Reviews

This page contains all of my independent product and service reviews. Every item listed here was purchased and used personally, with no free products, sponsorships, or complimentary services.

  • JADENS Bluetooth Label Maker with Tape Review – My Experience Printing Labels from My Phone

    I purchased this little Bluetooth label maker a little over two years ago, and it has held up well. I use it in my shop, and it prints labels that are 0.5–0.6 inches wide. Although the labels are fixed in length and it does not support continuous label tape, this little workhorse still fills all…

  • Cooks Standard 11″ Stainless Steel Sauté Pan With Lid Review: A 5-Quart Workhorse

    I bought this Cook’s Standard 11″ 5-quart sauté pan in December 2024. I cook most of my meals at home and was looking for something a little deeper than many of the pans I saw on the market. I tend to follow a “one man, one pan” approach to cooking, where I prepare the entire…

  • Small, Tough, and Under $10: The Canvas Tool Pouch I Keep on My Bike

    I purchased the Enyuwlcm Heavy Canvas Case in August 2025. I needed something I could attach to my bike to carry a few tools just in case. It measures 7.48 x 2.36 x 2.56 inches. I installed two small metal grommets into the bottom of the bag, spaced 2.25 inches apart, and bolted it directly…

  • Tomcat Bromethalin Place Pacs Review: 5 Years of Real-World Rodent Control

    After living in the country for a while, I noticed that when fall turns to winter, mice become a recurring problem. After catching a few with traps, I decided to switch to a chemical solution and bought Tomcat Place Pacs. I’ve found them very effective and have used them off and on for over five…

  • KardiaMobile 1-Lead EKG Monitor Review: A Simple Tool for Peace of Mind

    I purchased the KardiaMobile 1-Lead EKG Monitor a little over two years ago. I was not experiencing any symptoms at the time, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to value early detection as a sensible precaution. The device is straightforward to use. It runs on a CR2016 coin battery and pairs with a smartphone…

  • Zenni Optical Review (10+ Years Buying My Own Glasses Online)

    I have been buying my eyewear online from Zenni Optical for well over ten years. I continue to find their prices and quality difficult to beat. Just a year ago, in February 2025, I purchased a pair of no-line progressive glasses featuring 1.61 high-index photochromic gray (transition) lenses with standard anti-reflective coating. With free shipping…

  • Verizon Wireless Review (Customer Since 2007)

    Used and Paid For By Me – Ongoing Service I’ve been a Verizon customer since 2007. For the past eight years, I’ve lived on five rural acres in North Texas, about five miles from a town of fewer than 2,000 people. This review is based entirely on my experience paying for and using Verizon service…

  • Zeskit HDMI 2.1 Cable Review: Reliable eARC for LG C5 OLED?

    I purchased the Zeskit 8K HDMI cable to connect my LG QP5 soundbar to my brand-new LG C5 55″ TV — and it turned out to be one of the best small upgrades I’ve made. I had an older 4K TV and was ready for an upgrade. After doing some research, I read that it’s…

  • Qdreclod 1.3-Gallon Battery Sprayer Review (1 Year of Use)

    I purchased the Qdreclod 1.3-gallon battery powered garden sprayer last spring for use around the home and yard. Every spring and fall, I walk around the outside of my home spraying for weeds close to the foundation on the first pass and spraying for insects on the second pass. That’s a lot of spraying. I…

  • Septicfit Septic Chlorine Tablets Review (8 Years of Problem-Free Use)

    I have been living out here on the Lazy D for a little over eight years. Out here in the countryside, we use aerobic septic systems. From the very beginning, I have been using Septicfit calcium hypochlorite tablets in my system. I have regularly scheduled inspections every quarter, and Septicfit has served me well throughout…

  • Nest Learning Thermostat 1st Gen Review After 8 Years of Use

    I have owned the Nest programmable thermostat for several years, and it continues to work just as reliably today as when I first installed it. It has proven to be a dependable, easy-to-use thermostat that delivers practical automation without unnecessary complexity. I originally purchased the Nest thermostat to add a bit of automation to my…

  • Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier V745WB Review After 2 Winters of Use

    I purchased the Vicks warm mist humidifier a little over a year ago, in January of 2025, to solve a specific problem for me — and it worked. My home is all electric and uses a heat pump, which I monitor with a Nest thermostat I reviewed here. Winter air naturally holds significantly less humidity…

  • Febreze Plug Scent Booster Review (2026): Does It Actually Last?

    I purchased the Febreze plug scent booster in May of 2025. I had been using the wall plug-ins for a few years. I decided it was time for a change. I chose the plug scent booster because it had a cord, which lets you place it on a counter or tabletop rather than being against…

  • RAiNSPIRE 12×17 Baking Rack Review – Sturdy, Well-Built, Easy Cleanup

    I began looking for a baking rack so that I could perfect my breaded hot wing chicken recipe. It seems if you oven bake your wings on a rack, airflow greatly improves and that results in crispier wings. That’s another story. I chose the RAiNSPIRE stainless steel 12″x17″ baking rack because it is the perfect…

  • POWERCORDS 3-Outlet Wall Tap Review (UL Listed, No Overheating So Far)

    I purchased these 3 prong plug adapters a week or two ago. I had purchased an inverter generator to use if we lost power during a recent winter storm, the generator only has two outlets, and I planned to run two extension cords into the house and I would need more than two outlets once…

  • The Harbor freight 4550 open frame inverter generator review

    PREDATOR 4550 Watt Open-Frame Inverter Generator I purchased the Harbor Freight Predator 4550 open-frame inverter generator after experiencing multiple extended power outages in a rural setting. This review is based on real-world home backup use, not promotional testing. I found the Predator 4550-watt open-frame inverter generator to be a wise choice. Inverter generators cost more than…

  • Harris Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth Review for Garden Use

    In March of 2025 I decided to plant a vegetable garden. By the time May rolled around it became evident that I would need something to keep pests away from my plants especially the potato plants. After some research on my own I chose the Harris brand because it is OMRI listed, meaning it has…

  • AVAPOW 4000 A peak. Car jump starter Three years in.

    I purchased the AVAPOW 4000 peak car jump starter back in April of 2023. I needed a portable way to jump start different machinery a riding mower, tractor and small car with a 4 cyl engine here on the homestead. The LED light and USB quick charge 3.0 came in handy during occasional power outages…

  • D-Fantix Battery Tester Review (2026): Is It Worth Buying?

    I purchased the D-Fantix battery tester a little over two years ago. I am happy to report that it has held up well. If you are anything like me, you seem to have all types of batteries laying around in junk drawers and nightstands. I got tired of swapping out batteries. Which ones are good.…

  • The Anker 45w USB C charger – Daily use for Pixel nine Pro

    I purchased the Anker 45w USB C charger back in March of 2025 and have been using it on a daily basis. I wanted a second high power charger for my Pixel nine pro as I had recently purchased a Google smart watch and was using my Google charger for the watch. If you need…