2Kooltech Technology Reviews
Gadgets, Tech, Tools, Accessories
Kuat Alpha Bike Rack for Cars, Trucks, and SUVs
079 days
by admin
in Gadget Reviews
The Kuat Alpha is a revolutionary lightweight bike rack for cars, trucks, and SUVs. This bike rack is particularly intriguing because it weighs a mere 13 lbs. You can easily lift, carry, and maneuver this portable bicycle rack. Made from sturdy Aluminum, this rack can effortlessly carry three bicycles with a maximum weight capacity of 99 lbs. The Aluminum is available in White or Black Chrome which means this bike rack will accentuate the visual appeal of your car rather than detract from its appearance.
The Kuat Alpha comes with some highly desirable features such as anti-sway cradles. Worry is eliminated with this feature; your frame will remain unscathed during road trips. There is nothing more cringe inducing than transporting two bicycles and hearing them repeatedly slam together. Also, the strap over top tube design ensures a secure yet versatile fit for your bicycles. Kuat also equipped the Alpha with a built-in cable lock for additional security and protection from theft.
Kuat’s bike racks for cars are engineered to be simple to mount and dismount from your vehicle. The hand-tight cam system enables you to insert the rack into your hitch and lock it in place in seconds. This bike rack does not require additional equipment or special hitch adapters. Also, if you need access to your trunk of hatch, you simply remove the pin from the upper portion of the rack, tilt the rack forward, and move it out of the way. Kuat has also created this bike rack with the ability to fold together and remain compact for storage.
With Kuat’s bike racks for cars, trucks, and SUVs that involve hitch mounting, you are typically given a choice between 1.25” or 2” models to ensure proper fit into your vehicles hitch. Most reviewers agree that this bike rack is surprisingly lightweight yet stable and strong. Cyclists travelling longer distances also appreciate the anti-sway cradles. Additionally, several reviewers commented on the peace of mind they experienced when stopping for breaks knowing their bikes were locked to the rack and were secure. For the price, it would be hard to find a bike rack with more value to offer.
Vinotemp Sonoma410 Innovative Wine Cellar
087 days
by admin
in Gadget Reviews
This article will analyze the VINO-SONOMA410 also referred to as the Sonoma 410 Bottle Wine Cabinet. Vinotemp spares no innovation with the Sonoma series and the VINO-SONOMA410 is no exception. Here, we will endeavor to discuss the important details and characteristics to better acquaint you with Vinotemp’s premium wine cooler. Vinotemp designs wine storage units to meet varying capacity and style needs, then sells through authorized online outlets like http://www.whichwinecooler.com/Vinotemp-Wine-Cooler. The VINO-SONOMA410 is a relatively mid-sized wine cabinet when considering capacity yet comes equipped with the features you would desire from quality wine refrigeration.
The exterior of the VINO-SONOMA410 was designed to imitate a fine furniture presence. It is finished with a rich cherry wood veneer and the hinges are hidden for style and richness. Continuing with an effort toward the aesthetic, this wine cooler was built with double paned french-style glass doors. The glass doors allow the wine bottles aging within to also function as a display for admiration. Moreover, the dual panes provide insulation for the internal climate and protect against an overabundance of UV light penetration. As an added security measure, the double glass doors are created with a lock and key system.
The capacity of the VINO-SONOMA410 is approximately 410 bottles of wine. This number is approximate because of the wide range of wine bottle size and shape. Depending on the propensity for variety, the overall capacity could be diminished accordingly. The wine bottles are comfortably housed in 3 ½ “ cubicles which form an all Redwood wine racking system. The hearty Redwood and rack design help ensure the bottles suffer little disturbance while cooling in the precisely controlled interior environment. The dimensions are as compact as is allowed given the bottle capacity; the wine cooler stands a little more than 7 feet tall, slightly greater than 4 feet wide, and about 2 feet 5 inches deep. This wine cooler was engineered with a top venting exhaust system which means it can be freestanding or built-in as long as the warm air venting is not hindered.
Vinotemp composed the Sonoma 410 Bottle Wine Cabinet with a Wine-Mate self-contained cooling system. This refrigeration system is adjusted using the digital temperature controls. The internal temperature can be set between the range of 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Vinotemp’s Wine-Mate cooling technology is reliable, easy to install, comes ready to use, and controls humidity levels. Additionally, the Wine-Mate cooling system is easy to keep clean, well-made which means it is sure to last, and is free of harsh chemicals that harm the environment. Moreover, Vinotemp offers warranties and repair packages for added peace of mind. The VINO-SONOMA410 comes complete with many functional and vital characteristics.
Top 10 Mini Projectors of 2012
087 days
by admin
in Gadget Reviews
Here at 2KoolTech we are the Mini Projector experts. . Our goal is to provide you with unbiased reviews of every portable projector so that you can make the best decision to fit your needs. If we don’t show the right projector for you, that’s okay- We will show you the best place to get it. When we have that perfect projector to fit your needs, we will provide you with the best customer service in the industry to make your shopping experience exceed expectations.
Take a look around and feel free to contact us with any questions you might have!
We’d like to start by telling you why we are the experts; Why should you listen to us? In 2010, our Marketing Manager worked for a major mini projector manufacturer and was charged with testing all the projectors under various conditions, while using accessories of all types. You name it, he probably tried it; iPhone, Xbox, PSP, Cell phones, DVD players… the list goes on and on. At any given time he would have at least 3 different pico/portable projectors in his house that he tested daily. Matthew happily shares his industry knowledge with you through this site.
There are two types of mini projectors in our Rankings: 1) Pico projectors, which fit in your jeans pocket, 2) Portable projectors, which fit in the palm of your hand, but not your jeans pocket. Both versions are extremely portable but choose the type that would best suit your personal needs. Generally, a little extra size produces a significant amount of extra power (measured in Lumens/Brightness for projectors). There is also 1 “super pico” projector, the Aaxa P1 Jr., which is the “best in size” projector- as small as they get. And you will find 2 Laser based pico projectors, great for high-tech junkies.
The Current Top 10 Mini Projectors on the Market (and why), Led by Aaxa Technologies
1: Aaxa Techologies M2 Portable Projector
The M2 is a portable projector, and is the Elite model in its class. With 110 lumens, it cannot be beat in power, has all the extras you can imagine, and a price tag that makes it a fantastic value. It has built in sound, built in memory, expandable memory slots, input capabilities for nearly every device on earth (including iPhone’s), HD resolution, vibrant color, and the ability to produce images up to 100 inches. Gary over at Aaxa Tech has always been a big fan of LCoS display technology instead of DLP, and he has masterfully crafted the M2 to bring power and frame speeds that beat every other portable projector on the market. If you are looking for the best, this is it. It has always been said that once portable projectors top the 100 lumen mark they will be ready for use by the majority of the population, and this is the first model to accomplish that.
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2: Aaxa Technologies M1 Series – Portable Projector
Aaxa continues to release a new version of the M1 every few months. Right now they are on the “M1 Ultimate-X,” which gives the 2nd best power in its class behind the M2. The only reason I may rate this one below other models is because it is a portable projector, meaning it can’t go in your pocket, but is still small enough to fit in your hand. Up until the M2 came out the M1 was the most popular portable projector on the market. Business users gobbled these up in masses since they are the perfect companion for a laptop presentation. The M1 was truly the first portable projector to provide enough power/brightness to be used for a variety of different purposes. I have personally used my M1+, the 2nd generation of the M1 series (now in it’s 4th generation) to create crystal clear 10 foot screens for backyard movie night (pictured above). The major downside to the M1 is that you need to plug it in or use an external battery (sold separately), but that’s the price you pay for brightness now-a-days, and it is well worth it.
3: Optoma Pk301 Pico Projector
Optoma took the market by storm when it launched its second generation of pico projector, including the PK301 and PK201. The PK301 is the upper-class of the two and was the first pico projector to give HD quality to a projector small enough to fit in your pocket. Tech nerds around the world now enjoy having the ability to keep their iPhone or PSP in one pocket, and a projector that is the brightest in its class, at 50 lumens, in the other pocket. The PK301 does have two modes, one of which provides less than HD quality and less brightness to save battery life, the other of which gives it full power but sacrifices the battery faster. Of course you can always plug the unit into the wall for longer playing times.
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4: 3M Mpro 180 – Pico Projector
A new powerhouse in the pico projector market is the top of the line 3M Mpro 180. It’s power is similar to its little brother, the Mpro 160, with 30 lumens, but the Mpro 180 adds a touch screen display, 4GB of built in memory, media player, wi-fi, and bluetooth capabilities. Still, I place the Mpro 180 behind the Optoma Pk301 because of a lack of brightness to support use in a large variety of settings. It is a great model, and I look forward to seeing more from 3M, but as a 3rd generation pico projector it is disappointing to see lumens that are lower than the 2nd generations from other projector manufacturers. The wi-fi and bluetooth support definitely set this model apart from all other pico’s as one of the most unique projectors on the market.
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5: Aaxa Technologies P1 Jr – Super Pico Projector
The Aaxa P1 Jr certainly isn’t the most powerful pico projector out there, but it is by far the least expensive. Size and price are it’s strongest selling points. Aaxa decided to make as economical a projector as possible without sacrificing on the amenities, and did a fine job with the P1 Jr. This was literally made to be a Toy, and it is exactly that. At $109 it is a great gift for any kid or anyone looking to be able to have a mini projector without spending a lot of money. It works- Simple as that. It’s one of the smallest projectors on the market, 10 lumens, and has the ability to plug into almost any external device. There are several other garbage projectors out there that have gotten a ton of publicity, like the “Eyeclops,” that are terrible compared to the P1 Jr. If you need a great gift idea, you can’t go wrong getting one of these.
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6: 3M Mpro 160 – Pico Projector
The Mpro 160 is the little brother of the top of the line 3M model, offering a full package of extras, including the standard built in sound, memory, file support, and all the normal features to be expected in a pico projector today. The best parts of the 3M are that it is made by a reputable company, with all the standard features, and will satisfy most users. This is one of the latest pico projectors to come out, and will inevitably be outmatched when Aaxa Tech and Optoma release their next generation products, but the Mpro 160 is among the best projectors available. I would have expected with a late model release like this that 3M would have been able to pack in more power than 30 lumens, but it is double the brightness of their previous model, and puts it above the competition in many respects.
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7: Aaxa Technologies L1v2 – Pico/Laser Projector (Out of Stock Virtually Everywhere)
This is the best 2nd generation laser projector on the market. There are currently only 3 models in production, of which this is by far the best. In case you haven’t heard of them before, Laser projectors literally use laser lights, of a class that is not harmful to the human eye, to produce light instead of the standard LED power sources in most projectors. The lasers distinct advantage is that they are always in focus; Most projectors, if you move even a few inches closer to or further from your target, need to be re-focused. Needless to say, focusing the picture is the most painful part of having a projector (usually unavoidable and people deal with it), but laser technology has removed that. They are also super small, about the size of an iPhone, and produce excellent picture quality. I haven’t used the L1V2 personally yet, but I did have an L1 for a long time and posted a picture above demonstrating the raw power. The downside is that these are extremely hard to find because they are in such high demand, Aaxa is currently several months behind on backorder for shipping them.
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8: Optoma Pk201 – Pico Projector
Optoma’s lower model of its second generation series, the PK201, just barely squeaked out 6th place on this list, ahead of other “pico projectors”, because of its extra power and value. The PK201 still boasts HD capabilities and all the perks of the PK301, with the major difference being a significant reduction in brightness, down to 20 lumens from 50. Still, this puts the PK201′s brightness above the majority of pico projectors. And for people looking for instant fun while still having the cash to upgrade as new models come out, the PK201 is a great option. Optoma seemed to have the edge on 3M the release of the Mpro 160, and I would expect new Optoma projectors to be coming out sometime late this year.
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9: 3M Mpro 150 – Pico Projector
Next up is the late generation of the 3M Mpro series, the Mpro 150. It is the upper model of the two projector Mpro released as their first generation. It boasts 15 lumens, which for all practical purposes is not very much, but is on par with what most pico projectors are doing (other than the fantastic ones we listed above this). It was one of the best when it first came out, and is now a great “old model” option for those looking to spend less and still have good quality. Keep in mind that new pico projectors come out every 3-6 months and the ability to upgrade is never too far out.
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10: MicroVision ShowWx Plus – Pico/Laser Projector
MicroVision is one of only two laser pico projector manufacturers, the other being Aaxa Technologies. This projector got a ton of publicity at all the big trade shows over the past couple years and was reviewed on every tech website imaginable. It’s not better than the Aaxa L1V2, but is a great second option, and is currently in it’s second generation, which is 50% brighter. It has all the other advantages of a laser projector for about the same price as the L1V2, but sacrifices some in picture quality and brightness. Still, for someone looking for a laser projector at a great value, the ShowWx Plus can’t be beat. And getting your hands on an L1V2 is practically impossible right now, so the ShowWx may literally be your only option in laser technology.