Naga Expert MMO Gaming Mouse – Review (@Razer)

Having previously reviewed a couple of Razer Naga Hex mice, I was definitely intrigued to see what the Naga Expert MMO Gaming Mouse could offer that the others didn’t.

As always, the Razer packaging is high eye catching, with its green and black colour scheme.  A view of the mouse on the front, gives you an idea of what you are getting.  Also included is a few pieces of information relating to the mouse.  The sides of the box provide more information, in slightly more detail, while the back of the box gives you a full overview of the mouse and its features.  The front of the box has a flap that opens to show you a proper view of the mouse, while the inside of the flap you have information about the mouse and its basic/advanced button configuration.

Usually, you tend to get the device itself in the box, along with the user manuals and Razer branded stickers.  This time though, there is something extra.  You get two additional side pieces for the mouse that you can change out depending on your hand size and the way you grip the mouse.  These extra pieces are packed nicely in a foam insert, inside of an extra box which is located beneath the mouse in the main packaging.  It is relatively easy to change the side piece to one that suits you better – simply unclip the one that is attached by pulling down on the back of it (this was how I did it).  Because the pieces stay in place thanks to several magnets underneath, there is no chance of snapping any important fasteners, etc.  Adding your preferred side panel is just as easy – just push it into position and let the magnets do their job!

As with other Razer products, the download and install of their Synapse 2.0 software is required in order for you to program your mouse to suit you.  Synapse is very straightforward and easy to use with clear, on-screen instructions for you to follow.  You can use the software to create macros for in-game use.  So say for example there is a command that uses multiple key presses, you can record the key press sequence and assign it to a key, resulting in one key press instead of many.  The good thing about Synapse, it allows you to store your gaming profiles for your mouse in the cloud, meaning that you can access your settings from any computer that you plug your mouse into, as long as said machine has Synapse installed.  No endless faffing about setting up settings and buttons when you change and move around.

The Razer Naga Expert MMO mouse has a total of 17 buttons, including 12 side buttons that are all fully programmable.  These buttons, when compared to previous Naga Hex mice that I have used, are thankfully harder to press – resulting in less random button presses.  The mouse wheel does what you would expect it to, and the green colour scheme is always a favourite of mine.  Lastly, the braided USB cable gives the mouse the finish that it deserves.

The base of the mouse has a switch that enables you to switch between the basic and advanced  configuration.  The basic layout represents the numbered keys along the top of your keyboard, while the advanced layout does the same for the number pad on the side of your keyboard.  Depending on the configuration that you prefer, you put the switch to the one to suit your use.  To finish off the bottom of the mouse, we have the ultraslick mouse feet – five in total – to help the mouse glide over your surface with ease.

The Naga itself is VERY comfortable to use, and in the time that I have used it, I have encountered no hand fatigue at all.  After finding a position to hold my hand so that I can reach the side buttons, and with the comfort added by changing the side panel, it’s almost as if this mouse was made for my hand!  Thankfully, after using previously Naga models, I did not have too much of an issue getting accustomed to the button layout again and was up and running fully in no time.

Of all of the Razer mice that I have used, I think I can honestly say that the Naga Expert is the most comfortable by far.  Being able to put on a side plate that suits my hand size plays a huge part in this.  Obviously the mouse is aimed at people who play MMO games, and would definitely suit anybody looking for a gaming mouse.  The lack of hand fatigue is something else that adds to the comfort factor and I would highly recommend this mouse, even if you only use it for day to day activities.

Venom Power Bank – PS3 – Review (@VenomGamingUK)

I doubt that there is a single gamer out there that would not like to extend their controller battery life, even slightly.  It’s even worse if you are using a PS3 controller and the only way to rectify the flat battery issue is to have either a spare, charged controller, or sit with the charger cable attached to the console and controller so you can play while charging.  Now though, there is a way around this – the Officially Licensed Venom Power Bank for PS3 controllers.

The Power Bank comes packaged in a nice blue and white box that shows how the unit looks by itself, as well as when it is hooked on to your controller.  Also included is the “Official Licensed Product logo for PlayStation, and on the back, is some additional information.  Inside the box, you have a User Guide, the Power Bank, and a USB charger cable.

The Power Bank is a small unit that is actually really nice to look at.  It is small, sleek, and is the size you would expect it to be.  The unit is small enough that it attaches to the controller via the USB port on the top.  To hold it in place securely, the Power Bank has a small clip on the bottom that fits snugly around the base of the controller.  You can fully charge the unit between uses by unclipping it from the controller and hook up the USB cable that is provided in the box, and once fully charged, it provides up to an additional 20 hours of controller use time.

For something so small to be so practical, it is probably a must-have for PS3 users.  You can pick one up for the price of £19.99 from the Venom Play Store, with free delivery.  This is something that is easy to use and that would prove handy for all gamers.

Sandberg Wallet Phone Case – HTC One – Review

I use my phone on a daily basis for a number of activities that range from checking Facebook & Twitter, to reading and sending emails.  I would be lost without it so am always on the lookout for ways to keep it protected.  Having something that is useful for more than just a case for my phone is even better, and that is where the Wallet Case from Sandberg comes into play.

The case itself is packaged in the usual Sandberg white box with a transparent plastic window on the front which gives you a decent view of the case itself.  The back of the box gives a few short lines of information regarding the case, which as usual, is available in several different languages.

The case itself has a nice feel to it.  It is held closed by a magnetic strap, and it actually feels like quite a secure magnet.  The back of the case has holes for the camera and flash, as well as a small hole for one of the built-in mics.  On the inside of the flap that opens you have two spaces for cards of your choice, whether they be credit cards or reward cards, etc, and behind these slots, located by the spine of the case is a pocket that could be used for either more cards and/or cash.  The other side of the case has a cradle that is made from a textured plastic material that holds your phone in place.  There are slots available to all of the buttons and controls needed for phone use – each one allowing for decent access and none of the controls or buttons are in any way covered or not accessible.

After using the case for awhile, I am actually pretty fond of it.  I don’t like to use a bag too often, and having loose cards in pockets can result in them becoming bent, damaged, or even lost.  Knowing how protective I am of my phone, I always know where it is, whether I am at home or out and about.  This case means that I also know where my cash and cards are also – an added bonus if you ask me.  The case does a good job of protecting the phone also, which is something that you would probably want it to do primarily.  Even after use, the material that the case is made from is still fully intact and there is no sign of any damage at all.

Although the price is a little steep (around £25) it does do the job, and it does it well.  I am sure, however, that you could find something that does the same job for a fraction of the price.  That is all that lets it down, in my opinion.  A great product at a not overly great price.

Orbweaver Elite Mechanical Gaming Keypad – Review (@Razer)

The Orbweaver Elite Mechanical Gaming Keypad from Razer is a mechanical gaming keypad that gives you the functionality of using the left side of yourr keyboard for gaming, in a standalone device.

It’s standard now that the Razer packaging is something that is always high quality.  With its green and black colour scheme, the images and text just pops and works really well.  The front of the box shows a pretty full image of the Orbweaver keypad, and also contains a few key points, including the fact that the keypad has 20 fully programmable buttons.  Both sides of the box also contains a wealth of information, ranging from the mechanical key infrastructure, to the backlit keypad.  The back of the box gives a breakdown of the keypad itself and lets us know what each part is for.  Also included in the box is the standard user guide.

The Orbweaver Keypad is a beauty, really.  As well as the 20 programmable keys, you also have a left handed, 8 way directional thumbpad, a nicely gripped palm rest, an equally nicely gripped wrist rest, and two buttons that sit nicely either side of the thumbpad (one being the same as the spacebar) and lastly, the USB cable.

Using Razer’s Synapse 2.0, you can set up the buttons on the keypad as you wish.  You can store unlimited game profiles, program the keys, and set the backlight on the device to suit your preference.  The Orbweaver features 8 keymaps that can all be programmed with a different key layout using the 20 programmable keys and the two side buttons.  Although there is no present switch available to quickly swap between the keymaps, using Synapse, you can set one of the keys to do this if you would like to.  Once you have set the keypad up to your liking, all of your settings are saved on the cloud using Synapse so that you can access them from whichever location you take your keypad to.  Please note that while Synapse 2.0 is not required to use the keypad, it is needed if you would like to program the keys rather than using the standard layout.

The Orbweaver, although a little weird looking, is actually really comfortable to use.  The padded wrist and palm rests and much needed support, while the buttons are placed within a reasonable length for your hand so there is no over stretching to reach them.  Saying this though, I have pretty small hands and had issues reaching the top row of keys – even with the unit sized to the smallest available size, so I think people with medium to large sized hands may have a better time using this.  The thumbpad and two side buttons are also in a decent position and are easily within reach for ease of use.  Having the option to reposition the wrist rest, the side unit that houses the thumbpad/buttons, and also the option to slightly rotate the palm rest is very welcomed.  Being able to resize and reposition those key parts all add to the comfort factor, and also helps to cater for people with larger hands.

Being able to fully customise the key layout using the Orbweaver is also something that I think gamers will love.  Rather than having to reach for certain keys on the keyboard, you can set the keypad up to do the same thing by simply programming the keys to suit you.  Being able to save several game profiles is also handy as you may use different key layouts for different games meaning that all you have to do is switch from one to another.

The keys on the keypad are all backlit (the main keys are, any way) and are full mechanical keys with 50g actuation force, meaning that is doesn’t take a large amount of pressure to  press the keys.  The keys also make a nice ‘clicking’ sound when pressed so you aren’t left thinking “have I actually pressed that key properly”.  Also, just above the thumbpad and two buttons, there are three light bars – these tell you which keymap you currently have equipped.

The Orbweaver Elite Mechanical Gaming Keypad is a great bit of kit.  While it is probably better suited to people with medium to large hands, it is a pleasure to use and provides comfort in all of the right areas.  It would have been nice to see a braided USB cable rather than a rubber coated cable, but it isn’t a game changer of an issue.  It is not a ridiculous size and definitely would not look out of place in any gaming setup, especially if you are someone who enjoys your PC games.  Now all we need is something for us small hand gamers!

7″ Digital Photo Frame – Review (@KitvisionUK)

****Please check out the end of this review where there is a link to a giveaway, giving you the chance to win one of these!

Having access to your photos on mobile devices and laptops, etc, can often be the preferred method of viewing nowadays.  But what if you actually wanted to have select images available on display in and around your home?  Or what if you have a relative that isn’t over tech savvy?  The Kitvision 7″ Digital Photo Frame could be the solution for you!

The photo frame itself comes packaged in an eye catching box packaging that contains a wealth of specifications, ranging from the slide show display mode, to the 7″ TFT Panel.  Inside the box you get the photo frame (the one I have for review is pink), the stand for the frame, UK 3-pin wall adapter and a user manual.

The frame feels very well made, as well as very sturdy.  Included is 8mb of internal storage – not enough to store all of your images, but plenty to store a few treasured images that you would like to keep to hand all of the time.  The frame boasts a bracket that you can rotate if you would like to, meaning that you can view your images in both landscape and portrait mode – you aren’t limited to having it set just one way or the other.  The spaces to attach the bracket can be found on the back of the frame.  The top of the frame houses the buttons used to control the functions of the frame.  These buttons are Play/Pause, Left, Right, Exit, and Setup.  The buttons are used to navigate the menus on the photo frame, which are straightforward to use.  Located down the right hand side of the frame is the USB Flash Drive port, the multicard reader, and the port to connect up the AC adapter.  The screen resolution is 480 x 234 pixels.  The supported image file format for the frame is JPEG – which is handy as this is what most images come as.

Getting to grips with the frame is very straightforward.  To get the frame to display the images you want, simply insert a memory card that has your images on (either direct from a digital camera or smartphone or transfer the pictures to the card from a PC/laptop), or hook up a USB drive into the port on the side.  The built-in card reader enables you to simply plug in your card or USB stick and using the buttons on the top of the frame, navigate through the menus.  It is recommended that you store images in folders that contain up to 100 photos each.

Once you have your memory card or USB drive inserted, ensure that you have plugged in the supplied plug adapter (5v), power on the frame, and you photos will start displaying to you as a slideshow.  The buttons on the back of the frame give you the options to pause the slideshow in order to make changes to the display, or even to keep that one particular image on display.  Also, the built-in menu is easy and straightforward to use, making the operation of the frame possible for anyone, no matter your technical knowledge.  From within the menu, you can also choose if you would like your images displayed as the original image, cropped, or stretched.

Another feature that I really like is the fact that you have a few transition effects to choose from, meaning that you can make changing from one image to the next, less plain and boring.  If you would rather not set it to one particular effect, you can set it to random so that it changes from image to image.  Another feature that I like is that you can change the speed of the slideshow – you can have the images change at a slow, medium or fast pace.  Again, something for everyone.

Overall, I love this digital photo frame.  Kitvision have made it possible to have something to suit everyone, no matter of their age or preference.  If the 7″ frame is not for you, there is a large range of digital frames available in a variety of sizes and designs, so there should be something for everyone.  The price of the 7″ pink frame that I have here is £29.99 on Amazon UK (at time of posting) and would make an ideal gift, especially with Mother’s Day coming up *hint hint*.

Twitter: @KitvisionUK
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KitvisionUK
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kitvisionuk
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/kitvision
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/KitvisionUK

The guys over at Kitvision also launched this giveaway on their Twitter yesterday! https://twitter.com/KitvisionUK/status/442962839662125056

Kondor Returns to the Gadget Show Live

Kondor, a consumer electronics distributor, will be attending, and hosting, its own stand for the fifth year running at the Gadget Show Live 2014.

The Gadget Show Live has been established as one of the largest and most influential consumer electronics events in Europe, and manages to squeeze all of the energy from Channel 5’s primetime tech programme into 6 days of immense entertainment.

The event will be running from Wednesday, April 9th until Sunday, April 13th at Birmingham’s NEC Arena.  Kondor will have the latest and greatest accessories, as well as must-have technology from 21 brands.

Stand K40 will feature the very latest in cases and protection for your smartphones, laptops, e-readers and tablets.  Also included will be memory, audio headphones, as well as speakers.  Brands that will be featured are:

• AEE
• Ballistic
• Case Scenario
• Caseit
• FitBug
• Manfrotto
• Moshi
• Kit
• KitSound
• Kitvision
• Philips
• Port Design
• Samsung Memory
• SIM Connect
• Sketch
• SMS Audio
• Sony Mobile
• SuperTooth
• TDK
• Trendz
• XMini

You will be able to see product demonstrations, promotions, and competitions, so definitely pop by stand K40 and check things out.

The Gadget Show Live 2014 brings new features, such as the Future Tech Project, Innovation Theatre and British Inventors Project; there will be plenty of gadgets and gizmos to fascinate all interests. For more information about the Gadget Show Live 2014, please visit www.gadgetshowlive.net

Website: http://www.kondor.co.uk/

[NEWS] Razer Launches the World’s First Mechanical Switches Specifically for Gaming

Today, Razer, a leader in entertainment software and devices , announced the launch of the first ever mechanical switch specifically designed for gaming – the Razer Mechanical Switch.

Traditional mechanical switches were primarily designed to be used for typing, the newly announced Razer Mechanical Switches have been completely designed for gaming.

After doing extensive research, the award winning engineers from Razer have identified the actual distance for a gaming switch to within a fraction of a millimeter and have reduced the distance between the actuation and reset point by almost half, allowing for better precision as well as faster gaming commands.  This is noticeable when compared to standard mechanical switches. Also, the newly announced Razer Mechanical Switches are produced using an ultra precise manufacturing technique that when coupled with gold plated contact points, will provide users with a lifespan of up to 60 million key strokes.

Although the Razer Mechanical Switches were designed from the ground up by Razer scientists and engineers, mass production was carried out by a third party manufacturer.  To ensure that each switch was made to meet the demanding specifications and also to make sure that the switches was up to the standard of the blueprints and specifications, Razer placed its own quality assurance experts on the production floor.

The Razer Mechanical Switches have been thoroughly tested by the world’s most demanding eSports competitors who have validated the switches in some of the most intense professional gaming tournaments.

“The new switches on the Razer BlackWidow have a lighter and smoother feel, allowing me to play at a faster pace than before,” says Jens “Snute” Aasgaard, Team Liquid StarCraft player. “It’s comfortable and solid – perfect for long practice sessions and tournaments.”

“Instead of focusing solely on typing comfort, as traditional mechanical switches have done, we had to completely rethink the conventional approach behind the actuation and reset points of mechanical switches in order to fine-tune them for gaming,” says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder, CEO and creative director. “Our engineers’ focus for the specification was on speed, accuracy and durability to bring the unfair advantage to gamers worldwide. The new switch makes the most popular gaming keyboard in the world even better.

The Razer Mechanical switch is available on the new Razer BlackWidow family of mechanical gaming keyboards, and is open to other gaming peripheral makers who wish to manufacture the highest quality gaming-grade mechanical keyboards.

The all new Razer Mechanical Switch comes in two types: The Razer Green switch that is tactile and clicky, requiring a force of 50 g to actuate; and the Razer Orange switch that is tactile yet silent, requiring a force of 45 g to actuate.

For more information regarding the Razer Mechanical Switches, as well as the Razer BlackWidow range of gaming keyboards, please head to http://www.razerzone.com/razer-mechanical-switches

Website: http://www.razerzone.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/razer
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/razer
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cultofrazer

[NEWS] Trendz Accessories Brings the Football Fever (@OnTrendz)

Trendz Accessories is making it easier for you to show your support for your team and the FA Cup Final this year.  Now whether that would be through protecting your tablet with the 10″ Trendz Universal Football Tablet Case, using said tablet with the Trendz Football Stylus, or by simply listening to the match through the Trendz In-Ear Football Headphones, you are covered from all angles!

The Trendz Universal 10″ Universal Football Tablet Case provides the protection that your tablet deserves, with its strong, hard-wearing material, and soft suede effect inner lining (which protects the screen from unwanted scratches).  The case also provides a built in stand, which not only provides 3 viewing angles, but also makes it much more functional while watching your favourite team play, or even just browsing the web!  The elasticated fastening makes inserting and removing your device easy and straightforward, and the strap keeps the case closed to provide additional protection to your prized possession.  (RRP: £20.49)

The Trendz Football Stylus pen is simple, easy to use, and it suitable for all touch capacitive touch screen devices (iPad, iPhone, HTC, Samsung, and a range of other devices).  This evenly weighted stylus will rest in your hand comfortably, provide a more accurate use than just using your finger alone, and is also designed to fit in nicely with the football theme.  Suitable for both left and right handed users, this stylus is ideal for browsing, gaming, and typing – all without leaving finger smudges on your screen! (RRP: £5.99)

The Trendz Football In-Ear Headphones provide not only a football themed, high quality design, but also bring to the table an immersive, listening experience.  The headphones deliver a rich, articulate sound with an ample amount of bass, yet also keep things clear when using them to make calls on your phone.  Complete with noise isolation to block out those unwanted sounds, feel yourself get swept away in the experience provided by the music, complete with the comfort factor. (RRP: 9.99)

You can buy Trends products in most high street and online retailers.

Twitter: @OnTrendz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TrendzCases
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ontrendz
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/ontrendz
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/ontrendz
Website: www.ontrendz.co.uk

[NEWS] Meet the New Mini Buddy Easter Collection from KitSound! (@kitsounduk)

KitSound have recently announced the newest additions to their Mini Buddy range – the Easer collection!  Not only are the new designs adorable, but they would also make excellent Easter gifts.

Designs include a bunny, a football, a pig, a pug, a ladybird, a monkey, a heart, and the always popular bee.

The Mini Buddy range measure in at around 50mm high, 55mm high, and 48mm across in size, and include a keyring attachment as well as the 3.5mm jack connector, which allows you to use them with your choice of device, making them perfect for attaching to your keys and taking them out and about with you. Also included with the buddy is a Micro USB cable which is used to charge the built-in Li-Ion battery.  Lastly, the Buddy Jack means that you can connect up two or more of these portable speakers together for increased sound!

Twitter: @KitSoundUK
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KitSoundUK
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kitsounduk
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/kitsounduk
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/kitsounduk
Website: www.kitsound.co.uk

TeckNet Redragon Centrophorus Gaming Mouse – Review

**A massive thank you to Sean who kindly agreed to do a guest review.  Please remember to take a look at the links included at the bottom of this review.

The TeckNet Redragon Centrophorus mouse packaging blends so very nicely with the style and look of the mouse.  The front of the box contains an image of the mouse, and well branded with the name of the mouse.  The back of the box lists some information relating to the mouse. Both sides of the box also has some information about the features of the mouse having 6 buttons, a gold plated USB 2.0 connector, weights and braided USB Cord. Opening the box reveals the mouse covered in a protective clear plastic shell.

Over the years I have become used to using the Microsoft Wireless mouse range, but immediately the styling of the ReDragonLite mouse struck me. Once plugged in the mouse lights up with a red LED which is visible from the sides and the Dragon Logo on the back of the mouse. I have to admit that this mouse is by far one of the most visually impressive mice I have used, and I have used a few over the years. Despite its use of weights in the base of the mouse, I found it to be very light and similar to a laptop style mouse when in use. It is comfortable as the grooves on the side of the mouse help a light grip and it moves smoothly on any surface from mouse-pad to desk top.

The position of the six buttons are naturally placed easy to manage with just the simplest of hand movements, you instinctively find them without making a conscious effort to feel them out with fingers or thumb. The Scroll wheel has a rubber grip with treads that give you the sense of full control when it use. The DPI button is placed just far enough from the scroll wheel so its easily accessible with a press to activate and another to turn off and not so close that you will at any time accidentally turn it on during normal mouse use. It felt very natural to use as a mouse for use at work or at its designed use as a gaming mouse. As a gaming mouse it performed really well, responding to rapid movements with no issues when playing FPS games or MMO in Guild Wars 2 with the programmable buttons easy to configure for your needs.

The moment I took a picture of the Redragon mouse and put in on social media and when I took it into the office for work to try out, once plugged in and lit up I know at least ten people who saw it and instantly placed an order for one on Amazon. Priced there for just £14.99 it is amazing value for that price both as mouse for work or gaming but also as a visual delight. Aesthetically pleasing as it is is effective as a mouse, the Redragon Centrophorus six button gaming mouse delivers on all levels for me and for the price is just amazing value.

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Review by Sean T. McCarthy. Please check out his blog and social media on the links below.
Blog: http://wasahiro.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CockneyCharmer
YouTube: http://bit.ly/1fYxozV