https://the-gadgeteer.com Gadget news and reviews since 1997! Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:17:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cropped-cropped-wp-icon-gadgeteer-logo-32x32.jpg https://the-gadgeteer.com 32 32 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/12/04/robosens-new-transformers-soundwave-transforms-by-itself-and-doubles-as-a-working-bluetooth-speaker/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/12/04/robosens-new-transformers-soundwave-transforms-by-itself-and-doubles-as-a-working-bluetooth-speaker/#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:14:05 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=491981 Your childhood Soundwave toy could transform if you spent five minutes folding panels. This one does it automatically while you watch, then plays Spotify through its chest. Robosen and Hasbro just dropped the G1 Flagship Soundwave, and it might be the first collectible robot that truly lives up to “More Than Meets The Eye.” After […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/12/04/robosens-new-transformers-soundwave-transforms-by-itself-and-doubles-as-a-working-bluetooth-speaker/feed/ 2 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/11/18/audi-holiday-gift-guide-emtb-2-0-electric-mountain-bike-mattel-build-sets-and-digital-themes/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/11/18/audi-holiday-gift-guide-emtb-2-0-electric-mountain-bike-mattel-build-sets-and-digital-themes/#respond Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:00:54 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=490693 Looking for gifts that combine German engineering with actual usefulness? Audi just pitched three holiday options that range from “I want one” to “wait, they make that?” The highlight is the Audi eMTB 2.0 electric mountain bike. At $5,850, this isn’t your weekend trail toy. It’s a proper enduro-style e-bike built in partnership with Italian […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/11/18/audi-holiday-gift-guide-emtb-2-0-electric-mountain-bike-mattel-build-sets-and-digital-themes/feed/ 0 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/07/11/ohwill-ride-on-fire-truck-12v-electric-car-review-a-great-ride-for-little-aspiring-fire-people/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/07/11/ohwill-ride-on-fire-truck-12v-electric-car-review-a-great-ride-for-little-aspiring-fire-people/#comments Fri, 11 Jul 2025 12:00:56 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=475034 REVIEW – Like many toddlers, our little guy is obsessed with vehicles in general, and fire trucks in particular. He’s constantly spotting fire trucks in the wild (and loudly informing us about said trucks), so the offer to review a ride-on fire truck was a welcome surprise. ⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons) Price: $349.99 Where to buy: […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/07/11/ohwill-ride-on-fire-truck-12v-electric-car-review-a-great-ride-for-little-aspiring-fire-people/feed/ 1 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/07/05/the-wand-company-star-trek-tricorder-review-my-landing-party-set-is-now-complete/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/07/05/the-wand-company-star-trek-tricorder-review-my-landing-party-set-is-now-complete/#comments Sat, 05 Jul 2025 15:32:38 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=475030 REVIEW – The Wand Company has done it again! In 2014, they released a Star Trek Phaser replica worthy of any TV or movie production. In 2016, they released an almost perfect version of the Communicator. Then, a few years later, in 2020. The Wand Company announces it is finally making every Star Trek fan’s […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/07/05/the-wand-company-star-trek-tricorder-review-my-landing-party-set-is-now-complete/feed/ 11 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/07/02/spyragravity-review-a-water-cannon-that-doesnt-quite-make-it-through-the-battle/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/07/02/spyragravity-review-a-water-cannon-that-doesnt-quite-make-it-through-the-battle/#comments Wed, 02 Jul 2025 12:00:40 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=474052 REVIEW – I was a kid right when the infamous super-soaker came on the scene in the early 90s (if my memory serves me right).  I wanted one so bad, and my mind was all but blown when I was lucky enough to get one for a 4th of July party one year.  If only […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/07/02/spyragravity-review-a-water-cannon-that-doesnt-quite-make-it-through-the-battle/feed/ 4 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/03/25/the-marble-run-of-the-future-marblelous-hits-kickstarter-today/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/03/25/the-marble-run-of-the-future-marblelous-hits-kickstarter-today/#respond Tue, 25 Mar 2025 16:00:03 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=465280 NEWS – Get ready to roll into the future of marble runs! Marblelous, the world’s first high-tech interactive marble run lauches today (March 25th, 2025) on Kickstarter. This isn’t your grandpa’s marble run – it’s a game-changer that blends classic fun with cutting-edge tech. What Makes Marblelous Special? Marblelous takes marble runs to a whole […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/03/25/the-marble-run-of-the-future-marblelous-hits-kickstarter-today/feed/ 0 Toys - The Gadgeteer nonadult https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/12/08/deerc-9005e-114-all-terrain-fast-rc-car-review-my-need-for-speed-comes-in-a-small-package/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/12/08/deerc-9005e-114-all-terrain-fast-rc-car-review-my-need-for-speed-comes-in-a-small-package/#comments Sun, 08 Dec 2024 13:00:44 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=453937 REVIEW – Miniature vehicles, including trains, have always been a favorite of mine since childhood. Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars especially. As I aged, my interest in all things remote control (RC) has developed. I recently reviewed an RC boat and loved it. Now I’m reviewing an RC car from the same company. The DEERC […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/12/08/deerc-9005e-114-all-terrain-fast-rc-car-review-my-need-for-speed-comes-in-a-small-package/feed/ 3 Toys - The Gadgeteer nonadult https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/12/04/itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny-tv-for-your-geek-dollhouse/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/12/04/itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny-tv-for-your-geek-dollhouse/#respond Wed, 04 Dec 2024 21:17:22 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=454964 NEWS – This past March, Kathleen told us about the adorable TinyTV2. I almost bought one just for the heck of it, but never did and now TinyCircuits is back with an even smaller version! The TinyTV Mini is a “TV” that features a 0.6″ 65K OLED display. The TinyTV Mini comes with a functioning […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/12/04/itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny-tv-for-your-geek-dollhouse/feed/ 0 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/09/10/unique-magnetic-toy-figures-inspired-by-ancient-chinese-warriors/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/09/10/unique-magnetic-toy-figures-inspired-by-ancient-chinese-warriors/#respond Tue, 10 Sep 2024 18:18:58 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=445733 NEWS – Jin Iron Soldiers from Coppertist are really cool toy figures that mix history with fun! Inspired by the Iron Pagoda of the ancient Jin Dynasty cavalry, these figures are made from a blend of metals like white bronze, copper, oxidized silver, and 18K gold giving them a shiny, sturdy look. What Makes Them […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/09/10/unique-magnetic-toy-figures-inspired-by-ancient-chinese-warriors/feed/ 0 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/09/06/kobotix-real-racer-xr-rc-car-review-fun-but-flawed/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/09/06/kobotix-real-racer-xr-rc-car-review-fun-but-flawed/#respond Fri, 06 Sep 2024 14:00:34 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=444185 REVIEW – If you’ve ever driven a 500+ horsepower car, you know that you’re a sneeze away from a dangerous and/or expensive wreck without skill and concentration. A few years ago I spun out a rented Dodge Challenger with a track kit on the streets of Las Vegas and luckily all I damaged was my […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/09/06/kobotix-real-racer-xr-rc-car-review-fun-but-flawed/feed/ 0 Toys - The Gadgeteer nonadult https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/08/13/forget-about-lego-3d-print-the-stemfie-model-building-system-for-free/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/08/13/forget-about-lego-3d-print-the-stemfie-model-building-system-for-free/#comments Tue, 13 Aug 2024 23:35:12 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=443281 NEWS – What is STEMFIE? The STEMFIE Project is an open-sourced educational construction toy that you can download and make at home on your 3D printer for free. The model shown above is made from STEMFIE parts that include beams, fasteners, plates, gears, shafts, washers, and more. The ability to print individual parts as you need […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/08/13/forget-about-lego-3d-print-the-stemfie-model-building-system-for-free/feed/ 4 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/07/16/deerc-de95-wave-shredder-rc-jet-boat-review-all-the-fun-of-rc-on-the-water/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/07/16/deerc-de95-wave-shredder-rc-jet-boat-review-all-the-fun-of-rc-on-the-water/#respond Tue, 16 Jul 2024 17:01:32 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=439191 REVIEW – Radio-controlled toys and vehicles have always fascinated me. RC planes and helicopters are something I really enjoy watching, but I would never own them because I’d be too scared of crashing. RC cars or trucks look like endless fun, but knowing myself, I’d get into the hobby too deep and would constantly want […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/07/16/deerc-de95-wave-shredder-rc-jet-boat-review-all-the-fun-of-rc-on-the-water/feed/ 0 DEERC (DE95) Brushless Jet Boat Demonstration nonadult https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/05/25/deerc-fast-brushless-rc-shark-boat-review-bringing-the-rc-party-to-the-sea-or-at-least-a-pond-near-you/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/05/25/deerc-fast-brushless-rc-shark-boat-review-bringing-the-rc-party-to-the-sea-or-at-least-a-pond-near-you/#respond Sat, 25 May 2024 12:57:10 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=433714 REVIEW – I’ve reviewed several DEERC remote control cars here at The Gadgeteer, but so far all of these have been land-based remote control vehicles. Today that changes, with the DEERC Fast Brushless RC Shark Boat. I continue to regularly take out the DEERC trucks and cars that I previously reviewed and they’ve all held […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/05/25/deerc-fast-brushless-rc-shark-boat-review-bringing-the-rc-party-to-the-sea-or-at-least-a-pond-near-you/feed/ 0 DEERC Fast Brushless RC Shark Boat testing for my Gadgeteer review nonadult https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/04/21/tosy-flying-ring-review-give-it-a-whirl/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/04/21/tosy-flying-ring-review-give-it-a-whirl/#respond Sun, 21 Apr 2024 13:22:02 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=429028 REVIEW – With summer coming quickly and the days warming up, we are getting out more and more as the days getting longer. Adding to the outdoor fun is the TOSY Flying Ring set! What is it? The TOSY Flying Ring set consists of three flying rings (frisbees), each with a different colored set LEDs […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/04/21/tosy-flying-ring-review-give-it-a-whirl/feed/ 0 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/12/31/funwhole-a-frame-cabin-building-block-set-review-an-old-fashioned-house-with-lights/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/12/31/funwhole-a-frame-cabin-building-block-set-review-an-old-fashioned-house-with-lights/#respond Sun, 31 Dec 2023 14:10:18 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=416949 REVIEW – Last year I reviewed Funwhole’s Lakeside Lodge, and it is probably my favorite building block set.  It’s amazing how a good set of lights can really enhance the quality of a set, and no one knows how to light a set like Funwhole.  I decided to review another set in this same genre […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/12/31/funwhole-a-frame-cabin-building-block-set-review-an-old-fashioned-house-with-lights/feed/ 0 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/12/09/deerc-h16r-brushless-116-4x4-rc-truck-review-a-tiny-speed-demon/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/12/09/deerc-h16r-brushless-116-4x4-rc-truck-review-a-tiny-speed-demon/#comments Sat, 09 Dec 2023 23:01:13 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=413718 REVIEW – Continuing a streak of DEERC RC car reviews, this time I have the DEERC H16R Brushless 1:16 4×4 RC Truck in to check out. Both of the previous DEERC RC cars have been a blast and are holding up well (no issues with either). This new H16R RC truck appears to be a […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/12/09/deerc-h16r-brushless-116-4x4-rc-truck-review-a-tiny-speed-demon/feed/ 2 DEERC H16R 1:16 4x4 RC Truck testing for my The Gadgeteer Review nonadult https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/12/06/deerc-114-fast-shark-rc-car-review-my-favorite-shark-themed-rc-car/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/12/06/deerc-114-fast-shark-rc-car-review-my-favorite-shark-themed-rc-car/#respond Wed, 06 Dec 2023 14:56:52 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=413270 REVIEW – A few months ago I had the pleasure of reviewing a 1:16 RC truck from DEERC that has continued to be a blast to tear around the yard and street with. This time around, I’ve got a slightly larger and slightly different style 1:14 “Fast Shark RC Car” in for testing, so I’ll […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/12/06/deerc-114-fast-shark-rc-car-review-my-favorite-shark-themed-rc-car/feed/ 0 DEERC 114 Fast Shark RC Car testing for The Gadgeteer review nonadult https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/10/25/jmbricklayer-mechanical-octopus-building-block-set-review-destroy-a-ufo-and-save-the-planet/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/10/25/jmbricklayer-mechanical-octopus-building-block-set-review-destroy-a-ufo-and-save-the-planet/#respond Wed, 25 Oct 2023 14:00:46 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=410240 REVIEW – Aliens have arrived, and their UFOs are the gravest threat that our planet has ever seen!  Mankind’s answer?  Convert the giant octopi of our oceans into half mollusk, half machine monstrosities and turn them loose against the flying saucers!  The crazy thing is that it seems to be working.  Join me for this […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/10/25/jmbricklayer-mechanical-octopus-building-block-set-review-destroy-a-ufo-and-save-the-planet/feed/ 0 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/13/deerc-brushless-rc-car-review-smaller-than-expected-but-lots-of-fun/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/13/deerc-brushless-rc-car-review-smaller-than-expected-but-lots-of-fun/#respond Wed, 13 Sep 2023 12:13:26 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=404399 REVIEW – When I was a kid, one of my most memorable possessions was a remote control car. Because this was the technology of the 80’s, it only drove (slowly) for about 10 minutes before requiring a 3-4 hour charging session, but nevertheless I still loved it. Fast forward more years than I’d like to […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/13/deerc-brushless-rc-car-review-smaller-than-expected-but-lots-of-fun/feed/ 0 DEERC Brushless RC Car Testing for The Gadgeteer Review nonadult https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/06/15/gravitrax-is-the-new-game-toy-you-didnt-know-you-needed-until-now/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/06/15/gravitrax-is-the-new-game-toy-you-didnt-know-you-needed-until-now/#comments Thu, 15 Jun 2023 19:15:07 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=395331 NEWS – Who cares about EDC, multi-tools, knives, and wallets, when you can play with marbles! Wait, don’t hit your back button just yet! GraviTrax looks like a fun way to change things up with your family. Instead of having your eyes glued to your phones, tablets, laptops, and TVs, you can get a GraviTrax […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/06/15/gravitrax-is-the-new-game-toy-you-didnt-know-you-needed-until-now/feed/ 1