CVLIFE Two Point Adjustable Rifle Sling

A rifle sling can be a very important, and often overlooked, accessory. Whether it’s a three-gun competition, or a home defense situation, a sling often can mean the difference between keeping your rifle at hand or taking the chance of fumbling it when called upon.

CVLife’s Two-Point Adjustable Rifle Sling is adequate for all but the professional shooter or professional soldier who’s life or livelihood may depend on it. It is made from study enough braided nylon with “bungee” type ends that have enough give in them to be useful without being restricting or affecting aim. My Husband easily modified his to a single-point sling by clipping one end onto one of the open portions of the other, so that there’s no slide or binding. The clips are strong, if a little on the small-ish side to manipulate with gloves or large fingers, but they easily clip on to the standard sling points on my Husband’s rifle. The srping is strong with no wiggle or give either. There’s no way to simply modify this sling to accept a quick-detach option short of ripping the seams and re-sewing one in, so keep in mind that you’re limited to the clip-on style of attachment with this sling.

As I said, a perfectly adequate harness for the occasional user, or hobby shooter, and the price reflects that as well. At $9.99, it’s a perfect entry-level sling and should fit the needs of almost every casual user.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from CVLIFE. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. I received no other compensation in exchange for my review. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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AqtivAqua POLARIZED “Poseidon” Swim Goggles

Hubby’s been through more than a few swim goggles from various suppliers, and rarely have a pair been good for more than a couple of uses before they start to leak, or the anti-fog lenses fog, or some plastic piece breaks. These are the first, however, to claim to be polarized.

Polarized lenses not only reduce glare, they increase contrast and reduce eye strain. Unlike a traditionally tinted lens, they don’t just darken the field of view with various tints or shading in the lens, but block the horizontally polarized beams of sunlight. Generally this makes anything with polarized lenses more expensive than non, but the benefits for some greatly outweigh the costs.  So putting a polarized lens on a set of swim goggles seems like a no-brainer, since there’s rarely more sunlight bouncing around than when you’re in the pool in the summer, right? So far, these AqtivAqua® POLARIZED “Poseidon” Swim Goggles are the sharpest, clearest goggles I’ve ever used. Whether the lenses are truly polarized or just tinted perfectly, I can’t tell. But the sharpness and clarity both in and out of the water was stunning. They fit well around even Hubby’s giant pumpkin head, and there’s no leaks or fogging. They’ve only been used twice in chlorinated water, but both times on both of us they were comfortable, there was no pinching or binding, and they were easily adjusted on the fly to fit either of us. They are a touch on the bulky side and there’s not as much peripheral vision as we’re used to with our swim goggles. But other than that, we have no complaints. The zippered, molded storage case is a nice touch too, a real “value added” bonus. 

I will revisit this review after a few more uses, because testing and reviewing swim goggles has shown me that the first few uses are always perfect, and with exposure to chlorinated water over a season, the cheaper, poorly made ones tend to start fogging and leaking after about 5 or 6 uses. But as of now, these are Hubby’s go-to for lap swimming. Whether they stay that way, only time will tell, but AqtivAqua states on the Amazon listing: ” If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your AqtivAqua® Swimming Goggles, contact us and we will provide a no-hassle full refund”. Alrighty, then. I say give them a try!

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from ActivAqua. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. I received no other compensation in exchange for my review. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Gonex Tactical Backpack 900D 45L Backpack

 

One thing we’ve learned is that you can never have enough storage or carrying solutions in this house. We’ve been using backpacks for various uses for years, more than we ever did in school! Trips to Disneyland, the County Fair, Knott’s Scary Farm, you name it. We took a backpack and were always thankful to have it. Even our trips back and forth from Arizona, we had a backpack for everyday gear. We were intrigued when Gonex offered us their Tactical Backpack to try out, and I’m very glad we did, because man, have backpacks come a looong way!

 

One of the big problems we always had with our packs was ergonomics. It would cause so much strain and fatigue just carrying it the way it was designed to be carried. Gonex (and all the better “tactical” pack makers) recognized this and designed their packs to reduce strain and pressure on the low back and upper shoulders, Packs are designed now to evenly distribute weight and pad the areas most likely to be injured from a “flapping” backpack with a breathable mesh padding. You know what I mean, when all the heaviest stuff has migrated to the bottom, and walking will cause the pack to “flap” against the small of your back. That can be damaging enough to cause permanent disc damage and chronic pain! But since this Gonex pack secures around the waist and at the chest, the pack stays securely put. In fact, the entire back is semi-rigid due to the density of the padding at the back, so even delicate electronics like a laptop are going to be safe in there. There’s storage solutions galore both in and out of the pack. Some of the interior pockets might not be the greatest, but there’s enough of them in there that the good outnumber the bad easily. Water beads up on the exterior, and the interior is lined as well. The 900d oxford construction is tear resistant, and is MOLLE compatible. You can configure this pack for just about any task, and it stores small when not in use. The braided nylon straps are strong and 95% hold and lock tight. A couple would slip a bit, but overall since this isn’t a “duty pack” for me, I’m not complaining. Some of the plastic clips feel a little on the flimsy side, which stand out because the rest of the pack is so sturdy, strong and well-built. The zippers all have pull straps as well, and a single carry strap on top should you want to carry it free handed.

There’s just so many possibilities with this Gonex Tactical Backpack. Camping, hiking, a range bag, a bug-out bag for the prepper in your life. I computer bag, a book bag. Hubby has loaded a package of water bottles for exercise and it took that abuse, laughed at him and asked for more. This is a rock solid, excellently built pack. The stitching held up to Hubby’s abuse, where other, lesser packs have completely failed in the past. And Gonex knows they’ve made a quality pack, because they stand behind it 100% with their “full love it or return it guarantee”. Don’t worry, Gonex, I love it. Sometimes, even when you expect something will be good, you’re still blown away by how good it actually is. This is one of those times where “5 stars” is till too low a rating. I defy you to find a better made pack at this price point. Because I don’t think you can.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from GoNex. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

KOREpro Adjustable Unisex Back Support Belt

 

After my last experience with back braces, one would think I’d be fairly put off from them. Thankfully, my experience with a bad product didn’t sour me on these types of supports because if it had I might have missed out on this well-made KOREpro back brace!

More on par with the other therapeutic back braces I’ve bought for Hubby in the past, this one is well made, didn’t have a horrible smell (just a little neoprene funk that disappeared after the first wash), and most importantly, can be worn against the skin without getting a chemical burn! I will also say it held up well to a delicate wash with Woolite, and looks exactly as it did before washing. But that’s all bonuses, what matters is the does the back brace provide support? And the answer is a resounding “Yes!” because it delivers ample support, fits and wears well and doesn’t ride up, bind, or pinch. You can easily adjust the level of support by tightening the adjustable elastic side straps. Some days you need a little, some days you need a little more, and no matter the level of support you need, KOREpro has you covered. The metal supports (called “unique steel spring splines” by S-Dub) in the back are rigid enough to give decent support without feeling like they dig into your back, and the neoprene does “insulate” and keep the body’s warmth in and around your affected areas.

There are a lot of back braces out there, and more than a few will cost you a pretty penny. Some will make ridiculous claims and promise the moon, and KOREpro does none of those things, and the cost at $18.94, will not put a major dent in your pocketbook. And with a 90-day money back guarantee, you’re covered if for some reason this back brace doesn’t live up to expectations. I recommend this product for those that have issues with their backs, like Hubby does, because sometimes a little support goes a long way to making the day bearable.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from sDUB Concepts. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Lejare Mirrored Swim Goggles with Earplugs

No, it’s not deja-vu. I’m really doing another swim goggle review in October. And yes, they look exactly like the last ones. Except this time, it’s the name “Lejare” on them. The straps are the same. The clasp at the back, the same. The lenses, the same (although Lejare seems to have opted for option “B” in lens shape); the storage case, the same! Even the claims are almost identical. So, let’s do this, then. From jump I’ll tell you that due to the timing of when they were sent (early fall), I couldn’t do any swimming in a frigid pool. So these were tested, again, by Hubby in the shower, with the hose, and dunking his head in the pool from the edge.

Unfortunately, it seems as though the product is branded differently, but it’s nearly identical in every way to several other products that come from overseas. It’s almost as if Lejare picked them from a catalog and paid a few cents extra per unit to get their name and logo on them. These goggles have all the same drawbacks as the last ones I reviewed, because they’re pretty much the same product from probably the same factory. Pinches at the nose? Check. Horrible clip/clasp at the back that is doomed to crack and break? Check (in fact, after trying them on again today, the plastic clasp did snap off). And while it has all the same pluses as the last pair (didn’t leak on initial uses; tinted, mirrored lenses, but not too dark; soft, pliable silicone straps; carry case included), The only noticeable difference is lack of “wavy” effect in the lenses, and for some reason, they included ear plugs. I never thought swimming was too loud, and while I sometimes used to get “swimmer’s ear” as a child, I doubt these ear plugs would do much to solve that. A nose clip might have been more appropriate, maybe even a swim cap. But the same noise-reducing earplugs that Hubby uses to mow the lawn? Yeah…no. There’s also this from the Amazon product page:

“100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE: If, For Whatever Reason, You Don’t Absolutely Love Your Per-Swim Goggle, Just Return It, And We’ll Refund Every Penny (Or Replace It, If There Is A Defect).”

Oh, and they want $19.00 for these, nearly 50% more than the others. I just don’t see the value. At all. That’s more than the Speedo brand Hubby bought before.

Look, I get it. Everyone starts somewhere. And innovation isn’t easy, and doesn’t come cheap sometimes. But this kind of stuff tells me you’re not even trying. You put zero effort and expect to reap major rewards? No, that’s not how business works. I was a small business owner, my father was too. It’s hard work, long hours, and a huge investment. If it was a simple as picking product A, B, and C out of a catalog and having my business name printed on it, and money starts pouring in, everyone would be a millionaire and have their own business. These are average swim goggles, and are identical to the last pair I got from another company, and they’ll be the last goggles I review for a long, long time. Lejare doesn’t have a functioning, maintained website (It doesn’t look like they even finished setting it up. Ug.). Their Facebook page is covered in pictures not related to their products or business. The product photo 0n Amazon is a fully clothed woman in a pool with their product photoshopped on to her face! Seriously? Get it together, guys.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Lejare.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Ohuhu Red/Green Reflex Sight with 4 Reticles

From time to time I get offered products that are off the beaten path for this blog, and this one is pretty far to the right, but seemed like something Hubby would appreciate, so I said yes to the Ohuhu Red or Green Reflex Sight. I’m glad I did.

See, sometimes, the big boy toys are pretty expensive. Sometimes, too, you want more than bare bones on them, and when it comes to optics for weapons, there’s a big, huge world out there and it’s sometimes difficult to decide what you want. This Ohuhu Reflex Sight is a great beginner’s optic for those looking to dip their toes into more advances sights than the traditional iron sights or 3-dot configuration. For starters, Hubby had a bit of a time zeroing it in, because you need Allen wrench to do it, and a small one to boot. In the past, he’s only ever used dials. The choice of reticles is nice, as you get to choose between 4 dots and 4 patterns in either red or green. It’s a tubeless 33mm reflex lens, and while it’s bright enough indoors, you can sometimes lose the green reticle outside in the bright daylight. There’s separate windage and elevation adjustments, which as I stated use an Allen wrench, and a slightly larger allen wrench for mounting to a standard picatinny rail. It mounted rather securely at first, but did work it’s way a little loose after a while. But a touch of Loctite held it fast. It’s constructed solidly and comes with a cleaning cloth, and a lithium CR 2032 battery, and a pliable rubber cap for storage. And it’s priced perfectly for an entry-level optic.

Some people just want to dress up their weapons to look what I’ve heard described as “tacti-cool”, putting form before function. And they spend a bundle doing it. This Ohuhu Reflex Sight is a perfect meeting of affordability and function. It’s got some flaws, but it’s priced right and Ohuhu seems to stand behind their products, and wants their customers to be satisfied. I was and so was Hubby, so I think you will be too if you keep your expectations realistic.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Ohuhu.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

FSL Gunblock Ear Defenders by Future Sound Lab

Like many of our senses, we sometimes take our hearing for granted. Until we start to lose it through age or abuse. When I got a chance to try out FLS’s Gunblock Ear Defenders, what with the sometimes painful din that envelops our house once in a while, I was all in.

See, these ear muffs are good for a lot more than just the shooting range. However, from my experience, a NRR rating of 25 or greater will be adequate for the casual shooter. These FSL Ear Defenders (these are passive ear muffs, BTW, not the electronic active type) have an NRR rating of 26dB (to determine the actual amount of decibel deduction applied (when decibels are measured dBA which is the most common), you take the NRR number (in dB), subtract seven, and then divide by two). And please bear in mind that a single gunshot can render permanent and irreversible hearing damage, so this isn’t a thing you can do without at the range. And while it does provide adequate protection for those activities, These FLS Ear Defenders don’t entirely block out all sound, so you can still hear the person standing next to you. I didn’t get a chance to try them out there yet, but I did get to try them with other various sundry household noises that can be, over long periods of time, just as damaging. Like trying to garden when hubby is mowing the lawn. Or using the string trimmer, or the hedge trimmer, or that demon blower. Sure, he has his headphones that are noise-canceling, so he’s going to be just fine. Me? I’m left with ringing in my ears the rest of the night. Or at least I was until these FSL Ear Defenders.  These are more than adequate for all of these activities.

The plastic bodies and bands are high impact and made to last. While some might thing the band over the head being plastic is bad, I’ve found that the metal ones tend to bend and lose a little shape over time, whereas plastic, while flexible, will almost always return to shape and keep them firmly over your ears. I have a normal sized head and had no issues putting them on and keeping them on. Hubby has a giant pumpkin head (7 5/8″ fitted cap), and while they were snug, he could get them over his ears just fine. Whether, over time, they’d squeeze too much is up for debate, but for ten minutes on his head they provided no discomfort. And when not in use they fold up for easy compact storage between uses. FSL even provides a 3-year warranty, and lifetime support, so you can buy them with confidence knowing your going to be taken care of.

A caveat here, though: FSL products seem to only be sold through iHeadphones on Amazon, and iHeadphones has absolutely atrocious customer service and does not stand behind anything they sell at all. Which is very troubling, because I really, really like FSL products. They’re decent quality, and outstanding value, and work as advertised, but having to buy them through iHeadphones, for me, would be a dealbreaker. But, I’ve never had any issues with FSL products, so I’ll let you decide if shopping with iHeadphones is worth it.

 

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from FSL.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Aegend Mirrored Anti-fog Swim Goggles

Summer has come and summer has gone, and despite the hotter than average fall, the cold nights have cooled the pool to the point that swimming for the season is but a memory. That didn’t stop a couple of companies from sending me swim goggles (that, in my defense, I had requested to review at the start of summer, but I digress…) to test out and review. So Hubby bit the bullet for me and wore them in the shower, dunked his head in the freezing pool, and bless his heart, had me turn the hose on his face. All in the name of my reviews.

The results were middling. While these Aegend swim goggles look sleek and neat, and at first glance seem decent, they have a couple of design flaws that make wearing them a little uncomfortable. The first of which is the nose piece that is not adjustable and pinches a bit on me, a lot on Hubby. Prolonged use would, one could extrapolate, be annoying if not downright painful. Next is the anti-fog coating on the inside. When wet, it gets “gummy”, so be very careful not to wipe or touch the lenses at all. As it stands, the coating went on a little unevenly, which leads to a lens that is no longer optically correct and downright disorienting. The final straw was, after a few adjustments and resizing from me to him, the little plastic tension “snap” that holds the two sides together has a crack. Not fully broken yet, but it’s really only a matter of time. How this was supposed to be a good feature is completely beyond my grasp, because it’s going to break, probably on all of them, and that’s just the nature of this kind of plastic. So understand that these swim goggles are on borrowed time.

I wish these performed as well as they look. They’re really snazzy looking and the tint provides good eye protection from the bright sun, without making everything too dark, The silicone bands are soft and pliable, and didn’t pull my very fine hair. The have a one year, money-back guarantee, and do come with a nifty travel/storage case. But there’s enough wrong with these that at $12.95, I have real trouble recommending them. The upside is, you can always try them and if you have the same problems I did, they can be returned for up to 12 months from purchase.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Aegend.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Velocity Boxing’s Deluxe Reflex Punching Bag and Gloves

When we were kids, we had inflatable bop bags, and beat them mercilessly until they sprung a leak and couldn’t be patched anymore. Depending on your ferocity, that meant it lasted anywhere from a day, to maybe a week. Much fun was had by all. Velocity Boxing has taken that time-honored concept and updated it to this day and age and given kids of all ages a new way to get some exercise and activity with their Deluxe Reflex Punching Bag and Gloves.

While this bag still inflates, it it heavy-duty stitched vinyl panels this time, and a chromed steel adjustable shaft that goes from 35″ all the way up to 53″, and a bottom to fill with 50lbs of sand or water to provide a sturdy, stable base for all your fun. Everything assembles quickly, easily, and with minimal effort and practically no tools. It can moved from room to room with ease and can be disassembled for storage just as easily. The set comes with some basic 6oz. protective gloves and an hand-pump inflation tool for the bag. And everything is made to last!

 

I would go so far as to label this product a piece of exercise equipment more than a toy. It’s so well constructed that it could conceivably outlive your child’s interest in it, and there’s not many “toys” today that you can say that about. My husband even gave the item a few whacks and was impressed at the quality. Sadly, the gloves didn’t fit him at all, as they are quite small (the Amazon listing says 10″) but I was able to get my hands in them and gave him a few whacks too, and they seem to provide adequate cushioning. A little wrist support can’t be a bad thing, so I would consider picking up the kids upgraded gloves along with this set. All in all, it’s a great way for kids to blow off some steam and get a little exercise in, and I think it’s worth every penny of $39.99 asking price on Amazon.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Velocity Toys.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.