Skylab's three-axis gimbal for smartphones

SkyLab's 3-Axis Stabilizing Gimbal for smartphones is the best in 2017! Your smartphone already captures video in up to 4K quality, so why not pair it with the smooth flow of the SkyLab 3-Axis Stabilizing Gimbal to capture professional quality video, using the three individual motors that work in real time to continuously balance and level your movement. Forget unwanted shakiness and jolting. The Three-Axis Stabilizing Gimbal has a little over 150 minutes of use on a single charge and comes with 2 sets of batteries. 

Check out this video I created, the end shows actual footage shot with the SkyLab gimbal using a Samsung S7. 

Charger the batteries in the enclosed charger with USB cable.  Also with firmware updates, use the same USB cable to update the gimbal using the port on the side of the unit. Use the  joystick on the handle for panning, tilting, and rolling. An easy set up, with simply attaching your smartphone in the spring loaded cradle. There is an enclosed counter weight in the case, for use with heavier smartphones, if needed. 

SkyLab also makes a version for the GoPro. 

Enclosed counter-weight

USE port for updating firmware in the handle

Joystick for panning, tilting and rolling 

Enclosed USB cable used for charging batteries as well as updating firmware

SkyLab 3-Axis Stabilizing Gimbal for Smartphones 

Mode One — Pitch Lock — Panning and Roll axis can move freely while Pitch axis is fixed.

Mode Two — Unlocked — Panning, Roll, and Pitch axis move freely and will trail the handles movement.

Mode Three — Locked — Panning, Roll, and Pitch axis are all locked in a fixed position. 

Cycle Torch Shark 500 Lumen Bike Light

Cycle Torch Shark 500 Lumen Bike Light 

Shark 500 w/ handlebar strap 

On button glowing blue 

front of light 

USB charging cords for both front and tail light charging 

Close up of flat shape beam

Tail light illuminated 

Tail light turned off 

Tail light unscrewed from mount to show USB charging port 

I had the opportunity in the past few weeks to test and review the Cycle Torch Shark 500 Lumen super bright bike light along with a taillight, both USB port rechargeable. The beam in which the light emits is what they are calling a flat shape beam.  This is done as to not blind oncoming traffic or others in front of you. I believe this is due to the shape of the front of the light. The mount is very easy to install with the provided silicone straps letting the light be attached to bars with a diameter of 20mm to 34mm. The headlight has four modes. A high, a medium, a low and a flashing / strobe mode.  If the light was to be used in the high mode ( using all 500 Lumen) the battery would last about an hour and a half. If the battery was used on medium ( 250 Lumen) the battery would last three hours. If the battery was used on low ( 50 Lumen) is would last about 15 hours, and finally if the light was used in the flashing mode the battery is expected to last longer than 30 hours before needing to be recharged.

To find out how much charge is in the battery, simply hold down the on button for three seconds. The light will flash from one to ten times.  The more flashes the more power the battery has. So one blink indicates the battery is nearly dead and ten indicates the battery is fully charged. Also the light switch will glow red when the battery level is low and will turn off automatically is the battery is too low. The light is powered by a 18650 / 3.7V-2400 mAh Li-ion battery with the light source being a CREE XML T6 ultra bright LED. Charging the unit takes between four and ten hours with the simple USB cable port on the back of the light. 

The tail light it comes with is what they are calling a Nano I.  To access the USB charging port it must be unscrewed apart from the rubber attachment strip. There is a small light inside that glows letting you know the battery is charging, which will take about two hours to fully charge. Depending on the mode in which it is used in the light can last from two hour to 20 hours. It can also be attached to bars / seat posts with a diameter of 20mm to 34mm. The tail light operates in three modes, steady light or fast or slow blinking. 

I was sent the Cycle Torch light at no charge.  The first light I was shipped did not charge and the body of the unit was hot. There was something wrong with the unit.  I requested another one to replace the faulty one. Their great customer service helped out and another one was quickly on its way. That being said, the light comes with a 100% money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied with the light within a year of purchasing.  No questions asked.  

Mr. Visibility USB Rechargeable Green Reflective LED Belt

I was sent the Mr. Visibility USB rechargeable green reflective LED belt to review.  First off it is very comfortable after adjusting the belt to fit your waist. I have worn the belt both running and cycling.  Seriously on numerous occasions, after passing someone, I have heard “what is that” start up their conversation.  Right there I know it increases visibility.  While only the back portion has the blinking or solid LED light up section, the rest of the belt is bright green and is reflective. The belt is USB rechargeable and gives up to ten hours on the flashing mode and six hours on the steady mode. 

  http://amzn.to/1GR4s8s

Pedallon's USB Rechargeable 100 Lumens Bike Light

I was sent the Pedallon bike lights to use, test and review.  These LED lights come in at full power brightness of 100 Lumens.  The internal battery, which is a Lithium polymer 3.7V 500mAh, takes about two hours to fully charge. The life of the battery depends upon one of the six modes. The modes are standard, with a brightness of 20 Lumens in which the battery will last about seven hours, with the light on high it comes in at a brightness of 50 Lumens and will last about three hours and finally with the light on super high it comes in at a brightness of the full 100 Lumens and the battery in this mode will last about two hours.  So those are the first three modes in which the lights is on constantly. The other three modes the lights have are a flashing or strobe mode.  With the light flashing at 50 percent power the light will last about six hours and flashing at 100 percent power the battery will last about three hours. With the strobe mode the light will last about four hours.  The lights are rechargeable with a simple USB cord, so they can be charged in a USB outlet in a wall or attached to a computer. The light has an orange lighting bolt near the on/off switch.  When the light is plugged into the USB cord charging, the orange lightning bolt symbol will indicate by flickering on and off that the battery is charging.  If the orange light is on solid it indicates the battery is fully charged. The light weighs 35.5 grams and are easily mounted or removed with a quick release rubber strap. The strap can mount to any bar or seat post measuring 22mm to 31.8mm.  The bracket on the bottom of the light can be mounted in the rubber strap either vertically or horizontally. When attached to the bracket on the rubber strap, you are able to pivot the mount also, allowing for more precise angles if needed. The lights are very secure once mounted on their rubber straps and are not going anywhere, if you should hit a pot hole or be bounced around. The rubber strap won’t scratch your handlebars or seat tube, but can be mounted really across any tube on your bike. 

Pedallon makes the light in both a white front light or a red tail light and are sold individually.  The light with it’s rating of 100 Lumens is perfect for being seen out on the road amongst traffic or other riders. As for a light to shine out and project a beam to light the way along a path this light will do no good.  

Pedalllon would like to extend a discount of 35 percent off for readers of my blog. Simply use the coupon code for the front light: QLZZU7EJ and/or for the rear light: WFQI3VEL. The coupon codes until midnight on 28 February (PST) so you must act quick. 

Here is a link to the products on Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MOWQRCC

**** The manufacture of the Pedallon Bike Lights has a contest in which he would like to award a $50 Amazon gift voucher for the best Youtube video with a link to the product along with a review of the product.  Also a $50 gift voucher for the best Pinterest post for the light / lights is available as long as they've also done a review. (Closing date for both entries will be March 15, 2015).