[REVIEW] COD iONIC Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 ed) - Anti-Glare vs Ultra Crystal

Hey Guys.  Recently got a hold of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Ed) tablet.  It has probably the BEST screen on a mobile device right now (2560x1600) so I wanted to make sure to protect that panel.  Went ahead and purchased both the Anti-Glare and the Ultra Crystal version of the COD iONIC screen protectors, so that I could do a good comparison between the two of them. The following prices are on Amazon as of Nov 1, 2013:

COD Screen Protector Film Matte (Anti-Glare) for Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Ed (3-pack)
$4.85 (+$3.85 shipping)
COD Screen Protector Film Clear (Invisible) for Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Ed (3-pack)
$9.85 (free shipping with Prime)

I took a few up close pics with my DSLR to compare text clarity, and also have a video review to compare in addition to calrity, light diffusion, and how they work with the S Pen.

Here we can see all that is included in the packaging.  Each comes with 3 protectors, a microfiber cloth, installation card, and a sticker to remove lint or fuzz that might get stuck under the protector during the install process.

I did a video to better compare not only text clarity, but also light diffusion, and to show how well the S Pen works with each.

Here is a up close picture to compare the text behind the two protectors.  Overall they both look pretty good, but there is a tiny bit of distortion on the Anti-Glare side.

After using both of these protectors you really can't go wrong with either one.  But if you plan on using the S Pen a lot, go with Ultra Crystal and you will be happy.  Thanks for stopping by.

CASE MOD - Poetic Slimline for SamSung Galaxy Note 8

Ok, so the title of the post is a bit misleading... this isn't a true "Case Mod" as the term is intended for PC Case modifications.  Even though this little modification on my tablet case is really simple, it turned out to work really well and deserves a post.  Plus I am going to just copy and paste this info over on XDA-developers for those who can actually make use of it.

I recently started using the Poetic Slimliine Case for my Samsung Galaxy Note 8 tablet and really like it. Thin, light, Sleep/Wake function, and good protection.  The only thing it is missing in my opinion is an elastic holder for a larger S Pen.  I realize the Note 8 already has an smaller S Pen inside the tablet body, but the larger versions you can purchase from Samsung or Wacom are better for taking notes as they are the size / weight of a normal pen, and the back works an an eraser tool for most applications that work with the SPen (S Note, Papyrus, etc).  Here is the one I purchased.  It works really well, much more accurate that the crappy types of stylus you can get for other tablets, accurate and feels very close to pen / paper.

To fix this issue, I commissioned my wife to help with her sewing skills.  Purchased a roll of 1.5in wide black elastic from Hobby Lobby, and had her sew some loops on the top of two bands.

I was going to glue the bands to the inside of the case, but found it wasn't necessary.  The friction grip that occurs once the tablet is snapped into case is plenty strong enough to keep them in and from moving around.

 

Here we have it installed.  It keeps the Pen securely in place, and is very easy to access.  Also doesn't get in the way when holding the tablet in any orientation.
 Here is a shot from the back.  It is flexible enough to easily plug into the headphone jack.  Doesn't hinder anything on the device.

Overall, this little $2 upgrade has made this case perfect for me now.  Very happy with how it turned out.

Tannerite vs a Microwave & Cantaloupes

Did a bit of shooting this weekend, and decided to use up some of the Tannerite that I had sitting is my storage room.  Shooting Tanneriate in the containers that it ships in is fun and all, but its a lot MORE fun to put it inside things and watch them go boom.  Here is a little background on what Tannerite is for those who don't know.  From the Tannerite web site:

Tannerite® is a binary explosive used primarily as a target for firearms practice. Tannerite is unique in that it is exceptionally stable when subjected to less severe forces such as a hammer blow or being dropped. It is more than 1000 times safer than ordinary black powder since it is not flammable and can not be initiated by any kind of flame or electricity.  It is supplied as two powders which are combined to produce the explosive.

Tannerite® Company recommends using 0.5-pound (0.23 kg) preparations of the substance, which should detonate when shot by a high-powered rifle. Small caliber rim-fire or slow moving pistol ammunition will not initiate a detonation.

Tannerite® detonations occur at a very high velocity, producing a large explosion and cloud of water vapor. It may be useful for persons who are firing at long ranges; in this scenario, a long-range rifle shooter places targets downrange, retreats to his firing position, and fires. The shooter does not have to walk down range to see if he has a hit, the Tannerite® will detonate and serve as an indicator.
Since the two components are not explosive until mixed, they can legally be purchased in the USA without a license.  They can be legally used for sporting purposes in conjunction with small arms, just like black powder and other exempt sporting powder.

So now that you know what it is, take a look at the video below to see what fun it can be!  I basically just mixed the Tannerite, and placed it into smaller containers, which I then inserted into cantaloupes.

We also used 2 full size containers inside of an old microwave for an impressive demonstration.  Cantaloupes were shot with my AR-15 (5.56mm), microwave was done using my M1A (7.62mm).

Install Novelty Ejection Port Cover on AR-15

Around 2 years ago, I purchased a novelty ejection port cover for my Rock River Arms AR-15.  There are lots of these floating around, with various emblems / sayings on them like "Infidel", "ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ" (Greek: Come and Take), "Get Some", and other more colorful sayings.  Mine is pretty simple and has "Zombie Hunter" etched onto the metal.

The other day, while cleaning my rifle, inside my cleaning tote I came across the port cover that I had completely forgotten about, and decided it was time to install it.  Here is what is needed to complete the task.

• Novelty Ejection Port Cover
• Small Needle-nose Pliers
• Small Roll Punch Pin
• Tape of some kind

Here is a quick diagram that shows the parts that we will be dealing with:

There are 2 ways to go about replacing the port cover, and I am going to show the easier of the two.  The "correct" method is to remove the the entire barrel assembly (Delta Ring and all) from the Upper Receiver, and slide the ejection port pin out towards the barrel.  But that is way too much of a pain for this simple upgrade.  The method that I will show here took all but 5 minutes to complete.

Start by placing a tape on the Forward Assist so we don't scratch the pretty gun metal while extracting the pin.  The pin will be extracted towards the stock of the rifle.

But first you will have to remove the Pin Retaining Ring.  This can be a challenge as it is extremely tiny, and a tad difficult to remove.  I simply put my small Roll Pin Punch on one side of the ring's opening, and the small Needle-nose pliers on the other and pushed them in the same direction (away from the ring's opening).  BE CAREFUL!!  The ring can shoot off in any direction, and can be hard to locate because of its size.  You have been warned.

With the ring off, we can now gently slide the Ejection Port Cover Pin out towards the stock.  Make sure to secure the Ejection Port Cover Spring before fully extracting the pin being that it can fly off as well.  With the pin fully extracted, replace the old cover with the new one, and line the spring back up where it was previously found.  You will have to bend the longer arm of the spring back a tad so that it will "push" open the Ejection Port Cover when activated.  With everything in place, slide the pin back in towards the barrel.  Once fully inserted, you can now snap the ring back onto the pin.  Easiest way I found was to simply grab the back of the ring with the pliers and push it onto the pin.  Here we have the new cover installed.

That was pretty simple with the right tools, and after 2 years of sitting in the bottom of my cleaning tote, it is finally installed.  Here is a Before and After to compare. 

 Thanks for visiting!