Tampilkan postingan dengan label rugged. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label rugged. Tampilkan semua postingan

Kamis, 15 Januari 2015

Griffin Survivor Phone case Bumper review and Give-away!

Win 1 of these luxury cases by Griffin!
Without...my...phone of course ;-)

Griffin kindly sent a collection of their phone cases for me to show you guys with their doubles; so I can also give some lucky readers a case each too.
 (For Samsung S4 phone owners only).
 Griffin technology was founded by Paul Griffin on his kitchen table in 1992 and is today one of the foremost creators of accessories for home, mobile, and personal technology. Unique products such as the itrip, Powermate, iFM, iMic and Evolves Wireless speaker system have broken new ground in consumer electronics.
Today Griffin products are conceived, designed and developed in-house and continue to push the industry forward that they themselves created.


Click the jump to see my full photo-loaded reviews and see how you can get your hands on one of these cases.



I received 3 popular cases from Griffin to show you all.
Ill go through each case individually as they are very different from each other and would suit various people.
But if you just popped on here to to find out how to get your hands on one yourself skip to the end to find out how.

The Survivor Skin
These two cases are made of extra thick silicone which wraps firmly around the phone, protecting the back, sides and edges from bumps, jolts and scratches.

 The cardboard packaging has a clear perspex window with a small cutout to touch the silicone to feel how soft it is. It states on the front that it is designed to meet and exceed US military standards for a 6 foot drop and cope with vibrations.

This really is a thick layer of soft smooth silicon and the honeycomb interior really gives the phone support. You can see just how deep the silicon layer is by looking at my reset button depth (Bottom left image).
It has a gorgeous squidgyness to the case and feel it would definitely bounce rather than land like a splat.

You have extreme protection for your phone while all the ports are still fully accessible as you can see from the images above.
The silicon is smooth on the back of the case but the buttons on the front and the sides all have extra checkerboard texturing for extra grip when your hands maybe cold or wet.

 I love how the case completely envelops the phone with the top and bottom lip fitting over onto the front screen itself. Giving approximately 3mm of height to give perfect cushioning if you lay your phone screen down on a surface it keep the screen lifted away from most surfaces.

 I also love the fact that the main home button on the bottom plus either sides of this are covered by silicon and you don't lose any responsiveness either with this. The side power on and volume rocker buttons are also enclosed, the rubber makes it so easy to grip your phone so its less likely to slip from your grip with wet or clutzy hands.
I adore this gorgeous blue colour and really adds something different to my normally black phone.
 I haven't yet dropped my phone from 6 foot to check this fact (sorry guys) but I feel confident that this case would save my phone from a 6 foot fall with all its extra silicone cladding. Its one of the thickest most padded cases Ive ever owned (along with the Survivor All terrain coming up).

Do you want to get your hands on one of these cases, do you like the look for this for your phone. Then read on to see how!


The Reveal
I absolutely love this little case as its so unusual. If you like the colour of your naked phone as it is; but are still worried its doesn't have enough protection; then the Reveal is for you.
Perfect for phone owners who have the lovely gold, silver or coloured battery backs; these look gorgeous but don't offer your phone much protection.Well now you can have the best of both worlds.
The clear polycarbonate back allows your naked phone to shine through. If you are like me and have bought a brightly coloured battery back for your S4 and need the protection but don't want to cover over the gorgeous colour; then the Reveal is just perfect.

The cardboard packaging has the same black and orange Griffin styling and design with transparent plastic window front to see the case. You again have the small circle to touch the case through the hole.

This slimfit phone case is a one piece design and is just over a millimeter in thickness; offering you a barely there feel for those that prefer that.
The thin shell has rubber edging which surrounds your phone to cushion the sides and give you firm grip. The clear polycarbonate back also has a good thickness for added protection too. The camera and flash have one cutout and its thickness adds excellent protection to the protruding camera lens and speaker port (one of my S4 pet hates).

Allows full access to screen, controls and the ports. The power on and volume rocker buttons have the rubber over buttons for ease of use with wet or cold hands.

This has to be one of my favorite cases as I can still have full protection for my phone without having to cover my brightly coloured turquoise aluminum battery cover.


Griffin kindly gave me this Blue edged version of the Reveal case to give away for one of you!

If you want the chance to win this case scroll to the bottom.


If you work in harsher environments and need a heavier dutycase then look no further see The Survivor All terrain case case see below.



The Survivor Military-Duty Case
This is the ideal case for those of you that have contacted me saying you work in harsher conditions, garages, farms, factories or just a clutzy......lol!
This 4 piece phone case has been designed and tested to meet and exceed US department of defense Standard 810G. Built from the inside out to protect your phone from extreme conditions, dust, sand, wind, rain, shock and vibrations....but does it...read on?

 The cardboard packaging is similar across the various cases with a good diagram on the back to explain the layers of the case.

 Here you have the 4 layers, the first is the super chunky belt clip and phone stand. The main case is divided into 3, you see this by the different colours blue and black, two arrive joined together but they can come apart if you wish...although not sure why you would want to pull them apart. The last layer is your complete full coverage screen cover. These clip on and enclose around your phone for super protection.

The back of the case
 The whole case is quite squidgy but extremely firm in your hand and you know your phone will be quite safe from a high fall, knock or bang.

Features
This case has been thoroughly tested so you have the confidence to use it.
  • This case is built of shatter resistant polycarbonate frame clad in rugged shock absorbing silicon.
  • Independently tested to meet US department of defense MIL-STD-810.
  • Front screen protector deflects wind and rain (Test: up to 200mm/hr for 1 hour).
  • The rigid frame protects against shocks and drops and has been tested by being dropped on flat concrete surface from 6"/1.8m.
  • The black soft silicone cladding blocks vibration (Test: for 18 hours at 20 to 2000Hz).
  • Sealed ports block (Test -blown sand and dust up to 18m/sec for an hour).
  • Multiposition clip attaches securely to pack strap or belt.

When you get your case it arrives with full fitting instructions, thats easy to understand.

Here you can see just how chunky the case is compared to the edges of my phone with its double layering of polycarbonate and silicon. Completely cladding and cushioning my phone all the way round.

The final layer is your full coverage screen protector; this clips on via its 7 clips.


These clips do feel a little flimsy but once clipped on the whole case supports itself and your phone! This screen deflects wind and rain from your actual phone and you can use the touchscreen normally with no problems.

Doesn't it look amazing.

The case has 3 hinged silicon doors which seal in the camera & flash together, the earphone socket and the charging port.

This is just brilliant in protecting the S4's camera as it protrudes from the actual phone (if you've read my previous S4 posts you will know its a pet hate of mine). The case thickness is 0.7cm depth which gives you the full protection all round.

 I love that this case also comes with a detachable multiposition belt or bag clip; this chunky solid full length clip swivels to fit any direction.

It has a heavy duty metal and plastic hinge which clips securely onto the case and attaches to your belt or bag.
This clever clip also doubles as an excellent solid phone stand to watch videos, take video calls or just surf from your phone. It really is good.

A slight niggle is that the silicon is an absolute dust magnet the minute its out of the box. The volume button is a bit tough to use as the silicon is so thick. 
BUT these are the only tradeoffs to have full protection for your phone from extreme conditions!
Be aware too this case is rain and splash proof but isn't entirely waterproof.



This gorgeous rugged case however is so easy to grip and almost grips you right back. No more phones slipping from your grasp when your hands are wet or cold. It will protect your phone from rain, dirt, shock, vibration and bumps and scratches and you never have to worry where you lay your phone down again. Plus Im confident this case will protect my phone from a high drop onto concrete as those side edges have a really squidgy and foamy feel. Its the thickest most padded cases Ive ever owned.

Don't forget Griffin do these cases for many other phones too and I have to stress what excellent quality and great design all three styles of cases are.

 
They even do this colour for the girls too in pink






GIVE-AWAY

So the bit you've all been waiting for the chance to win one of these cases.
Ive 4 of these to give away.
Apologies as they will ONLY fit a SAMSUNG S4 phone so please don't enter if you have another make of phone sorry :-).

Treat yourself or treat a friend who has the Samsung S4 phone!

All you have to do is to let me know which Griffin case you would like and why?
Email me on gadgetgirlsreviews1@gmail.com
or leave a comment below.


Applicable to the UK only!  



The Reveal (Blue)          The Survivor all terrain (black).

The Survivor Skin in Black and Blue

Don't forget to leave your email address if you leave a comment below where I can contact you if you win.

Competition Closes 31st January 2015

 Please be aware applicable to the UK only...sorry! 




All my thanks goes to Griffin Technology for sending me these cases for review and sponsoring this give-away.
All my views and opinions are my own.




Jumat, 14 November 2014

Kitsound Hive Bluetooth Wireless portable stereo speaker Review


Ive something exciting for your music-o-holics out there today, I know Ive brought you quite a number of mini portable speakers this year; but The Kitsound Hive is one I'm excited about as Ive heard so many good things and seen so many great reviews.
Ive also had the opportunity to review a few of Kitsound's products already and know what great quality they are.
 So when Kitsound offered to send me a couple of their best speakers to bring you to review I couldn't wait to try them.

 (The Boombar 2 is an upgrade to the Boombar.)

Today I'm bringing you The Kitsound Hive

Click on the jump to read my full photo-loaded review and video below



Packaging
You know I love great packaging on products as I feel if the company has taken the time and effort on the outside; the inside has to be good.
Kitsound always make a huge effort on their packaging and the Hive is no exception. Great colour design of elegant greys and yellow contrasting sides with a good product photo.
Inside you pull out an inner box which is...yes you guessed it is bright yellow.

This bright yellow inner box has some cool hive hexagonal shape designs cutouts so you can pop them out and use it as a gift box with your own writing on. Inside this you have yet another...yellow box containing the cables, pouch and user manual. Along side it you have your Hive in a soft plastic bag.

 In the box you get your 
  • Hive speaker.
  • Micro USB charging cable.
  • Axillary cable.
  • User manual.
  • Velvet black pouch storage bag.

Description
The Hive Bluetooth Wireless portable stereo speaker does alot for its cute size; this black rubberized coated speaker is built to withstand a few knocks which I love as in this house we have pets that can be quite curious. I also like to take my portable speakers outside in the garden or to another room and don't want to be worrying about chipping paint etc.

I absolutely adore the Hive design as they've used the bee hive hexagonal styling for the speaker cutouts and added accents all over the speaker. Ive always had a soft spot for bees so I really appreciate the design.

Even the three buttons across the top are hexagonal in shape to add something different to round buttons. You have your Bluetooth, minus and plus buttons which are extremely responsive and have a high quality feel to them.

The side of the speaker has the Auxiliary in port, the transparent on/off button with LEDs, plus the Micro USB charging port.
Each of these are very neatly set into a hexagon accent; everything has been thoroughly thought out.

 The back of the Hive also has the added hexagonal accents so it looks good from all sides.

 Underneath the hive its hexagonal theme even extends to the four little rubber feet. Here you can see the passive radiator to provide full warm, bass sound.

The Science Bit
  • Bluetooth; V2.1.
  • Range: Up to 10 meters.
  • Playtime: Up to 10 hours.
  • Output: 5W RMS (2.5W@4ohm x2).
  • S/N Ratio: 78dB.
  • Frequency response: 50Hz - 20kHz.
  • Aux: 3.5mm. 
Measurements
16.5cm long x 4.9cm depth x 6.1cm high.
Weight is 400g.


Charging
Its easy to charge the Hive, simply plug in the micro USB to your USB on PC or wall and leave for at least 4 hours especially the first time.

When charging the on/off button glows red and once charged it glows green. Once green you then have 6-10 hours play time; depending on volume levels.



Pairing
This couldn't be easier.
  • Turn on the Hive via side on/off button.
  • Press and hold the Bluetooth button on the top for 5 seconds and you will get a lovely electronic bleep and the indicator light on the front bottom right hand side will flash red and blue alternatively.
  • Turn on Bluetooth on the device you wish to use and my phone scanned and found it within a few seconds; saying Hive on my Bluetooth list.
  • The light on the front will remain a stationary blue once its found the connection. 

 Your ready to rock!
 My own Sound Comparison between my Samsung S4 and the gorgeous Hive.

Sound
I was expecting alot from this little guy and I wasn't disappointed, the Hive really does deliver gorgeous controlled mid ranges and trebles as well as warm bass. I still personally wanted a bit more bass but its certainly gave some rumble when turned up to around 3/4. Anymore and I got distortion on my bass so you may have to juggle with your devices equalizer to get it just right.
I'm so happy the sound is gorgeous all round and definitely one of the best speakers I have in sound, design and the fact its Bluetooth with brilliant range. It states 10m, but I left it upstairs went to the bottom of the stairs and it still worked, turned to another room and it faltered a bit. We live in a cottage with foot thick bricks; outside it managed at least 15m with nothing in between so its quite impressive.




Portability
I love companies that offer pouches and cases to use with their products and again we get a lovely black velvet pouch to store the Hive in.
 
Its portable to a limit but its actually a bit too big for most of my handbags, it would fit easily into a tote size bag or large handbag or even a rucksack; but its a bit weighty to carry around all day especially if hiking etc; if your based at a camp site its perfect. 
Weight wise, I would say its equivalent to a tin of baked beans and a tin opener, or a small first aid kit; so incase of a zombie apocalypse what would you rather have a tin of baked beans or your music. 
This adorable Hive is ideal as a home speaker to move from room to room or take outside for a barbeque or while your gardening or to take away in a caravan its ideal as its rectangular design is very stable and wont roll around.
But its not mobile enough to carry around while hiking its a little too heavy for me.
It almost comes in as an in between size speaker for me.

If you need really portable I would recommend the Kitsound Cadet I reviewed earlier this year as its quite a bit smaller and rounder it fits easier into a handbag.
Or the cute Kitsound Buddy bee speaker.



Opinion
This gorgeous Hive fills a room with your favorite vibes, it looks elegant and stylish especially with the choice of colours available and it can take a knock or two with its tough rubberized coat; although this coat also shows up finger prints and dust. It has good bass and with a bit of juggling with your equalizers you can turn it up high with no distortion. The radiator underneath really does make a difference for such a small speaker. I even turned it on its end so the bass side faces me and it gives you more bassey sound. But I personally still wanted a bit more, but that's just me as Im a complete bass-aholic.
Its one of the best bass speakers I own and its really getting some use here on my desk infront of me as I type.
 The fact its stereo 5 Watt speakers (2.5W x 2) too makes the sound really good. It looks yummy on my desk and it gets alot of admiring glances from friends and family.
The fact it comes with a lovely velvet pouch means I can pop it in a bag and take it with me and the rubberized coat will protect it from any bangs and small falls. 


Pro's
  • Powerful amplifier.
  • Passive radiator for warm bass.
  • Sturdy design.
  • Bluetooth connectivity.
  • Rechargeable.
  • 10 hours of playtime approx.
  • Black velvet pouch to keep it in.
Con's
  • No SD card slot, but Kitsound offer many other alternatives if you want an SD card slot.



Buy your own Kitsound Hive


Choose from 5 great colours
For ONLY
£39




All my thanks goes to the lovely girls at Kondor/Kitsound for sending me this gorgeous speaker for this review.
All my views and opinions are my own.

If you after something different checkout my other Kitsound Reviews below



If you loved the Trendz USB Bee in the above photos see my review below.