Yearly Archives: 2015

16
Last year, when the ecobee3 smart thermostat was announced, I published a preview, then a “first look” and unboxing video, followed soon after by the very first review of the ecobee3. I followed those up with an ecobee3 installation guide for new users, along with an ecobee Smart to ecobee3 upgrade guide for owners migrating […]

Review: ecobee3 HomeKit-enabled Thermostat

This entry was posted in Home Theater & Automation iPhone Product Reviews Technology and tagged Apple automation ecobee ecobee3 Home Kit HomeKit HomeKit-enabled HomeKit-Enabled ecobee3 iOS iPad iPhone Nest product review review Siri smart home smart thermostat thermostat WiFi thermostat on by (updated 3446 days ago)
35
“Smart” home devices don’t only make your life easier, but in many cases can also save you money. Readers of my blog already know I’m a big fan of ecobee’s smart thermostat products. They’re WiFi enabled controllers that use weather data available via the Internet to predicatively (and reactively) minimize HVAC system […]

WiFi Sprinker Controller Review: Rachio Iro vs. RainMachine vs. IrrigationCaddy

This entry was posted in DIY iPhone Linux Product Reviews Technology and tagged irrigation IrrigationCaddy product review Rachio Iro Rachio Iro review Rain Machine RainMachine RainMachine review smart controller smart home sprinkler WiFi on by (updated 3447 days ago)
GunVault SpeedVault SV500 1
The first responsibility of gun ownership is safety. Providing a good balance between quickly accessing your firearm when needed vs. keeping it out of the hands of those who shouldn’t touch it what GunVault Inc, makers of “personal sized” gun safes, are offering with their SpeedVault SV500 and SpeedVault SVB500. The SpeedVault’s design […]

GunVault SpeedVault SV500 Review

This entry was posted in Fitness Product Reviews and tagged biometric desk safe gun safe Gun Vault GunVault nightstand safe product review review safe Speed Vault SpeedVault SV500 SVB500 on by (updated 3352 days ago)
Side view of the Sig MPX's charging handle. 5
As I mentioned in my previous thread about the Sig Sauer MPX’s trigger, I’ve been loving my Sig Sauer MPX. But as time goes on, a few nagging little issues have reared their heads. First, it was the aforementioned trigger issue, and the “confusion” over whether an aftermarket AR-15 trigger group […]

Sig Sauer MPX Charging Handle Problems Can Be “Fixed” – ...

This entry was posted in Guns and tagged charging handle chipping fix MPX paperclip Sig Sig MPX Sig Sauer wear on by (updated 3474 days ago)
Sig Sauer MPX 13
UPDATE: When this article was first published in June 2015, SIG Sauer’s official position was that installing an aftermarket trigger in a SIG MPX would void the warranty. They have since changed that position. Aftermarket triggers no longer void the warranty, though SIG won’t be responsible for any damage to aftermarket […]

Will Upgrading the Sig Sauer MPX to an AR-15 Trigger ...

This entry was posted in Guns Videos and tagged 9mm ALG AR-15 Geissele Install MPX QMS replace Sig Sig Sauer trigger trigger kit Upgrade video void warranty warranty on by (updated 3276 days ago)
My buddy's CZ 75 B 9mm semi-auto pistol 3
Recently, a very good friend of mine named “MJ” purchased his very first firearm: a 9mm semi-automatic CZ 75 B Omega. I think he made an excellent choice. And like any proud new papa, he couldn’t contain his excitement. In fact, here’s the Facebook photo he messaged me within seconds of […]

What Products Should a New Gun Owner Buy? (Semi-Auto Pistol ...

This entry was posted in Guns Reference and tagged accessories CZ firearms first time gun owner Glock gun accessories gun cleaning gun safe what to buy on by (updated 3489 days ago)
1
I write lots of product reviews for “geeky” tech stuff (like smart thermostats, automatic toilet flushers, surge protectors, etc.). But when I get a chance to review some tech that also involves one of my other interests (karate in this case), I’m all over it. As a part-time karate instructor at Fairwood Martial Arts, one […]

Product Review: StrikeMeter by Martial Arts Instruments

This entry was posted in Fitness Karate Product Reviews Technology and tagged impact force Karate kick martial arts measure force meter product review punch review StrikeMeter tae kwon do on by (updated 3494 days ago)
My GMC logo is black! 3
I keep a 2007 GMC Yukon Denali parked at the Utah house to drive when we’re there. It’s perfect for “Inter-mountain West weather.” It’s comfortable, holds plenty of passengers and cargo, has great four wheel drive, heated seats, and a has a handy windshield washer fluid heater system that can help […]

Rant & Rave: GMC Dealer Recalled a Little Too Much

This entry was posted in Cars Rants and Raves and tagged Denali GM GMC heated washer fluid recall windshield washer heater Yukon on by
One of the cool features of the Ruger Mark III 22/45 is the ability to upgrade the grips with pretty much any 1911 grips. But TANDEMKROSS has made their aluminum Super Grips especially for the Ruger Mark III 22/45… and they’re awesome.

Video: Installing TANDEMKROSS Super Grips on a Ruger Mark III ...

This entry was posted in Guns Product Reviews Videos and tagged 1911 22/45 22/45 Lite grips Mark III Ruger Ruger MK III TANDEMKROSS Upgrade on by (updated 3528 days ago)
Yes, I know… the .22LR cartridge isn’t exactly known for its recoil-generating properties. But if you’re target shooting, and want as flat a gun as possible, I recommend the TANDEMKROSS “Game Changer” Compensator.

Video: Ruger Mark III 22/45 Upgrade – TANDEMKROSS “Game Changer” ...

This entry was posted in Guns Product Reviews Videos and tagged 22/45 22/45 Lite compensator Mark III product review Ruger Ruger MK III TANDEMKROSS on by (updated 3528 days ago)
Cisco/Linksys E4200 overclocked to 532 MHz 20
For the past few years, I’ve maintained an article on this blog offers my recommendation for the best DD-WRT build and settings to get max speed from a Linksys E4200 router. One of my recommendations in that article is to use the Administration: Commands tab in the DD-WRT GUI interface to […]

DD-WRT Speed Tweaks: Do they Really Work?

This entry was posted in Linux Technology and tagged DD-WRT Linksys router settings speed speed test tweaks on by (updated 3535 days ago)
Fill Valve with Ball Float 8
I’ll admit it — I titled this post to attract homeowners who are searching for how to fix a leaky toilet. But wouldn’t it be even better if you could prevent your toilet from leaking in the first place? This article will help you do both! During this year’s Spring Break, our […]

Leaking Toilet? Try the $25 Toilet Tune-Up

This entry was posted in DIY and tagged angle stop DIY fill valve fix leaking toilet fix toilet flapper Fluidmaster Kohler Korky leaky toilet plumbing replace toilet toilet maintenance tune-up on by
21
If you’ve got a KitchenAid (or Whirlpool, or Kenmore) fridge with an ice maker that’s not making ice, don’t call the repairman. This is a very easy (and relatively inexpensive) fix that you can totally do yourself. These same instructions will work for any similar Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore, Amana, or JennAir […]

How to Cheaply Fix a KitchenAid / Whirlpool Ice Maker ...

This entry was posted in DIY and tagged Amana DIY freezer ice maker ice maker stopped working ice maker won't work icemaker JennAir Kenmore KitchenAid Maytag refrigerator replace ice maker Whirlpool on by