Klein Screwdriver Set, Shure MV7 Podcasting Kit, and Aupus Air Duster
Gear – Backlog
Quick update on the Gadget Backlog, SHURE MV7 Microphone Podcast Kit, Air Duster (A.K.A Air “Cannon”) and Klein Tools Precision Screwdriver Set.
Both positive and negatives, the Klein set is a big win, those of you needing a sleek, high-quality, tech/electronics platform; Klein is the way to go. Same for the Aupus Air Duster… a handy, handheld, to blast away dust and debris… And the Shure MV7, same on quality, and crip sound quality, the best with Shure.
Let’s start with the ‘good’ vs the ‘bad’ or ‘ugly’ movie reference “The Good, The Bad, The Ugly – Clint Eastwood”. Let’s cover the precision screwdriver set and air duster. First, the Klein All-In-One Precision Screwdriver Set. If you’re working with smaller appliances – coffee/espresso machines, vacuums, toys, gaming equipment, computers, phones or tablets (Apple specifically). You’re gonna need an elevated, array of tech gear and tools such as – glues, adhesives, adhesive ‘strippers’, grounding elements or bands, gloves, fans, schims or prying tools, same for hex/Torx bit heads… Just to name a few. In many cases, if one was to change out a generic computer battery (Apple MBP) you might need – micro Phillips-head/Torx, pry tool, schims, glue stripper, gloves, heating elements, grounding band, adhesives and then the micro Philips-head and Torx to secure the updated battery array and shell Hopefully you can understand here, the Klein All-In-One covers the range of electronic screws and bolts used in the latest gear. Just want to spend a few mins on the screwdriver set which comes in a sturdy, rugged, hard plastic box (tough box)… with what Klein calls a stay-shut latching mechanism, again, handy to have when your carrying mini-bits/drivers around. The case is great for indoor/outdoor, ‘shop-like conditions’ which may not be pristine per say. Contained within the tough outer shell, a magnetic hand screwdriver base or platform for ‘finger tightening/loosing’, a preformed bit section for 39 extra-long driver set which includes – flatheads, hex, Torx, square, star and Phillips-head bits. Those of you needing Apple specific driver bits, check out this set and pick yourself up a set(not a paid advertisement). High quality stuff, easy to use and magnetic. Always nice and handy to have magnetic tools for very small applications, those of you who require small tools for small screws, clips and bolts. Great set for those who need one, pick one up a Klein Tools.
Moving along now, staying with the ‘Good’. No cans, no more air canisters, missing straws, cold hands and/or the storage space for air cans. Nope, the Aupus Air Duster is a win for two reasons, space and strength. No need to save space for 5 or more cans of compressed air. We are talking desktop or storage space for those of you working in tight office spaces; the DIY(do-it-yourself). The Aupus purchased has two settings of air pressure or strength, both will help push dust and debris out and away from it’s intended target. Sound is constant, no shuddering or sputtering, no power loss or surging. The air duster is made of rigid plastics, great for many applications around the shop – featuring a friendly grip, multi-speed selector, filtered intake and a set of cleaning tools – brushes, extension tube, additional filters and fine funnels for more precise air distribution. No batteries, just an old-fashioned plug and play, so, plenty of power where and when you need it when comparing the Aupus Air Duster to a generic can of air.
Let’s transition to the ‘bad’ or mixed review now. The ‘bad’, might be a little harsh.. When sticking to the theme of “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” perhaps the final product covers the bad and ugly. For the sake of the argument, let’s just use a ‘soft pass’ on the Shure MV7. Specifically due to it’s reliance on additional software. That’s the rub for this article. Which is where we feel it fails to meet expectations, so, a mixed review of sorts. The positives, sure SHURE (SHURE MV7 – Podcast Kit) makes a great product, excellent sound quality, nicely packaged for various applications – live-streaming, home recording, podcasting and more. Hardware is what you would expect from the legendary Chicago, IL – Sidney SHURE founded audio/electronics and hardware manufacturer, for nearly 100+ years, producing some of the highest quality audio (electronic gear/hardware)… it’s tough to give this one a mixed review. Honestly, I think this is why we might merge the ‘ugly’ with the ‘bad’. What ‘smokes out the deal’ for us, is the reliance on a secondary application called MOTIV. I get it, the software a need, a must. How else would you use the microphone? The software helps the user fine tune the collection of sound, amplification, distance of sound travel, and hardware recognition. Again, the rub, it’s yet another app/window chewing up space, floating desktop application cluttering up an already densely populated screen – browsers, live-streaming apps, video software, editing software and so on. You get the picture, an ugly one. Although, you may not agree, that’s fine… this is where I think the experience falls short. If there ever was a time where hardware doesn’t need an ‘application’ requirement and perhaps an additional piece of hardware, I think we would have a winner. Again, great kit, includes all the connections one would expect these days, USB-C, XLR, a desktop mount for local sound collection, and crisp sound recording.
The product was built and sold as a podcasting kit, targeting those v-logs, the interweb adventurers, the tubers, the gamers, the podcasters and/or home/office applications. All is well, until you understand, an application is required to download and run the physical hardware. The MOTIV app can be downloaded here, found on either App Store or Google Play Store. Caveat, multiple OS platforms, MacOS, Windows and Ubuntu… honestly, I was open to new gear and not said proprietary software running to manage external hardware. Takeaway, give it a shot, the microphone is fantastic, sound quality is top notch. A home-run, if I might use a sports analogy as well. ‘Ugly’ or ‘Bad’ perhaps, however, if you’re looking for a reliable microphone, sound quality bar-none, limited OS movement, well, this might just be your winning ticket. For us, however, we will pass for now.
More on the next one, cheers
Gadget Backlog
Shipping Soon, BobsCNC, Magnet Switches, Extra (Shop) Batteries, Bodum Mini Whisk, SHURE MV7 Mic, Aupus Electronic Air Duster, Klein Tools 32717 Precision Screwdriver Set with Case, Med. Daddario Celluloid Guitar Picks and CnC (BobsCNC) Machines.
Gear – More Gear On The Chopping Block
What’s that in the box, ((shake)) ((shake)) what might that be? A new shipment, what is in ‘the box’ and on the bench.
Let’s first share this, BobsCNC is in the works, as space is somewhat limited at the moment. More on that soon. Batteries, I’ve got a few Optima Red Tops ready to go, a little outback welding where applicable. Fitting when discussing magnetic ‘tools’ and switches… yes, a super strong magnet that can be switched on and off with swift turn of the hand or lightswitch type mechanism. Very cool item to have around the house, shop, offroad etc. I’m curious to know (sans cost perhaps) if the welding community has a preference on ‘welding square/angle holders, clamps or plunger/light switch type, magnetic holders etc. Obviously, if you’re out on the trail, off roading – trail breakfix – integrity/rigidity might overrule OEM specs on angles or manufacture measurements. It’s time to getting your offroad rig off the trail, would something like this help to bring your efforts in line with those manufacture specs per say. Anyhow, these switch magnets might be handy to have around the shop. Various types – Angle Clamps, Magswitch Clamp, Stackable Magnets or Adjustable Angle Magnetic Welding Square.
So, let’s cover what has been unboxed… The Bloom Frother, as you know, the hand mixer had to be ‘adjusted’… a few screws, new batteries, some isopropyl alcohol… and we are back in business. You all know I’m big coffee and tea guy, if not, that’s ok too. I take my coffee and tea with a few pinches of Sugar in the Raw, and depending on the time of day; half-half just to take down the temp a step. There are few handheld ‘frothers’ out there of various color and materials… the Bloom is back to life, new batteries and ready to mix. So, happy with the purchase for now. I’ll post an update on the longterm usage of the Bloom fix. Admittedly, an alternative might be the Bodum Schimuna Whisk which has peaked my interest. Those of you in the market for micro whisk/frother, the Bodum Schimuna might be a good client gift at some point.
Moving along, the SHURE MV7 usb mic! Initial thoughts – great sound, crisp dynamic tones and easy to use, another step forward toward audio/video experiences. The microphone includes a desktop friendly microphone stand. MacOS users will need to download Shure Application to mix and control the external accessory. A little more work to get around the need to purchase additional cables, XLR adapters or fittings. Look for a deep dive, and pictures to accompany the post.
Next, we can cover ditching the air duster can for a powerful, corded air duster in the Aupus APAD15BL Air Duster. Air cans have worked for many years, great pairing with electrical friendly wipes. This plug and play air cannon has variable speeds, cleaning tools, and filters. This small, office friendly tool is a handy little gadget to have in and around the shop as well. While we are on gadgets and tools around the shop/office, we are beefing up the ole’ Makey tech tool set, specifically by adding a set of Torx screwdrivers (T3 – T10) – Tekprem Torx Screwdrivers. One downfall I’d like to call out, is the star/torx bit integrity… you got to be careful with nano screws, give it time… or you might have to replace your bits with a set like these. What I’m seeing is screw lock.. being more beneficial here, good or bad, it takes a toll on the micro-bits used to drive in or unwind electronics. I’ll push out more feedback and comments on the Torx set and air cannon as we use those items on the bench.
Finally, we put picked up a new guitar pick. Most are similar, all have smooth or textured, etc. the main problem I’m having is grip. After a few mins, grip is becoming an issue… might be the ‘player’, but slippage is a problem. Sweat being the culprit. Odd huh? So, I’ve added a mix bag of D’Addario Celluloid picks to the mix. The goal was to switch it up a bit, trying something new. Still have a few Fender Celluloid Medium picks and DunlopMax-Grip variety.