Gear Archives

Gear – Different from Tech and Tools, gear might include the ‘gear’ we use in and around the office. Gear for camping, survival, day-to-day living and creature comforts in some cases e.g. gaming chair.

January 14, 2023September 24, 2024

NOCO Jump Box

NOCO Boost Plus

NOCO 12-V Jump Starter Box

Gear – NOCO

Recommended: NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp 12-Volt UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter Box, Car Battery Booster Pack, that also functions as a Portable Power Bank Charger, and Jumper Cables and is suitable for use with up to 6-Liter Gasoline and 3-Liter Diesel Engines.

When you need a jump start because your battery is dead, I can’t recommend the NOCO Boost jump box enough. It has helped me over 5 times now in the span of a year. Once with my new SUV, and the others times with my JEEP. After swapping the battery as shown below, we were good to go. However, it was the jump box that kept us going during troubleshooting and testing. This has happened more than 5 times in year, which is more than most people experience in 10 or more years I highly recommend keeping a jump box in your car. The NOCO Boost GB40 is a safe and accessible booster pack with jumper cables and an ancillary charger for gasoline and diesel engines*. We recently used the NOCO jump box to start up the ’06 Wrangler after a radio and headlamp update. Of course this doesn’t come without it’s own issues, hence the need for a jump.

Battery Boost

NOCO Jump Box

NOCO Unboxing

Dead Battery

Charging

Clean Up

Fully Charged

Find this battery jump box and other recommendations on the shop page. Or, just a few suggestions here before you take off. The NOCO has saved our trips a few times now. Older vehicles get less use of them later in life, especially our off-road vehicles. That said, if you can pick up a NOCO jumpstart, do. They vary in price, so be wise. Two, the Schumacher 100 amp charger/start was our old go to. This charger/jump start does require an outlet… so you can see why we opted for the NOCO for now. No time to waste when we have dogs ‘in tow’ i.e. Ruby and Zeus.

We will be sharing the latest radio upgrades soon. Just know that we are no longer use the factory lamps, head unit, and speakers – we now use brands like Pioneer, Kicker, Bazooka, and more…

There are a few items I recommend in a pinch, this NOCO jump box, the blast match, a charging source (generator, 9v hack, batter backup pack) and some way to fashion some clean water – for drinking, cleaning, cooking, wound care, and more. Obviously food is another, but these few items can keep you safe and sound in most cases in everyday life, hiking on the trail, driving in the car (short/long distance). A pocket knife or all-in-one EDC tool works as well, for general maintenance, tool and/or application.

December 15, 2022September 26, 2024

Ender, Halot & Prusa 3d

3d Printers, Resin Printers – Ender, Halot & Prusa 3d

Creality, Prusa or Something else? Ultimaker

Gear – 3d Printers

With the holiday season in full swing, thought it might be worth while to do some research on a 3D printer… Should we go with Ender, Halot & Prusa 3D? Should we choose extruded filament or resin? Which brand offers the best cost/benefit ratio?

After conducting our research, in shop testing, we found a printer that meets the shop needs. Once the device has been received, we will porovide more information. Stay tuned for updates on the device, our 3D lab startup, and our first runs. Let me know in the comments below: should I choose Prusa or Creality CR Series Ender series or Halot Series?

3D Printers

There are a couple of different models, filament types, series, etc. to choose from. We are considering the Ender 5 Plus, Halot Series (Resin) versus the Prusa I3 MK3S+. Perhaps some other tools to go with the printer as well, such as wash/cure, filament, bed, boxes/enclosures, etc. There are lots of options to consider. The point is, we are looking for the best option for the shop. Help us understand why and what factors might have influenced your decision to purchase a 3D printer. Should we choose something else? Dremel, MakerBot, Ultimaker, LulzBot… there are more options out there, but it is time to narrow down the list.

As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

December 3, 2022September 24, 2024

AppleTV 4K & MagSafe Battery Pack

Apple Accessories and More

4K View & Battery Life On The Go

Gear – Apple Safe Mag Pack & TV 4K

Update: AppleTV 4k & Apple Magsafe Battery Backup Review

Apple Accessories

AppleTV 4k

MagSafe Battery Pack

Let’s check out the AppleTV 4K & MagSafe Battery Pack… starting with the AppleTV. I’ve been using an older AppleTV 4K to complement the 4k monitors; but its time for an upgrade. Today is the day. I’ve decided to update the office AppleTV to AppleTV 4K to match resolutions, colors, etc. via dual screens used as separate displays. The purpose, MacBook Pro (MBP) has some shortcomings such as limitation of dual monitors or multi-monitors that are not NOT Apple branded. This seems to be a new limitation, and I’m not sure why this might be the case. I’ll leave that to your imagination to figure out. The goal is to use the new 4K version so that I’m not required to adjust resolutions to 3840 x 2160 over multiple monitors while reducing resolution/reducing pixel space via MBP settings for desktop views, apps, windows, etc.

That said, the new MBP still needs some work, I will be frank. I’m not a fan of the limited HDMI connections without Apple specific dongles or Apple monitors. I need to do address this at the hardware level while desiring to run dual screens without Apple-branded screens, monitors, or TV’s. This is a self-imposed limitation without dongles. Unfortunately, I’ve tried multiple dongles or HDMI extender hardware/software without success. iCreate products have their own limitations, and screen observations, meaning Apple OS updates create software problems by iCreate device for months… The idea is simple: run multiple screens as separate screens with the same resolution. More on the AppleTV 4K to come.

MagSafe Battery Pack

In the meantime, let’s cover the MagSafe Battery Pack. Are trips or travel in your near future? Tired of short-term battery usage, removing apps and settings to preserve battery life? Consider adding a Apple Mag Safe Battery Pack. I(we) added the Apple Mag Safe for long-term battery needs, away from the office, traveling, or going to the stores. Are you looking for a battery pack? The latest from Apple, is the MagSafe Battery Pack, also try the – Belkin BOOST Charge, Pro Magnetic Power Bank.

Honestly, these battery packs do the job and more. They are great for those who are always on the run, constantly using apps, and watching videos on their phones. If you are running multiple apps at once, playing games, watching videos, and more wirelessly, these battery packs are for you. You are not tethered to a wall or a power station. Start by buying one, and I’ll provide my final verdict in a couple of weeks. Check back soon.

Before we continue, here are a few other articles on Apple iOS, other devices and updates that you might be interested in. For example, the MagSafe Battery Pack, for finding more power on the go, using Dual SIMs and eSIMs. Apple mouse, a ‘pass’ in our book, trackpad in a pinch or some more affordable Logitech mouse will do. Alternatively, you may want to explore a more minimalist approach with LightPhone products.

Let’s conclude this article on AppleTV 4K & MagSafe Battery Packs shall we? As usual leave a comment below. Have feedback on the MagSafe Batter Pack? Apple TV 4K, MBP? Let us know what you’re thinking?

October 12, 2022October 14, 2024

Merchandise Update

October Gear Update

Gear – Sallee Technology Hats, Zip, Mugs, Zippo’s and More

Get yourself some new gear, from Sallee Technology! Out gear features top brands like The Game, @zippo.com – Zippo, @yeti.com – Yeti, Columbia, Champion, Flex-fit and more.

Merchandise Update. A full listing will be available soon, but here’s a sneak peek. Check out our latest merchandise and let us know if you would like to purchase any of our gear. Stay tuned for new products next quarter!

October Mech

Zippo

The Game Hats

New, The Game

Currently, some swag is on backorder such as i.e. out some USB devices, stickers, magnets, etc., and will return depending on demand. Let us know what you think about the merch, or if you’re looking for something special, one off, special order. Small orders, large orders, don’t care – we’re happy to accommodate where applicable… just let us know what you’re thinking.

In the backend of baseball, logistics are currently quite chaotic. Ordering can be a bit of challenge, which is why we are manually offering items to the public. We are mostly dependent on product availability, production and shipping, but we are doing our best to start on top of these issues. Let’s chat, we are happy to work with you to help you find what it is you are looking for. This merchandise post is a followup to our Midyear, New 2022 Merch post, where we shared information about the merchandise and set expectations regarding brands, quality, fit and style.

October 12, 2022September 3, 2024

iPhone 12

Apple iPhone 12, Work Phone Upgrade

Gear – iPhone 12

Need an upgrade? Make the jump, follow along with our own iPhone8/iPhone11 upgrade – iPhone 12

Let’s start with this, no, the need didn’t exactly meet the demand for an ‘upgrade’… This was more about staying on part with the other Apple products in the office. Want and need ended up being more of a test than anything else. Don’t judge the messenger here, it was a simple cost/benefit analysis over want versus need. So, the decision was made to go with the newer iPhone 12, not the latest model, but newer than the iPhone 11. Here’s the main point: with a recent switch to the SG215g for our personal use, it was time for a work update. With that in mind, the decision was made, and the Apple iPhone 12 was acquired just before the hurricane.

Iphone And Case

Case And Phone

Office Phone

Not ideal, but I’ll keep it brief. I needed to upgrade my work phone, so I went from an iPhone 11 to a 12. It was a quick upgrade, but it came with its own set of problems. My goal was to buy a more durable, newer device, while keeping it simple no fancy features like health or home IoT software. The iPhone 8, in my opinion, might be the best phone Apple has made. I’ve been using it for work and travel since it was released, and it has never let me down. That’s why I gave it a ‘buy it’ rating.

Moving from the iPhone 8 to the 11 was a good decision, as it didn’t come with unnecessary Apply Bloatware like Health, Homekit, and Siri. I find bloatware unnecessary, annoying and a waste of space and money. The 11 provided better processing power, screen time, hotspot support, and what seems like more manageable privacy and security settings for the user. However, it feels like this device is constantly sharing data, which I see as a huge negative. More power is good, but what is it really for, and does it benefit the user. This iPhone 12 now my work phones, as I couldn’t justify upgrading to the 13 or 14.

As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

September 17, 2022September 27, 2024

New 2022 Merch

Midyear, New 2022 Merch

Sallee Technology LLC New 2022 Merchandise

Gear – Sallee Technology – Zip Jackets, Hoodies, Hats and Mugs

New 2022 Merch means we will have merchandise available during the busy season, which is always a good thing! Check out what’s headed to our merch shop. New for this year, we have new drinkware, throwback snap-backs, fitted camo/dark-camo Flex-fit caps and spring/athletic caps. We also have full zip fleece jackets and polos with pockets.

We currently have drinkware available, with more drinkware options set to arrive in about 2 weeks as they are being packaged and shipped today. Design, production and shipments are in progress. Interested in more Yeti products? Check out our Yeti® Ramblers – 10 (10oz) and 20 (20oz) sizes. Two The Game® collegiate hats are expected to arrive by the end of September, depending on the user portal status. These hats are a great throw-back option, Polos and Columbia® Fleece outerwear are expected to arrive in a week, with sew outs currently in production. Gear pictures will be posted shortly. In the meantime, please note that logistics and products are subject to production, inventory, and logistics. Stay tuned for more updates and pictures coming soon! most posts coming shortly, that update my friends will include the latest pictures.

Check out the 2022 merchandise available, as of October 2022. Contact us for details on sizes, quantities, colors, etc. Feel free to reach out!

August 30, 2022September 26, 2024

Sous Vide Smorgasbord

We Have A Sous Vide Smorgasbord

Sous Vide Success

Gear – Anova Sous Vide

Hungry? Prep, cook and serve using an Anova Precision Cooker. Work up an appetite while you prepare, cook and serve for an all day picnic. Fish, poultry, beef… Anova does it all

Put the Anova Sous Vide precision cooker to the test with fish, shrimp, lamb, beef, chicken, pork… even pork butt; a Sous Vide Smorgasbord. In just one day, prepare a feast for the masses or an all day picnic. Cook up 2+ pounds or more of our honey-glazed, thick-cut bacon, a BBQ-inspired beef brisket, Italian sweet sausage with all the fixins’… chil-i-lime, lime and garlic chicken, peppered beef burgers, and simple beef hot dogs.

Smorgasbord

Full Meat Plate

Sous Vide

Bacon, Dogs, Sausage

Burgers, Chicken Patties

Although time is irrelevant when you’re having fun, are you new to precision cooking? Start early early enough for the beef to cook and the chicken to be prepped for a final sear. Have everything ready before ‘game time’.

Typically a safe window is four to five hours, but those with experience may opt for a tighter window. With more experience and times, the window becomes more refined. Regardless of duration, the options are limitless.

Try it all reduce cooking times on the grill. No need to stick to just the grill or stove top. Whichever you have, be prepared. A precision cooker ensures perfection. When finished on a hot griddle or grill you become the chef at home. More on the griddle will be discussed later.

For now, the feast is prepared, with smorgasbord after smorgasbord being churned out around the 130 degree mark. With a few modifications and trial test runs, you’ll quickly learn how temperature and duration affect the outcome of your choice of protein or veg alternatives. See what works best for you. The most important thing to remember is to seal your bags appropriately. Season your entrees with the freshest ingredients you can find, including herbs and all the fixings. This is a great way to switch up how, where, and with whom you cook. As for dessert, what’s on the menu?change up how, where and with whom you cook. What’s for dessert?

Just a quick side-note, if you have not tried to sous vide or have not thought about the usage of a precision cooker via a food water bath… I use it around the holidays to prep for meals. have a look around, some of the best food on the market has been sous vide, stored and seared at time of consumption. Now, I’m not saying I’m obverse to the process of using the cooking method in mass, I’m advocating for showing you that even your local, regional and global coffee shops, bars and gastropubs use the sous vide cooking method. The point, the method of cooking helps prep, heat, and serve at a very precise temperatures. Precision is key, we recently cooked a beef brisket for 3 days plus just to put this logic to test. Cheers

June 2, 2022September 27, 2024

Sous Vide

Cook Perfect Entrees Meals and More with a Sous Vide

Do You Sous Vide?

Gear – Anova Sous Vide

Anova Precision® Series Sous Vide – Have you ever tried using a sous vide machine? Let’s talk about the Anova Precision® Series Sous Vide. Wait, what’s a sous vide? Interested in trying out the Anova Sous Vide? We decided to go with the Anova Precision® brand sous vide cooker. Specifically the 16-liter Anova Sous vide.

@IHR, we received a recommendation from a local restaurateur (awesome guy, with amazing dishes coming out of his kitchen) that the precision cooker is a great tool to enhance your cooking skills. You can find these Anova cookers at your local store. There are days when we all need a little boost in the kitchen, a special touch or magic sauce to create something extraordinary, especially for those of us who wish we had more culinary skills. The precise temperatures provided by the Anova cooker might just be the secret ingredient you need.

Cook At The Perfect Temps

Sous Vide

Precision Cooker

Proteins? What kind Do You Prefer

Taco proteins – Beef, Chicken, Pork, Fish, Shrimp etc., Briskets, Duck, Corned Beef, you name it, this machine can handle it all. The only catch is time. If you can set aside time for prep, create your entrees and sides, vacuum seal the pouches and you’re done. Generally, we set aside 30-60 minutes for prep, and 2-10 hours for cooking. This of course depends on the type of beef, we’ve tried the toughest, most unfriendly cuts and this precision cooker machine surpasses expectations. Regardless of how long the meat bathes, the result is consistently excellent.

Vacuum Sealed, Perfect Cooking Temps

We say kick the tires, have at it. The sous vide makes it easy to prep both sides and entrees, and heat and cook dishes at an exact temperature. If you want, you can control the temperature at home or away with the Anova app (although we don’t use it now), which is helpful when starting down the path of bathwater cooking. Whatever meat, veggies, protein etc. are submerged will be kept at the temperature you want.

This beast does it all. If you have the time and patience to learn how this thing works, you can try a few cuts of beef or chicken, some cleaned/de-veined shrimp or a breast of duck. Just follow 3 easy steps, let the machine do it’s thing, and you’ll be upping your kitchen game from zero skills to an arbiter of food stardom. This machine does require sealed packaging, from zipper bags to vacuum sealed bags – check out Anova’s Vacuum Sealer or Amazon for an Anova Sealer.

It has been world changing for us. Listen, there are many kitchen gadgets, gimmicks, tricks, secrets, family recipes etc. that can spice up your game. We believe this sous vide machine is a long-term investment, and thought you might want to give it a try too. It makes a world of difference, and here are some photos of our setup, prep gear, finishing and clean up.

*Don’t beat us up in the comments, we are simply stating ‘we’ wanted to be better in and around the kitchen; we needed serious help LOL. So we found some!

April 26, 2022September 27, 2024

GTRacing Update

GTRacing Repair Update

GTRacing Chair Frame Blunder

Gear – GTRacing

So, here is the GTRacing Update. GTRacing Chair Parts Replaced.

It may be premature, but, good on you GT Racing! Dare I say GTRacing made it right? The chair is back together, holding weight as it should. No lean, squeezing, bending-feeling or crash. That’s good, we have a fix. In hindsight, while being desk chair free for a week or more, is not ideal.

The second ‘chair part’, the one not broken will be relegated to the game and electronics drawer. It goes with the other unused cables, plugs, charges, wires, random batteries etc.

While we have your attention, we will be trying other GTRacing parts, chairs etc,. A full listing will come, however, a sneak peek may serve its weight in gold here… Check out the latest merchandise after the GTRacing Update, and give us a shout if you would like to purchase our gear – new products next quarter.

Side note, with the GTRacing gear, we are looking to sort out some USB devices, stickers and magnets, depending on demand. Let us know what you think about the merch, or if you’re looking for something special, a one off, special order on GTRacing – https://gtracing.com/.

SPOILER – Fast forward, gear adjustment, learn about our new GTRacing Mesh back chair with the lounging feature and footrest posted 6/2024… enjoy!

As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

August 16, 2021September 26, 2024

COLETTI CAMP POT

Coletti Camp Percolator

Get Your Own – Colletti Camp Pot

Gear – Coletti Camp Percolator

Camp Pot – Big fan of my camp percolator, or use it for everything coffee.

Lifetime guaranteed. If you’re looking for a simple, no fuss coffee pot, look no further. We tossed out the old Keurig, what a mess. The COLETTI COLETTI CAMP POT (percolator) was the answer and has now been in use for just under a year. It’s a simple 5, 7, or 9 cup pot, stainless, no frills, glass percolator top. THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF THIS CONTRAPTION!

The COLETTI CAMP POT percolator is a versatile pot that can be used anywhere, in the office, outdoors, or on your next camping trip. This pot is typically used on a stove top indoors, making at least 9 cups per round. You can also opt for the 12 cup option for just a few dollars more, around $45 with tax and shipping included.

Buy A Percolator

Percolator

Pot Top

Get your own COLETTI CAMP POT… Check out the Coletti Bozeman Camp Percolator for yourself. By the way, if you choose this pot, make sure to buy an extra perc glass top. The COLETTI replacement comes 2 per pack. We broke ours by flipping the top wildly, like the wild, wild west during the ill-fated wash process. We didn’t screw the top tight enough, flipped the lid, and the top flew like a rock screaming out of a Roman Catapult onto the tile floor.

Lastly, if you’re looking for some great coffee, give Heart Roasters a shot. My favorite is the Ethiopia Worka Sakaro. As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?