Reviews by Jeff Geerling

Introducing... reviews by me!

For the longest time, I have wanted to share some of the research that I do to pick the best product for my needs, and some of the thoughts I have on a product days, weeks, and months into using it.

I am somewhat of a fanatic about purchasing once, and using an item to its fullest extent—never overbuying, but also never settling for something that works half of the time (I guess that's a big reason I'm always a Mac... though I do see utility in a Windows PC or Linux workstation for some people).

In the Life is a Prayer.com Reviews section, I will be posting reviews of some of the products I have loved, and some that I haven't liked so much. All of the products I review are products that I have spent a lot of time researching for myself, and then using after purchase (for instance, the Nikon D90, or the Canon PowerShot G11, both of which I spent many weeks researching before deciding to buy). I will not review a product that I have not owned, and I won't lie in my reviews.

One of the greatest helps for me in making a purchasing decision is seeing the thoughts of people who have a similar workflow and lifestyle to mine. I think that, if you are someone who likes to be efficient, orderly, and not let his tools get in the way of his work (as I am), you'll find some good material in the reviews that I'll be posting to this new section of my site.

I'll be reviewing mostly tech gear, household items, and photography equipment... but anything's game!

Leave me a note here if there's anything in particular (category of product) you'd like reviewed, and I'll see what I can do.

Further reading

photography
tech
reviews
miscellany

Comments

I'd be interested if you reviewed the Tascam iM2 and the Fostex AR-4i, perhaps doing a threeway comparison of those along with the iRig. Your reviews were very helpful for my microphone purchase a year ago or so, but at the time none of these was on the market. I'm thinking of getting one for my Dad, but am not sure which to buy.

I would love to do a three-way comparison, but it's been difficult trying to get an iM2. Hopefully I'll be able to get one very soon!

Right now I'm very happy with both the AR-4i (for video purposes) and the GuitarJack Model 2 (for audio without video).

Good reviews that your doing!. I wanted to ask, im looking for a good external mic for my Iphone 5. I know you did reviews on some mics when the iphone just came out. Is there anything newer that you would recommend . Some thing that i can take to shows and record bands. Even use it to record my self with the guitar. Thanks!

All the microphones I mentioned in my article on external microphones for iPhones work as well on the 5 as they did on the 4, and, sadly, I haven't seen any new mics or audio devices for the Lightning connector—yet. Most devices that used the old dock connector still work fine with the (expensive) apple 30-pin to Lightning connector.

Hi

I was interested in your thoughts on using the rode smart lab (60.00) with an adapter to the tascam ixx would that improve the recording or not really?

supposed to be smart lav mic not smart lab and tascam ixz. My autocorrect is trying to help :)

Thanks for your thoughts

Hi Jeff,
I appreciate your review on AMazon for the Rode Smartlav. Wondering if you have tested the new ATR 3350IS that now comes with an adapter? I'd love to know which of these 2 has the highest audio level and doesn't need boosting in the editing? Did you have to boost in the editing with the Rode? Thanks so much!

I haven't tested the actual adapter, but I have tested the microphone with a different (but similar) adapter. The mic is not quite as good as the smartlav in level + sound quality, but it's close enough that if the price is the main concern, I'd go with the ATR 3350IS.

I'm having problems coordinating my microphones with my cameras. Cameras-iPhone 4s and Kodak Playtouch zi10. Mics-1) Olympus ME-15. Mono. tie-clip. 3mm jack with 1 band; 2) Sony ECM-CS3. Stereo. 3mm jack with 2 bands. Also have wireless. Audio Technica Pro88. Jack appears to use 3mm 2 band. Question is...how do I get these mics to work with my cameras? None of the mics work on my iphone. My wired stereo headset that I use on the iphone has 3 bands on the 3 mm jack. I'm sure that's whats causing the issue. Help? Thanks.

Dear Jeff

Sorry to disturb and happy holiday!

I am a new seller on Amazon and just launched the latest hands-free car kit CSR Bluetooth 4.0 receiver with Chrystal clear sounds and Just one Knob button to control everything, Easy operation, Click it for call operation ,rotate it for music play and volume operation (product link http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PK0202G )

Would you please write review for this product ?For this is my first time to request review on Amazon,I don't know how to delivery the product to you ,I took my product for FBA service ,so is that possible for you to purchase the product first and then I make full refund including shipping fee to you?

I am truly appreciate your help and look forward your reply.

Yours sincerely
Charles Lee
ZioDirect

How about reviewing the Orange Pi 5 plus with its 2 gigabit Ethernet ports as a router and it's usefulness for other light server duties? It is faster that Raspberry 5 and has more IO. Has OpenWRT, Android, Linux in a few flavors for downloading. Has level 2 1 lane WiFi card connector and a 4 lane level 3 SSD port for up to 2280 length storage cards. Thanks for your consideration.