4 best gadgets of the moment for at home and on the road (week 50)

The greatest technological innovations do not come from ‘big tech’ companies, but from smaller start-ups chasing their dreams. Thanks to crowdfunding sites, you will be the first to get your hands on the best new products. We select four cool gadgets: from a modular USB-C cable to a retro monitor and a smart engraving machine.

4 coolest gadgets

Not everyone is already familiar with the principle of crowdfunding, and that is also normal. It’s still a relatively new concept, but one that can help creative people make a difference. First of all, you support a great idea for a product, and then you can follow the progress until the package arrives at your door. These are the four coolest gadgets on crowdfunding websites.

1. AOHi – modular usb-c cable for fast charging

For who is it?

For those who want more freedom with their USB-C cables

What is it?

AOHi consists of different sets of USB-C cables. You can screw these cables together so that you can extend the length. There is also a cable in the form of an old-fashioned telephone cord and the advantage that it can be rolled out to the desired length. You can use the cables that come with the set from 10 centimeters to 2.6 meters.

In addition to the modular aspect and the extra control you get over the length, there are even more advantages. First of all, the AOHi is made very durable and according to the makers you can fold the cables up to 30,000 times. In addition, it is also good with the charging speed. Thanks to USB PD 3.1, they can handle a power of up to 240W.

• AOHi – Kickstarter – 84 euros incl. shipping – expected in February 2023

2. Retro Styled Modular IPS Display – monitor with modern and old connections

For who is it?

For those who want a modern monitor, a beautiful retro packaging

What is it?

Most still remember the picture tube monitors, or CRT screens. Since the advent of LCD technology, the image quality of computer screens has improved and the monitors have also become slimmer and minimalist in design.

The Retro Styled Modular IPS Display brings back the design of older CRT screens, but in combination with a beautiful 19-inch IPS LCD screen. What makes this screen even more interesting is its connections. In addition to an HDMI port, there is also: composite, S-Video, component, VGA, VGA Audio and USB-A. You can adjust it yourself with this product using different ‘pods’ for input. Finally, the monitor is equipped with speakers, which according to the maker are better than the average built-in speakers of monitors. You can find more explanation in the introduction by the developer below.

• Retro Styled Modular IPS Display – Kickstarter – 286 euros incl. shipping – expected in September 2023

3. LaserPecker 4 – Smart engraver with two lasers

For who is it?

For those who like to work creatively with different materials

What is it?

The LaserPecker 4 can engrave works of art on many different materials such as wood, metals and stone. You can also use it to cut with precision through softer materials such as wood, leather and fabric. The working area is 160 x 300 mm and it can engrave on uneven surfaces.

The LaserPecker 4 combines its two lasers and can engrave with a precision of 0.0003 mm and a speed of up to 2000 mm per second. You can create the designs yourself in the accompanying app or with software for your PC. As the name suggests, the LaserPecker 4 is not the first product in its series, because the makers have already done other successful crowdfunding campaigns in the past.

• Laser Pecker 4 – Kickstarter – 1160 euros incl. shipping – expected in March 2023

4. SHARGEEK – 67W fast charger with screen

For who is it?

For those who can use a powerful charger with multiple outputs

What is it?

The SHARGEEK is a very interesting charger. This is partly due to its nice design, but also because it can show on a screen in real time what the output power is when charging. The accessory has three USB-C ports with which it can power three devices at the same time, but the maximum output always remains 67W.

The SHARGEEK is designed to use its power efficiently when charging multiple devices at the same time. There is also the necessary protection built in that prevents overheating and short circuiting, among other things. The SHARGEEK supports the PD 3.0 standard.

• Retro Styled Modular IPS Display – IndieGoGo – 42 euros incl. shipping – expected in March 2023

Think of this with crowdfunding

Keep in mind that crowdfunding is always primarily supporting an idea, with no real guarantee that the actual product will meet your expectations. So choose the projects and start-ups that you really believe in and follow the regular development and shipping updates that the start-ups communicate. Supporting projects through crowdfunding is therefore not the same as shopping.

What do you think of the above products? Have you ever ordered products via crowdfunding? Did that lead to positive experiences or were there also disappointments? Let us know in the comments at the bottom of this article.

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