RM Mini 3 Smart Home Controller Review: Broadlink Universal WIFI / IR Remote Controller

While the Amazon Echo is a widely known as one of the most popular smart home devices in the United States, there are actually an array of smart home monitors worldwide. Xiaomi has one, as does Broadlink. The Broadlink RM Mini 3 controller (Broadlink Universal WIFI / IR Remote Controller), courtesy of Gearbest, reportedly allows the user to control the TV, AC, and more remotely. This is through both voice commands and pre-programmed settings using the Broadlink smart home app. The device connects to the app with ease, and it's very easy to program devices (such as a TV remote). However, the remote feature (and others) don't appear to be compatible with US-based equipment (in my case, the remote wouldn't turn on the TV, despite successful sync-up). furthermore, the voice command feature only works in Chinese, severely limiting its use outside of the People's Republic of China. While it's a near gadget, it isn't very useful at all in the USA. 

Sky Vampire Review: HeliCMax's Latest Quadcopter

One of the most popular quadcopter models is the Tarantula X6. I love flying it, with great range and reliability. However, it lacks several features, and at times can be cumbersome to work with. Recently, the HeliCMax Sky Vampire drone was released. This one is supposedly very similar to the Tarantula X6, but with some unique features setting it apart. I spent several weeks with the Sky Vampire courtesty of HeliCMax, filmed constantly with a mounted action camera (ELE Explorer Pro, EKEN H9, and SJ7000), in a variety of environments.

It's a very nice drone with great features that set it apart from the Tarantula X6 (altitude hold mode, beefier look, battery compartment door, and on/off switch), but suffered from drone board reliability issues as well as intermittent transmitter range difficulties. If these problems can be fixed, the Sky Vampire could replace the Tarantula X6 easily. Take a gander at my video review of the Sky Vampire drone above!

Check out HeliCMax here: http://www.helicmax.com

Also, here's another flight with the Sky Vampire. YouTube's stabilization feature was used.

Can ELE Explorer Pro Beat GitUp2?

Mmmm, another action camera for a great price! The ELE Explorer was a very popular model I reviewed several months ago, and now the PRO version has been released. The ELE Explorer Pro is nice, compact, powerful action camera with excellent photo AND video quality. Check out the video review below:
Buy the ELE Explorer Pro Online here: https://goo.gl/lPIFTH

Forget GoPro, Best Action Camera Alternative: GitUp 2 Review

The GitUp 2 Action Camera is simply the best GoPro alternative I have tried out. It is more expensive than most of the budget action cameras I typically use, but it offers premium features such as gyroscopic stabilization for a fraction of the price of a GoPro. It's still a bargain and is compatible with GoPro accessories. The GitUp2 also has fantastic customer service, something of a rarity for companies based out of China. The footage is very smooth, video quality is sharp, and depth of color is very impressive. Get one! 

GitUp 2: http://goo.gl/ys9ymE

Most Affordable RC Plane to Learn How to Fly: FX 802 FlyBear Review

I really love RC aircraft, and my first RC plane was a Champ RTF. It cost $90 and provided me with a great introduction to outdoor RC flying. However, it was not very resilient and didn't fly all that well after several repairs to it. I have since moved on to RC quadcopters and drones, as they are extremely fun to fly, very affordable, and can easily lift small action cameras. However, I have always wanted to get back into flying RC planes as well.

Along came the Fly Bear 802. At $20, how could I pass it up? After watching a nice review of it on YouTube at Quadcopter101, I ordered it. It has not dissapointed. Sure, it's not Champ RTF, and it's basically the cheapest RC plane you can get, but it has great range, surprisingly durability, glides great, and has provided me with many enjoyable flights. It's not meant to carry a camera, so don't even try it--and watch out for any significant wind. Check out my video review of the Flybear 802 above. You can order it online through Banggood as well as many other websites. 

Dirt Cheap Telescopic Cell Phone Camera Zoom Lens Review

Forget those overpriced cellphone zoom lenses. This $6 cell phone telescopic lense is great. Link: tinyurl.com/zgj5krc

Bargain Chinese Running Shoes from Aliexpress Review: Socone

I was a little hesitant about these running shoes from Aliexpress, but they looked too intriguing to pass up. Plus, the $16 price was extremely attractive. They've held up well over several months of use, on a variety of trails. However, the cool holes in the bottom are a terrible option if you run on a trail with loose gravel or rocks. Unfortunately, since I bought these shoes, the price has jumped up--however they have several new versions of the same design for the < $20 price here: http://tinyurl.com/j2tljbu