Scargill's Tech Blog
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Log In
  • Password Reset
  • New Visitors
  • Register
  • Search

Category: General

Gravastar Sirius Pro Zinc Alloy Gaming Earbuds

August 11, 2022August 15, 2022 Peter ScargillGeneral
Gravatar Sirius Pro Earbuds

If that title alone didn’t grab your interest, maybe you’re not that into earbuds. I’d forgotten all about these and this morning opened the shipping packaging (Amazon) not having a clue what I was looking at, other than thinking to myself “this looks industrial”. My second fleeting thought was “what…

Read More→

Advanced IP Scanner Tips from Famatech

August 8, 2022August 8, 2022 Peter ScargillGeneral

If you’re running a PC on a network, you may well have used the free “Advanced IP Scanner” – I have for years, especially when I introduce new IOT devices to the network. This short blog entry isn’t an ad (it’s free anyway) but I thought I’d share this as…

Read More→

Sonoff POWR3 5500W Controller – It’s a Monster

July 31, 2022March 31, 2023 Peter ScargillGeneral8 Comments on Sonoff POWR3 5500W Controller – It’s a Monster
Sonoff POWR3

Back in 2019 I reviewed the Sonoff POWR2 unit – an upgraded mains controller which, as against typical power controllers which handle 10A MAX (good for lighting, not so good for heating controls such as immersion heaters), handles 15A MAX along with power monitoring (at a push and for non-inductive…

Read More→

GL iNET MT300N V2 (Mango) Travel Router Revisited

July 24, 2022September 5, 2023 Peter ScargillGeneral58 Comments on GL iNET MT300N V2 (Mango) Travel Router Revisited

Update July 2022 Well, I never thought I’d be writing more about this router, but in the last couple of years I’ve become a firm fan of OpenWrt because of it’s ability to be administrated from the web interface LUCI or the command line. In particular I’ve been making great…

Read More→

Banana Pi M5 SBC – Lots of Possibilities?

July 24, 2022July 26, 2022 Peter ScargillGeneral3 Comments on Banana Pi M5 SBC – Lots of Possibilities?

I rarely write about new SBCs (single board computers) these days, having covered LOTS of them in the past, then having pretty much settled on the Raspberry Pi 4. With the current inflated price and availability issues with the RPi, I’ve been asked to talk about other boards and the…

Read More→

Momax SmartEye SL1S Internal IP WiFi Camera and more!

July 23, 2022April 18, 2023 Peter ScargillGeneral

This is probably starting to look like camera week already – I just received some Momax products in the mail including a pair of internal WiFi IP cameras – ok, so who are Momax? I must admit I’d not heard of them until I heard from someone I’ve dealt with…

Read More→

FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S for Geeks

July 17, 2022June 18, 2023 Peter ScargillGeneral10 Comments on FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S for Geeks
NanoPi R5S

Long-term readers of this blog will know I’ve reviewed MANY FriendlyArm/FriendlyElec boards in the past but things have been quiet for some time now (Covid won’t have helped). Well, it looks like they are back in action – new WiKi site and a new board. I have the boxed version…

Read More→

Raspberry Pi PICO W – worth the bother NOW?

June 30, 2022June 30, 2022 Peter ScargillGeneral, Raspberry Pi PICO71 Comments on Raspberry Pi PICO W – worth the bother NOW?

This article was originally written when the RPi PICO came out. I was not impressed. But things change and the RPi Foundation have now (late June 2022) released the Raspberry Pi Pico W complete with 2.4Ghz WiFi and Bluetooth 5.2 while being a drop-in replacement for the RP2040 chip used…

Read More→

Sonoff Monday – New Products

June 23, 2022July 27, 2022 Peter ScargillGeneral3 Comments on Sonoff Monday – New Products

POWR320D Here we have the POW Elite (POWR32OD), handling 20A max non-inductive load. Both of the controllers in this blog entry support Bluetooth pairing with the Sonoff eWeLink APP and have detachable DIN RAIL mounts on the back. It is worth noting for better or worse that as usual we…

Read More→

UGREEN Nexode Gan X Fast 65W Charger – Very Nice

June 16, 2022June 16, 2022 Peter ScargillGeneral
UGREEN GAN X 64W Fast Charger

You may have seen me blog about the UGREEN T3 HiTune Earbuds and before that, the UGREEN X6 Active HiTune buds – both excellent. And before anyone says “who on earth is UGREEN”… I’d not heard of them before the X6 and was suitably impressed so I’m expecting much out…

Read More→

The CubeTouch X1 BLE 4.2 Button Presser

June 14, 2022August 3, 2023 Peter ScargillGeneral9 Comments on The CubeTouch X1 BLE 4.2 Button Presser

Remember this blog entry about Switchbot S1? (photo below right) Great little Bluetooth device, sent to me by ZBanx Marketing, for machines which have an on-off pushbuton but no ability to handle timers. Switchbot could even make use of the company’s SwitchBot Mini-Hub to allow WiFi control of the Switchbot…

Read More→

Mustool MDS120M 120Mhz Oscilloscope

June 11, 2022June 11, 2022 Peter ScargillGeneral

This neat pocket-size Oscilloscope is currently on sale at Banggood for €63.09 (inc VAT and Duty – plus post) and by all accounts, their customers love it. Smaller than a typical mobile phone yet with 120Mhz bandwith – the device is USB-chargeable and comes complete with USB and *1, *10…

Read More→

BeeLink GTR5, WebP, AVIF and More

May 28, 2022January 23, 2025 Peter ScargillGeneral5 Comments on BeeLink GTR5, WebP, AVIF and More
Beelink Mini-PC

A busy couple of weeks it has been. I’m finally finished setting up my new PC, a Beelink GTR5 Mini-PC (update June 9, 2022). Ok, so what is that? I usually write about tech and review gadgets sent to be by various companies including Banggood but this week, after talking…

Read More→

Sonoff DW2-Wi-Fi Door Sensor and Node-Red

May 22, 2022May 22, 2022 Peter ScargillGeneral7 Comments on Sonoff DW2-Wi-Fi Door Sensor and Node-Red

Ok, first things first, the DW2-Wi-Wi door sensor is as it says, WiFi, not RF or Bluetooth (though it does use BT to setup with the eWeLink APP in the first place). I looked here on Amazon and read someone saying the device was almost impossible to pair – mine…

Read More→

OBSBOT Tiny 4K Webcam – a winner and Now the REMOTE

May 19, 2022May 19, 2022 Peter ScargillGeneral

This is an update to my latest original OBSBOT post – as you’ll see below the company Remotech. Co. Ltd (marketed as www.obsbot.com) sent me firstly their OBSBOT TINY webcam and then the OBSBOT Tiny 4K Webcam. They’re both so good that I immediately sold my Logitech webcam setup and…

Read More→

The Wednesday Banggood Round-Up

May 15, 2022May 28, 2022 Peter ScargillGeneral10 Comments on The Wednesday Banggood Round-Up

I came home yesterday to more goodies from Banggood – the first being a new Blitzwolf smartplug. As it happens I’ve a need for a new one with power monitoring. If you’ve seen my blog about Spanish electricity and putting everything on “cheap” rate where practical, I recently put my…

Read More→

UGREEN T3 HiTune Earbuds

May 6, 2022May 16, 2022 Peter ScargillGeneral

Regular readers will recall I wrote about Ugreen X6 Hybrid Earbuds a while ago. Ok, so you have the link to the original article – you may recall me raving about them – then nothing. That’s because I just wear them every day – they simply work, sound good, charge…

Read More→

Meross Home Control – Revisited – Again

April 24, 2022May 20, 2022 Peter ScargillGeneral11 Comments on Meross Home Control – Revisited – Again
Meross

In March 2020, just about the time the term “Covid” became a thing, I received several IOT units from a company called Meross (designed in California, made in China as I noted on one of the boxes) including the UK version of their MSS310 power-monitoring Smart Plug, their Smart Radiator…

Read More→

Sculpfun S6 Pro High Precision Laser Engraver

April 22, 2022April 28, 2022 Peter ScargillGeneral5 Comments on Sculpfun S6 Pro High Precision Laser Engraver
Sculpfun S6 Pro Precision Laser Engraver

Or how to assemble a new laser engraver when your only workbench is already full… Here’s Banggood’s link (no commission as usual – I do this for fun, not to run a business) and a variation on their description. SCULPFUN S6 Pro laser engraving machine, ultra-thin focus wood and acrylic…

Read More→

UGOOS UT8 Pro Android TV Box – The Long Haul

April 19, 2022September 28, 2022 Peter ScargillGeneral5 Comments on UGOOS UT8 Pro Android TV Box – The Long Haul
Ugoos UT8 Pro

I’ve had many TV boxes over the years and learned lots of things to watch for – like different versions of Android some of which have the full Play store, some don’t. Some last, others don’t. Some have hardwired Ethernet available, some don’t etc. I just discovered something early April…

Read More→

Posts pagination

Previous 1 … 12 13 14 … 34 Next

Welcome

I'm Pete and this is my (big) technology blog.

Use the (top menu) search box or check out the archives and other links below - be sure to SHARE what you like using the social media buttons and please subscribe to my YouTube video channel

To buy me a coffee or help with the costs of running the blog, please use the Paypal donate link below. You don't NEED to be a Paypal user to do that.


Please note that menu enhancements are only visible if you are a logged in, registered user.

Registrations with no name or suspicious looking email addresses (ending in SIBIA for example or blatantly commercial) will be considered to be spammers and will be deleted, sorry. Don't forget to tick the box so you will get email follow-ups to comments. We've a great community in here. Spammers and "guest post" companies beware - you have NO chance of success and a good chance of getting spammed badly in return.

Notice: I'm always happy to offer advice on stuff I've written - and indeed take advice. If I can help in any way just let me know but PLEASE don't ask me how to program in C/PASCAL/NODE/etc. There are many resources out there - if you want to program and can't - there's always Google.

Email Newsletter

Enter a name and your real email address if you would like to receive occasional summary emails.

Name

Email


Recent Posts

  • Christmas Giveaway – Sonoff Z-WAVE 800 Dongle Plus
  • Quick Thoughts on CO2 and Particle Monitoring
  • Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410
  • NFC Card Reader – Full Blown Project
  • The New Aqara LB-102E Smart Light
  • Sonoff BASIC Gen 5 Revisited in Matter
  • The LattePanda IOTA SBC
  • New Ikea IOT products: revolutionary or hype?
  • The New Sonoff Airguard TH Sensor
  • More Sonoff Goodness – Mini-Duo, Mini Duo-L etc
  • More WLED – or Christmas Time Part 2
  • Christmas Time Again – Which ESP?
  • Nous AZ7 Smart Zigbee Socket
  • Nous Zigbee Household Combustible Gas Detector
  • The Nous L14 Zigbee Smart Water Valve
  • First Xmas Gift – The Apollo H-2 2025
  • The All-New Sonoff Orb 4-in-1 Zigbee Button
  • NanoKVM Pro – Another new contender
  • Is it possible that speech recognition has finally matured?
  • Text Adventure – Only 40 Years Too Late
  • An Exciting Shelly and Sonoff Friday
  • Cheap USB Cameras – any good?
  • Dual Control Made Easy: Zemismart’s SRS01-P2TW
  • Just a Quick Reminder – Wemos D1 Mini and WLED
  • LD2410C Presence Sensor – First Steps & Beyond
  • And Now, the Reolink Duo 3v PoE Security Camera
  • Sonoff SNZB-01P Button – A Brief Revisit
  • Switchbot Smart Video Doorbell
  • JETKVM – Useful tool or not?
  • Remembering OKW Enclosures
  • Sonoff Fusion Zigbee Smart Shutter Wall Switch
  • ESP32-C3 and LD2450 – A Quick Look
  • A New Year’s AI Treat + September Updates
  • ANOTHER Sonoff BASIC – Gen 5 – BASIC 1GS
  • Switchbot S20 Lidar + AI Vacuum and Wet Cleaner

Social

Facebooktwitterlinkedinyoutube

Disclaimer

As I have no idea of your level of technical skill or the requirements of your country laws in terms of electricity supply etc, I accept no responsibility for any damage attributed to following advice in these pages.

When dealing with wall outlet (high) voltages you should satisfy yourself that whatever you are doing is safe and if unsure, seek advice from someone who is sure.

Archives

  • December 2025
  • November 2025
  • October 2025
  • September 2025
  • August 2025
  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • June 2012
footer image
Copyright © 2016-2025 Peter Scargill. All Rights Reserved.