3,444 posts
since 2002
During my renovation I wanted Legrand Galion switches over the default MK Electric, since they look nicer despite costing more. My interior designer pointed me to Choo Chiang, the cheapest place in Singapore for Legrand products.
The Ugreen USB-A to USB-C Adapter, S$7.49 on Lazada, converts a USB-C cable into a USB-A one. It supports QC3 charging and 5Gbps transfer, handy for devices that don't accept USB Power Delivery.
The Belkin BoostCharge Pro Portable Fast Charger for Apple Watch retails for S$90, though I paid S$64 on sale. Unlike my older third-party chargers, it supports Apple Watch fast charging introduced with Series 7.
While renovating our new HDB resale flat, I laid Cat 6 cabling and needed a way to verify the runs. Having used UNI-T gear before, I bought the UNI-T Cable Tester (UT681C) from Lazada for S$19.
The Roborock Q Revo is the brand's first robot vacuum with a spinning mop, moving away from the sonic VibraRise system. Its dual mops spin up to 200 rpm and lift 7mm for vacuuming.
Dreame splits its cordless vacuums into confusing V, R, and T series. The R20 seems to blend the best of the V12 Pro and T30 flagships, and like the T series it features a removable battery.
Happy with my Google Nest Cams but wanting to drop Homebridge in my new house, I looked at integrating cameras natively into HomeKit. The Aqara Camera Hub G3 is my test of a direct smart-home setup.
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is the flagship, retailing for S$1,769.90 in black or white. The robot offers 6,000Pa suction, dual roller brushes, and VibraRise 2.0 mopping, with the Pro Ultra adding an all-in-one dock.
The Ugreen Nexode 65W Charger is the younger sibling of the 4-Port 100W Wall Charger, retailing for S$50.39. It has three ports, two USB-C and one USB-A, with a combined 65W output, cheaper on sale days.
The Ugreen DigiNest Cube is the younger sibling of the DigiNest Pro, another 7-in-1 power strip. It keeps the three AC ports but swaps to two USB-C and two USB-A, with USB output reduced to 65W.
The much-awaited Aqara Presence Sensor FP2 launched in Singapore on 20th April 2023 for S$159. Unlike PIR motion sensors, its 60GHz mmWave radar detects actual presence, sensing multiple people and even someone sitting perfectly still.
Most igloohome locks are Bluetooth-only, needing your phone in range. The igloohome Bridge, at S$110, links your phone to the lock over Wi-Fi for remote control, though only certain, non-dated lock models are compatible.
The igloohome Smart PadLock 2 succeeds the original, with changes mostly on the hardware. It swaps the 9V battery for a USB-C rechargeable lithium one and upgrades to IPX7 waterproofing, making it outdoor-ready.
The Roborock S8 is the successor to the popular S7 I bought two years ago. It retails for S$799.90, with a 4/4 flash sale dropping it to S$749.90, adding DuoRoller brushes and 6,000Pa suction.
More than five years after their US debut, the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) and HomePod Mini finally arrived officially in Singapore, with orders from 30th March 2023. The HomePod retails for S$429 and the Mini for S$139.
My last birthday before turning 40, marking over 22 years of blogging since my first post on 24th March 2002. I celebrated with Li Xiang over a hearty dinner at Bedrock Bar & Grill in Somerset.
The Arlo Go 2 launched in Singapore in February 2023 at S$399, succeeding the Arlo Go. Key upgrades include 1080p resolution, colour night vision, and added Wi-Fi alongside 4G LTE, at nearly half the original price.
My Hario V60 drip scale was laggy and bulky for weighing espresso shots, so I went endgame with the Acaia Lunar. Listed at US$250, I bought it from Daily Grind Supply for S$379.
Starting espresso, the first lesson was to get a good grinder, and the Niche Zero is the default. At £499 plus shipping, GST, and fees, it cost me about S$1,015, cheaper than buying locally.
The Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 reached Singapore at S$209.90. It offers a 162-degree 1080p view with infrared night vision, runs on six AA batteries or a wired adapter, and supports up to a 512GB microSD.
After seven years, my DYMO LabelManager 280 failed with power and LCD issues. Since I had spare cassettes, I stuck with the brand and bought the DYMO LabelManager 160 from Amazon.sg for S$69.59, shipping included.
The Aqara Smart Wall Switch H1 EU is the third smart switch I'm evaluating, after MCO Touch Panel and Sonoff T2UK. I'm getting one to let Li Xiang compare tactile against touch switches.