iMainGo: X and iMainGo: 2 – product reviews

You say you want audio? You say you want your volume BIG, but you want your package small? iMainGo has you covered. The two iMainGo audio units are essentially a protective clamshell that has bold sounding audio speakers  and a padded compartment to hold your iPod, iPhone or iTouch. A clear, touch-sensitive window allows control of your device even when the shell is zipped closed.

Not an Apple fan? No problem, both units will work with a host of MP3 players as well. With its gold tipped 3.5mm stereo plug, just about anything with a headphone jack will work. (That means you could use it with your iPad, although a special model for the iPad is coming this year.)

SOUND QUALITY

You like your music because it sounds good, and loudspeakers aren’t what you want if they distort the music or audio broadcast you’re listening to. No problem here. The two titanium speakers and two tuned bass ports put out sweet sound no matter what genre you choose. Good bass is hard to come by in small packages and these are about as good as life gets. I and everyone I’ve shown them to have been amazed at the quality.

POWER

There are two models to choose from.  The iMainGo: X has its own internal rechargeable battery pack and comes with a medium-sized wall wart plug to recharge or for extended sessions. One full recharge lasts a good long time. The iMainGo: 2 uses 4 conventional AAA batteries obtainable anywhere for up to 30 hours of playtime.

VOLUME

Rarely does anything this compact put out the huge sound of these two units. Literally, you’ll be able to hear these units over 50’ away. Want more distance? Daisy chain two units together and get twice the power. (This only applies to the iMainGo: X model, which comes with two headphone jacks as well as a microphone input jack.)  As cool as that is, I doubt you’ll ever need it. 

Now you can watch your iPod videos and actually enjoy the audio without headphones. You won’t miss a thing with these speakers.

iMainGo products are sold online at their website or you can also find them at Target, Amazon, REI, EMS or MacHelper (Canada) and Amazon UK. Try them, I know you’ll be blown away.

Zacman – Product review

Zacman stands for Zippered Accessory Case and cord MANager, and it does it mighty well.

Let’s face it, most electronics geeks have way too many cords, chargers, adapters, USB sticks, media cards, card readers, batteries… Well, you surely get the idea.

Before now, keeping them organized was usually a hit-or-miss proposition. Most knapsacks and briefcases with lots of pockets and pouches just never seemed to have enough.  Now, thanks to Alan Jones, inventor of the Zacman organizer, there’s a more elegant solution than that old ziplock baggie you are probably using.

The Zacman organizer looks like a zippered portfolio that might hold your medium-sized Daytimer, but when you open it, the similarity ends. 

On the inside of the left panel is a mesh pouch – large enough for an iPod, digital camera and a cell phone. Below it are two slots for notebooks, passports, or receipts, with two lower slots for business or credit cards. A pen loop is found on the hinged center panel.

Top right is a series of three parallel elastic straps that can hog tie all your miscellaneous cables. Lower right is another mesh pocket large enough to carry multiple chargers and all your other loose gadgets.

When the case is closed, there’s even an external sleeve just right for holding my Sony eBook reader or travel documents.

Check out their website at GoZacman.com or watch this video from the 2011 Travel Goods show where Zacman makes a cameo appearance. 

Product Review – Dexim AV Dock Station

Podcasts on an iPhone are a great way to keep up on current events, learn a language, or be entertained. Provided that is, that only one person wants to watch at a time and provided the phone is within an arm’s length away. Any further and the viewing experience tanks.

I’ve wanted to watch podcasts when I worked out in my home gym, as well as in my motel rooms, so I was excited to see the Dexim AV Dock Station for iPhone and iPods. It’s so simple that it only took 2 minutes to install and now I’m watching all my podcasts in 720p on a 37” flat screen. Most new motel sets also have component inputs so it makes sense to pack this little gem along for your next road trip.

The Dexim DRA022 is one of two models that play video and audio through your home theater. It uses three cables to deliver R, G, and B wires to the component video jacks and another two wires for stereo sound. The other model (DRA107) uses a single wire for composite video and two audio wires if your set does not accommodate component video.Both units come complete with a remote control so you can sit back and  relax while you watch.

Adapters are included for different model iPhones, iPods, iPod Touch and iPod Nano’s. The only other requirement is that you set your iWhatever to output a NTSC signal (for the U.S.) and poof, big, bold pictures on your home theater screen. Listening to audio is also improved by playing it through your larger system.

For parties, you can now watch downloaded movies as a group. You could also set your photo collection as a giant slide show, with pictures big enough for everyone to enjoy.

The Dexim products are available worldwide. Here in the US, check AT&T.com, Brookstone, RichardSolo (online), Skymall and Target.

iHome Charging Station

If you are like most techie travelers I know, you are beginning to get lost in a maze of chargers, cords and cables. Until all our devices are charged by osmosis, we need a way to manage the clutter and danger of too many cords sitting on our desk or nightstand.

Enter iHome,with their simple but efficient answer for at least part of your wire and charger dilemma. The iB969G charging station will take care of the four most popular devices probably cluttering up your life. With only one visible cord, you’ve got a place to store and use your iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Blackberry or Sony e-Book reader. Oh, and did I mention it all looks neat in the process? It does.
Read the full review on Examiner.com http://ow.ly/3h6cV

iHome IB969G Charging Station for iPad, iPod, iPhone, BlackBerrys and eReaders