Category: Stuff to Buy (Page 16 of 72)

Product Review: Adidas Predator Instinct FG Cleats

July 13, 2014 / Jason Zingale

Two months ago, we wrote about the new collection of Battle Pack cleats that adidas unveiled in conjunction with the 2014 World Cup. And with two adidas-sponsored teams ready to battle it out in today’s World Cup Final at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, we figured it was as good a time as any to take a closer look at one of the five styles available: the Predator Instinct.

The latest version of the popular Predator line has been worn by several top players throughout the tournament (including Germany’s Mesut Özil, Brazil’s Oscar and USA’s Graham Zusi), and that’s because it’s arguably one of the best soccer cleats on the market. Along with a HYBRIDTOUCH synthetic leather upper that offers premium softness and light weight without sacrificing durability, the shoes feature a transparent, firm-ground outsole with a control frame that’s more flexible and thus more responsive.

But what sets the Predator apart from adidas’ other styles are the five control zones located on the top of the cleat that are designed for more power, swerve and contact. Each raised zig-zag pattern (or “zone”) is made of a next-gen SL rubber that allows you to make the ball move in ways that’s an absolute nightmare for goalies. Additionally, adidas has upgraded the gel pad located on the instep that improves grip and control for a better all-around touch of the ball.

Though we weren’t crazy about the tribal war paint design of the Battle Pack collection when it was first announced, they’re a lot more attractive in person, particularly the Predator, which isn’t nearly as flashy thanks to its white-on-black color scheme. Of course, it hardly matters what the shoes look like if they perform on the field, and the new adidas Predator Instincts don’t disappoint in that department. Whether or not they’ll give Özil and his German teammates the edge they need to take down Lionel Messi’s Argentina is another matter entirely, but there isn’t a better stage to showcase these awesome cleats than the biggest sporting event in the world.

The adidas Predator Instinct Battle Pack cleats are available now in specialty soccer stores and online at www.shopadidas.com.

Gear, Sports, Stuff to Buy

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Product Review: V2 Cigs Electronic Cigarettes

June 30, 2014 / Paul Eide

When I opened my Starter Kit from V2 Cigs, I wandered in wide-eyed and with no idea what to expect. While the e-cig market has recently exploded, the only prior experience I had with them was ribbing a buddy who totes his e-cig carrying case and essentials every time he leaves the house.

As a casual cigarette smoker, I never understood why a person would smoke an e-cigarette, rather than just fire up a smoke. But after using the V2, there are several obvious benefits that challenged my perception.

The first series of benefits of V2 Cigs are that they tar-free, carbon monoxide-free and ash-free.

The second set pertains to social stigma and ease of use. Nobody wants to be the “ash-hole” with cigarette holes in your clothes, getting ashes from your cigarettes all over the place. And if you want to smoke in public, you don’t want to be judged or blow smoke all over your friends in a public setting.

With V2 Cigs, there is no odor that lingers, thanks to the incredible vapor production. Additionally, there are no nasty cigarette butts to dispose of, no danger of starting a fire and you don’t have to carry a lighter to smoke.

Here’s how V2 Cigs work: The main body of the V2 electronic cigarette is a smooth-looking 4.2 lithium-ion battery. Located at the tip of the battery is a series of five LED nodes that light up when you inhale. The V2 disposable atomized cartridges store the flavor and liquid nicotine solution, and screw directly into the V2 battery.

The cartridges come in five nicotine strengths: 2.4%, 1.8%, 1.2%, 0.6% and zero. Each flavor cartridges are designed to be equivalent to one pack of 20 conventional cigarettes, and provide up to 250 mouthfuls of vapor. There are six flavors to choose from: V2 Red, Sahara, Congress, Menthol, Peppermint and Mint Tea.

As you smoke, you can gauge how much battery life your V2 has left thanks to the LED nodes, which light up with ever puff. The V2 Cig Charger plugs into computers via the USB adapter, which can also be plugged into a regular wall adapter.

How does smoking with a V2 Cig compare to a tobacco cigarette? Surprisingly, it’s a smoother incarnation of an actual cigarette. There is no residual odor due to the vapors, which makes a bigger difference than I anticipated. You don’t have to plan your wardrobe or smoking times around being the “smoker guy” in office who smells like smoke, cologne or a mix of both.

I tried the nicotine strength of 2.4% in both the V2 Red and Menthol flavors and was amazed at the taste and the sensation of smoking. Upon exhale, it really tastes and feels like an actual cigarette, without the mess.

The cartridges retail for around two dollars a piece, and considering you get roughly 20 cigarettes worth of vapor in each, it’s cheaper than a pack of cigarettes. The V2 Kits range in price from $34.95 to $149.95 based on accessories and the products you select.

V2 Cigs are more economical, less messy and easier to use than a traditional cigarette. Each order includes a 30-day money back guarantee and free shipping on domestic orders.

For ordering information, check out the V2 website here, or reach out to V2 on social media via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.

Also, enter for your chance to win a V2 Cigs e-cigarette starter kit today!

(You must be of legal smoking age to buy and/or use any V2 Cigs product.)

Lifestyle, Stuff to Buy

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Adidas RG3 cleats are just the right fit!

June 14, 2014 / Bullz-Eye Staff

Robert Griffin III is fast becoming one of the most popular players in professional football, and his new adidas RG3 cleats look to do the same in the shoe market. We tested a pair of these technological wonders and found out quickly that they are the real deal, just like RG3. Right out of the box, you’ll notice the sleek design with the RG3-designed shoelace pocket on the tongue that keeps laces out of the way. They also feature a light and flexible techfit upper with QUICKWEB support and the QUICKFRAME plate outsole for the kind of speed that moves chains.

Adidas knows cleats, and they smartly constructed the RG3s with Bootee construction for a snug and comfortable fit, because no matter how good the cleats look, they have to fit right and give you that edge to make things happen on the field. The RG3-influenced cleats are your teammates in going the extra yard to win, and with the QUICKFRAME plate outsole, say hello to superior speed and quickness!

Robert Griffin III is a one-of-a-kind athlete, and the RG3 cleats are as original as the player himself. Check them out at adidas’ official site, because football will be kicking off before you know it.

Gear, Sports, Stuff to Buy

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2014 Father’s Day Gift Guide: Entertainment

June 9, 2014 / Bullz-Eye Staff

Everyone loves watching a great movie or TV series, so we’ve compiled some of our favorite releases from the past year that just about guy will enjoy. And for more gift ideas, be sure to check out the other categories in our Father’s Day gift guide.

The Wolf of Wall Street

It’s been a while since Martin Scorsese’s last truly great film, but the director has rebounded in style with “The Wolf of Wall Street,” highlighted by Terrence Winter’s hilarious script and Leonard DiCaprio’s brilliant turn as Jordan Belfort. You’ve never seen the actor quite like this before, and he’s in top form as the notorious stockbroker, delivering what is arguably his best performance with Scorsese yet. The rest of the cast is great as well, especially Jonah Hill in another award-worthy turn, up-and-comer Margot Robbie and Matthew McConaughey in a short but memorable cameo. Loud, flashy and totally obscene, the movie is like a private tour through Belfort’s excessive, hard-partying lifestyle, including easily one of the greatest sequences of the year. (Hint: it involves a highly potent strain of Quaaludes.) Though it’s a little too long for its own good, the characters are so magnetic and the dialogue so fast and funny that “The Wolf of Wall Street” is hard not to enjoy. It’s Scorsese’s best film in years, and one that will only get better with time.

Gravity

It’s been six years since Alfonso Cuarón’s last feature film – the criminally underrated “Children of Men” – but his outer space survival thriller was well worth the wait. “Gravity” is the kind of movie that will likely change the way films are made in the future. From the stunning, single-take opening sequence that lasts more than 12 minutes, to the numerous set pieces throughout, “Gravity” is such a technical marvel that it looks like Cuarón shot the whole damn thing in space. Though the story is ridiculously simple, not a single second of its 91-minute runtime is wasted, extracting so much suspense from the film’s terrifying setup that the brief injections of comedy (courtesy of George Clooney’s easygoing astronaut) are a welcome reprieve from the almost unrelenting intensity. Sandra Bullock delivers one of the best performances of her career as the rookie astronaut caught up in a seemingly impossible situation, but the real star of “Gravity” is Cuarón himself, and he deserves every bit of praise for creating what can only be described as pure movie magic.

Game of Thrones: The Complete Third Season

Creators David Benioff and D.B Weiss have stated numerous times that they set Season Three as the unofficial benchmark as to whether or not the show would be a success, and it’s easy to see why, because it showcases the full complexity and richness of the universe that they inherited from George R.R. Martin. The third season expands its scope even further than the previous year, with several new characters quickly making their mark, and old ones (like Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s Jamie Lannister, one of the season’s MVPs) continuing to evolve within that moral gray area where “Game of Thrones” thrives. It also featured some of the most shocking story developments to date, perhaps none more so than Episode 9’s infamous Red Wedding, which made Ned Stark’s beheading look like child’s play in comparison and was without a doubt one of the biggest television events of last year. The audience reaction to that episode is very telling of the show’s pop cultural footprint, and when the writing and acting is this good, it’s no surprise why its popularity continues to grow.

Entertainment, Movies, Stuff to Buy, Television

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2014 Father’s Day Gift Guide: Gadgets

June 8, 2014 / Bullz-Eye Staff

Gadgets dominate our lives, and you can always start these days with dad’s phone. If he has the latest and greatest, don’t even bother. But if he’s still tied to his lame flip phone, then of course you can go with an iPhone or a new Android phone to get him into the 21st century.

If you’re looking for something a little different, however, we’ve put together some ideas for you. And for more great suggestions, be sure to check out the other categories in our Father’s Day gift guide.

Winegard FlatWave Amped Indoor Antenna

With cord-cutting at an all-time high, products like the Winegard FlatWave Amped are going to change the way that people consume television. This indoor HDTV antenna can pick up HD-quality channels up to 50 miles away, features dual-band reception so you won’t miss out on channels that other UHF-only antennas do, and prevents pixelation and dropouts using an ultra-low noise (1dB) amplifier. It’s lightweight and razor-thin (about the width of a plastic placemat) and can lay flat on a surface or hang on the wall or window for the best reception. Better yet, since the antenna is powered through the USB port on your TV, it only consumes power when the television is turned on. It sounds too good to be true, but within minutes of connecting the FlatWave Amped, we had 25 channels to choose from, including all of the major networks. This thing really works, and at a fraction of the cost of your annual cable bill.

Phosphor Touch Time Watch

Smartwatches are all the rage these days, but don’t let the Phosphor Touch Time digital watch fool you, because its lack of interconnectivity prevents it from competing with the more advanced models. Nevertheless, the Touch Time is still a major step up from your typical wristwatch thanks to some cool features, including a touch interface that’s incredibly easy to use, five different time displays, and custom language settings for English, French, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish and German. Some of the included apps feel a bit useless on such a small screen – particularly the calendar mode – but the time zone display is incredibly useful, astronomy geeks will love the lunar moon function, and the old-school calculator is a nice touch. One of the best things about the Touch Time is that you never have to sync or charge it because it’s powered by a replaceable battery (with up to a one-year life span), while the ability to upgrade from a silicone band to a stainless steel bracelet means that you can wear the same watch to work and the gym without anyone being the wiser.

Cobra AirWave 360

There are a lot of portable speakers to choose from these days, but many of them are impossible to use in the car due to their shape or size. The Cobra AirWave 360, on the other hand, is practically built for that purpose – a portable, 8-inch speaker that’s been smartly designed to look like a coffee tumbler and will fit into just about any vehicle or bicycle cup holder. You could even argue that it deters potential thieves, since no one is going to steal your mug, unless they’re really big jerks. For as functional as its design may be, however, the AirWave 360 also delivers 360-degree surround sound and features an integrated, noise-cancelling microphone that works with Siri and S Voice. There’s even a cool Gesture Control feature that enables you to pause music and answer incoming calls by simply waving your hand over the top of the speaker, and although that may not technically be considered hands-free, it’s a lot safer than the alternative.

Gadgets, Stuff to Buy

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