Gear review: These fun gadgets make life fun — and often easier

Red Tiger F77 STARVIS 2 4K+4K Dual IMX678 Voice Control 5.8Ghz High Speed Wi-Fi Dash Cam

With all the distracted drivers out there, this car camera, featuring Sony camera technology, comes in handy. Just a couple weeks ago, a friend of ours who owns one recorded a car that ran a red light, hit another car, and then denied it to the police officer, but our friend had proof on video of the truth. You can also hard wire it in, and it records while you’re parked. The other night, I parked in a sketchy part of Denver with my laptop in my car, and, while maybe I couldn’t have done anything if something would’ve happened, the fact that the camera would capture it made me feel more secure. This is literally the world’s first 4K front and 4K rear dash cam, which provides amazingly clear video and photos, and you can record both front and back for ultra-security. Its 128 GB built-in storage avoids SD cards, and voice activation prevents fiddling with buttons while driving. It also has a built-in GPS, is very easy to install, and you can slide the camera off anytime. $399.99 (Halloween sale, 30% off), Redtigercam.com.

Fender x Teufel ROCKSTER GO 2 Speaker

Not only does this collaboration between two iconic brands look cool due to Fender aesthetics, but also the German-engineered audio from Teufel provides excellent stereo sound with an ultra-deep bass — no tinny, distorted music from this waterproof (up to 1 meter) speaker. Bluetooth technology allows us to seamlessly switch phones to access different playlists. It also enhances the perfectly-synched acoustic experience of streaming music or movies from computers. This rugged baby performs in temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit, so I’m looking forward to outdoor aprés-ski gatherings. In eco mode at medium volume, it pumps out 28 hours of battery life before needing a recharge. Large, top buttons make it a cinch to control. And, at 1.6 pounds (just over 8 by 4 by 2 inches dimensionally) and a Fender strap, it’s great for tunes on-the-go. $129.99, (check sale price now), us.teufelaudio.com.

Otterbox Wireless Power Bank, Wireless Charger Vent Mount and 3-in-1 Charging Station — all are for MagSafe

My wireless power bank has saved me multiple times; I usually forget to bring a wired charger when I’m gone all day, so I keep this in my car. Last week, I spent the day in Boulder and somehow used all my charge on my phone, and I needed the GPS to find a venue in Denver that night. It’s lightweight —  0.24 pounds — to carry in my purse, and it charges quickly. LED lights indicate when it needs to be charged. And like all Otterbox products, it’s durable, with drop protection. My charging station gets rid of a bunch of cords on my kitchen counter, providing a clean, neat look to charge three devices at once, including my AirPods. I don’t have an Apple watch, but it includes a charger for that, too. It provides a strong magnetic alignment for attachment, works with cases for MagSafe and is approved by Apple. Now that Colorado requires hands-free phone use, this vent mount securely holds my phone close to me, so people can hear me, and vice versa. It works for horizontal and vertical vents and adjusts for the best viewing, allowing landscape and portrait positions. Power bank, $49.95 to $69.95 depending on model; charging station, $149.95 (check out the sales); vent mount, $49.95, Otterbox.com.

Coast Contra FX530 Blade and Colter Pro Multi-tool

A multi-generational family business, Coast has been making high-quality knives since 1919. The company began with helping fishermen on the coast of Oregon. I actually used the 2.4-inch steel blade to open the Colter Pro  Multi-tool — you know that super-hard-to-open, hard-plastic packaging you sometimes encounter? Well, the knife cut right through it. It’s made of durable steel with black titanium nitride coating to keep the knife sharp and resistant to corrosion. Weighing just 3.1 ounces, it includes a pocket clip and a small lanyard hole to access the knife in a snap. It’s easy to pull out (it’s just over 6 inches long when extended) and fold back in. And when I say easy, I mean it; just press the flipper tab to extend the knife with one hand, no effort needed — it also has a thumb hole to pull if you prefer. Its contoured handle feels nice in hand and provides a secure grip if your hands are wet. The stainless steel Colter Pro 12 multi-tool includes spring-loaded, long-nose pliers that also act as wire cutters, one-handed opening blades, and a host of other tools, including a saw blade, knife blade, Phillips screwdriver, a can opener, a flathead screwdriver that also acts as a bottle opener, and a carabiner. I find all of the tools easy to open, except the flathead screwdriver, located in the middle of two tools, but it’s not really hard — just not as easy as the others. These tools are amazing, and the prices are also amazing for what you get. Knife, $29.99; multi-tool, $34.99, coastportland.com.

Coast RL35R Headlamp, WPH34R Headlamp, KL35R Flashlight, Slayer Red Flashlight, and EAL30R Lantern

Coast’s third-generation CEO introduced LED lighting products, such as the first LED flashlight and headlamp. Coast is committed to solving problems with innovative products, such as the voice-control headlamp; you just say things like “Coast Red” for red light. Its 1,110 lumens offer red, green, blue, and warm lighting with spot, flood, and arc beams, and it runs for 83 hours, lighting up to 557 feet when it’s in “combined high” mode. Plus, it’s water-resistant, and the strap is comfortable, secure, and breathable. Granted, Coast’s product coding (like RL35R) is a little meticulous to read in this review, but the website is very streamlined, providing a variety of product options in a straightforward manner. $79.99, coastportland.com.

If you’re looking for a waterproof (up to 5 meters) headlamp, go for the WPH34R headlamp, which provides 2,150 lumens, three beam colors, and up to 590 feet beam distance. Its “PURE BEAM” technology delivers two beams from one optic, which means you can seamlessly switch between a wide flood to the long-reaching BULLS-EYE spot beam. This doesn’t include voice control, but the power button provides quick access to lighting options. $89.99, coastportland.com.

The KL35R flashlight is just the cutest little thing at 3.23 inches long, yet it’s not little when it comes to its 600-lumen output with a turbo mode, providing big brightness for a short time. It actually has two light sources: one in front like a flashlight, and one on the side, called an area light, which provides flood and red modes, for a total for four modes. It includes a clip and opening for a strap and is perfect to carry in my purse. $21.99, coastportland.com.

The Slayer Red outputs 1,000 lumens and measures 5 1/2 inches long. It includes an emergency red and flashing red light in low and high flood modes and also has PURE BEAM optics, high and low spotlights, a longer-lasting “moon glow,” and turbo mode. Plus, it’s magnetic, which comes in handy in the garage; I’ve used it for jewelry making, since I can attach it to a magnetic slate and wrap wire. And it’s waterproof, with a maximum distance of 360 feet. $84.99, coastportland.com.

Finally, the EAL30R rechargeable lantern puts out 1,000 lumens for 15 hours and a 75-foot distance. I’ve taken it camping or to light our outdoor table during dinner, as it’s getting darker earlier. I like its warm, cool, daylight, red, and flashing red options, and I really appreciate how the top opens to store the charging cable, because I often misplace those kinds of things. It’s made of unbreakable polycarbonate and includes a power bank to charge other devices, so, again, it’s great for camping. And it’s water resistant. $29.99, coastportland.com.

Nite Ize CamJam Slidelock, CamJam Slidelock Rope Tightener, CamJam Ratchet Strap System, and Radiant Revolve Rechargeable + Solar Lantern

Nite Ize is also known for its innovative products. The CamJam Slidelock is a great little tool to keep in your tool box or garage for those quick fixes to wrap, secure, or hang something. Think bungee cord but more adjustable, and you get the safety of a carabiner to hook on to an object. It ranges from 7 to 24 inches, just pull to tighten to the length you want. Meanwhile, the rope tightener, which also has a Slidelock carabiner, allows you to tighten any cord or rope with its simple pull-to-tighten cast aluminum cam mechanism and quick-release lever. Slidelock, $16.99; rope tightener, $14.99-$24.99, niteize.com.

The CamJam Ratchet Strap is the first of its kind, with removable, adjustable rachets, which translates to customizable rachet positioning, effortless tensioning of heavy loads, and controlled tension release. It includes two durable steel rachets and two single-loop, 15-foot webbing straps. The best part is being able to position the ratchet anywhere along the strap when tying an object down or securing something. Large size, $74.99, niteize.com.

I love solar-powered products, and the Radiant Revolve Rechargeable + Solar Lantern puts out 90 lumens charged by the sun in nine hours, or the USB-C cable in two and a half hours. A full charge lasts five hours on high and 30 hours on low. It revolves 360 degrees and locks in eight positions, so you can capture the perfect angle of the sun’s rays. It has three brightness modes, a carabiner clip to attach to a tent, tree, or whatnot, and adjustable color temperatures, from cool white to amber. And it’s water resistant, so rain is no problem. $29.99, niteize.com.

The Brown Buffalo Dopp Kit, CORDURA 1050D Ballistic Nylon Ranger

This 3-liter, 4.25-inch deep pouch is popular with all kinds of professionals, from police and military personnel to photographers, due to its high-tenacity nylon weave with double polyurethane coating that provides incredible durability and water resistance. I use it for all kinds of things, including traveling with makeup and toiletries, as well as jewelry-making tools because I know things like pointy pliers won’t poke holes in the fabric. Unlike some pouches, the zipper glides easily and is made for rugged conditions, just like the entire bag is. $60, thebrownbuffalo.com.

UVI Self Heating Lunch Box with UV Light Sanitizer

This is truly an innovative product. The lunchbox comes with a sliding divider and heats your food through a power cord. It does sometimes take up to 25 minutes to heat refrigerated food, but its powerful heat source also cooks rice and steams vegetables. The insulated liner keeps meals warm for two hours. It’s extraordinary, especially on cold days — I’m looking forward to using it for ski breaks with hot lunches. It’s not only an “oven,” but also a self-cleaner. Yes, you have to clean up the crumbs, but then you can put silverware in it, or just use the ultraviolet ray button to disinfect the interior and zap odors. $119.19 (check out the sale), uvilunchbox.com.

BioLite Range 500 Headlamp

This completely submersible (up to 1 meter depth), 2.6-ounce headlamp with a moisture-wicking band makes using it in the rain no problem. It puts out 500 lumens on high and 1.5 on low, goes from 0-80% charged in 30 minutes, and you can get an hour of light just by charging it for eight minutes. With a full charge, you get six hours on high (200 on low), so it’s perfect for weekend camping trips and much more. Four different tilt angles are easy to achieve, and it has a white spotlight, strobe or floodlight, and red flood and strobes, in addition to its dimmable capabilities. Comes in blue, grey, and red, $69.95, bioliteenergy.com.

Travoca Gemma Titanium Flask

This 7.4-ounce titanium flask, rounded to fit comfortably in a pocket, is so lightweight, you hardly know it’s there. Even the funnel is titanium, and it comes with a carrying pouch so you don’t lose the funnel. Its low thermal conduction keeps whatever’s in there (sometimes I just use it for water while skiing) basically regulated, and it doesn’t change the taste of beverages. And, it’s stylish. Once you try this lightweight titanium flask, you’ll never go back to anything else. Available in natural and blue, $84.99, travoca.com.