Accessories
01
TOMTOM MULTI-SPORT CARDIO
$399, TOMTOM.COM/EN_AU, TESTED JULY 2014
LOVE Built-in heart monitor with trustworthy results. Simple interface. Accurate data for most sporting disciplines
HATE Can’t track pulse in the pool. No Android app T3 SAYS One for serious sporty types, this offers the most comprehensive fitness data around SPECIFICATIONS SYNCING Bluetooth andANT+ WATER RESISTANCE 50m BATTERY 8 hours SIZE 22x25x13.8mm/63g
02
GOOGLE CHROMECAST
$49, GOOGLE.COM.AU/CHROMECAST, TESTED JULY 2014
LOVE Easy to get smart video on TV. Supported services play in HD. Accesses not-so-supported sites, too
HATE Limited official app selection at present T3 SAYS This dongle instantly makes almost any TV web-enabled and costs just fifty bucks SPECIFICATIONS
CONNECTIVITY NWi-Fi,HDMI,USB SUPPORTS ABC iView, YouTube,Vevo, Rdio SIZES 72x35x12mm/34g
03
SAMSUNG G EAR F IT
$249, SAMSUNG.COM/AU, TESTED JULY 2014
LOVE Smartwatch and fitness tracking features combined. That curved AMOLED screen. Heart-rate tracking
HATE Limited compatibility and accuracy T3 SAYS Great-looking smartwatch with built-in fitness features. A thoroughly modern timepiece SPECIFICATIONS SYNCING Bluetooth 4.0 WATER RESISTANCE Up to 1m BATTERY 5 days SIZE 23x57x12mm
04
TOMTOM RIDER
$488, RYDA.COM.AU, TESTED JUNE 2013 LOVE Well-thought-out, bike-specific features. Rugged, weatherproof build. Comprehensive mapping HATE No Live services, relatively low-res screen T3 SAYS The best satnav for two wheels rather than four, the Rider is good, if a little primitive SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 4.3 inches CONNECTIVITY USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.0 SIZE 130x101x53mm
05 TURTLE B EACH E AR FORCE XP 510
$350, TURTLEBEACH.COM, TESTED NOVEMBER 2013
LOVE Full, 360-degree pseudo surround sound without the wires. Sound quality worthy of music as well as games
HATE Slightly light, plasticky build
T3 SAYS Top-quality wireless gaming headset SPECIFICATIONS
CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth, 3.5mm
06
NIKE+ FUELBAND
$183, MYNIKEID.COM.AU, TESTED MARCH 2013 LOVE Free iPhone app. Ups your activity all-day, giving you motivational Fuel to burn HATE Not as good as Fitbit, although arguably more “blokey” T3 SAYS This snazzy bangle does exactly what is says on the tin: reminds you to be more active on a daily basis SPECIFICATIONS CONNECTIVITY Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0 BATTERY LIFE 4 days SIZE 147-197mm circumference WEIGHT From 27g
07
JOBY GORILLAPOD SLR-ZOOM
$65, RYDA.COM.AU, TESTED SEPTEMBER 2011 LOVE Flexibility adds creative freedom. Lightweight enough to carry anywhere. Reliably stable HATE Lacks height T3 SAYS A solid yet flexible tripod for every imaginable surface, this grips and bends to suit your needs SPECIFICATIONS SUPPORTS Up to 3kg SIZE 250x60x60mm WEIGHT 241g
08
SYNOLOGY D S212J
$278, OFFICEWORKS.COM.AU, TESTED JULY 2012
LOVE A great network-attached storage device with rock solid reliability, massive feature set and not totally unattractive looks
HATE Mobile remote access is fiddly beyond measure. Pretty expensive once you add a pair of hard drives T3 SAYS The best a NAS can get. You can get much cheaper NASes, but t’would be a false economy SPECIFICATIONS
CONNECTIONS Two drive bays, USB for expansion, ethernet
09
MOGA PRO CONTROLLER
$77, EXPANSYS.COM.AU, TESTED OCTOBER 2013
LOVE Well designed X360-style controller that works with most Android devices. Long battery life and fast recharging
HATE Slow Bluetooth connection. Limited game support. Doesn’t match the X360 controller’s feel T3 SAYS Now the controller to beat for a proper console feel on your smartphone or tablet SPECIFICATIONS
0S Android 2.3+ CONNECTIVITY USB, Bluetooth 4.0
10
SUUNTO AMBIT 2 H R
$599, TREKANDTRAVEL.COM.AU, TESTED AUGUST 2013 LOVE Rugged styling. Accurate, fast GPS. Customisation via apps makes it endlessly versatile HATE Epic price. Weedy battery. Considerable complexity T3 SAYS Heading out on an adventure? Save up, then make sure you pack this do-it-all GPS watch SPECIFICATIONS CONNECTIVITY USB, GPS, ANT+ BATTERY LIFE Up to 50
hours tracking DISPLAY 1.97-inch, 128x128 WEIGHT 92g