GistGear, the essential guide to the best gear!

Review

How I Moved My Backyard Off-Grid Using BougeRV Bi-Facial Solar Panels and a 60A MPPT Charge Controller.

I live in southern California and during the summer my electrical bill goes though the roof and a big part of the reason is my big back yard and its many landscape lights, my pool light, the outdoor fridge keeping the beer cold and the occasional movie night projecting a movie on the wall of our house while enjoying the evening breezes. With electric rates close to 90 cents per KWH in the summer evenings running all this gets expensive fast. I have traditionally turned off the light early and tried to save on the usage as much as possible. But with the constant summer sun baking the backyard all day soooooo much energy is just wasted and makes my backyard warmer instead of being used for something beneficial. So, I decided to try out some BougeRV solar panels and a charge controller with some batteries I had laying around to help out and save a few dollars at the same time.

BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC200P

There are few places that do not have the occasional power outage and some places get them more often than others. It may be snow taking down power lines, fire in a transformer or as here in California the power company shutting down power when there are high winds and the brush is dry to prevent wildfires.

Bestselling Tech Gear

Teens Gift Ideas

Review

SwitchBot Button Pusher with Hub, and lots more...

What if you lose the key to your house one night while you are out and about? It happened to me...don't judge. Or you leave it in your checked in luggage, which unfortunately is lost and will arrive one day later than you? Also happened to me. Wouldn't it be great to be able get back into your home by using only your phone? My apartment is in a 9-floor building and you need to get through two doors to get inside. The second door is the one to my apartment. Thankfully there is now a number of solutions to gain access to your own door, including one from Switchbot. Many of these replace the knob on the inside, which opens the lock via a control from your phone or a pad. The best thing about this is that the door still looks the same from the outside (as most buildings don't like you swapping out the apartment door locks) and can still be opened with the original key as well.

So, solutions exist for my own apartment door. But what about the main door of the building? Obviously, the problem here is that you are not allowed to just change the lock on the public door with a smart lock since other residence also use it for access. Sure, you could upgrade the whole system to a smart key, but that is often expensive, a number of people don't see the value and certainly aren't willing to pay their share of this type of upgrade. So, I was back to square one; since both keys are on the same key-ring, and when lost or misplaced, are lost or misplaced together.

xTool D1 Laser Engraver and Cutter

The xTool D1 may be primarily marketed towards engraving and cutting wood, metal and vinyl, but as someone that has struggled repeatedly with making a Silhouette Cameo and a Cricut do what I want on anything but very thin paper or paper-thin vinyl, this awesome crafting machine is the answer to all of the problems I have experienced. Cutting machines are great, don't get me wrong, but having worked with several that use a cutting blade, there are just inherently a number of time-consuming issues that drive me nuts. Just to list a few of my frustrations for you, adjusting the pressure of the cutting tool, having thin enough medium to cut through and not waste materials you are cutting, or, if you are able to cut all the way through sticky paper backed vinyl, it is a huge pain to pick all the tiny pieces off of the paper backing and it takes forever, especially if it is detailed or small - I tear more than I don't.

Say goodbye to all those frustrations! With this amazing laser cutter, you just load your design into the software, position the laser, pick the material type and hit GO. It cuts all the way though every time and you do not have to peel your complex designs from a sticky backing sheet using a magnifier and a scalpel. If you cut ANY type of material on a regular basis, skip those cutting blade-based crafting machines and upgrade to the big leagues of laser cutting - I promise it will change your world.

Gyroor Electric Scooter and Bike

We are all about using the right tool for the job and when it comes to transportation, especially with the cost of gas these days, having the right tool for the job makes even more sense. There are times when you need a big truck or SUV to haul people or stuff around and there are the times you just want to go the quarter mile to the store to get the forgotten ingredient you are missing for tonight's dinner.

Maybe you are one of the folks lucky with an RV or trailer and don't want to unhitch the truck or drive the whole RV the half mile to pick up take out for dinner. You might live in a city and have nowhere to park a car at work or school, but you can bring your scooter or collapsible electric bike inside and park it safely. There are thousands of reasons why having a small, portable, electric method of transportation may be the way to go and something to seriously consider investing in.

Anker 757 Portable Power Station

If you are like us and love the outdoors and being off grid, but still want creature comforts while parked in the middle of nowhere OR if you are just looking for some emergency backup power to run essential appliances for a few hours during a power outage, the Anker 757 PowerHouse is currently the best choice out there in the 1000-1500 Wh range.

Govee RGBIC LED Permanent Outdoor Lights

As a homeowner navigating the often rigid guidelines of a homeowners association (HOA), finding outdoor lighting solutions that strike the perfect balance between aesthetics and adherence to regulations can be a daunting task. Enter the Govee RGBIC LED Permanent Outdoor Lights - a game-changer that not only brings vibrant illumination to your outdoor space but also effortlessly navigates the challenges posed by strict HOA rules.

Portable Refrigeration and Mobile Backup Power For Traveling and Home Use

If you would like to have the most basic backup power system for your home to avoid your refrigerator or freezer defrosting, and keep lights running if the power is gone for 1-5 days, we will show you a great setup that is easy to put together. It's compact size will also let you put it in the back of your mini-van, SUV or truck to run a mini fridge and just about anything else off-grid for a limited period.

SwitchBot Curtain and essential accessories

We live in Southern California and get the late afternoon sun into our bedroom through large sliding glass doors. While this is awesome in the winter months when the temperatures are reasonable and the light is limited, it is unbearable in the summer when the bedroom heats up like an oven and then we try to go to sleep. We would rather not turn on the AC while the rest of the house is relatively cool. This is our story of how we solved our annoying summer sleep problem.

What Kind Of Powerbank You Should Get And Why!

Are you confused about amps, volts and watts, and what does mAh really mean? We will tell you what you need to know (and what you don't) about buying a powerbank. A powerbank can be a lifesaver when you are far away from an electrical outlet. Even if you use power saving settings on your phone, it may not last all day. Powerbanks are happy to charge your phone up to several times, and your tablet too. Still, it can be difficult to know what to look for when buying powerbanks. How do you know if a powerbank manages to charge your phone and how fast will it charge? And what does mAh mean?

Anker is arguably the best known and most popular powerbank brand in the US, but EasyAcc, Omars and RAVPower are also great alternatives and we are including our recommended powerbanks in this article.

TACKLIFE Portable Inverter Generator

There are few places that do not have the occasional power outage and some places get them more often than others.
It may be snow taking down power lines, fire in a transformer or as here in California the power company shutting down power when there are high winds and the brush is dry to prevent wildfires.

LEVOIT Air Purifier Review

We had been looking for an air filter to help out with our youngest son's extensive environmental allergies. But how do you tell if a filter is really working? Is it going to be that dramatic a difference in his allergies? Or is a better day just a better day because of the outside pollen count?
As it turns out, it wasn't my son who helped me realize what all this awesome little unit was doing - it was my dog!

Dyson Air Multiplier Pedestal Fan

My husband bought me the Dyson Cool oscillating fan as a Christmas gift. I just can't seem to stay cool enough anymore without a fan going at night.

Legato Arc R72E Auto-Retractable Bluetooth Wireless Neckband Headphones

The gist of it is that these headphones have great audio quality and especially full bass reproduction for the small size of the earbuds. With its intuitive controls, it's also very simple to use. The unit pairs easily to all my devices and it is now a permanent part of travel bag, allowing me to enjoy music wherever I go and they also have a complete headset with microphone built in for when I need to answer my cell phone.

Bullet Planner by Scribbles That Matter

I am a long time paper planner user and an Erin Condren devotee until a friend introduced me to bullet journaling. I LOVED it because it was SO flexible....but when I hit the first week that I didn't complete the weekly spread, everything fell apart. All you bullet journal junkees...don't judge. I will get there at some point, but some of us need a little more hand holding. I needed the ability to stay organized even when I didn't have time to draw out my week...and yes, I LIKE having the week drawn out because I am very visual and the week laid out is very easy for me to see instead of just a list. So I wanted a planner that had plenty of dot grid pages, preferably numbered, but had a really flexible, pre-printed weekly and monthly spread. I looked at a LOT of solutions before finally settling on Scribbles that Matter V2 Bullet Planner.

BAIMAY Laptop Tote Bag

I LOVE this bag. It was given to me and I don't think I ever would have picked it for myself but if/when this one finally dies (and it's a long way from it - it looks the same as it does as the day I opened it except for the minor stains inside from mom-life), I will be buying another.

The Ultimate Guide To Home Networking

If you have ever had problems with your home network not performing the way it needs to, here's the gist of what you need to know to resolve the most common issues. I recently made a major upgrade to my WiFi and internet router after my parents and brother stayed with us and there suddenly were 7 people surfing the internet and watching YouTube at the same time on their tablets and cell phones.

My internet router (and WiFi hotspot) located in our master suite on the other side of the house came to an unusable crawl with the sudden spike in usage. I have built many large networking solutions in corporate environments and private homes, so the state of affairs in my own home was unacceptable. Here's how I solved this immediate crisis and also future proofed my house, so my home network does not embarrass me again and I do not have to spend much time maintaining it.

Abba Patio Market Umbrella with Push Button Tilt and Crank

We live in Southern California and the summer sun can get really intense. In our backyard is an area that is uncovered, which is fine for the majority of the year, but during the summer months, it becomes basically unusable during the bulk of the day. We determined that a large umbrella would give us the flexibility having coverage when we needed it, but wanted one that could stay as a permanent fixture in the yard when it wasn’t. We have other Abba Patio pieces and have been very happy with them, so decided on the Abba Patio 11 ft patio market umbrella with push button tilt and crank and it has worked out very well for our needs.

Microsoft Surface Book 2 (15 inch)

No-one can beat Microsoft on hybrid laptops. The removable screen and the high performance of the hybrid laptop impressed greatly. The Surface Book 2 comes in sizes of 13.5” and 15”. The 15” is much bigger than one might think when removing the keyboard and using it as a very light weight tablet. The 15” version is great for gaming as it includes the powerful Nvidia GTX 1060 graphics chip that gives you a great frame rate even in demanding games, and provides significantly better performance than the little brother. On paper, the 15” is much better, but at the cost of taking a lot more space in my bag on the way to work and not being as portable especially when used in tablet mode.

Bonzy Power Lift Recliner

We love this chair! We were looking for a reclining chair without a huge profile for my elderly grandmother (98 years young next month) who has Parkinson’s and is finding it harder and harder to get up onto her feet. She has a recliner – a big overstuffed one that is great when she is sitting reading her paper so that she can have her feet up, but when it comes to transitioning to standing, those big overstuffed arms are not helpful. The Bonzy recliner is not only a comfortable recliner, but has a power lift so that she can get up to her feet easily!

Abba Patio Fully Enclosed Garden Gazebo

I’m not gonna lie - we are LOVING our new Abba Patio Gazebo. For a few summers we have been using our enormous Abba Patio umbrella, and while it was easy to put up and take down, we still felt like we needed to do that every day because of the wind that can pick up in the area where we live. I’m not lazy, but we started talking about a more permanent shade solution as the summers seem to stretch later and hotter every year. We weren’t quite sold on the idea of a permanent wooden or fixed metal structure yet though. The Abba Patio Fully Enclosed Canopy with Mosquito Netting seemed a perfect fit for our backyard needs.

Abba Patio Outdoor Canopy Porch Swing

The latest addition to our backyard entertaining space is the Abba Patio Swing. I have always envisioned a large house with a big wrap-around porch and a quaint porch swing for long summer afternoons listening to music and sipping lemonade. As it turns out, I didn’t end up with the large house to support a large porch, let alone a swing. This sturdy little two-seater hearkens back to that vision in my head and our family has spent a number of afternoons and evenings enjoying the swing this summer.

How Do I Choose The Right Camera For Me?

Let's get to the gist of the problem. There is no camera that is right for everyone or every occasion. Building such a camera is not possible. It's all a trade-off between photographer skill, camera size, cost, post processing needs and final image usage. Let's figure out what type of photographer you are first and then give some clear recommendations of what you should buy.

Spigen R12S Bluetooth Speaker Review

The gist of it is that this speaker delivers great sound for its size. With its innovative and intuitive controls, it's also very simple to use. It pairs easily to all my devices and it is now a permanent part of my beach bag, allowing my entire family to enjoy music while catching some rays.

Abba Patio 10x10 ft Outdoor Pop Up Canopy

I recently had the chance to try out the Abba Patio Outdoor Pop Up Canopy. I have to say I resisted this type of thing for a long time. We always seem to need one for one event or another and I was happy to borrow from a friend, but never wanted to invest in one myself because they are typically so heavy and awkward to both store and move around as well as being difficult to put up. The Abba version may have made a convert out of me.

Decalrus - Protective Decal Skin Sticker

As I sit here typing on my laptop, I have to say I love this skin. My new laptop lid was getting scratched up living in my bag along with a coiled notebook and it was making me crazy – I don’t even like to break the spines on my books!

Abba Patio 9 by 9-Feet Square Offset Cantilever Umbrella

I live in Southern California and my family spends a lot of time outside, but the sun can be brutal in the summertime and well into the fall. Shade is absolutely essential to being even close to comfortable during the day. For us, the Abba Cantilever Offset Umbrella was a great fit for our backyard. It was very easy to assemble and when not in use it folds up and is completely out of the way.

Womens Gift Ideas	Mens Gift Ideas
Girls Gift Ideas	Boys Gift Ideas

GistGear Extracts The Essence Of What Is Relevant From The Bestselling, Newest And Most Coveted Gear!

We showcase all the bestselling gear on Amazon, so you can find all the important information you need in one place, arranged in easy to browse categories and ranked by recent sales volume.

Womens Gift Ideas

Mens Gift Ideas

Girls Gift Ideas

Boys Gift Ideas

Bestselling Tech Gear

Teens Gift Ideas

My husband bought me the Dyson Cool oscillating fan as a Christmas gift. I just can't seem to stay cool enough anymore without a fan going at night.

I LOVE this bag. It was given to me and I don't think I ever would have picked it for myself but if/when this one finally dies (and it's a long way from it - it looks the same as it does as the day I opened it except for the minor stains inside from mom-life), I will be buying another.

The gist of it is that this speaker delivers great sound for its size. With its innovative and intuitive controls, it's also very simple to use. It pairs easily to all my devices and it is now a permanent part of my beach bag, allowing my entire family to enjoy music while catching some rays.

As I sit here typing on my laptop, I have to say I love this skin. My new laptop lid was getting scratched up living in my bag along with a coiled notebook and it was making me crazy – I don’t even like to break the spines on my books!

Featured

Popular Brands

Popular Topics

Home & Garden

Home Improvement

Electronics

Car & Automotive

Sporting Goods

Health & Personal Care

Office

Toys and Hobby

Industrial

Beauty Supplies

Fashion

Additional Categories