Dummies Guide For Cariboulite SDR

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Dummies Guide For Cariboulite SDR

Cariboulite SDR

Cariboulite SDR

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  Worst actually.  I own a LOT of Software Defined Radios.  And for some odd reason if I see something new and cool with SDR I like to shake it down and give it a try.   Even though the Cariboulite SDR Hat device for Raspberry Pi has been around a few years I decided to give it a try.

I am just going to say this up front.  This is a story of great hardware and abysmal software.  Your money seemingly just buys stress and grief.  Oh, it does work.  But the software is pretty awful and very difficult to configure.  It should not be this way for a $150 device.
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Abbree AR-318 Mini Mobile Radio Review

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Abbree AR-318 Mini Mobile Radio Review

Abbree AR-318

Abbree AR-318

If there is one thing I hate about my own blog is that I seldom have time to review things I purchase with my own money.  I almost always have 2 or 3 items either on the table or inbound at any given time.  The tech that I buy with my own cash gets pushed way down the list.  One such item is the Abbree AR-318 Mini Mobile Radio ($77).

I could spend a week researching the origins of this radio who makes it, and who rebrands it. It seems to be identical to the Baojie BJ-318.  Searching for information is not as easy as it should be though.  So far I haven’t uncovered a ton of usable information other than a product manual.
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GRECELL T200 240 Watt Portable Power Station Review

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GRECELL T200 240 Watt Portable Power Station Review

GRECELL GRECELL T200 240 Watt

GRECELL T200 240 Watt Portable Power Station

Every home should have a portable power station for emergencies or for just the convenience of keeping small electronic devices charged.  Phones, tablets, laptops, radios are among the many things that can be charged.  I was recently contacted by GRECELL and asked to review their GRECELL T200 240 Watt Portable Power Station.  Current pricing is $129 on Amazon with a $40 off coupon.  Unsure how long the coupon will be available. That means that now is the time to get one.

As luck would have it we experienced a winter storm a day or two after I received the T200. I had begun some endurance testing and then decided to top off the device for the storm.

I put it in our bedroom and sure enough the power went out.  As much as anything the light came in super handy.  It provided great light sufficient to find my phone.  From there I was able to check on loved ones.  Also I was able to walk around the home and inspect items outside such as fallen tree limbs.

The light was a great tool for inspecting around our property.
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Maono Wave T5 Wireless Lavalier Microphone Review

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Maono Wave T5 Wireless Lavalier Microphone Review

Maono Wave T5 Wireless Lavalier Microphone

Maono Wave T5 Wireless Lavalier Microphone

The company Maono recently sent me their PD300X Dynamic Microphone to review.   They also just provided me their Maono Wave T5 Wireless Lavalier microphone to review.  I was provided the PA3 Combo version. ($149.99)

A lavalier microphone is simply a mini, wearable microphone that allows the user mobility.

Obviously, if you are stationary at a desk or table or studio, and creating a video a big stationary Dynamic microphone is what you want to use.  But if you are mobile, and moving around, especially outdoors, a lavalier wireless microphone is exactly what you need.
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Maglula UpLULA Magazine Loader

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Maglula UpLULA Magazine Loader

Magula UpLULA

Magula UpLULA Magazine Loader

Anyone that has ever loaded a magazine will tell you that the last few rounds are almost impossible to push in due to spring tension.   I have cut enough fingers and gotten enough bruises that I finally broke down and bought a Maglula UpLULA.  The cost was approximately $28 or so.

What an amazing tool that I should have gotten ages ago.  My 9mm magazine was darn near impossible to push the last couple of rounds in.

So much so that I generally didn’t fully load the mag.

This will be an amazingly short blog as the device is just plain simple.

 

Loading

I took a quick but not entirely inclusive video showing how the loader works.  There are much better videos out there but this does show the ease of loading.

It would appear that I will never wreck my fingers again loading rounds again.

Should You Buy a Maglula UpLULA

If you’ve hurt your hands loading then the answer is a simple, YES.  Get a Maglula UpLULA just as quick as you can.   Ttttthhhhhhhheeeeee that’s all folks!

Allesin Motorized Blinds Review

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 Allesin Motorized Blinds Review

Allesin Motorized Blinds

Allesin Blinds

We bought our house about 4 years ago.  While the blinds inside were once very expensive and very nice, over time they became warped and dirty.  Some could be barely raised or lowered.  So imagine my surprise when I was contacted by Allesin to review their motorized blinds.

Alongside the Living/Dining/Kitchen area in our home are four windows with a double door in the middle.  The old Levelor blinds we had were looking kind of rough.  Also the size of the slats were large and stuck out in the room a bit giving the illusion that the space was much smaller.

Allesin allowed us (and by us, I mean my wife) to choose whatever style and color that we wanted.  We (my wife) chose the K130 Light Filtering Cellular shades.  Shortly after the exchange we were contact by Allesin and told they had an updated version of those shades and would I be willing to wait a bit for them.  I agreed and we were sent their new K230 shades.   As I write this I don’t see the K230 on their website yet.  So, I’m on the leading edge here with this blog.
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ACMER P3 2IN1 Laser Engraver Review

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ACMER P3 2IN1 Laser Engraver Review

ACMER P3 2IN1

ACMER P3 2IN1

Someone has FINALLY done it.  ACMER has made a FULL SIZED laser engraver that has both a 2 watt IR Laser and a 10 watt blue diode laser in a single module.  Enter the ACMER P3 2IN1.  My readers can use the code Johncode for 15% off at the official site.  That link is an affiliate link and it helps me keep this website afloat. 

Also it can be purchased from Amazon. My readers can use the code 208UHVU7 for 20% off.

I know you are probably thinking that there are several lasers on the market that have an IR and a blue diode, and you’d be right.  But, none of them have an engraving area of 400 x 390 mm.  Everything that is out there now is 130 x 130 mm or less.

Also, the desktop diode laser is only about 6 years old.  Everything prior to 2019 was probably a DIY hobbyist build.  My first laser in 2019 had end stops and really nothing else.   My how we have come a long way since then.  Laser engravers these days such as the ACMER P3 are in self contained enclosures with eye protection.  We have gone from Class 4 to Class 1 regarding safety.  Class 1 being the most safe.  The ACMER P3 has lights, air assist, a camera, and emergency features.  The bottom of the enclosure comes with a honeycomb panel and a bottom clean out drawer.  The bottom tray also keeps you from laser engraving the top of your wife’s table.
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Aaoyun 300 Watt Portable Power Station Review

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Aaoyun 300 Watt Portable Power Station Review

Aaoyun 300 Watt Portable Power Station

Aaoyun 300 Watt Portable Power Station

I’m a big proponent of portable power stations.  I own several and they are scattered about the house performing various missions.   One problem with these power stations is that they are generally pretty expensive.  Imagine my surprise when Aaoyun provided me their Aaoyun 300 Watt Portable Power Station to review.

At the current Amazon price of $155.99 it is a bargain compared to many other of its competitors.   I’ve been using and abusing this for a couple of weeks now and it has passed through my gauntlet with stellar results. Continue reading →

Mac Vinyl Sign Software

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Mac Vinyl Sign Software

Mac Vinyl Sign Software

Roland GX-24

In 2005 Roland released the GX-24 Vinyl Sign machine.  I don’t remember exactly when I bought mine but it was probably around then because I had it shipped to Iwakuni Japan and that was around the time I did my last tour there.   Over the years I migrated to the Mac OS and Mac Vinyl Sign Software was few and far between.

After some time a couple hunks of software hit the market and I recall using Sign Cut Pro.  It was awesome but they went to a “pay yearly or monthly plan”.  Shortly after that I found Easy Cut Studio which I use right up to this day.
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Best Budget Laser Engraver For 2025

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Best Budget Laser Engraver For 2025

There is a bit of a divide between the “Best Laser Engraver” and the “Best Budget Laser Engraver”.  I personally feel that to start off in the laser engraving side hustle game that you should start cheap.   I follow a lot of laser forums and an awful lot of people jump in the game at a price point by buying the most advanced and expensive machine they can get with stars in their eyes. Then they find out they lack the requisite skills to compete in the laser engraving game.  Subsequently they end up selling their gear or letting it gather dust.

While a budget laser will run at slower speeds, the reduction in speed combined a minuscule sized laser dot from a lower powered laser module will achieve the absolute best engraving detail possible.  I think this is a point lost on most laser engraver operators. 

Comparatively, the famous photographer Ansel Adams didn’t use the highest end cameras on the market.   He knew how to exploit what he had.

Typically, my threshold for a “Best Budget Laser Engraver” is around $300. I may push that a little bit this year but not by much.  That being said, let’s explore some of the best budget lasers you can find for 2025.
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