Review: Grip Folio from Domeo Products

I hate when I gave to go back and amend a great review, but Domeo has proved to me to have less-than-great customer service, so if you do choose to order from them, please be aware that this might be the case.

A few weeks ago I posted a review of the Grip Mini Folio for the iPad mini. I know not everyone has one and Domeo was generous enough to also offer me the full-size iPad case to show you how awesome it is, too. Unfortunately, the pictures are not as exciting, as my clunky original iPad is just thismuch too large to fit into the Grip Folio. I’m not going to let that stop me from showing you the great features of this lightweight and colorful case though. For those of you with iPad 2/3/4, you will be able to use this with no problem.

Since the only difference between the iPad 2 (and newer versions) and the mini is the size, the features of the case are similar. The sleek cover is attractive and the inside is just as pretty. The simple top flap seems like it wouldn’t be all that effective, but it keeps your iPad snug inside the case, with no chance of it sliding out. As you will see in my following video, even when you shake it all around, your iPad doesn’t even move.

Aside from being butterfinger-proof, here are the other reasons you want to rush over to DomeoProducts.com and buy your very own Grip Folio:

Convenient cutouts for everything your iPad can do are included, which means nothing to muffle your voice when trying to talk to your friends via Facetime or Skype, and you don’t have to take the iPad out of the Grip Folio to take pictures/video or to plug it in.

There's a secure strap to keep your Folio open or closed, and when your Folio is closed the elastic strap covers the camera lens on the back, keeping it safe from getting scratched.

If you want to use your iPad hands-free to watch video or check email, flip the cover back and fit it into the groove in the back to use it at an angle. Use it at two different heights, depending on how you like to view the screen. This is nice, because after a short time, the weight of the device can make it difficult to use. Luckily, when your arm starts to get tired, you can just set it up and read your book or continue surfing the web.

The Grip Folio is super-versatile and can help you to use your iPad better and easier. It protects your expensive device, is slim and looks fabulous. The colors rock and it will take up minimal space in your travel bag. You can just wipe it down if it gets dirty, which is inevitable if you are taking it everywhere or your children use the iPad for entertainment and education.

Get your own Domeo Grip Folio right now (or any of Domeo’s other great iPad cases), save a whopping 20% off your order and get free shipping when you use code STC.

More information

Where you can buy it: Domeo Products online

How much it costs: $39.99

Colors it comes in: blue/gray, brown/orange, gray/light gray, purple/blue

Other specs: Soft inside with stain-resistant outside.

Like Domeo and their great products? Find them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+.

Disclosure: I was provided a Grip Folio for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Review: Quik Pod Monopod for Cameras and Mobile Phones

Do you ever go on a trip and want to take a photo of yourself, but have nobody around to ask to take a picture? Even if you are with other people it’s always nice to have more than one person in a shot, otherwise you just end up with someone getting left out of all the photos. We have taken a lot of photos on vacation where it’s just me or just Eric and very few of the ones we have together are taken far enough away to make a difference, because you can’t see what’s behind us or where we are. That close-up can be Paris or Moscow or San Diego or our backyard. You just never know.

photo courtesy of Quikpod.com

When I discovered the Quik Pod, I was thrilled to pieces. Finally a way to take photos from farther than arm’s length without having to ask a stranger – or find one – who may or may not speak English. Sure, we’ve gotten some strange looks when using it, but most people are more intrigued when they see what the Quik Pod can do. You can imagine my surprise when I found out they now make an attachment for your mobile phone. I mean, more travelers are using their phones to document their trips than cameras, so it stands to reason that this is a genius move on their part.

phone not included :)

Quik Pod was nice enough to send me their mobile kit so I could test it out. The new Explorer II extends farther than my original one and is now waterproof and includes a small mirror, so you can see if you’re actually in the shot if you are using your phone's back camera, or your regular camera, and can’t see the screen. Nothing like taking a bunch of pictures and seeing you’ve cut off half your heads, right? The phone attachment can be a bit cumbersome, but if you’re used to using your mobile for everything, it will only take a few more seconds to pop it into the holder and start snapping away with your timer.

We didn’t have occasion to go anywhere fun in the past couple of weeks, so here are some photos I took of myself and of me and my dog with my phone's camera. You can’t even tell I’m holding anything to take the pictures, which is pretty much the point.

I promise my dog is not evil

I have owned a Quik Pod for several years and love its compact nature. It easily slips in any bag I’m carrying and is very sturdy. I love the weight of it, because you know it’s not going to fail and leave your camera in pieces on the ground (the same can be said for the mobile attachment, which has an easy dial to keep your phone snug) and it is also a nice security device. You can’t bring a taser with you on your trip, but this awesome photo helper can double as a weapon if you need one. Now, I’m not saying you should go around beating people with it, but if you had to, you could. It’s especially comforting if you travel alone or you get caught in a zombie outbreak.

You know what other cool stuff you can do with your Quik Pod? If you purchase the Explorer, you can attach the included compact tripod legs and take pictures farther away or of an even bigger group of travelers. That’s perfect for those family reunion cruises people take or class trips to France. Nobody gets left out and you don’t have to perch your camera precariously on a ledge and hit the timer and run back to the group and still try to look good. I have used a lot of things as a substitute for a tripod on my travels: my purse, a fence, a window sill and a ketchup bottle. Yes, I’m creative, but it would have been way easier with one of these.

Take awesome photos or video of your underwater activities with your underwater camera. Not only is the Quik Pod Explorer II waterproof, it has a fantastic wrist loop that is rubberized and adjustable, so even if you lose your grip, it’s unlikely to fall off  your arm and be lost forever in the depths of the ocean. That would be a bummer. All your amazing video of you swimming with sharks and sea turtles...gone. You can bet those creepy bottom-of-the-sea fish aren’t re-watching that footage by their phosphorous antennae glow.

Want to take video of a concert or something else where the crowds are thick and you are short? Use the Quik Pod to extend your reach and see above everyone’s head without having to sit on someone’s shoulders and block the view of more people behind you.

As long as your camera or camcorder has a tripod dock, you can use the Quik Pod. You just screw it right on and you’re ready to take a ton of self-portraits! Want a new angle for your shot? Simply adjust it by turning the dial.

Here are some photos I’ve taken with my camera and my Quik Pod:

More information

Where you can buy it: Quik Pod online, Amazon, various international on and offline merchants

How much it costs: from $24.95

Other specs: comes with carry bag | weighs just 5 oz | 9” closed and extends to 38.5” | stainless steel shaft

Like Quik Pod and their great products? Find them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Disclaimer: I was provided a Quik Pod and mobile attachment for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Travel Light and in Style

Every time I go to an airport, I’m surprised by how few people have unique carry-on bags and even suitcases they check. Maybe they don’t want to stand out and like to read the tag on every bag that passes on the conveyor belt to make sure the one they are picking us is actually theirs. It could be that they just don’t care what their bag looks like as long as it holds clothes and rolls well. You don’t have to be a boring traveler, though. Let your carry-on say something about you and your personal style.

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Chances are, if you are hoping to save money on your trips, you are trying your darnedest to fit everything you can into a carry-on bag (and your purse). That means that you won’t be checking that bag and you’ll be dragging it everywhere you go – at least until you get to your hotel. Do you want to tote around some boring black bag that looks like everyone else’s and gets lost in a crowd? Sure, black goes with everything, but it’s much easier to spot a bag that is colorful and nobody will mistake your bag for theirs in the overhead compartment of the plane.

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Look for a bag that fits your needs and then find a color or pattern that fits your personality. There are going to be a million more bags that come in black than any other color, but that makes it a challenge and also will give you that much more satisfaction when you finally find “your bag”. I look for sturdy wheels, a long handle (since my husband may be pulling the bag at any point), a top and side handle for easy handling and separate compartments. I’m not one to be happy with a bag that is basically a box with wheels. I like pockets and separators and the ability to expand it if necessary. Make sure the bag you choose has a warranty of some kind and is built to last. There’s nothing worse than having luggage that falls apart when you are in the middle of your trip.

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Saving on travel is great, but your carry-on is not where you want to skimp on cost if you don’t have to. Find the bag, then find the deal on it. I say, if you end up paying $300 for a great bag that you love and is sturdy enough to last you for years, it’s worth it in the long run. A round-trip for your checked luggage can cost you an average of $50. Take six trips and your carry-on bag has paid for itself in fees you didn’t pay, because you could take it on the plane with you. It’s not often you will find a bag that retails for hundreds of dollars and not find it on sale somewhere, so make sure you shop around. Amazon often has great discounts on bags, but you can also browse the sales at eBags and other luggage outlets online. Don’t be afraid to check out eBay as well. Many times you will find a gently used bag or a brand new one for much less than other places online.

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Being the bag-lover I am, I have a selection of carry-on bags that I rotate when I travel. Some bags are good for one kind of trip and others for a different kind of trip. If you travel a lot, you may want to acquire a few. Each can reflect your personal style in a separate ways and work for weekend trips, longer trips or family trips. Maybe you’re taking a getaway with the girls where you will only need a few outfits and your beauty bag. It may be much smaller than a carry-on you take on a long vacation with your family. Don’t forget to check to be sure whichever bag you choose fits within the airlines’ carry-on size limits, too. A great carry-on will make you proud to haul it around airports and hotel lobbies and get you even more excited for travel than you already were. And once you get the right bag, you can start working on your vacation wardrobe!