Author: Jon Walters

Case is tiny yet Tactical. Functional yet Fashionable. I have been a fan of the larger size iPhones since the iPhone 6s Plus, upgrading through the Pro Max style, starting with the iPhone 11 Pro Max. This trend continued with the launch of the iPhone 17 Pro Max a few weeks ago. My wife, on the other hand, has preferred to use smaller iPhone sizes. In fact, she has grabbed my iPad Pro 13”, held it to her ear, and mockingly looked at me while saying, “Hold on real quick as I grab your phone.” I recently tested the…

Protective, MagSafe compatible, multifuntional case for iPhone 16 Pro Max As many upgrade to the iPhone 17/Pro/Pro Max/Air with the latest Apple Launch, several others will move from older iPhones into the iPhone 16 line.  As the internet is flooded with case reviews for the newest iPhone, let us not forget about accessories for its slightly older sibling.  The ESR Hybrid Case with Stash Stand (for iPhone 16 Pro max) arrived in 3 11/16 inches wide by 6 11/16 inches tall by 5/8 inches thick retail package.  The cover featured the ESR logo on an ocean green background at the…

Grippy-rubberized MagSafe compatible case with kickstand Before the Apple event each September, I consume rumors and gossip about the upcoming product launch and dive into the tech, features, and accessories. I am not sure if my excitement is fueled more by the Apple gear or by the third-party tech upgrades, gadgets, MagSafe features/charging, etc. I am regularly amazed that a simple concept of a phone case can result in so many variations, features, tricks, and sometimes gimmicks. The ESR Hybrid Magnetic case will provide ample protection for your new phone, while providing many convenient features. The ESR Hybrid Magnetic Case…

Majestic fusion of form, Function, and fashion in a case. New Phone, new features, New possibilities. Unless you are anti-Apple and devices that start with “i”, you are aware that September is the month that Apple launches their new phones, watches, and earphones. This year was no different, with the Apple event on 9/9/25, preorders starting on 9/12/25, and initial availability on 9/19/25. Despite the allure and draw of the Apple event, I find just as much excitement in reviewing new accessories. I cannot imagine purchasing such an expensive device and then leaving it au naturel. The Unicorn Beetle case…

High-Res Hands-Free Aerial Camera Drone. Portable Camera Wingman “Did you see that?” Who has done something cool, fun, or notable, only to find that nobody was watching or recording. Many YouTube and TikTok segments showcase amazing videos of various activities. How many repeat attempts were there? Who was recording? Did they have another person acting as a reporter, or did they set up a camera/tripod and try to find the right angle? Repeating the event may not capture the original excitement, and may record a less fun, rewarding, and truth-filled emotional status. The HOVERAir drones from ZeroZero robotics may provide…

360 degree Sound from the palm of your hand Growing up in the ’80s/’90s allowed for a fun and true Xennial experience.  We knew the analog era of our parents and grew and expanded with technology.  We grew up with the internet, with portable electronics, and were able to enjoy wonders like the boombox and the Walkman.  As phone and speaker technology has progressed, we have been able to enjoy streaming services, music, movies, gaming, Apps, and other media.  Now, we can enjoy individualized media with earbuds/earphones, or with others via Bluetooth speakers.  Thanks to improved waterproofing technologies, companies like…

Versatile auto-tint sunglasses for your everyday Sun Pro needs. When it comes to sunglasses, my wife and I have frequently sided with quantity over quality. We have used several dollar store, Walmart, or 3-pair for $19.99 mall-kiosk glasses for driving and routine every-day activities. It thus did not hurt too much to lose or to break a pair. Instead, I settled for a glasses in which I disliked the tint, the feel, the weight, or the shoddy materials/design. In fact, on a recent family trip to San Diego, I broke three pairs of cheap sunglasses in a single day while…

Multi-module Quick Connect Outdoor Tool Kit A lot has changed, improved, and updated, since the Swiss Army Knife was first invented by Karl Elsener in 1884 (lbach, Switzerland).  However, the idea of multiple use, poly-situational gear has not.  If you buy a commercial first aid kit, an RV kit, or other gear collection, you will often find a blend of useful, marginal, and useless gear.  Thus, it can often prove fruitful to assemble your own collection of gear.  When backpacking, camping, hiking, glamping, etc., one must consider size, weight, and gear redundancy.  How long is your trip?  What type of…

Essential Accessories for your new Nintendo Switch 2 When I purchased my original Nintendo Switch, I quickly realized that I needed a travel storage solution. I liked the option to play in handheld mode, but did not like to risk damage, scuffs, screen scratches, etc, while on the go. This lesson was not forgotten when the Nintendo Switch 2 launched. I had looked through the Nintendo-branded cases and found many of them to be out of stock or on backorder, and I knew there would be other options. Luckily, companies like Snakebyte offered quality accessories for my new console. …

Light up the night with a pocketable palmable EDC clip light When it comes to everyday carry essentials, I like to follow Dave Canterbury’s 10 c’s of survival (Cutting tool, Combustion Device, Cover/Shelter, Container, Cordage, Cotton Bandana, Cargo Tape, Compass, Canvas Needle, Candle).  Each of these topics has been debated and evaluated for pros/cons, cost, portability, durability, and more.  Considering candles/sources of light, I typically employ headlamps and clip lights to keep my hands free. I need a lightweight light that has a long runtime, a red mode, flash/SOS mode, and moonlight/low modes.  The Wurkkos HD03 light checks many of…

Practical Power for your Switch 2 JoyCons from Snakebyte One of the best features of the Nintendo Switch and its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2, is the ability to play in docked mode or handheld mode. You can use the JoyCons attached to the Switch 2, separated from the Switch 2 (with or without a JoyCon grip), or you can purchase/use a standalone controller. I have grown to enjoy my Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and enthusiastically picked up a Switch Pro Controller 2 at launch. I seem to regularly overestimate the remaining battery life of my Switch/Switch 2 controllers,…

Stylish MagSafe Power Bank: Keep your iPhone in the game. With four kids, heavy involvement in work, BSA scouting, and an on-the-go lifestyle, I regularly look for power banks to keep my iPhone 16 Pro Max topped up.  I have tried dozens of devices and tend to prefer those with a capacity of around 10,000 mAh and at least dual output ports.  However, I will make concessions when a device improves portability or efficiency.  I was excited to try out the Pitaka MagSafe battery, which promised another 1000mAh over the MagEZ battery pack and a sleeker, sexier, more refined shell.…

MagSafe Compatible Finger Ring and Kickstand Despite the benefits of AppleCare+ or other phone insurance options, drops, tumbles, spills, and accidents can frequently occur while walking, jogging, climbing stairs, or even when moving your phone.  You can purchase cases with added grip, upgrade the experience with a Pop Socket, or employ a MagSafe accessory upgrade, such as the Phone Ring Holder from Pitaka.  Upgrade your phone experience with a lightweight, MagSafe-compatible combo finger ring and phone stand.  Packaging: The Pitaka MagSafe Phone Ring Holder arrived in a 2 7/8 inches wide by 3 1/8 inches tall by 9/16 inches thick…

Dual USB-A, Dual USB-C and AC Port Power for an on-the-go LIfestyle. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2024, Parks Associates announced that the average American household had ~17 internet-connected devices. A Statista report suggested the average American had 3.6 portable electronic devices (watches/smartphones/tablets/other smart sensors/devices). As many of us adopt a tech-filled, on-the-go lifestyle, we need portable power for our everyday carry gear. You can find several 10,000 mA-20,000 mA batteries on the market with a variety of USB outputs, LCD screens, multimeter data, input/output options, etc. If you need a larger device to power more of your…

Upgraded Portability for all your Switch 2 Essentials For routine, everyday-carry needs, a simple clutch-style travel case may work just fine for your new Nintendo Switch 2.  As an example, I invited you to review the Travel Case S2 from snakebyte.  You may only need your Switch 2, a few games, maybe a USB-C cable, or a cleaning cloth.  However, what about those times that you may want to play console games in docked format?  For those seeking a more robust travel and storage option for their dock, power cables, HDMI cable, Switch2 Pro Controller, charging Joy-Con grip, and more,…

30W PD single-port USB-C wall charger Packaging:  The Snakebyte Power Charge S2 device arrived in a 5 1/8 inches wide by 7 1/8 inches tall by 2 inches thick retail package.  The main cover listed the company name and snake logo at the top left, the Power Charge S2 name, Essential Gear/Travel Charger name at the top right, and a classy “For Nintendo Switch 2” logo at the bottom left.  The dark background provided a visually refreshing backdrop for the product, while the lighter central gradient highlighted the product image.  The main image showcased the retractable Type A wall prong…

Artistic yet Rugged Switch 2 Travel case. Even if you were lucky enough to preorder a Nintendo Switch 2 or to snag one on release day, many accessories were just as challenging to acquire. I wanted a Switch 2 carry case, a charging Joy-Con grip, a game card case, a screen protector, an Express Memory Card, and an extra AC adapter. My GameStop preorder had a large bundle with these items, but unfortunately, they did not arrive on release day. Luckily, I was able to fulfill most of my Switch 2 gear needs with tech from snakebyte. Packaging/Unboxing: With…

High Output USB-C to USB-C PD-Enabled Charging Cable Despite the troubled online Switch 2 preorder fiasco, my father was able to help me to snag a preorder from GameStop the following day. After the release on June 5, 2025, he mailed it to me, and I waited patiently for FedEx to deliver the new system. In addition to the excitement of the console’s release, I looked forward to evaluating third-party accessories, like those from Snakebyte. It may seem silly, but I enjoy testing cables, power output, and durability before adding them to my on-the-go setup. Packaging: The Snakebyte Fast Charging…

Modern Day Bluetooth Boombox Music seems to add a layer of fun to most activities. My kids love to have karaoke parties, dance-offs, and to simply jump around to their favorite songs. Whether you are at the park, at some water venue, or at a social gathering, a reliable, well-sounding speaker can upgrade the experience. I have tested a variety of Tribit speakers in the past and have been impressed with the ease of use, battery life, Bluetooth capabilities, button layout, and rugged design. A few of the speakers could fit into a cargo pocket, while some rival the boomboxes…

The Wautton keychain flashlight arrived in a classy, black-colored, hanging-style retail package. 

The Etekcity Digital scale arrived in a clean white and blue retail package.

The OtterBox Lumen with MagSafe iPhone 16 Pro Max case arrived in a clean white retail package.

The OtterBox Figura Series iPhone 16 Pro Max case arrived in a pristine, white retail package.

Renewable Cactus Leather MagSafe Case from OtterBox I have recently had the privilege of testing two versions of the OtterBox Symmetry case and found several pros/cons for each case. I liked their lightweight design, the colors, reactive/raised side buttons, USB-C and speaker cutouts, and the raised camera/screen protection. However, the cases had a large cutout over the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s camera action button, which provided a concerning risk to the camera’s screen and side panel. Here, I review The Dessert Cactus Symmetry Case, which provided an upgraded look and feel but lacked protection to the left side of the…

Stylish and Slim yet protective shell from Otterbox for your iPhone 16 Pro Max When picking an iPhone case, the process can sometimes feel like the Goldilocks story.  I have never understood those who trust an uncased, unprotected iPhone because it feels like one is living on the edge of catastrophe at every moment; as a former heavy-armor, waterproof case user, I grew to understand the limits of bulky, heavy, and sometimes obstructive cases.  The just-right case type has emerged as a lightweight, tightly-gripped, bumper-style case that provides good access to the phone’s features while protecting from drops, spills, dumps,…

The Otterbox Defender Pro XT arrived in a 4 1/4 inches wide by 7 1/8 inches tall by 11/16 inches thick hanging-style retail package. 

The Torras Stand Case for iPhone 16 Pro Max combines durable protection with a 360-degree rotating kickstand, MagSafe compatibility, and versatile viewing angles, all wrapped in a sleek, user-friendly design.

Affordable, feature-rich drone for the average Joe With a week left until Christmas, there may still be time to add the perfect gift for that special tech lover in your life. I am not alone in the desire for high-tech features, high-excitement flight, and sexy-adrenaline-filled imagery, without feeling like I have to sacrifice my retirement or kids’ college funds. I have trialed several lower grades of drones and have quickly realized the adage “you get what you pay for.” They may have poor flight time, image quality, lack auto take-off/landing features, or simply lack weight/heft to fly outdoors. What if…

A lightweight, stylish iPhone 16 Pro Max case for everyday use. I am strictly entrenched within the iPhone case-protected camp and directly opposed to an au natural, free-roaming iPhone. Due to the smartphone’s price and my desire to maintain tech in a near-mint state, I tend to favor protection over visual appeal. However, one of the biggest complaints voiced about phone cases is the inability to appreciate the natural beauty and color of the iPhone. Many cases provide solid back and side panels, which prevent the user from viewing the newest iPhone colors. The only visible area is the small…

Palmable, practical, On-The-Go Power in a portable battery Have you ever forgotten to charge your Macbook, iPad, or iPhone and then realized you had no access to a power outlet? Whether camping, attending a meeting, traveling for a business trip, or just out for the day, portable power/batteries may solve an increased need for on-the-go or emergency power. I normally carry an iPad Pro 13″ or MacBook Pro 15″ within my TimBuk2 Messenger bag, plus my iPhone 16 Pro Max and my Apple Watch Ultra two. When searching for a portable battery, I want a device capable of providing charge…