #ChargingStation #Tabletstand

Whenever I think about staplers, I think about the infamous red stapler from the movie Office Space. That was hilarious. This stapler could become that for you, lol. It really takes stapling up to the next level. It even comes loaded with staples, and is ready to work right out of the box. Now they just need to offer it in red, lol. This stapler is black in color. No larger than a regular stapler. It measures only 6 7/8^th” in length, and is 1 6/8^th” wide. It takes the standard sized staples too (26/6 staples), so you can pick them up anywhere really, which is great. This is an electric stapler, and it uses a regular outlet. It comes with a detachable power cord, and is only a 2 prong plug. You can use this without electricity if so needed. On the bottom of the stapler there is a battery compartment. No tool is necessary to access it. This stapler can run off of 6 AA batteries. They are not included.

They state this stapler can staple up to 8000 times on one battery fill. Lol, I did not test that out. With regular weight paper, this baby can staple up to 25 sheets of paper at one time. That is huge. I hate all of my regular staplers, because I have them jam up on the paper all of the time, when I only have 2 pieces of paper to be stapled. Staplers have become a source of agitation to me, lol. So, I am loving these professional style electric staplers. They just work sooooo much better for me. This stapler staples with ease. It is easy to refill. Just press in the back of the stapler where it says push, and the compartment pops open. With two fingers, you can easily adjust the depth of the stapler, too. The tabs are on each side of the stapler. Just pull them out to your desired depth. It can be adjusted from between 0.2 inches to 1.6 inches. I love how quiet this stapler is as well. I tested another one recently, and this is just as quiet, so I was pleased. It is pretty lightweight, and is made out of thick ABS plastic. It is not a flimsy piece in the least, but highly portable if you work on the road. I haven’t had any issues at all with the paper jamming. It staples so quick and easily. You literally just push your papers into it, and it staples on its’ own. It really is the perfect stapler. I love it.

I received this for free. I was under no obligation to leave my unbiased and honest review. – GizmoMate’s GM-X Automatic Electric Stapler, Heavy Duty, No-Jam 25 Sheets ? Free AC Cord and Staples.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GD57KB2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

#GotItFree #CheapDealMagic

We have purchased and reviewed quite a handful or dash cams over the past couple of years. So, we are not new to them. In today’s litigious society, and reckless drivers, I agree with the need for owning one. You really can’t go wrong. This camera has great specs. It is a 1080p camera, and it really does produce clear video. It picks up audio pretty clearly as well. You can use it as a camera when needed in an emergency, and it has G-sensor. So, in an accident, or an instant when the car experiences a sudden jarring, it will automatically record and save, without looping over, the entire incident. Otherwise, the camera stops the video around every 3 minutes, and starts a new one. You also won’t be able to overwrite the video, which would ruin the evidence.

(I took these photos with the Dash Cam)

When I went through my videos, they averaged 3 minutes and 4 seconds a piece. This has been the easiest dash cam I’ve had in regard to setting the date and time on. Most others I’ve had to attach them to my computer to do it, or it was an act of Congress on the cam itself, lol. This one walks you through the date, the first time you turn it on.  If you press the settings button, you can set the exact time on it. This unit comes on automatically when you start your car. Now, if you plug it in after your car is running, you need to manually start it, or just turn your car of and restart it. When you turn your car off, it will turn off. This unit comes with a 32gb Class 10 micro SD card with the adapter so it can be plugged into your laptop. You need a minimum of a class 10 to get good video quality, so I was happy to see this. You can get a solid day of all day driving on a 32gb. If you like to save your videos, on a trip, I would bring back up micro SD cards. A 32gb card is the largest it accepts. The video is very clear. This unit saves somewhat of a charge. Enough to be able to view your videos from the unit, and to use it as a camera. In an accident, you can then take it out of the car to take still photos if you want to. It has an old fashioned style charging port. I always save my old cords, so I am able to charge it in home. Otherwise it only comes with a 12V charging cord. They do include two mounting plates, so you can take it from your car to your spouses, without taking the mounting bracket out. It’s a suction cup style, and it stays pretty well on your window. The cord is very long, so you could mount it in your rear view window. This would only be beneficial if your state has front license plates, in my opinion.

Overall, this unit is reliable for recording. It’s easy to take photos with, with only a touch of the screen. The menu is easy to operate. The video and voice recording is clear, very clear. The only bad, which is a negative to me, is that the Wi-Fi is not usable on this unit. The app is DashCam Remote, and it is free form the Playstore. I have a Galaxy Note 5. It won’t open on my phone. You need to have an old phone or tablet to get it to open, from what I have researched, and I have researched a lot! We have an older tablet. I can get the app to open, but it would never, ever connect to the Wi-Fi. They have updated the app after my first initial attempt, but I am still having the same problems. I am happy to see that they are taking the feedback seriously, and are working on the issue. That gives me a lot of faith in it.  Does not being able to use the Wi-Fi affect the camera, nope. But, it is definitely still the best dash cam I have tested, to date!

I received this, at a discount, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – Ivation Dash Cam, 32GB HD 1080p GPS Tracking, Video & Audio Recorder, WiFi Download, Motion Detection, Low Light Dashcam, Best Dashboard Camera for Car & Truck (Includes Extra Dash Mount)

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FUTZC6W/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

#Elite1Reviews #AtADiscount

Timers are an item that all families use, no matter what their economic position. Be it for cooking, working out, timing your progress, homework, time outs for children, and more. I remember the old wind up models, which are still widely used today. They make that incessant ticking sound, lol. I always feel anxious while those are counting down. I love the silent, battery operated models better. You can focus on what you are doing, without feeling overly anxious with the impending countdown. This particular timer is both compact and easy to store and use. It has a large magnetic on the back, as well as a pop out stand. So, when you are not using it, you can just attach it to your fridge. The timer only measures 3 ¼” wide and 3” tall. It is also only 7/8^th” deep. These are my personal measurements. The only downside is to remember to have a AAA battery ready when it arrives. It will not operate without it, and it does not come with one, lol. The battery compartment is on the back of the timer, and no screwdriver is needed to access the compartment.

The stand on the back just pulls out to use, or push it back on flat, and use the magnetic base to mount it. This timer is pretty easy to use. There are three buttons on it: M for minutes, S for seconds, and ST/SP for start and pause your timer. Press in your time, for example 5 minutes and 25 seconds, the up press the ST/SP button. To pause it, press downward on the same button. Then to start it again, press upwards on it. Now, to clear it, just press the M and S buttons at the same time; that’s it. It is so easy to use The screen is not illuminated, but the numbers are big and easy to read at a glance. When the timer goes off, it makes the traditional beeping sound we all know and love, lol. Overall, it’s a reliable timer. I love the ease of use. I hate the fancy ones, that come with an actual booklet of directions, lol. I mean, really, it’s a timer, for the love of pearl. The directions for this are as simple as I already spelled out, and they are literally just printed on the packaging. I really like this one, and it’s found its’ home on my fridge.

I received this, for free, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – LCD Digital Kitchen Cooking Timer Count-Down Up Clock Loud Alarm with Magnetic Stand, White

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LMZ86BG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

#Elite1Reviews #GotItFree

Electricity is pretty much the life blood of people nowadays. Nothing runs without power. Our electronics have evolved so much over the years, and we really haven’t updated our homes and offices, to keep up. It’s not always convenient to plug in adapters. It’s aesthetically not pretty to look at. They can be bulky, and knocked out the outlet easily. I also experience a lot of issues with a lot of fast charging adapters. I have them burn out a lot, and/or they get really hot to the touch, while in use. I have other outlets from this company, and they are really nice. My husband is a commercial electrician, so he is picky about the outlets we install and use. He really likes their products as well. This particular outlet is one of their newer ones. It is the first “In-Wall Qualcomm® Certified Quick Charge 3.0 USB charger featuring up to 4X faster Charging to Enabled Devices”. That’s impressive, and I feel assured going into a new product, seeing that certification. This particular outlet actually arrives with three different colored face plates. The white cover arrives installed on the unit, and a separate beige, and black cover, are individually wrapped in the box. A surprise to me, was that this time, they included a micro USB cord with this outlet. We just use android devices, so we love that. But then, most items, other than phones and tablets, use micro USBs to charge as well. This particular outlet has 1 – 3 prong plug outlet, and 2 –   2.4Amp max output, according to the devices’ power needs, ports. It will not over charge your item, as well as give it more power than it needs. It has smart charging as well as fast charging abilities.

We installed this outlet in our kitchen that’s being renovated. Kitchen areas tend to be a hub, for most families. It’s nice to be able to just plug in charge. Our devices link up right away with this outlet. With their included cord, or our other Samsung fast charger cords, it actually comes up on our phones as Fast Charging. It is most definitely a fast charger. We can charge our phones from almost dead, to full, in about 30-40 minutes. A task, which normally takes at least two hours on regular chargers. Our phones actually tell you when you have real fast charging going on. So, I most definitely believe their claims on this outlet. This outlet is a normal install. It sits a little deeper than some basic outlets, but most boxes are sized to accept these larger ones. It sits 1 ½” deep. It can also be installed in a GFCI outlet too. It can be tricky to remove their faceplates. There is a little indent on the end of the plate. You can place a butter knife, or flat head screwdriver, into this area, and pop it off, if needed. We used the white plate that came installed on it. Now, you do need to supply your own Cover plate for this outlet. They can be found easily at your local hardware store. We went with a stainless steel one for this outlet. This 15A outlet is also tamper proof in case you have little children. Some can’t resist trying to push things into outlets. So, no worries with this one. Overall, this is a great working product. It is reliable and made well. It was easy to install and supplies actual fast charging, as described.

I received this, for free, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. – TOPGREENER TU1152QC3 Quick Charge 3.0 USB Charger Outlet 2 Fast Ports for LG G5, Samsung Galaxy S7, HTC 10, Iphones, Ipad, Tablet |Qualcomm Certified

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L8448CM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1