CDR-King SATA HDD Docking Station Combo (CW-D2) Review

It has been a couple of years, since I posted a "first look" blog on this device from CD-R king.  And I don't know if anyone will still be interested since this probably isn't being sold by CD-R king anymore.  But I did mention to a comment I will place a review about the device, so here it is.

The device works just like any external drive may it be DVD or hard drive.  The only difference it that this single device allows you to use hard disks that are for laptop and desktop.  Provided it does not exceed 500 GB.  It could be the hardware's chip limitation, that more than 500 GB, it won't read.  I have not tried it yet on a 1 TB.

Pros

• You can use any sata drive may it be desktop or laptop
• Easy swap and usage, don't swap while it's being read
• Built Sturdy, still functioning after more than a year
• you have card readers as a bonus
• one press button to back-up your drive (untested)

Cons

• USB connection is the weak point
• more partition, the more slow it is to detect all drives by windows
• not portable, heavy base

All in all, this device delivers what is advertised.  A recommended buy, if you can still buy one.  But may not be available in CD-R King anymore.  They have a lot of hard drive cases now, if you want to convert your used drives as external hard drives.

My previous blog on this device: http://philgadgames.blogspot.com/2012/06/cdr-king-sata-hdd-docking-station-combo.html

Ritek LED bulb RKB-7W-60000K - Review and First Look

This is a first look and mini review of Ritek LED bulb RKB-7W-60000K.  This LED bulb brand is available in CD-R King and currently sold with a promo price of P188 (about $4.27 US) and is the one that is very bright in the 7watt line on their display window.

I already bought about 3 units, and so far they work as advertised.  The brightness is a bit lower than a 14 watt CFL (compact florescent lamp), but is sufficient enough as a light source.  If you need a brighter light I would suggest a higher watt LED, or just go with a CFL.  I noticed that a higher LED watt does only a little increase in lumen.  Lumen is the the unit used to measure brightness from a source.

In LED packages, I see a 7 watt LED typically produces 450-500 lumen, while a 9 watt LED bulb produces only 550 lumen, highest I saw was I think 600 lumen.  Brighter CFL such as 14-15 watt, produces about 700-850 lumen.  So if you don't need your room to be bright, a 7 watt LED will do on a 45 sq. ft room.  But ideal room size for a single 7watt LED bulb should only be 33 sq. ft.

The Ritek LED bulb RKB-7W-60000K, has a silver aluminum body, that can absorb the heat produced by the LEDs.  At first I thought it was made of plastic with color of silver.  Dome is made of glass, that emits the LED light much brighter than it can previously can in older LED versions.

Pros and cons of this LED light product:

Pros

• Energy Saver (less energy for same lumen)
• Long life (3 yrs according to the package with 1 yr warranty)
• Light is immediately bright (unlike CFL that needs to warm up a bit before light is optimal)
• No Mercury content according to their package, so environmentally friendly.

Cons

• Cost more than a typical CFL (2 times more expensive than ordinary CFL)
• Light is less brighter since the direction it has more light is directly below is fixed on top.

This product is still available from the last time I checked in a CDR King branch in Cubao on April 26, 2014.  Product has a 1 year service warranty, but according to the sales personnel it will just be replaced since no one fixes LED anyway.  Just keep the receipt and box to avail of the warranty in any of the CDR King branches in the Philippines.

Product link on CDR-King website: http://www.cdrking.com/index.php?mod=products&type=view&sid=14387&main=158#.U10dQfmSzK0

LED light bulbs in the Philippines - an insight and observation

The year 2014 may be the time for LED to go main stream in the Philippines.  I have already seen almost affordable LED light bulbs in hardware stores.  Although, most LED bulbs are still expensive, there are some that are sold with an irresistible promo price.

I have already seen 7w LED light bulbs being sold for Php180.00 (around $4.00 US) as a promo price. A 5watt LED cost around Php150.00 (around $3.40 US), and a 3watt LED cost around Php120.00 (around $2.70 US).

To give you a perspective on the current average cost of an LED light bulb, the average cost of a 7watt LED light bulb is Php350.00 (around $8.00 US) with some costing twice as much (Php780.00).  But lately, the prices are going down, since no one is buying LEDs even if they save us money in the long run on the electric bill.  We (Filipinos) still prefer the Php99.00 9w CFL which last about an average of 15,000 hrs.

Because a seven hundred pesos (Php700.00) LED light bulb is just not practical, for something that will slash the electric usage in half and last twice as long.  What exactly did we save? The environment?  Sure now they say LED light bulbs have no mercury and all that environmental stuff.  But most Filipinos can't even spend much on food; let alone buy a very expensive light bulb.  For some middle class, that price is just not practical.  A CFL (compact florescent lamp) will last a year, if your average use of it is about 12 hrs a day.

The right price for an LED light bulb is around the price range of Php180-200.  About twice the amount of a promo priced CFL.  Sure LED light bulb last as much as 3yrs of constant usage.  But whichever company gives the right price for an LED light bulb, will make a profit on most quantity sold and make a name for themselves.

I don't know if an LED light bulb will last more than 3 yrs.  This will be an experiment for me, I still keep my receipt, since there is a 1 yr warranty on some LED light bulbs.  I forgot, if the very first LED light bulb (Philips brand) we bought has a 3 yr warranty.  I have to check.  So, if I use my LED light bulb at an average of 12hrs a day.  I should, be replacing my LED light bulb in about, 6-7yrs.

I'm going to write a review soon on LED light bulbs, that are on the Php120 -180 price range.  Since that is where the consumer market will be for the LED light bulbs.  I will just be reviewing the brightness and build of this light bulbs.  Since not all LED light bulbs are made the same, especially in brightness (lumen).

I still see LED light bulbs as gadgets for the modern age, and LED light bulbs are sold in some gadget stores and at times still treated as a novelty item in the Philippines.

CD-R King Mobile Power Bank 5600mAh PWB-065-R(PB-201) - Review

This is my review of CD-R King's Mobile Power Bank 5600mAh PWB-065-R(PB-201).  I had it more than a couple of months now, and had charged it more than a couple of times and used it on multiple of devices.

Here is my impressions and review of the product, after using it more extensively on a number of days:

• It retains the charge and does not drain as fast without using it for a while
• High capacity device such as a tablet (iPad mini) drains it super fast and will only charge the tablet a fraction and completely drain the power bank within an hour.
• Heats up on charging with tablets, and large capacity 2400mAh battery phones
• Its indicator is helpful in determining the charge capacity of the power bank and pretty useful in cases where you need to drain and recharge it

Pros and Cons for the Mobile Power Bank 5600mAh PWB-065-R(PB-201)

Pros

• you get a led flashlight, a quick mobile charger with power level indicator, for the cheap price of Php580.00 (around $13 USD).
• it's small and easy to put on your pocket or bag.
• it can charge phones several times without recharging for a while

Cons

• there are times it heats up a bit when charging with a phone, really heats up when charging a tablet.
• not all devices are compatible with this charger (notably the Galaxy S Duos)
• it takes about 5-6 hours to fully charge.

The verdict on this device:

It's a nice portable device that does not take much space on your bag.  It can retain it's charge for more than a month without recharging.  You may have to check the charge level at times and need to recharge it in a couple of months to maintain good battery life, when you don't usually use it.

This is a good choice for a power bank, since it has a LED flashlight that can be used in cinemas or when you need a quick light in the dark.  And the LED charge level indicator is very helpful to determine if you need to recharge it already.

My verdict: This is a good buy, just don't expect it to last long.  I'm sure after a couple of years you need to change it with a new model, depending on how much you use it over time.

Last time I was in CD-R King - SM Megamall branch, this model is still available and for sale.

CD-R King Mobile Power Bank 5600mAh PWB-065-R(PB-201) - First Look

My blog on mobile power bank is so popular, that I decide to post another review on a higher capacity power bank 5600mAh.  Mind you, I only select the mobile power bank that I think is built to last, and a value for money.  I also have no sponsor or gain any income from these reviews.

This is only a first look, since the device was only bought yesterday, and I could not give a complete objective review in such a short time.  The price for this model PWB-065-R(PB-201) is Php580.00 (around $13 USD).

My first impressions on this CD-R King Mobile Power bank, is that it is a bit oddly designed. Not as odd as the last lipstick shape Power Bank? I was being sarcastic, if you couldn't tell.  I was looking for the other model, PWB-063-VT(VIP-H025) same features, but without the bumps as seen in the photo above.  Since, they look the same and I wanted to have my power bank right there and then, I got this one instead, since the other model wasn't available on that store branch of CD-R King.

Okay, my impressions:

• plastic built, that may crack open when dropped high enough.
• looks a bit better built than the rest of the power bank of the same capacity, on that particular branch of the CD-R King Store.
• It's very useful that it has a led flashlight, I can use it as a flashlight and charger.
• Easy to operate
• Fully charged when I bought it, ready to use.
• Useful power level indicator.
• at times you need to press the power button for the charge to start.
• the device heats up when charging high power capacity devices

Thanks to the salesperson for teaching me how to operate the flashlight since it does not indicate on the package.  It was actually 2 quick press on the power button to use the flashlight.

It charges on most devices. Namely the following, I tested it on:

• Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos
• Samsung Galaxy S3
• Samsung Galaxy Y
• iPad Mini
• Fiio E6 Portable Headphone Amplifier

It does not charge Samsung Galaxy S Duos.  I don't know why.  I tried the older power bank I reviewed before CD-R King Mobile Power Bank PWB-049-ZG 2800mAh it charged without a problem.

So when buying the power bank, test it on the device you will primary use it for, since not all device will charge with this particular model - PWB-065-R(PB-201).

The product page on CD-R King website: http://www.cdrking.com/index.php?mod=products&type=view&sid=18199&main=167

I bought mine in CD-R King Gateway Branch ground floor facing Aurora Boulevard.  Since the one on the LRT level has none of the colors that I like. Warranty is only 3 months.

iPad Mini 16.3-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery recharged using CD-R King Mobile Power Bank PWB-049-ZG 2800mAh

The title is a bit long, but these are my findings on recharging an iPad mini with a CD-R King 2800mAh Power Bank.

I ran out of power and need to be somewhere else, so I recharged my iPad mini with my CD-R King Power Bank, expecting it to be recharge at least more than half, like my Galaxy S3 (63% charge from completely drained).

I guess my math was a bit off. Galaxy S3 is 1/3 the size of iPad mini, so I should be happy getting 1/3 of the charge I got from S3.  I was surprised how fast the iPad mini drained the Power Bank.  It was empty in only 1.5 hours.  My iPad mini got a charge of 33% from 5% in one and a half hour.

So there you go, iPad mini charge test for CD-R King Mobile Power Bank PWB-049-ZG 2800mAh, it got the mini charge at 1/4 capacity.  Provided you turned the iPad mini off during the charge.

I was really surprised, the Power Bank got drained that fast by the iPad mini.

CD-R King Mobile Power Bank PWB-049-ZG 2800mAh - Product Review

Mobile Power Bank - lipstick style

I never thought I would be need to buy a power bank for my phone.  Why would anyone need that? Then it happened, I was so busy with work and I forgot to charge my phone.  I happened to me twice that I was thinking of charging my phone while on the move.

There are a lot of power bank products out there, I just happened to want a cheap one, that is why I went with the CD-R king brand.  Now, I don't know if this product will last since I only had it for a week and I only used it twice to test if it does what it says it does.

unboxed - click to enlarge

Build
My take on this product, is it is what it is.  It is a cheap plastic build on the connectors but sturdy looking body.  I just don't know if it will survive a drop, since the body is made of plastic.  What do you expect for a Php280 (around $7) product?  There is no way I would spend more for this kind of product, especially on batteries.  It will be depleted after a number of cycles, so it's better to buy cheap and replace it after a 1,000 cycles (around 28 cents per charge).  Battery is indicated as Li-ion kind, I just hope it is as indicated on the box.

click to enlarge

Ease of use
The product has 2 color LEDs to indicate it charging or fully charged.  On my first try I timed it for 5 hours, and 5 hours have passed but the indicator is still red.  I gave it another 30 minutes for the LED to change color, still nothing I just unplugged it so it doesn't over charge and damage the battery.  After draining it for charging my phones, I charged it overnight.  Morning came, the LED changed into a blue color, which could mean fully charged.

You only need to connect the connector to your USB on a PC or if you have a charger brick directly to an AC power outlet.

Connectors Included
I was disappointed when I was about to buy the unit, since it does not include a mini USB connector.  4 kinds of connector, but none for my device.  I had to use my own from Samsung.  The Output connector is USB, so no problem there if the charger you have is USB connected from the power brick charger.

Does not include a power charge brick.  They expect you to connect it to a PC or laptop.  Or your existing charger that has USB port.


Actual usage feedback
I was excited to test it, I tried using it to charge my Samsung Galaxy S3.  The Power Bank only charged it around 63% full, from completely drained S3.  And it took a long time to charge, I think it also took 5 hours to charge to that point of completely draining the Power Bank.  But on my Samsung Galaxy Y, it charged super fast.  So I guess, it depends on your cellphone's battery capacity.  Smaller batteries charge faster, while larger power hungry phones take longer to charge.

Note:  I had to disable my mobile internet and GPS for my S3 to charge, otherwise the phone will not charge at all, it will actually take longer to charge and actually drains the phone somehow.  This is my observation for this particular Power Bank model on S3 charging.

size compared to a 5 peso coin

Overall
The power bank, does what is says it does, and will be more appreciated by phones with smaller battery for fast charges.  But for huge phones, it is a pain to use and takes longer time to charge.  You just have to be patient in using this mobile power bank, if you have a huge phone that need charging while on the go.

I bought my mobile power bank in Araneta Center Cubao, same floor as the LRT station.  Last I was there, they still have ample stocks only color Orange and purples.

CD-R King product page: http://www.cdrking.com/index.php?mod=products&type=view&sid=15704&main=157

Update:
As of May 3, 2013 - This model of power bank was out of stock in LRT station branch of CD-R King.  I guess power banks that are cheap are in high demand this days.

CD-R King Headset Design Copied Behringer HPM1000 Multi-Purpose Headphone

CD-R King HeadSet in black (Imitation) and
Behringer HPM1000 Headphone in silver

I mentioned before, that I have a headset same design as the Behringer HPM1000.

The external design is the same on both, and that is where their similarity ends. They have different colors, their purpose is also a bit different (one is a headset, the other is a headphone [no microphone]) and the sound quality isn't the same either (Behringer original is better).

The Funny thing is; the foam on the headband is softer on the imitation than the real deal.

I said before on my blog about Behringer HPM1000 [here], the imitation broke after just a month of rugged use.  As I am posting this it blog, it has been two months from my first review and the headset is still functioning.  The Behringer original is still functioning after 2 months, even with my very rugged everyday use. 

The Behringer HPM1000 is one tough headset, due to the fact I dropped it more than several times and it still functions.  I even accidentally pull the cord, most of the time, putting a strain between the headset connection on the left ear portion.  So far, the device is working without loosing sound or giving poor quality on either ear.

Due to it's cheap price, good sound quality and great durability.  I will definitely buy the same headset brand and model, as a replacement pair, if ever, my current one clunks out.

Again, I bought my pair from  In-Tune music store in Robinsons Galleria. They have other branches, they have one in SM Megamall, as far as I know.

CD-R King Wireless-N Universal Repeater CW-150MBPS-R

Wireless-N Universal Repeater CW-150MBPS-R
(front)

I wanted to improve my router's range but was not able to successfully do so with the CD-R King Wireless-N Universal Repeater, model: CW-150MBPS-R.  Now, this gives you the impression of a simple set-up that will link you to an existing router and will have you surfing the net in matter of minutes.

That was not the case with me and this universal repeater, I was tinkering with it from 9pm until midnight and early morning and I still wasn't able to get it to work with my buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH.

Now, not to give a bad image to this repeater, it worked when we tested it on the CD-R King store.  It is just not compatible with my router.  It works if you plug the Ethernet connection to the router.  But what good will it be, if the location you want is very far and you don't want to see any cable running along the hallway?

Wireless-N Universal Repeater CW-150MBPS-R
(back)

So there you go, this repeater works. It just doesn't work with the buffalo brand model WZR-HP-G300NH.  It may work with other routers.  So if you plan to buy this repeater, maybe you should bring your router with you to the CD-R King Store to really test if they are compatible.  If the technician there isn't busy, they can help you configure it and you can use it immediately when you get home.

There was still plenty of stocks left, last time I was there in CD-R King Farmer's Plaza Cubao Branch in Araneta Center, Quezon City, Philippines.  They are on the ground floor, near EDSA middle entrance, should you decide to check out that branch when you are in the Cubao, Q.C. area.

Product website link: http://www.cdrking.com/?mod=products&type=view&sid=11330&main=50