Ideas for best tech gifts 2020

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Here is a selection of tech gift ideas for 2020. Surprise your loved one with innovative gift for christmas or birthday.

Echo Dot (4th Gen) + Amazon Smart Plug

Let Alexa make life easier – control your smart home by switching lights or let Alexa look for information for you. Possibilites are endless.

 

Ring Video Doorbell

1080p HD video doorbell with  features that let you see, hear, and speak to anyone from your phone, tablet, or PC. Compatible with Alexa devices.

 

Kindle – with a Built-in Front Light

Read millions of books, newspapers, and audiobooks. Adjustable front light lets you read in any environment.

 

Roku Ultra 2020

Streaming media player. Stream TV, news, sports and TV episodes. All that can be done wirelessly.

 

3 best cordless drills for home use 2020

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While looking for a cordless drill for home use, price and durability should be the main aspects to consider. Here is our selection of best cordless drills for home use.

 

1. DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill (DCD771C2)

  • 1/2 inches chuck allows to use a wide variety of tools.
  • 18V nominal voltage and 1.3ah battery offers plenty of energy.
  • 2 speeds (0 450 & 1,500 rpm) can cope with most household jobs.

2. Bosch Power Tools Drill Kit – PS31-2A

  • Two 12v batteries for increased runtime
  • LED lights for improved visibility.
  • Lightweight – great for over the head working.

3. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX (LDX120C)

  • 11 Position clutch provides precise torque control
  • Great price

 

Festool C18 – great cordless drill

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Festool C18 is a great cordless drill for professional work. Its unique design allows better balance, which makes working more ergonomic. Available attachments make it especially useful for furniture makers.

Festool C18 with BP 18 Li 4.0 battery

Festool C18 with BP 18 Li 4.0 battery (battery type depends on set configuration).

Tech specs:

  • Battery voltage: 18V
  • Turning speed: 0 – 450/0 – 1500 RPM
  • Drilling diameter in wood/steel: 40mm/13mm
  • Maximum torque in  wood/steel: 27Nm/45Nm
  • Chuck: 1.5-13mm
  • Torque limiting 1 gear/2gear: 0.8 – 8/0.5 – 6 Nm
  • Weight with battery: 1,5/1,7 kg

 

Festool C18 features electronic torque control. Mechanical gearbox allows to choose speed sequence between 0 – 450/0 – 1500 RPM’s. There is also screwdriving mode and drilling mode.  When engaging screwdriving mode, torque can be limited by using a knob. All that is powered by brushless and maintenance-free EC-TEC motor.

Chuck and bit holder can be changed without tools, using only one hand. That is possible thanks to Festool CENTROTEC system.

 

Festool C18 adjustment knob

Festool C18 adjustment knob

Festool C18 top view

Festool C18 top view

Festool C18 batteries can be charged with a TCL 6 Li-ion 10.8-18v charger (not for CXS/TXS batteries).

TCL 6 charger

TCL 6 charger

Pros:

  • Very convenient to use
  • Many accessories

Cons:

  • Relatively high price
Check price on Amazon.de

 

Tecsun PL-365 review

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Tecsun PL-365 is a good radio for someone that needs portability and wants to be able to listen to FM/MW/LW and SW stations.

Front view

Key characteristics:

Dimensions: 161 x 53 x 26mm.

Frequencies: FM(76-108MHZ)/MW/LW/SW(1711-29999 kHz)/SW SSB

Output: mono speaker or FM stereo if using headphones

Weight: ~130g without batteries

Power supply: 3 x AA size batteries

Tecsun PL-365 display

Backlit screen

Display

Tecsun PL-365 multifunctional display shows signal strength, tuned frequency, battery status and more. All that is easy to see thanks to backlight.

Side view

Battery compartment

Battery compartment will fit 3 x AA (R6) batteries.

MW ferrite antenna

External antenna for improving FM/SW reception

Included headphones

Features:

Additional features that describe Tecsun PL-365 are sleep timer, multiple tuning methods, 550 station storing capacity.

All in all, Tecsun PL-365 is  a very handy radio with many functions that anyone could enjoy. Although it is a great radio, there is a learning curve for tuning and adjustment of the radio.

Pros:

  • Multi-frequency capability
  • Integrated speaker

Cons:

  • Small buttons are inconvenient to use.
  • Tuning can be complicated
Check price on Amazon.de

 

Festool OF 1400 EBQ-Plus

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Festool OF 1400 EBQ-Plus review:

A router is a handy tool in any woodworking shop. For example, it can be used for simple groove cutting, trimming edges or mortising hinges. Using such a high power handheld tool, ergonomics and adjustment capability becomes extremely important.
All this has been implemented in Festool OF 1400 EBQ-Plus. Exceptional quality and 1400 watts of power makes this router stand out from others.

Festool OF 1400 EBQ

Key characteristics:

Power: 1400W

RPM: 10000-22000

Dust collector connector: 27/36 mm

Weight: 4.3 kg

Maximum plunge depth: 70mm

 

Setting up has made fast and easy. It is possible to fine adjust in many ways. Soft starting allows easier handling and position maintaining. That in return helps to make more accurate cuts. 

Brake function brings bit rapidly to stop, therefore increasing productivity.
Speed is adjustable, which can be more useful when using greater diameter bits which may require lower RPMs.
Festool OF 1400 EBQ-Plus bit changing is made fast and easy by inbuilt ratchet mechanism.

Pros:

  • Very convenient to use
  • Highly adjustable

Cons:

  • Relatively high price
Check price on Amazon.de

 

TP-Solar 100w Foldable Solar Panel – Stay powered anywhere

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TP-Solar 100w Foldable Solar Panel

Have You ever needed a backup power source for electronic devices? In case of power outage, camping, travelling with caravan or a crisis scenario, a solar panel may come handy.
Here are a few reasons why  TP-solar 100W portable panel may suit Your needs.

Since one will probably be using this unit occasionally, portability and storage area is one of the main concerns. Comparing to permanently mounted solar panels , foldable panels take up only a fraction of space.

TP-Solar 100W in a portable bag. Takes very little storage space

There are two USB 5V outputs and a 19V DC output.

TP-solar 100W comes with  a special adapter which makes it easy to connect it to 12V battery. It is a must to note that adapter is rated only at 2 amps. In order to utilize full power, a separate controller must be used.

Completely unfolded

This panel seems to be made of material that should withstand moisture. However manual recommends to keep it away from direct downpour and tells to dry the panel after a possible exposure to water.

Panel surface close-up

Panel close-up

This panel comes with many accessories:

Accessories

Accessories

Accessories

Accessories

Conclusion: TP-Solar 100w foldable solar panel is a good option who occasionally plan on using sustainable energy from solar power meanwhile sacrificing little storage area.

PROS:

  • Takes little storage space
  • Many accessories
  • Inbuilt 12v charging adapter

Cons:

  • 12V charger adapter output limited to 2amps.
  • Setting up requires care to avoid possible tears.

 

Check price on Amazon.com

 

3M LeadCheck Swabs

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Test lead at home with 3M LeadCheck Swabs

Renovating is a good way to give a new life to old furniture or household. However one should be aware of possible health hazards that may be present.
Back in the day lead was used in construction elements, ceramics and as pigment in paint.
Renovation work in an older household may cause lead dust to become airborne.
While it is possible to reduce overall dust level by using appropriate measures, one should be still aware of lead presence.

It is crucial to avoid children from coming contact to lead. That is so because according to studies, children are more suspectible to damage that lead poisoning may cause.

Test lead at home with 3M LeadCheck Swabs

3M LeadCheck Swabs

Fortunately there are convenient options to detect lead presence.

3M offers LeadCheck Swabs that are available as a pack of 2 or 8. It makes it easy and fast to  test lead at home.

To test, activate swab according to instructions, carefully rub swab against test object for 30 seconds. If testing painted surfaces, make sure to test all layers.
If lead is present, swab turns red. Besides paint, lead check swabs can be used to check lead on kids toys, glassware and on many more solid surfaces.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Can be tested at home

Cons:

  • Relatively high price per test

 

Check Price on Amazon.com

Festool TS 55 REBQ + FS 1400 track review. One of the best circular saws 2020.

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Festool TS 55 REBQ

Festool TS 55 REBQ

Key characteristics:

Power: 1200W

Blade RPM: 2000-5000

Cutting depth at 90°: 0-55mm

Cutting depth at 45°: 0-43mm

Maximum cutting depth: 50mm

 

Whether You are a homeowner or run a woodworking shop, a circular saw can be one of the most versatile tools. Key factor that characterizes a good saw is the amount of time set up takes.
In this aspect, Festool REBQ 55 excels. Combined with FS1400 track, setting up can be done in seconds. Track mounting is made easy by a special gripping material underneath the track, which will ensure good adhesion to many surfaces.
If extra grip is needed, one can mount the track using C-clamps.

Festool 1200w power allows saw to smootly cut through even thicker materials. In our tests it was no problem to cut through 40mm chipboard worktop.
Cutting depth is easy adjusted within seconds. For more precise adjustment, fine adjustment screw is also present.
To ensure smooth cutting, REBQ55 has riving knife. This helps against saw blade binding during cutting process.

Conclusion:
Festool REBQ 55 excels in woodworking shop, helping to reduce setup times. Also bringing accuracy to a new level. Combined with Festool known quality, REBQ 55 is a fine addition to any craftsman toolbox.

Check price on Amazon.de

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