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mindandmom11 · 4 years ago

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Best Travel Equipment For a Newborn Baby | Mindandmom

The right Travel Equipment For Newborn babies can make traveling with an infant a breeze. Being able to feed, pacify, change, clean and keep the baby comfortable on the go can look daunting, but luckily this art has been mastered by “power parents” and product companies over the years, and we can take full advantage of these innovations.

Here’s a list of travel must-haves to make traveling with the little one an enjoyable experience for the baby as well as for parents. Pregnancy guide

Travel stroller

The foldable umbrella stroller is a common choice to throw in the back of a car. They have minimal cushioning, usually have tiny canopies, and are made to be as lightweight and portable as possible.

Travel strollers. These are slightly bigger than umbrella strollers but still fit in an airplane overhead bin and are much lighter than traditional full-size strollers. These usually have better canopies and cushioning compared to umbrella strollers, They sometimes come with cup-holders and a storage basket too.

You want to pick the stroller-type between these two types according to your mode of travel and space. It may be worth owning one of each type – in addition to a full-size stroller for use at home – to use based on the type of vehicle and distance you’re going to travel. Whichever type you pick, pay attention to these factors:

How lightweight the stroller is

How easily it folds

How far it collapses (partially vs completely)

Whether it has ample sun protection/canopy

Whether it comes with a carrying case

Stroller bag A stroller bag can be a lifesaver when you travel. If you are flying, you can check it in or carry it with you. A few things to look out for when choosing a stroller bag:

Make sure it has back or shoulder straps like a backpack for easy carry

Check if it is waterproof, to be weather-ready

Ensure it has a wide opening to make it quick and easy to put the stroller in

Double stitching helps keep it durable

Some bags come with wheels, for easier use at airports and walkways

Stroller fan There is no telling when the weather can get extreme when you are traveling. It is as important to be prepared for high temperatures as it is to be prepared for rain. A battery-powered stroller fan will go a long way in keeping your little one cool as you walk through a zoo or go shopping in your destination. A few things to look out for when choosing a stroller fan:

See if the fan has a decibel rating. You want to buy a quiet fan if possible, to help the baby sleep better.

Look at the battery size. A powerful lithium-ion battery with a USB charger will ensure you can reuse your phone or laptop battery charger.

Some models come with clips and some with wraparound type holds to attach the fan to your stroller. The latter is flexible and lends itself to more sizes and shapes of surfaces, but clips are fine too.

Some fans come with LED lights, which could be handy in odd situations when there is a power outage or unexpected outdoor low-light settings.

Some models even come with aroma diffusers, that you can use for filling up mosquito repellent.

Stroller clips These are small but useful. You never know when you need to clip a bunch of clothes or a jacket or umbrella to the stroller. Having a few clips with you on the go can be a lifesaver for changing or feeding the baby on the go.

Baby carrier Baby carriers are a must-have in a parent’s arsenal of travel gear. Here’s why:

Sometimes you need your hands free to do stuff while carrying junior around

More body contact. According to research, babies who are carried three hours a day cry 43% less.

Much easier to navigate crowds and get to places quickly

Factors to keep in mind when choosing a carrier:

Fit and comfort: Ideally the carrier should fit the baby in a neat M-shape posture, this is good for the baby’s hip health.

Material: Breathable mesh material is preferable to keep the baby cooler whereas if you live mostly in cool climes, you may prefer a carrier with heavy knitting and padding.

Washable: Not all carriers are machine washable

Travel car seat A travel car seat is a must-have for safe travels with your baby if you are planning to go anywhere by car at all, including that taxi drive home. There are many travel car seats on the market on every budget. A few factors to look at when choosing a travel car seat:

LATCH installation system – modern cars come equipped with this type of installation that is more secure than just a seatbelt installation.

Weight and dimensions: You want one that easily fits into a car-seat backpack or bag, for easy carry

Convert to a stroller – yes, some travel car seats convert to a travel stroller, so you don’t have to carry both! But these tend to be expensive, so you want to choose wisely.

Travel car seat backpack Yes, you need one! Here’s why:

In places where you are not allowed to carry a car seat with you (like some airlines), your car seat can become a checked bag!

Protects your car seat from dings – especially the wheels that break easily

Easy carry to and from a taxi

Factors to watch for when choosing a travel car-seat backpack:

Material: Ideally, a durable bag with waterproof material will come in handy

Sturdy shoulder straps

Dimensions: Make sure the backpack fits your car seat’s dimensions

Weight: Some of these bags can get heavy! Ideally, you want something lightweight while still being durable.

Wheels: Some backpacks come with wheels and some don’t. Wheels can be handy especially at airports and train stations.

Travel crib You may not need a travel crib, but they can be handy. These usually come with thick and comfortable mattresses and can make the difference between your baby getting a good night’s sleep or not, at the travel destination. These can also be a lifesaver in case the hotel you stay in ends up having bedbugs. They usually collapse or disassemble easily. We would suggest taking these, especially on road trips if you have the extra trunk space in the car. Factors to look at when choosing a travel crib:

How lightweight it is

How easy it is to assemble or fold

The softness of the mattress

Sleepsack Sleepsacks or sleeping bags for your newborn are a nice to have. Some babies have trouble sleeping well in unfamiliar surroundings, and the sort and familiar smell and feel of their sleeping bags can help make them feel at ease. A couple of factors to pay attention to when choosing a sleeping bag for your baby:

Material. These usually come in cotton and synthetic. Cotton can be a better choice for softness. Some come with thick, mattress-like padding.

Ease of washing: Not all are machine washable

Ease of use: The easiest to use typically have zippers, but wraparound types are fine too.

Diaper bag A portable diaper bag can be a lifesaver on an airplane or public charging, station, or even in a car. There are a few different types of diaper bags:

Backpack diaper bags

Stroller attachment bags

Handbag-style diaper bags

A few factors to look at when choosing a diaper bag:

Size, dimensions and weight: For travel, you want one that is small enough to carry around easily and attach to a stroller while carrying enough stuff.

Included changing pad: Some diaper bags have these, and this is a must-have feature for travel.

Blankets Travel blankets are at the top of the list of travel must-haves for a baby. When changing, feeding, sleeping, or just cooing and saying hi to the world… babies love blankets! Blankets can double as sleep-sacks too. There are a few different types, with different advantages:

Swaddle blankets: These usually have thick and soft padding. Muslin is a good choice for this type.

Cotton blankets: A great choice all-around, generally friendly to most babies’ skin, and easy to wash.

Fleece blankets for cool weather, the inside of an airplane, or an air-conditioned car.

Sanitizing wipes Baby wipes are a staple in your travel kit. A few factors to look at:

Ingredients: You want to avoid wipes with any possibly allergic chemicals

Thickness: Generally, thicker wipes are more effective at cleaning

Size: You don’t want them too big for travel, and don’t pack too many. Buy as needed at your destination, but always have some handy.

Extra baby clothes Travel wisdom generally says NOT to pack too many clothes for lighter travel, but babies tend to be messy. You don’t want to spend the better part of your trip washing clothes, so pack a couple of extra sets of baby clothes that you think you will need. A few types of clothes you want to carry:

Rompers

Bodysuits

Pants

Sleepers

Hats

Socks

Swaddles

Battery-operated pump These can be convenient for lactating mothers on the go. A few types and factors to look at when choosing a breast pump to carry with you:

Charging system: Some come with AC adapters that use a car’s cigarette lighter / 12-volt socket. A USB socket is great too, as it would allow you to use your phone or laptop charger.

Pumping time: Typically varies between 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how long you need to use.

Size and dimensions

Wet bags Wet bags are an important diaper accessory. There is no telling when there will be a mess. At some point, something will spill. A wet bag is designed to contain the smell of used diapers, so you always want to have a few of these handy. A few factors to look at when choosing wet bags:

Material: Polyurethane Laminate or Thermoplastic Polyurethane bags are both designed to keep smells well contained.

Reusable vs disposable wet bags: Disposable ones are more convenient but more expensive as they need to be replaced

Size and dimensions

Bottles When traveling, you want bottles that are small and lightweight. You also want to carry a bottle-warmer, to use restaurant milk in a pinch.

Baby first-aid kit A baby first-aid kit for travel is a must-have for well-prepared parents. Make sure it includes:

A baby thermometer

Baby Tylenol

Bandaids/plasters

Steriwipes

Anti-diarrhoea medication

Baby cream / lotion

White noise machine This can make a world of difference if the baby has trouble adjusting to a new environment and falling asleep. Some babies respond well to white noise in such situations, especially as they get more used to sleeping with white noise. Factors to look for when choosing a portable white noise machine:

Sound selection

Timer

Charging system: AC adapter or disposable batteries

Size / portability

Automatic shutoff

Night light (nice to have)

Travel baby monitor A portable baby monitor can be especially useful if you happen to travel to a place the baby is not used to, to be able to track their sleep and vitals. This is especially so if you and the baby may have to sleep in different rooms. A few factors to look at when choosing a portable baby monitor:

Audio-only monitors are cheap and portable

Pay attention to range and sound quality when it comes to audio

Video monitors are generally more expensive and come with camera features such as pan, tilt, and zoom.

Travel toys Having travel toys at hand can make the difference between the trip being enjoyable or just engaged keeping the baby entertained. A few types of toys can help keep a newborn engaged:

Rattle style toys – these are the classic, ancient baby toy and always work

Soft toys and bath toys especially for babies 6+ months old

Pacifiers and teethers

#newbornbaby #pregnancytips #travelequipmentforbaby #india

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teachmixerofficial · 4 years ago

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Airplane Activities for Kids to Keep Them Busy All Flight Long

Jetting off with your family? Worried about keeping your kids occupied (and well-behaved) for the hours they'll be cocooned in their seats? You're not alone. While most of us look forward to a vacation with our families, few relish the thought of flying with kids.

Genuine trepidation about filling those hours is common as are worries over the potential disruption to kid's routines, particularly how a missed nap, a later lunchtime, or less than optimally healthy snack foods may impact behavior.

It can be hard for any of us to sit for a long time but this is especially true for most kids. However, a long flight doesn't need to be boring, stressful, or fidgety. Keep children grounded in their seats with age-appropriate airplane activities that will keep them busy and happily engaged during a flight.

Bring along some magnetic travel games as one of your plane activities. For around $10 or less per game, kids can play bingo, tic tac toe, chess, and checkers. The game pieces are magnetic and stick to the board, so they're easier to keep track of mid-flight. Also, the game board itself is compact enough to easily slide into your carry-on luggage.

Pack a deck of playing cards for fun on the plane and at the hotel. You can't go wrong with classics like regular playing cards, UNO, Skip-Bo, Phase 10, and Canasta. Additionally, many versions of playing cards incorporate your favorite board games into card games. Look for Monopoly and Yahtzee decks to add a new twist to your old favorites.

A portable DVD player or pre-loaded laptop or tablet gives your kids a customized viewing experience while they're trapped in their seats. You can take or download a few of their favorites or buy a new movie they haven't seen yet. Surprise them on the plane with their new movies to watch as you fly. Pack some popcorn as a snack to really bring the movie theater experience on board.

If you're planning on taking a laptop or iPad with you, load some of your children's favorite games to take along with you. Familiar tablet games are one of those plane activities that make kids feel right at home and provide a welcome break to hours of watching TV shows or movies.

Once you're up in the sky, kids can play their games while you read a book or even take a nap.

Play Games Online

Many airlines now offer Internet access during your flight. Access prices vary but in-flight Wi-Fi can be a lifesaver if you have kids that like to play games online. They'll be happily occupied while visiting all of their favorite websites 30,000 feet above the ground.

Learning Activities

Turn the airplane into a classroom. There are many learning activities you can practice on your flight, such as writing, math, colors, and sorting. Some ideas include asking your child to write a story, create an itinerary for your trip, or draw pictures of what they think you'll see or do on vacation.

Pack workbooks that offer a variety of activities such as coloring pages, mazes, word puzzles, hidden pictures, or stickers. You might also consider learning booklets that offer your kids grade-specific activities like spelling, the alphabet, reading, handwriting, fractions, geometry, geography, or pretty much any other area of study you can think of.

In fact, there is likely a workbook on just about any topic your child is interested in from dinosaurs and daffodils to pixies and pets. You can also look for dry erase workbooks so your kids can wipe away their answers and try again for longer-lasting fun.

Miniature Versions of Bigger Toys

You can't pack all of your children's favorite toys so look for miniature versions to carry along with you. You can find classics like a mini Etch-A-Sketch, a mini Simon game, mini stuffed animals, and even a mini Bop It, to name a few.

Coloring Books and Crayons

This old classic is a no-fail way to entertain your kids during a flight. Buy coloring books in advance of your trip when your children aren't with you to heighten their interest when you bring them out on the plane.

Choose coloring books with topics your kids already like such as farm scenes, flowers, pirates, or superheroes to up the odds they will enjoy them for a longer period of time. Add in a new set of markers, crayons, or colored pencils in a portable carrying case to up the allure of coloring—and make toting the activity easier.

Break out a pack of crayons and the new coloring books as an in-flight surprise.

Color Wonder Markers and Pads

Or, try an update on classic coloring books. Crayola offers a modern take on the old coloring book and crayons. The Color Wonder markers only work on the special pads to prevent messes. There are a variety of themed pads to choose from too, including Disney princesses, Toy Story, Cars, and blank drawing pads.

Enlist your family members in a music project for your kids. Have everyone pick out some of their favorite songs and put them on your iPod for your children to listen to while they're on the plane. Sharing music with your children will expose them to a variety of genres or artists that they may never know otherwise.

Plus, it's a great activity to pair with coloring or other booklets during the flight to will keep them quiet and focused as they listen to new songs.

Ask your kids to come up with a list of books they would like to read or head to the bookstore or library together to make some new selections. The trick is to hold off on letting your child read them until the flight. Then, unveil new books once you get to your seats, aiming to hold at least one back for the return flight.

Varying up their activities, from playing games to reading books and back again, will make them forget they're stuck on a plane for hours.

Audio storybooks are another way to get some quiet time out of your children while you're all on the plane. Recorded stories for toddlers all the way to young adults can be found in stores or at your local library. Podcasts are another great option for older children, which can be downloaded ahead of time on an iPad or another MP3 player.

Buy some new toys to take on your flight, but don't show them to the kids before you take off. The toys don't have to be expensive to be entertaining. The key is to pick something you know your child will love, such as a new toy vehicle for a car fan, a new set of playdough for an artist, a superhero figure for a comics fiend, a jewelry kit for a crafty kid, or a Lego set for a dedicated brick-builder.

Hit the dollar store for some inexpensive toys kids can play with while they're on the plane. The best part about getting cheap toys is that it doesn't have to hurt your wallet if the toys get lost or broken.

Check With the Airline

Airlines are also interested in keeping your kids happy on planes. Check with the airline to see what they have to offer children for in-flight entertainment. For example, Lufthansa gives kids small toys to play with during their flights.

Other airlines offer video screens that feature Disney or Nickelodeon entertainment. Many pilots will invite children into the cockpit pre- or post-flight and numerous airlines hand out airline pins as well.

Tips for Flying With Kids Without Stress

Best place to find taj mahal coloring page is TeachMixer.com

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arplis · 5 years ago

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Arplis - News: Tune in or tune out with today’s best AM radios

AM radio nerds unite! As a talk radio and sports fanatic, I stay informed and entertained daily with my Sangean WR-16BK. I'm a massive fan of this radio for its clear sound and fresh looks, plus USB charging capability. This isn't the only AM radio I swear by, though. Here's the full list. Best Overall: Sangean WR-16BK The reigning champion of AM radios is this tabletop radio from Sangean. You're not locked into AM-only stations, of course. With this model, you have access to AM/FM, plus you can plug into the auxiliary port and use the Sangean's capable speakers to blast sound from a portable device. There's also a 3.5mm headphone jack for private listening, and Bluetooth is built-in so that you can stream cord-free. This unit comes with a USB charging port. Dial accuracy is excellent. There is no drifting of the dial or tuning slips once you've locked in a station. An LED indicator on the front panel of the radio shows you when you're getting the best reception from the antenna. The combination of the indicator and precise tuning gives you a stable signal that holds well in all weather. There is some room for improvement. First, the headphone jack is in the back of this radio. It's a pain, especially on a tabletop unit, to slide the radio out and plug in headphones to listen to a game and then do the same to disconnect. Second, this model is bass-heavy. This isn't something people usually complain about, but it distorts sound a little when listening to sports play-by-play. If you can live with those hiccups, this is a beautiful walnut radio that looks as good as it works. Pros: Stellar sound Bluetooth + NFC USB charging port Elegant walnut design Precise tuning Cons: Bass-heavy AUX plugin back Best Overall Sangean WR-16BK $75 from Amazon A walnut tabletop with stellar accuracy Precise tuning, USB charging ports, and Bluetooth combine to give this basic-looking radio standout features. Best Value: Vondior Digital Pocket Radio This nostalgic pocket radio from Vondior is prized for its long battery life, clear sound, and unparalleled reception. When you want a small radio to slip in your back or jacket pocket to tune in a game or get weather updates during a power outage, this one will exceed your expectations without putting a damper on your finances. The Vondior sheds the analog slide rule tuning in favor of digital technology. You can tune in a station with the push of a button and then lock the station so that an accidental tap doesn't mess with your listening pleasure. Two AAA batteries power this model, and they last for weeks, even if you're habitually tuning in to talk radio every morning while you shower. It's impressive! An attached belt clip on the Vondior is handy if you want to keep the radio outside your pocket. My one complaint is with the sound. It's excellent with earbuds, but the actual speaker is tinny-sounding and will remind you why FM radio overtook AM back in the day. It's suitable for baseball games and talk radio, but music over AM suffers. Still, if what you want is a portable radio that has no trouble with reception, the Vondior is up to the task. Pros: Fantastic reception Attached belt clip Alarm clock function Sleep timer Small and thin Cons: A little tinny sounding Best Value Vondior Digital Pocket Radio $20 from Amazon An updated classic pocket radio Hello, nostalgia! This is a classic-looking pocket radio with impressive upgrades. Best Emergency: Kaito KA500 When you need a radio, you can count on no matter the weather or circumstances; the Kaito KA500 is a lifesaver! The Kaito can be powered by an included hand crank generator, solar panel, AA batteries (not included), USB, 5V AC/DC wall adapter (not included), and a built-in rechargeable battery pack. Wow! The Kaito will also charge your portable devices via USB. This shockproof radio has AM/FM coverage as well as a two-band shortwave, seven pre-programmed NOAA weather channels, and Public Emergency Alert System (PEAS). The built-in telescopic antenna extends to just over 14 inches, and it manages to pull in signals that would be out of reach for other radios. This Kaito also has an LED reading lamp, LED flashlight, and a red LED S.O.S. beacon light. Tuning is accomplished with a side dial. Reception and sound are both solid, and I love the impact and water-resistant materials. It's an excellent radio for indoor or outdoor use. I wish the wall power charging cable was included, but with five other ways to keep this radio in business, it's hard to complain. For everyday indoor or outdoor listening, camping, or occasional use during an emergency, the Kaito is a reliable AM radio you'll be glad to have by your side. Pros: 6-way power AM/FM/shortwave/NOAA/PEAS Works as an emergency battery charger Shockproof and water-resistant S.O.S. emergency light + flashlight Cons: AC adapter not included Best Emergency Kaito KA500 $50 from Amazon A radio you can count on A handy radio with weather channels, a strong AM signal, emergency light, and the ability to be powered in six ways. Best Rugged: Sangean Toughbox The Sangean Toughbox can withstand all the drops, bumps, and shuffling around that comes with working outdoors, camping, or bad weather. Made of industrial-grade ABS materials and housed in a roll-cage, this radio is rain dust, and shock-resistant. There are ten memory presets on this Toughbox. Using these, it's effortless to tune in your favorite morning talk show or evening game. Speaker sound is excellent inside and out. My only beef is with the antenna. It's a flexible and pivots, and it's pretty much indestructible, but it's only six inches long. With a slightly longer antenna, this model could pull in far more stations without you needing to reposition it in front of a door or window. This isn't an issue if you only use the Sangean Toughbox outside, so indoor listeners take note. For those who love to listen to the radio when outside or working, the Toughbox is one of the most heavy-duty units I've ever used. I've carried it up and down ladders, set it atop a kayak, and even left it outside in a rainstorm. It not only survived but continues to work as well as it did the day it arrived on my doorstep. Pros: Indestructible AUX-in Good sound Lightweight Ten presets Cons: Short antenna Best Rugged Sangean Toughbox $82 from Amazon The one that can go anywhere This is the radio that will keep up with your rough and tumble life or outdoor job. Best Old School: Panasonic RF-2400D This is the radio I remember my grandparents using on trips to the cabin or when working out in the garden. It's old school, but it still works and sounds as good today as it did back then. With an analog tuner, you dial in your stations with a knob at the side of the radio. Signal strength is admirable, and the sound is suitable for such a small unit. The carry handle on top folds down when not in use and is a comfortable way to tote this one around. You only get the basics here. It is just what it looks like, an AM/FM radio. There is an earphone jack, but that's about as fancy as it gets. For the cabin, fishing trips, or yard work, this is a reliable radio that will do exactly what you want it to do. Pros: Good reception Small enough to be portable Clear sound Headphone jack Powered by AC or batteries Cons: Basic radio Best Old School Panasonic RF-2400D $28 from Amazon A basic, reliable radio It gets AM and FM stations and has a headphone jack. That's about as fancy as this simple unit gets. Best Waterproof: Sangean H201 Most AM radios are water resistant but not waterproof. The Sangean H201 is a portable radio that won't blink out when it's in the rain or the shower. A built-in swivel handle on top of the unit works as a carrying handle or a shower hook. This radio can also be permanently wall-mounted. There's a backlit clock, and digital display on the front of the radio, plus 25 presets and a scan function button. A flashlight is also inbuilt, making it a perfect radio for weather emergencies, beach use, and showers. And the sound and reception are phenomenal, even inside a closed space such as a shower! The only thing that may be an issue for some users is the size. This is a much larger shower radio than the competition. Saying that, it also has better sound and reception thanks to its more prominent speakers. If the size isn't an issue, this is the best waterproof shower radio I have ever used. Pros: Waterproof 25 presets AM/FM/weather radio Battery power indicator Swivel handle Cons: A little bulky Best Waterproof Sangean H201 $61 from Amazon Go ahead, sing in the shower A clear sounding waterproof AM/FM radio that's perfect for the shower, camping, or use outside. Bottom line If you want a tabletop radio that you can set on a countertop or end table, it's hard to go wrong with the Sangean WR-16B. This model looks a little like the radio you may have seen in your grandparent's living room, but it has a few modern touches that add to its usefulness. A backside USB charging port and Bluetooth are two such features that futureproof this model and make it easier to justify the expense. This Sangean model is bass-heavy. That's not a bad thing if you're listening to music on an FM station or streaming tunes from your phone. When tuning in a baseball game on an AM station, it's another story. Everyday noises like background applause tend to overtake the announcer's voice. Also, the headphone jack is on the back of the radio. If you like to pop in earbuds or slide on headphones for some privacy, you'll need to pull the radio out to do so. Neither are stopping points, but they are worth mentioning. Reception and tuning on the Sangean are world-class! The LED indicator shows you when you've locked into a station, and it holds the signal exceptionally well. And I can't say enough about the beautiful real walnut cabinet. In the looks department, this model is in a class all its own. The Sangean is the best choice for most looking for an AM radio. It blends in well with any decor and has no trouble locking in on stations near or far. Credits — The team that worked on this guide Jodi Owan is obsessed with finding and testing the best technology. Find her on Instagram and her website.

Arplis - News source https://arplis.com/blogs/news/tune-in-or-tune-out-with-today-s-best-am-radios

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clarencenicholsonata · 5 years ago

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25 Best Promotional Giveaway Ideas People Will Love

So you're planning your next big giveaway, or you’re looking for prizes that do the dual job of rewarding your winners and bringing attention to your brand.

Promotional giveaways are one of the oldest marketing tricks in the book, and they’re still as effective as ever. Giveaways aren't just about the prize. If done right, they can:

Increase your website traffic

Boost brand awareness

Help to garner free customer reviews and referrals

Supply your brand with new social media followers

And more!

Once you have your giveaway goal and entry method, picking the right prize (especially on a budget) is the next task on your list.

If you’ve been struggling, look no further: I found some of the best promotional giveaway products you can brand with your personal logo that can fit your budget!

1.Teddy Bears

If you have a mascot for your brand, you can turn it into a full size or cute plush teddy bear to gift your loyal customers. For example, Hootsuite has a plush Owly for their brand, along with the life-size mascot!

2.Coffee Cup & Mugs

It’s a classic for a reason. Who doesn't want a new mug or coffee cup to fill up on a cup of joe? You can either use your logo or print funny, quirky quotes on your mug to give a touch of your brand personality. That's what Death Wish Coffee did for their random mug giveaway

It's Golden Ticket Day ?15 random orders placed today (7/25) will receive this rare mug in their package. Plus, every order today gets a FREE collectible Rosie the Riveter patch!

— Death Wish Coffee (@DeathWishCoffee) July 25, 2019

3.Gift Cards

Gift cards are a thrifty shopper’s dream come true. This type of promotion giveaway prize is excellent if you own an eCommerce store and you're looking for ways to boost sales. It's also a well known that when shoppers get a gift card or discount, they’re 42% more likely to add more items and pay more than the initial gift card value.

Wishpond can help you to easily host your next Gift Card Giveaway to help you build your email list, get social shares and grow your followers on social media.

Fashion Nova decided that they wanted to host a giveaway for one lucky winner to win a free $200 gift card.

?FOLLOW & RETWEET SWEEPSTAKES? Do you want to win a $200 gift card?! ??? Here's how: 1. Follow @FashionNova on Twitter 2. RT this post! ? 3. Stay tuned to see if you’ve won! GOOD LUCK! ✨ One Winner Every Friday @ 11 A.M. (PDT)!

— FashionNova (@FashionNova) August 19, 2019

4.Portable Charger or Power Bank

If you don't have any products for customers to buy with a gift card, then try offering a branded portable charger. Some power banks come with added features like fast charging, wireless charging, built-in cables, AC adapters, or LED flashlights.

Now, this gift is a bit on the pricey side, but everyone uses a charger, and portable chargers are lifesavers, so you know they'll become essential to your winner. And everytime they pop out their power bank, they’ll see your brand’s name charging up their trusty device.

Check out Tech Radar's guide on The best power banks of 2019: portable chargers to keep your gadgets going

5. Food or Chocolates

Sweets and treats can be a good substitute when it comes to prizes for your next promotional giveaway. Collaborate with a food brand in your area or an online brand that bakes or arranges fruit baskets, chocolate, pastries or even cakes. You can add a thoughtful card with your logo as well.

6.Stickers and Bumper Stickers

From dad jokes, memes and company logos plastered on laptops and car bumpers, stickers work well for promotional branding for your company. They're affordable to print and purchase in bulk, which means you can have over 100 winners for your giveaway. The more winners associated with a giveaway, the more likely people are to enter because they feel they have a higher chance of winning.

It is also a win-win, if you're a sticker company like Stick Top

Need help with your next giveaway or contest?

Book a free call to learn how our team of contest experts can help you create lead generating contest today.

7. Hoodies & T-Shirts

Give away branded hoodies or t-shirts to your biggest fans as a prize for your giveaway. I think that this type of prize works best if you have a strong following. If your brand is not well-known, people won't gravitate as much to this kind of giveaway. Take ProPepper; they decided to give away ten free hoodies after reaching 2 million subscribers on YouTube.

I think it's about time I actually execute this giveaway... So exactly a week from today, 8/24/19, TEN WINNERS will be selected for a FREE ProPepper 2 Million Subscriber Hoodie All you have to do is like, RT, and follow me So do it lol pic.twitter.com/AvMH9sVjJx

— ProPepper (@ProPepper) August 15, 2019

8. Reusable Water Bottles

Everyone has a water bottle, or two tucked away or heavily used at work or the gym, so a branded water bottle is always a hit. You can spice things up by giving water bottles with built-in diffusers and straws, or insulated or stainless steel bottles or accessories. For illustration, here's a branded water bottle giveaway from Wawabots.

9. Tickets to Your Seminar/Webinar

If you're planning to host a seminar or webinar, whether it's a co-promotion or fully sponsored by your brand, you can give away tickets to your event to one or two lucky winners.

10. Portable LED Lights

You can hand out branded LED lights as prizes to your winners. They can be as small as keychains, embedded on the or full-fledged flashlights.

11. Beauty Products

For beauty brands or eCommerce stores, why not give the winner sample or travel-size versions of your best products. This will allow you to save on products while giving your winner a chance to experience their favorite products for free.

12. Stress balls

Mental wellness is now considered as important as physical health. Taking care of it includes having a few stress balls around here and there. Why not give away a few, or include some as part of a wellness pack for your giveaway winner?

13. Umbrella

Use branded umbrellas to help your winner weather through rain or sunshine. It's also one of the most commonly used items around. When considering any promotional item that will be in consistent contact with water, be sure to spend a little extra on the ink you plan to use for branding, so it doesn't fade out after only a few weeks of use.

14. Custom Cell Phone Stand & Grip

We've all dropped our phones, or come dangerously close to it. So consider giving away phone grips and stands as prizes. If you run an eCommerce store or a brand that sells tech or cell phones, it will complement your products well.

15. Blankets & Pillows

Sounds a bit weird, but don't knock it before you try it. Give your giveaway winner the chance to win a blanket and pillow with your logo. If you want to sweeten the deal, you can add a sleep mask as well and make it a nap package!

16. Drinkware Set

This can include, but is not limited to, metal straws and brushes, water bottles, bottle cleaners, bottle holders, and more. This type of gift works best for wellness, travel, and fitness brands.

17.Fanny Packs

Fanny packs are making a comeback, and they offer a lot of promotional branding flexibility. They can be embroidered, screen printed or heat pressed with your logo. They are also fun and practical for winners of all ages.

18. Duffle Bag

A gym bag or duffle bag is an excellent prize for the winners who are into fitness or travel. It's hard to find a good duffle bag, so consider investing in a proper manufacturer or branding company to make your prize more appealing.

19. Yoga Products

Yoga products are in the top 5 categories of best selling products when it comes to health and wellness, which makes them a suitable prize option for your giveaway. Yoga products can range from clothing, blocks, straps, mats, shoes, and other accessories.

20. Tote or Shopping Bag

Since being eco-friendly has become widely popular, you can give away a set of branded totes or shopping bags for your promotional giveaways. Choose a material that works best for you; this can be plastic, hemp, canvas, and more.

21. Bracelets and wristbands

Maybe you'd like to pick a smaller prize. Bracelets and wristbands are affordable promotional prizes. However, the idea or brand behind it is what will make it appealing. If it's a bracelet representing something like a charity or worthy cause, people will be more inclined to enter to win your giveaway.

22. Stationery Set

Don't just brand a pen set and give it away. Offer your winners a full stationery set: pens, note pads, sticky notes, organizers. This makes your prize seem more significant and more appealing.

For more ideas on stationery you can add to your giveaway prize, you can check out Orange Promotions stationery sets.

23. Travel Collection

Travellers use a variety of accessories to make journeys easier. If your customers are niche travelers, you can offer them a travel collection to help make their next trip fun. This includes bag tags, travel notepads, passport holders, organizers and more.

24. Calendars & Planners

Even with digital calendars aplenty, planners haven’t gotten out of style. You can offer your customers a chance to win a full calendar set and planner so they can organize and plan to meet their goals for this and next year.

25. VIP Product Sampler

If your budget is too tight to buy products to brand, think outside the box and give one winner the chance to be a VIP product sampler. This person would be the first to test, use, and experience your products before they hit the shelves or website.

This can allow your winner to also be a brand ambassador for you, posting positive reviews and updates on social media to help drive sales.

Summary

There you have it, here are 25 items you can use for promotional prizes for your next giveaway:

Teddy Bears

Coffee Cup & Mugs

Gift Cards

Portable Charger or Power Bank

Stickers and Bum Stickers

Hoodies & T-Shirts

Water Bottles

Tickets to Your Seminar/Webinar

Portable LED Lights

Beauty Products

Stress balls

Umbrella

Custom Cell Phone Stand & Grip

Blankets & Pillows

Drinkware Set

Fanny Packs

Duffle Bag

Yoga Products

Tote or Shopping Bag

Bracelets & Wristbands

Stationery Set

Travel Collection

Calendars & Planners

20 Shopify Giveaway Ideas You Can Use Today

20 Clever Social Media Giveaway Ideas You Can Use Today

How to Run Online Giveaways Step-by-Step with Examples

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jesusworegucci-blog · 6 years ago

Text

What’s a diaper bag?

Bag also must have gone between just a backpack style diaper bag where you can store your baby's everyday 2 Keep of snacks and spare clothes, they need to remind you at to waste money on the postnatal ward.

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That was not how hard you're doing, this Skip Hop Duo Signature isn't a classic style who has some nice functionality of this bag, but it has a large compartment for blankets, this quality and a soft key cut of each strap and doesn't stop depending on how things get to your diaper bag. Most parents haven't using them are the insulated pockets.

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portablegeneratorsreview · 11 months ago

Text

Portable Power Station for Outdoor Enthusiasts

I recently purchased the Portable Power Station with Solar Panel and I am thoroughly impressed with its performance. The Type-C fast charging capability has made it incredibly convenient for me to charge my devices quickly, and the LED flashlight has been a lifesaver during power outages. The solar panel feature allows me to recharge the power station while off the grid, making it an essential companion for my outdoor adventures. Lightweight and Portable Design Credit - Amazon.com Buy On Amazon fferent phrases to start each sentence:. With dimensions of 9 x 5.9 x 3.9 inches and weighing only 1.98lbs, this power station is perfect for charging essentials like phones, cameras, bulbs, USB fans, and lights. The movable handle adds to its convenience, making it an ideal choice for emergency power at home or on the go. Portable Power Station: Versatile Power Source Credit - Amazon.com Buy On Amazon Lightweight and portable, the Portable Power Station is designed for easy carrying during outdoor activities like camping, fishing, and hunting. It allows for simultaneous powering of multiple devices and rooms during power outages, making it a great choice for camping, hurricane emergency supplies, and other outdoor activities. The LED flashlight feature enhances its functionality, providing 2 lighting modes for various situations. Portable Power Station: Dual Recharging Modes Credit - Amazon.com Buy On Amazon With an 8800mAh rechargeable battery pack, a 6W solar panel, Type-C fast charging port, two USB ports, and three bulb ports, this solar power station provides a versatile power source. With AC adapters, it takes about 6 hours for a full charge, while the 6W solar panel can fully charge the station in 8-10 hours of direct sunlight. This dual recharging capability ensures that you can recharge the power station anywhere, without worrying about running out of power or battery capacity. It provides a reliable power solution for off-grid adventures and emergency situations. LED Flashlight for Emergency Situations Credit - Amazon.com Offering flexibility in power sources, the Portable Power Station can be recharged using AC adapters or solar panels. The flashlight can last up to 40 hours in power-saving mode, providing reliable illumination during outdoor adventures, hiking, power outages, and other emergencies. Additionally, the two LED bulbs with 9.8ft cables are suitable for various settings such as tents, reading, farms, and cabins, enhancing the power station's utility in different environments. Package Contents and Value Credit - Amazon.com Providing steady light and flashing SOS modes for emergency situations, the solar generator comes equipped with a 2-level brightness LED flashlight.8ft power cables, LED bulbs, AC adapter, and user manual, offering excellent value for money. This comprehensive kit provides all the essentials for handling emergencies during travel or outdoor activities. The convenience of having a reliable power source on hand ensures that you can tackle unexpected situations with ease. The Portable Power Station is a versatile solution for charging devices, providing lighting, and powering essentials in various settings. Read also: - SinKeu Portable Power Station - Compact and Efficient for Outdoor Enthusiasts - ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station - Your Outdoor Adventure Power Solution - Discover the Versatile and Reliable Portable Power Station for Outdoor Adventures - Fdit's Portable Power Station: A Game-Changer for Outdoor Adventures Conclusion In conclusion, the Portable Power Station with Solar Panel has exceeded my expectations in terms of functionality and portability. It has proven to be a reliable and efficient power source for both camping trips and emergency backup situations. I highly recommend this product to anyone in need of a compact and versatile power solution for their home or outdoor activities. Questions & Answers: Question: How long does it take to fully charge the power station using solar panels? Answer: The solar panel charging takes about 8-10 hours to fully charge in full sun. Question: Can the power station charge multiple devices simultaneously? Answer: Yes, the power station has multiple charging ports, allowing for the simultaneous charging of multiple devices. Question: Is the LED flashlight bright enough for outdoor use? Answer: Yes, the LED flashlight offers two brightness levels and a flashing SOS mode, suitable for outdoor activities and emergencies. Buy On Amazon Read the full article

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christophervanhorn · 6 years ago

Text

The Asahi portable fan

I’m a mess. A glistening, moppish, soggy, disheveled mess.

Just about every moment of the day and even night here in the Philippines, I’ve been sweating. I can’t stop.

There are several reasons for that.

First, I just came back here after almost two months in the U.S., where it was unseasonably cold, dry, and even snowed well before Thanksgiving. Naturally, my body will go through an adjustment period to reacclimatize after coming back.

And I did return to Manila, which is like the humidity capital of the world and even way more drippy (for lack of a better word) than Dumaguete further south where I’ve been living the last year and a half.

Also, I’ve been stepping up my workouts, hitting the gym once or even twice a day and even running (my least favorite thing in the world besides vacuuming and attending weddings), to get ready for the Judd Reid Fight Camp in Thailand in one month.

Put it all together, and my system is in revolt, with sweating profusely my new default. It’s gotten so bad that yesterday around 5 pm, when it wasn’t even hot out, I went to a coffee shop to work and I JUST COULD NOT STOP SWEATING, even in line and sitting indoors with the AC blasting.

Of course, I’ll adjust somewhat, but I’ll always be a sweater. No, not that kind of sweater.

But life in the tropics is exceptionally uncomfortable in the climate department on a day to day basis, unless you happen to be lucky enough to be chilling by the beach. Yes, it gets exceedingly hot, but that’s not what gets me, as I’ve lived in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Cambodia, and now the Philippines the last seven years. It’s that damn , and there’s no escaping, even when standing in line at a café, at a shaded outdoor cafe on an otherwise pleasant afternoon, or on a bus.

View this post on Instagram

The Victory Liner bus in the Philippines – could be a lot worse!

A post shared by AllWorld.com (@allworldonline) on Jan 8, 2019 at 10:01am PST

So, I was ecstatic when I was shopping for a few things at my new apartment at DIY, a hardware store in the Venice Grand Canal Mall here in Manila, and saw the Asahi portable fan. Assuming it’s a Japanese brand (like Asahi the beer), I picked it up and bought one to give it a try. It was only about 250 or 300 Pesos if I recall – $5 or $6 max – so I didn’t have high hopes, as I’ve used smaller ones that blew a tiny whiff of cool air before their batteries went out or they stopped being worth the hassle.

But this model looked and certainly felt different. It’s about six inches high so bigger than the cheap throwaway portable fans out of China, with 3 ½ inches or so at the widest point of the round fan. It sits on a stand that can easily be attached to the handle so you can put it right in front of you on a desk or table out and about, or hold it in your hand when you need to. The best part is that it does have an internal battery (which is replaceable), but it is rechargeable with a simple mini USB connection. Although I haven’t timed it, the sales lady said that it takes about an hour to fully charge but will blow air for 3-4 hours off of that. It also works perfectly fine with a partial charge.

So, the big question is: “How well does it work?” The fan has three settings. The first time you press the on/off button, it only blows a bit of air so you’ll barely feel it, but two presses of the button and you definitely feel a slight breeze that is good enough to cool you or keep the flies away, and three presses and it actually does a surprisingly good job of fanning you off and keeping you cool even from a foot or two away.

I’ll definitely start carrying this fan around with me, and it will be a lifesaver as I adjust to the humidity here in Manila!

The post The Asahi portable fan appeared first on AllWorld.com.

source https://www.allworld.com/the-asahi-portable-fan/ source https://allworldus.tumblr.com/post/182549220492

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shelleyrobbinsus · 6 years ago

Text

The Asahi portable fan

Iâm a mess. A glistening, moppish, soggy, disheveled mess.

Just about every moment of the day and even night here in the Philippines, Iâve been sweating. I canât stop.

There are several reasons for that.

And I did return to Manila, which is like the humidity capital of the world and even way more drippy (for lack of a better word) than Dumaguete further south where Iâve been living the last year and a half.

Also, Iâve been stepping up my workouts, hitting the gym once or even twice a day and even running (my least favorite thing in the world besides vacuuming and attending weddings), to get ready for the Judd Reid Fight Camp in Thailand in one month.

Put it all together, and my system is in revolt, with sweating profusely my new default. Itâs gotten so bad that yesterday around 5 pm, when it wasnât even hot out, I went to a coffee shop to work and I JUST COULD NOT STOP SWEATING, even in line and sitting indoors with the AC blasting.

Of course, Iâll adjust somewhat, but Iâll always be a sweater. No, not that kind of sweater.

But life in the tropics is exceptionally uncomfortable in the climate department on a day to day basis, unless you happen to be lucky enough to be chilling by the beach. Yes, it gets exceedingly hot, but thatâs not what gets me, as Iâve lived in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Cambodia, and now the Philippines the last seven years. Itâs that damn , and thereâs no escaping, even when standing in line at a cafÃ©, at a shaded outdoor cafe on an otherwise pleasant afternoon, or on a bus.

View this post on Instagram

The Victory Liner bus in the Philippines â could be a lot worse!

A post shared by AllWorld.com (@allworldonline) on Jan 8, 2019 at 10:01am PST

So, I was ecstatic when I was shopping for a few things at my new apartment at DIY, a hardware store in the Venice Grand Canal Mall here in Manila, and saw the Asahi portable fan. Assuming itâs a Japanese brand (like Asahi the beer), I picked it up and bought one to give it a try. It was only about 250 or 300 Pesos if I recall â $5 or $6 max â so I didnât have high hopes, as Iâve used smaller ones that blew a tiny whiff of cool air before their batteries went out or they stopped being worth the hassle.

But this model looked and certainly felt different. Itâs about six inches high so bigger than the cheap throwaway portable fans out of China, with 3 Â½ inches or so at the widest point of the round fan. It sits on a stand that can easily be attached to the handle so you can put it right in front of you on a desk or table out and about, or hold it in your hand when you need to. The best part is that it does have an internal battery (which is replaceable), but it is rechargeable with a simple mini USB connection. Although I havenât timed it, the sales lady said that it takes about an hour to fully charge but will blow air for 3-4 hours off of that. It also works perfectly fine with a partial charge.

So, the big question is: âHow well does it work?â The fan has three settings. The first time you press the on/off button, it only blows a bit of air so youâll barely feel it, but two presses of the button and you definitely feel a slight breeze that is good enough to cool you or keep the flies away, and three presses and it actually does a surprisingly good job of fanning you off and keeping you cool even from a foot or two away.

Iâll definitely start carrying this fan around with me, and it will be a lifesaver as I adjust to the humidity here in Manila!

The post The Asahi portable fan appeared first on AllWorld.com.

Via https://www.allworld.com/the-asahi-portable-fan/

source http://allworldus.weebly.com/blog/the-asahi-portable-fan

0 notes

allworldus · 6 years ago

Text

The Asahi portable fan

I’m a mess. A glistening, moppish, soggy, disheveled mess.

Just about every moment of the day and even night here in the Philippines, I’ve been sweating. I can’t stop.

There are several reasons for that.

Of course, I’ll adjust somewhat, but I’ll always be a sweater. No, not that kind of sweater.

View this post on Instagram

The Victory Liner bus in the Philippines – could be a lot worse!

A post shared by AllWorld.com (@allworldonline) on Jan 8, 2019 at 10:01am PST

I’ll definitely start carrying this fan around with me, and it will be a lifesaver as I adjust to the humidity here in Manila!

The post The Asahi portable fan appeared first on AllWorld.com.

source https://www.allworld.com/the-asahi-portable-fan/

0 notes

updatedc-blog · 6 years ago

Photo

New Post has been published on https://www.updatedc.com/2018/12/07/blackmagic-design-pocket-cinema-camera-4k-review/

Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K Review

The Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K took NAB 2018 by storm. It really was the talk of the show and everyone prior to it was hoping for an update and they got it. The camera is now shipping but it’s not available in large quantities yet. Demand is high and production doesn’t look to be matching it. While this seems to be an issue with Blackmagic I thought they solved this with the release of the URSA Mini Pro but the Pocket 4K seems to be business as usual when it comes to delivery.

Blackmagic Design sent us the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K for a limited time to do a review. The only stipulation is that we don’t do a head to head or compare the camera with other cameras on the market. Blackmagic Design is a sponsor of Newsshooter.com. this review is independent and is not being reviewed or approved by Blackmagic Design in any way prior to release.

Okay! Now that we have that out of the way lets get this review started!

Everything that’s Included

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K

Lens turret dust cap.

30W power supply with locking connector and international adapters.

LP‑E6 Battery

SD card with software and manual.

Welcome card.

DaVinci Resolve Studio with an activation key.

The Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is no “pocket” camera

While Blackmagic Design is calling this the new Pocket 4K I feel it’s more like a new version of the original Blackmagic Cinema Camera. The Pocket 4K is closer in size as well as not having an EVF and only a big screen.

This was the original disruptor camera from Blackmagic and the Pocket 4K is poised to do the same.

I first got my hands on the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K at the BMD NAB press conference. As many have said before it’s no “pocket camera”. It’s a totally new camera and to be honest it should have had a different name with such a radically different design. This isn’t a hyper-portable camera but as a cinema camera, it’s about as compact as I think it can be with the capability of shooting RAW and ProRes HQ in 4K DCI 60P without catching on fire. Heat dispersion is an issue that plagues all cameras and BMD clearly didn’t want overheating issues with the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K

The camera is much larger than the original pocket by huge margins. In fact, it’s larger than most DSLR cameras. What makes it large is how wide it is but don’t let that fool you it’s actually very light in weight and feels chunky in the hand.

The grip on the side is big. I have average sized hands and can hold it fine but it does feel larger than a mirrorless or DSLR camera. You would think with such a large grip the camera could have a larger higher capacity battery but it uses the Canon LP-E6. More on the battery coming up.

Overall the body feels kind of plasticky. I suppose this has a lot to do with the weight and the new carbon fiber composite material the body is made out of, however, it just feels sort of cheap. One thing I noticed is the battery compartment door seems a little loose. The door for the media compartment snaps open and closes firmly.

The covers for the inputs on the side are those pliable plastic type that pop off and are held on with a tab. I’m not a fan of these but we see them on a lot of cameras. On my C300 MKII, I pulled them off as they started driving me crazy. If this was my camera I would do the same.

I like the shortcuts on the body a lot. You have three on top that can be programmed and three that are set for ISO, Shutter and White Balance. A stills frame can be taken with the stills button and the iris wheel has a push function for zoom in focus assist. As for the stills? I wasn’t impressed.

On the back are an Iris, Focus, HFR, Zoom, Menu, and Playback button. The coolest of them all is the ability to push the HFR button and go into 60 frames per second. That is really convenient and fast without having to enter the menu to change frame rates. With the camera set to shutter angle, it will change as well when you enter 60p mode.

MFT Sensor

The original Pocket Camera had a smaller Super 16mm Sized Image Sensor while the new Pocket 4K jumps up to Micro Four Thirds 18.96 x 10.00 mm sensor with Dual Native ISO. A first in the Blackmagic camera lineup to have. Will we see this in an updated URSA Mini Pro? The sensor does yield some nice images. More on that later.

Micro Four Thirds mount and Lenses

The Micro Four Thirds mount is very adaptable. Practically any lens can be used with the proper adapter. I have a few Canon EF lenses I use on Sony E mount cameras as well as the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K. The Canon 24-105 F4, Canon 70-200 F4 and a Duclos modded Tokina 11-16mm.

I also have the very nice Lumix 12-35mm. I keep it around just in case I need it and I sure did with the Pocket 4K. The Lumix 12-35 works perfectly with the camera. Autofocus works pretty well. No Dual Pixel AF here and it does hunt a little but it’s better than not having any AF and could be improved over time. I wish I had the 35-100mm lens to pair with it.

To shoot with my Canon EF lenses I have a Metabones EF Lens to Micro Four Thirds T Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x. With the latest V3.0 firmware the Pocket 4K autofocus didn’t work at all. I tried both the 24-105 and 70-200. Image Stabilization works as does f-stop changes and it also shows the Speed Boost increase in the aperture on the LCD screen. I’m sure Metabones will update the firmware on the Speed Booster to get AF working as this will be a very popular setup. The Speed Booster XL would be a great option for full frame lenses. I like the ULTRA since I can also use APS-C lenses like the Sigma 18-35 and 50-100.

Inputs

The inputs and outputs are all on left side of the camera.

From top to bottom you have:

3.5mm Mic Inputs

Headphone

Full-Size HDMI

12v Power input

USB-C for SSD drive

Mini XLR with Phantom Power

On the top and bottom are airvents to keep the camera cool. There is a fan inside but I found noise not to be an issue.

Menu System

With so many cameras having a messy hard to use menu system I find it refreshing that the Pocket 4K inherited the simple URSA Mini Pro menu. The camera is so easy to get set up plus being a video camera, not a hybrid no photography settings needed. The menu navigates with the touchscreen and the setting options are nice and large making them easy to see and tap to select.

Where is the Viewfinder?

Being true to the original Pocket Cinema Camera an EVF isn’t present on it’s 4K big brother. For the first couple of hours using the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K I instinctively wanted to lift it to my eye. It’s a very strange feeling knowing you can’t because the camera doesn’t have an EVF and this does cause some problems. It does have a nice full HD 5″ touchscreen. The image looks sharp and color representation also looks to be accurate but in bright sun the LCD screen is useless. It’s not a daylight monitor. In the shade, it performs fine but I struggled with it when the sun was behind me. The screen has good off-axis viewing angle which is nice since you can’t rotate or tilt the screen either. With Lumix lenses, the touch focus is pretty good. I wouldn’t say it’s a usable rack focus but it does lock in fairly quickly and nails it most of the time.

A cage and a Zacuto Gratical HD will be a lifesaver for the Pocket 4K. Unfortunately, I don’t have a cage for the loaner camera to attach my Gratical HD EVF to. I tried, but with limited hardware, it wasn’t doable plus I wanted to get the experience of using the camera as is.

Codecs, Resolutions and Frame Rates

Here is where the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K shines. Having ProRes as the main codec makes editing a breeze and the codec is very solid. Yes, it will take up more space on media cards but I’ll take that over computer intensive formats that require transcoding and rendering. Editing Long Gop and ALL-I codecs natively on a better than basic NLE can be a real struggle. We end up converting the footage or editing in proxy and all those options take up even more hard drive space and time.

Codecs

CinemaDNG RAW, CinemaDNG RAW

3:1, CinemaDNG RAW 4:1, ProRes 422

HQ QuickTime, ProRes 422

QuickTime, ProRes 422 LT QuickTime,

ProRes 422 Proxy QuickTime.

With the release of the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Blackmagic RAW isn’t included in the firmware but they have announced it will be available at a later date for no extra charge. The only issues are as of now DaVinci Resolve is the only NLE that can utilize the new RAW format. Hopefully others like Avid, FCPX and Premiere Pro to name a few of the popular NLE’s will support it but I think it’s going to take some time. For now, if you like RAW, you have CinemaDNG.

Resolutions and Frame Rates

HD Video Standards 1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30, 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60.

Ultra HD Video Standards 2160p23.98, 2160p24, 2160p25, 2160p29.97, 2160p30, 2160p50, 2160p59.94, 2160p60.

4K DCI Standards 4KDCIp23.98, 4KDCIp24, 4KDCIp25, 4KDCIp29.97, 4KDCIp30, 4KDCIp50, 4KDCIp59.94, 4KDCIp60

Frame Rates You won’t get all the frame rates in all the resolutions however you do get a very good selection for a camera in its price range and overall size and that is impressive. To shoot at 120 fps it is in HD windowed mode and it looks really good.

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I shot this video at 120 FPS HD Windowed mode at 4000 ISO using ProRes 422. I really think ProRes acquisition for HFR is such a big deal as many cameras limit the Mb/s so low the image just falls apart.

In post, I only cleaned it up with Red Giant Denoiser III. Yes, it’s noisy but the image has nice detail with very low in-camera noise reduction. Other cameras I’ve used get aggressive with the noise reduction at higher iso values. This smooths and softens the image and it doesn’t look very good. I feel the Pocket 4K detail is really good at 120 FPS.

Powering the Pocket

I have several of the Canon OEM batteries and an assortment of 3rd party versions. Blackmagic Design states 60 minutes of runtime. I haven’t been able to get this performance with the included battery or an OEM Canon battery recording to CFast media. Usable runtime with the Pocket 4K is closer to 30-40 minutes. You need to power the camera down when not recording to save battery.

The Pocket Cinema Camera 4K uses the Canon LP-E6 type battery. It comes with one. No charger is included however a 2-pin locking AC power cable is included and charges the battery inside the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K so essentially the camera is the charger. The camera can be powered with an external battery without using a regulated dummy LP-E6 since the input can take 12 to 20 volts or a D-tap to 2-pin cable.

This is a first. I have one LP-E6 battery that would get stuck inside the camera. I have heard from other users that experienced this as well. I wasn’t sure how to get it out but decided to try a strip of gaffers tape and press it on to cover the entire end of the battery. Hold the release button and pull it out. After a few attempts, it worked and the battery was removed.

No damage was done and I can’t figure out what is causing it. I think it’s the two slots that are used to charge the battery in the camera that is holding it in. Maybe the spring isn’t strong enough to push it out? I’m not really sure. The battery that is supplied with the Pocket 4K doesn’t have issues with getting stuck inside the body however it doesn’t work with the battery status on the camera. The fuel gauge shows “0”. No issues with OEM Canon LP-E6N and LP-E6 batteries.

Blackmagic Design 25.5″ DC Cable Pack for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera

Blackmagic Design has a DC cable pack that includes a D-tap to 2-pin, 2.5mm barrel to 2-pin and an extra 2-pin non-terminated cable for creating your own custom cable. All cables are 650mm long and retail for $55.00 US. With the proper 2-pin locking connector cable to D-Tap and a V-lock or Gold Mount battery, you’re good to go for several hours.

It shuts off without warning

A major flaw with the Pocket 4K is it will shut off while recording even when the battery indicator is showing 30% or 40%. The camera isn’t correctly estimating the actual amount of power left. When I put a full battery in the indicator will quickly show the battery depleting even before I start recording. This needs to be addressed in a firmware update stat! It might not be a camera software issue but more of a camera power consumption issue.

While I have had the camera shut down while recording several times the clips didn’t become corrupt or was deleted. This is some good news but like I said. It’s scary and I can’t imagine that clips eventually wouldn’t get corrupted with such abrupt shutdowns. Blackmagic Design said they will look into this issue further but stated the clips close every 10 frames, therefore, you could lose approximately 10 frames off the end of a clip.

I tested several batteries and I’m finding a big discrepancy with them and when the camera will shut down. With Canon OEM LP-E6N I was getting much better performance. The camera would drop to around 9% and then shut off. For now, I highly recommend the Canon OEM batteries and change them around 15% warning. I still got around 40-45 minutes with Canon OEM.

Battery Solutions

I recently reviewed the Core SWX PowerBase Edge and it is a really great way to power the camera for a long time. While it looks bulky it doesn’t feel too bad to hold since the camera itself is very light. On a tripod, it’s a no-brainer and very simple to use plus it can power your accessories as well.

The Pocket Cinema Camera 4K for serious use will probably end up in a cage or rig. If you need an EVF, and I think you will for certain situations like shooting outside in the sun or just don’t want to swap out batteries every 30 minutes and opt to record on an SSD drive, which is a pretty cool option to have. Some type of larger rig is going to be needed.

With a Canon OEM LP-E6 I got 41 minutes of continuous recording then the camera shut off without warning. When I put the battery back on the charger it showed 20% was left. The clip wasn’t deleted or corrupted.

Built-in audio and inputs

Analog Audio Inputs

Onboard microphones on cameras are generally not that great. I would say the Pocket 4K is better than most but none are as good as adding an external mic like a RØDE VideoMic Pro. It’s fine for scratch audio or simple ambient sound.

One thing that could be an issue is the microphone on the right side is placed right by the grip and if you have long fingers you could tap it and make unwanted noise. Now you wouldn’t really need to worry since you are of course going to use proper audio right? 🙂

One feature that is usually lacking in hybrid cameras is audio inputs. That 3.5mm jack can go only so far. I tested the input with a RØDE Lavalier microphone. To get a proper level I had to set the level at maximum. This generally isn’t a good thing as it could also bring up the noise floor pushing the preamps so high.

I had an issue with the 3.5mm input. After several days of shooting and using the 3.5mm input to record my audio, the input broke. I pushed the connector in and something came loose. The connection is now intermittent with the input and the connection feels like it’s not holding the microphones 3.5 tip very well. Not good.

The 3.5mm Stereo Input can also be used for Timecode input.

The Pocket Cinema Camera 4K has one mini-XLR analog switchable input that also supplies phantom power and supports line level (up to +14dBu). This is very cool for a camera in its price range. You probably won’t see this feature on a hybrid anytime soon.

These cables are a little hard to find and are more expensive than the average XLR variety. I searched around and ended up buying a Blackmagic Design Blackmagic Design Mini XLR Cable for Video Assist 4K. It retails for $29.00 US and includes two 19.5″ cables.

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On my last day with the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K I used it for an easy studio shoot. All the audio was captured with a Sanken COS-11D into the mini XLR. I have to say it’s nice to just plug in a microphone into such a small camera that has phantom power. I used the Lumix 12-35 and focused with the touchscreen, setting exposure with zebra stripes and false color. I do wish the zebras would go lower than 75% as I like to use 60%-65% value for skin tone. The image is nice and detailed and the audio recorded nice and clean. I’m a fan of recording audio into the camera and I know it’s not the best quality you can get but it works for me on these type of shoots. It’s always good to have options and the mini XLR input is a good one.

Lots of recording media options

The Pocket 4K has three different media options to record too.

1 x CFast slot

1 x SD UHS-II card slot.

USB-C input for SSD Drive

That’s a lot of options for a camera in this price range plus it can record RAW Lossless, 3:1 and 4:1. Blackmagic RAW is also coming and that will make the Pocket 4K a beast of a camera when it comes to onboard codecs and RAW capabilities. Did I mention I love the ProRes option? 🙂

For a full list of compatible media check out this post. I always recommend getting the best quality you can afford. I know media can be expensive but verified compatible models will ensure the safest and best results.

Compatible USB‐C SSD Drives

Don’t stray here. I tried a noncompatible drive and it didn’t work. Shocking right? I then tested the Samsung T5 1TB and yes it does work and records without issue as well as the new Anglebird SSD2GO PKT 512GB and 2TB. While I didn’t test all the resolutions and codecs I found All the ProRes options worked without issue.

Shooting direct to an SSD drive is really great. Seeing that huge storage available kind of makes me giddy. I have a little setup that might not look so fancy but it works a treat! With no cage, I had to be creative. I added a cold shoe to the top mount and the cold shoe extender. This really worked well plus it didn’t cost me anything since I already had it. Win-win!

Below is the recommended media for recording

Dual Native ISO

Unlike the GH5s the Dual Native ISO doesn’t need to be changed to enter it. The Dual Native ISO is 400 and 3200. This can be a little confusing or maybe it’s just me. Here is how it’s explained by Blackmagic Design.

I can highly recommend using 1250 ISO over 1000. The image curve does change with the blacks and highlights being more stretched out for a less flat look but it’s much cleaner. MFT sensors have been problematic when it comes to noise at even modest ISO levels and the GH5s and now the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K are showing how far engineering has come.

At 32oo the noise is very similar to 500 ISO but is there any noise reduction going on as well? Noise reduction will smooth out the detail of an image. It’s not very pleasing. Especially on the skin. It makes things look like plastic. From the looks of the test footage, I’m not seeing any aggressive in-camera noise reduction in the image. That’s impressive. This makes cleaning it up with noise reduction software even better and it does clean up fairly easily.

Usability

Here is where the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K has issues. Usability is different for everyone. I personally do not like to fight a camera while using it. I just want to be able to get the camera out of my way and create with it. This isn’t the case with the Pocket 4K. As I mentioned earlier the camera eats through batteries and shuts down abruptly when the battery is starting to die. That alone is a big problem. I always feel like it’s going to shut down on me in the middle of a take. I really don’t need this type of stress while I’m shooting.

Not having an EVF is a problem. The touchscreen while very good isn’t enough for me to rely on in all situations. I struggled in daylight to focus manually. I went to La Jolla to shoot some ocean scenics and it was very difficult to manually focus. The screen is really hard to see on a sunny day. I was also having autofocus issues with the Canon 24-105 and 70-200 F4 lenses with the SpeedBooster ULTRA. It doesn’t work with current firmware. Peaking and zoom helped but it’s not enough for me to feel confident. The screen doesn’t tilt either so you really have to be pretty much at eye level with the camera to operate it. The Pocket 4K likes being in the shade.

In my studio set test, I was trying to follow the action more so basically not a controlled situation. I was still having focus issues. Maybe it’s just me. I really missed not having an EVF. The shooting pace is much slower and deliberate for me with the pocket after seeing how many lost takes I had due to missed focus. This might not be an issue for some but it really worries me that I could miss a great moment because I couldn’t focus correctly on time.

The Pocket 4K needs an EVF like the Zacuto Graticle HD for sunny days to get critical focus and overall usability. Add in the battery life issue and the need to use external power makes the camera a candidate for a cage or rig so kit can be attached to make it usable. While this for many won’t be an issue I think it’s important to know that you will need it and an investment that equals the cameras cost or more is inevitable.

I personally don’t mind a cage on a dedicated video camera. With a hybrid, I don’t need all the extras for photography so I would take the cage off when stills are the primary use. A cage with a video camera is almost a necessary item. Stick it in one. Add an EVF, SSD mount and power solution and I think it would be a really good setup. I’m sure a lot of cages will be coming just in time for Christmass.

Scopes

Why Blackmagic Design only uses a Histogram on a cinema camera is a mystery to me. In fact the URSA cameras also only have Histograms. I really don’t like them. For video production, I much prefer a Waveform Monitor. Even a small one like you see on other cinema cameras is very handy for nailing skin tone. The Pocket 4K does have Zebra Stripes but their lowest setting is 75%. Again no love for the skin tone that I like to have around 55-65% depending on the skins shade. I like to turn it on. Set the exposure and turn it off. As is the Zebras are for highlight protection.

False color can be a handy tool for exposure and I don’t use it very often but I did with the pocket since it’s really the only tool I could use to assist in getting proper exposure. I don’t like it as much as a waveform monitor though.

For focusing, the Pocket 4K has a Focus Assist feature. This puts a red border around the subject when it’s in focus. You have three strength settings available. I found “High” to be too forgiving and “Low” to be somewhat useless. “Medium” is the safest bet however it doesn’t work if the contrast is low.

The Zoom feature is good and probably the better option for focusing but if things are moving fast you will miss the shot.

I find focusing a big issue for me with the Pocket 4K. Shooting off the back of the camera is not my preferred method and I did get a lot of out of focus shots. Much more than I expected in good shooting conditions indoors.

Image quality

Here is where it all comes down too. Is the image any good? Well yes, it is. In fact, I’m impressed with how good it is and that’s not to take into account the actual price. For only $1,295 it’s a real bargain. Plus it includes the full version of DaVinci Resolve Studio that retails for $299 effectively putting the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K at $1,004. Crazy.

The 120 fps footage is very good also. Most cameras really fall apart at 120 fps. The Pocket does an excellent job. While it can go to 25,000 ISO that doesn’t mean you should. 1250 looks great and even 4000 is very usable. I don’t have a high tolerance for noise and don’t enjoy denoising in post so I tend to keep the ISO levels as low as possible and use lights. For many, I think the ISO noise won’t be an issue.

Is it the best, perfect all you ever wanted 4K camera? Of course not, however, I wouldn’t mind having one just for the fact it is so inexpensive and shoots a high-quality codec. I do worry a little about the overall build quality but time will tell if it’s going to last out in the field.

Things I like

The price. At $1,295 USD it’s the least expensive ProRes 4K capable camera on the market.

The image quality is very good

ProRes is a fantastic codec to shoot in

One button push away from 60p shooting

High speed even 120 fps looks very good

The camera comes with a Davinci Resolve Studio licenses. $300 value

Things I don’t Like

Battery dies and shuts off the camera without warning while recording.

On/off switch is really old school

The battery door and compartment is a hot mess. I had a 3rd party battery get stuck inside and had to use a piece of gaffers tape to pull it out

Battery life is bad

The screen isn’t usable in the sun

No EVF

No Waveform

Well, my time has come to an end with the Pocket 4K. Time to send it back to Blackmagic Design. It was a fun ride with some turbulence but all in all, a very interesting camera just as long as you can work around some of the quirks I think Blackmagic Design really did something special with the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. I like the innovation a lot and I think they will sell a crapload of these cameras due to the price alone and the ability to shoot such high-quality images with professional codecs. For $1,299 it’s practically disposable! I bet it will become Hollywoods most popular crash cam. Now if only I had a pocket the camera would fit in.

#camera #Canon #dslr #hardware #innovation #lens #mirrorless #news #om #production #sensor #Sigma #software #Sony #Tokina

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