Reviews
Era Time Pieces Review
We used to rely on sundials to tell them. Although ridiculously cool, that’s no longer practical. When Abraham Louis-Breguet engineered the very first wristwatch in 1810, it changed the world as we know it. For the first time – the time is literally in your hands. The introduction of a tourbillon in the early 1900’s fascinated watch collectors all over the world. The elegance of the absurdly complicated movement that seems to defy gravity captivated the world. These watches weren’t just beautiful, they were also expensive. A tourbillon wristwatch will set you back easily $100,000.
Tourbillon watches have been glamorized by celebrities such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and countless famous athletes. Needless to say, having a fortune simply isn’t enough to own a tourbillon watch. You’d need several fortunes.
Then came Era Timepieces, a company that’s offering a watch with a tourbillon movement for $1499. That’s less than a fraction of what a Jacobs & Co. watch. Is it real? Does the watch actually have a tourbillon movement? We decided to reach out to Era Time Pieces for a review sample.
About The Founder
Michael Galarza, the founder, and CEO of Era Time Pieces had his first major success in 2018 after his Kickstarter campaign garnering over $700,000 in orders only after a month. That marked the beginning for Michael and proved that there is a market for affordable tourbillon luxuries. Soon after the success of his first watch, the Prometheus, his company moved ahead and produced a whole line of watches all sharing the same level of craftsmanship and attention to detail of his first success.
Redefining Attainable Luxury
According to their website, Era Timepieces’ goal is to make Haute Horlogerie accessible to the common man. Their prices range from $999 to $6,500, a long shot from other well-known brands. I have seen a Patek Philippe with a monstrous price tag of $1,423,028! Therefore it’s understandable that most would be skeptical. How could a company possibly make a tourbillon for that cheap? At $1499, it certainly isn’t cheap. However, for a tourbillon, it’s a steal.
Upon opening the package we’re greeted with a wax seal with the company’s logo on it. We always appreciate it when companies go the extra mile for presentation. Unwrapping the tissue paper, you’re greeted to a gorgeous piano black box that houses the $1499 Era Prometheus.
Unwrapping The Watch
Opening the box for the first time, you’re greeted to the sight of the Prometheus. Pictures don’t do it justice. Seeing it in person has an entirely different effect.
Purposeful Design
Here’s a closer look at the Prometheus. It’s a lot to take in. The watch has a single-axis tourbillon with automatic movement. On the left, there’s a secondary GMT hour hand useful for keeping track of two timezones. This is a good feature if you’re a frequent traveler who goes back and forth from the coasts and doesn’t want to constantly adjust your watch.
On the right side, you have a Sun/Moon rotating disk. I don’t see a real function to this, but then again you’re not buying this watch for functionality. You’re buying it because it’s a tourbillon watch and you’ll look like a boss wearing it. Regardless, the sun/moon indicator is a neat feature to have and adds to the styling of the watch.
The Size & Fit
The Prometheus is surprisingly well balanced in terms of its size and weight. At 44mm wide, it’s average in size. I have a fairly normal size wrist and the watch fits well without looking bulky. It’s 12.72 thick, which is right up there with your typical Tag Huers and Omegas, but it’s not thin like Movados.
It weighs about 125 grams which put it right there in the middle in terms of weight. It’s not heavy and you won’t feel its mass while wearing, but it’s certainly not light. You won’t “not” notice it.
Its water-resistant 5 ATM / 50 meters. Keep in mind this doesn’t mean it’s water-proof, just resistant. You’ll be fine washing your hands and maybe swimming around in a pool with it. But definitely not a watch you’d go scuba diving with.
The Glass
Michael and his crew didn’t skimp out on the glass. The Prometheus features ultra scratch-resistant Sapphire glass. It’s good glass and you shouldn’t have to worry about scratching it from polishing. The anti-reflective coating on top of the glass is also a nice touch making it easy to see even outdoors.
The watch needs to be wound up in order to work. We carefully took it out of the leather-padded box and gave it a few turns to bring the tourbillon to life. And then it came to life. It’s a beautiful and practically silent movement. We weren’t sure how to adjust the secondary clock and the day/night phases. The manual gave simple instructions on how to make those adjustments, and within a few minutes, we were all set. The Era Prometheus is alive.
The Straps
The Hornback style leather band has a 24mm width and feels comfortable on the wrist. It has an extendable butterfly clasp with blue stitching that stands out beautifully. One downside is that the mechanism to open and close the latch can be challenging with just one hand. This is something new owners will have to adjust to.
Different Models
The Prometheus comes in two models, the basic and the Titan versions. Besides the price difference, the Titan also comes embellished with 78 diamonds, totaling 2.3 carats, placed on the bezels and the lugs.
Look And Feel
Unfortunately, we couldn’t provide pictures of how it looks and feels wearing the Prometheus around in the friendly neighborhood of Philadelphia. During the few days that we wore the Prometheus, a handful of friends and coworkers commented and asked about my new watch. They were impressed with the mechanical movement of the tourbillon.
Just about everybody was curious about the sun and moon dial and how that works. The watch definitely gets attention. It was designed to be admired, that anyone who buys the Prometheus should have that understanding. It also isn’t a watch you can casually wear. There’s nothing casual about it. It will look a bit out of place if you don’t at least dress in business casual.
How Much Does It “Look” Like It Cost?
Throughout the week I’ve had at least a dozen people asking me how much it costs. I asked them to guess the price, to see how much they valued the watch at. Unfortunately, my coworkers and friends know how much I make and what I can’t afford. But I had a few interesting guesses. Most guessed the watch to be between $5000 – $10,000. Several asserted that I stole the watch and should return it to its Ferrari owner.
The Verdict
Era Timepieces aren’t Swiss made, as a matter of fact, Prometheus’ movement is from Hangzhou from China. But you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at it. The craftsmanship is top-notch and every piece is engineered precisely with purpose. Most surprisingly, the tourbillon movement works and works quite well.
Era Timepieces delivers on its promise of bringing a $100,000 tourbillon watch to consumers at an affordable price. The Prometheus at $1499 looks, feels and works like any other high-end luxury watch on the market. If you’ve always wanted to own a millionaire’s watch consider your prayers answered.
Are you tired of keeping up with long email chains or trying to sync everyone in the team for a live call? If you answered yes, then Loom could be an efficient tool for you. In this Loom review, we’ll unpack how you can use Loom to explain complex ideas, give feedback, or walk someone through a task without going on a live call.
We’ll also explore its standout features, use cases, pricing plans, and how it compares to Zoom so you can decide if it fits your team’s workflow.
What is Loom?
Loom is a video messaging app that lets users record and share video messages with teammates and clients. Using Loom, you can record your camera, microphone, and desktop screen at the same time.
According to online Loom review, this is especially useful for individuals to create tutorials, demonstrations, and presentations, as well as to share feedback.
Loom users can choose to record with the Loom Chrome extension, the desktop app, as well as the iOS and Android apps.
Some of Loom’s clients include Brex, Intercom, Postclick, and more.
Loom Features
Loom has various features that allow it to seamlessly integrate into a company’s existing workflows.
Users can play Loom download videos within platforms like:
- Slack
- Jira
- Confluence
- Github
Why does this matter? Users will no longer be led to an external link, increasing their productivity by playing feedback videos within the platform.
Next, Loom video has an AI suite that can help teams work more efficiently. Using AI, the tool can:
- Automatically generate meeting notes and recaps, among other things
- Instantly create chapters in your videos, as well as CTAs and tasks
- Create text transcription and generate closed captions
To refine your videos further, Loom has features that can remove filler words and silence in a video.
Besides this, Loom also has a video-to-text feature. This is especially useful for asynchronous teams that need help with logging a bug issue, documenting a process, or performing a code review.
Loom Pricing
Loom pricing is generally straightforward. If you want to know if Loom is free, yes, it does have a free tier.
It has a free Starter plan for users who want to try out the app’s key features. It can accommodate up to 50 Workspace users, who are each entitled to up to 25 videos with a five-minute length cap.
Next, the Business plan is for teams that want unlimited videos and basic editing. It costs $15 per user per month if billed annually. Here, you can have unlimited members get basic waveform editing, remove the Loom Branding, and more.
According to Loom review, their most popular plan is the Business + AI plan, where teams can get advanced editing and access their AI suite. This plan costs $20 per user per month if billed annually.
Their premium plan is the Enterprise plan, which is best for companies that want to control and securely manage video content for the organization. If you’re wondering, “Is Loom safe to use?” This plan has advanced security and content privacy features as well as admin insights. Teams need to contact Loom’s sales team first to get a price quote.
Finally, Loom has a discount plan for educators as part of the Atlassian Education Program.
Use Case Breakdown
Here are a few Loom use cases:
- Loom review can be especially helpful for tech teams, as it can be used to narrate a bug issue. When an issue occurs, developers or testers can simply record the issue with Loom and report the issue to the concerned developers. It saves time and increases the turnaround time for bug fixes.
- Hiring teams and internal teams can also use Loom to document an internal process for onboarding purposes. Apart from this, it can also be used by customer-facing teams to create user guides on a platform or a new product feature.
- Sales teams can also use Loom to reach out to prospective clients. When cold emails are not friendly enough, sales teams can create personalized video content through Loom and stand out.
- Taking too long to get feedback from all stakeholders? Loom is great for product design teams to get asynchronous feedback from a global executive team. It’s great for instances where it’s difficult to get stakeholders in one meeting.
- Finally, Loom is great for educators and academics who want to create videos for remote classes.
Loom vs. Zoom
While their names sound the same, Loom and Zoom have different fundamental use cases. In terms of Loom review, Loom is best used to record and send videos, which can be used for demos, tutorials, and feedback. In terms of use cases, Loom is more catered to asynchronous communication and screen recordings.
Meanwhile, Zoom is best used for hosting live meetings and large conferences. It has features like breakout rooms and virtual backgrounds. While you can use Zoom to record videos yourself, Loom is more optimized to share video links with teammates and clients.
Final Thoughts: Who Will Get the Most Out of Loom?
Loom is best for companies that need videos for their day-to-day work communication. Whether for external or internal communication, it is great for clients who work asynchronously. In fact, most of their clients include those in the tech and product space.
Their product is useful for tech, sales, and product design teams that need to align with cross-functional teams. Loom is also best for companies that want to tighten their internal feedback loop, demonstrate processes, and get quick updates.
Educators, coaches, and course creators can also benefit from Loom’s features. The platform makes it easy to create clear, engaging instructional videos that students or clients can watch at their own pace. With features like closed captioning, video chapters, and transcription, Loom helps streamline learning and knowledge sharing.
Finally, to sum up this Loom review, freelancers and consultants who want to build stronger relationships with clients may also find Loom useful. Just like gadgets that boost team connectivity, like the Deeper Connect Pico, the global workforce can benefit a lot from Loom. Personalized video updates, walkthroughs, or proposals can set them apart, adding a human touch to digital communication that static emails or text-based reports often lack.
Looking for an alternative to Design Pickle? We have just the list for you.
Design subscriptions are now popular amongst entrepreneurs, small businesses, and even corporate giants. The model is simple: you pay a flat monthly rate and get as much design help as you need – websites, custom illustrations, branding assets, ad design, packaging design, and more.
In a world where traditional agencies charge exorbitant fees and the freelance market is hit or miss, more and more brands are opting for this simple, comprehensive design solution. If you have no time to vet freelancers for every project and no budget for a team of in-house designers, this might be a perfect fit for you.
We went ahead and ranked the top unlimited graphic design companies in the industry that rival Design Pickle.
1. Penji
One of the top competitors of Design Pickle is Penji. This is because Penji offers a very comparable gamut of design services at a lower price point. Penji is one of the biggest unlimited graphic design providers in the industry and has consistently received strong reviews (4.8 average) across sites like Trustpilot, Facebook, and Google.
Penji stands out for its responsive customer service and exceptional designers. Their user-friendly platform makes requesting designs simple, allowing users to easily navigate and communicate with their designer. Each tier of Penji’s subscription is tailored to cater to diverse requirements, be it ad creatives, presentation designs, or motion graphics, ensuring various types of clients get the most value for their dollar.
Why we recommend:
– Designers are matched to your project based on their skillset and your specific need
– Penji offers logo designs, illustrations, and UX/UI for apps & websites
– Their customer support is responsive and quick
– There are over 100 design services to choose from
– You get access to a Project Manager or Art Director at higher tiers
Price: $499-$1497
2. Superside
Superside is a well-known company offering scalable design solutions that are suitable for brands of various sizes, from startups to large enterprises. Their services are priced significantly higher than other graphic design services, so they’re best for companies with larger budgets.
Why we recommend:
– You get access to a dedicated design team
– They offer static and motion ad creative for testing ads
– They’ve worked with big brands like Google, Shopify, and Meta
– Superside’s video production quality is top notch
– If you run out of design credits, you can order more at any tier
Price: $5,000-$13,000 (50-150 credits)
3. Fiverr
Fiverr is the only non-subscription service on the list, but many people don’t realize that individual freelancers can now offer subscriptions on Fiverr. The platform is famous for its wide range of freelance services at an incredibly affordable price. Typically, Fiverr matches you with a freelancer for a one-off project like a logo or website design. You might be able to get a logo for just $15, but in-demand designers might charge you $1000-2000 for a website.
Why we recommend:
– Fiverr manages the relationship, making financial transactions safer
– There’s no need to waste time or money hiring a full-time designer if you don’t need one
– You can choose from hundreds of designers to find the exact style you like
Price: varies widely (You might be able to get a logo for just $15, but in-demand designers might charge you $1000-2000 for a website.)
4. Flocksy
Flocksy is another unlimited graphic design service much like Penji and Superside. The company has a decent reputation online and offers comparable services to other design subscriptions. However, there are two major differences: They offer copywriting and video editing. Flocksy gives you access to an easy-to-use platform for submitting requests, tracking progress, and communicating with the creative team.
Why we recommend:
– Flocksy offers video editing and copywriting in their two highest tiers
– You can get Zapier integrations at every tier if desired
– They offer a 14-day money back guarantee if you choose not to continue
Price: $499-$1695
5. ManyPixels
Manypixels is another growing company that offers a similar service to Design Pickle at a comparable price. The company boasts clients like Teachable and Buffer. You can also get free stock assets from Manypixels, which is a nice perk to complement unlimited designs.
Why we recommend:
– Have an intuitive online platform for communication and storing files
– Pay monthly, quarterly, or yearly (save 10% quarterly, 20% yearly)
– Get a designated designer at the highest tier and collaborate in real-time
Price: $549-$1299
6. Kimp
Kimp is similar to other graphic design subscription services but offers unique pricing tiers. Unlike its competitors, Kimp provides both design and video services without requiring separate plans, ensuring a comprehensive creative solution. Clients also benefit from dedicated design and video teams, ensuring consistent quality and brand alignment across all projects.
Why we recommend:
– Choose only what you need: video, graphics, or both
– A speedy 2-4 day turnaround for video projects
– Kimp offers a 2-month discount as you’re getting started
– Get free stock video, audio and images in their top tier
Price: $599-$995
7. DesignJoy
DesignJoy came along just two years after Superside and have similar price range. They’re a big name in the design industry because they’ve worked with brands like Google and Verizon. Their standard tier allows you the manage unlimited brands along with unlimited users and stock photos.
Why we recommend:
– Webflow development available on both tiers
– Unlimited users on their higher tier
– You can refer a friend and get 5% monthly recurring commissions
Price: $4,995-$7,995
8. Delesign
Delesign has existed since 2017 and has leveled up its services each year. For the same price as many others on the list, Delesign also offers 2D animation videos. We’re not sure of the quality, length, or requirements, but this is a great bonus for brands that want to incorporate it.
Why we recommend:
– 2D animation videos are included in the package
– Guarantees quick turnaround times for initial drafts: 24 to 48 hours
– Zapier and Slack integrations on every plan
Price: $599 – $1799
9. No Limit Creatives
Roughly the same age as Delesign, No Limit Creatives is another design services that has grown in notoriety in recent years. They’re unique in that they offer 4 tiers for graphic design while most offer 3. Like Kimp, they have a tier for graphics and video, and each tier allows a different number of requests at a time. Their lowest price tier uses design credits much like Superside’s model.
Why we recommend:
– Get a dedicated design team on 3 out of 4 tiers
– A whopping 3 requests at a time are available at the highest tier
– The highest tier also offers real-time communication through Slack
– NLC provides video editing and video creation
Price: $499-1499
10. Kapa99
Kapa99 is a small company but they compete well with larger competitors like Design Pickle. They’ve been around since 2014 and thus have had plenty of time to perfect their craft. Kapa’s tiers are split into just two: Business and Business Express. Express offers speedier delivery for clients with more pressing deadlines.
Why we recommend:
– They offer a significant discount for the first two months of your subscription
– There’s no limit to how many ‘active tasks’ you can have on your dashboard
– Native Adobe source files
– Canva file delivery
Price: $499-$999
Air guns are used for pest control, small game hunting, recreational shooting or plinking, and competitive sports. There are several air rifles, but a bullpup weapon stands out. The overall length of the air gun can be significantly decreased without reducing the barrel length. This enables a bullpup weapon to be more easily maneuvered and concealed in tight spaces than a traditional weapon with a similar barrel length. Whether you are an avid air gun enthusiast or a newcomer looking for a versatile air rifle, the Ataman M2R Bullpup can be the best option. In this article, we will explore the unique features of the Ataman M2R Bullpup.
Ataman is a Russian brand known for manufacturing air guns. The company is famous for developing high-precision weapons for various shooting purposes, including target shooting and hunting. This includes the Ataman M2R Bullpup air rifle, Type 2 Walnut model.
Overview
With the legendary expertise of Russian gunsmiths, these guys bring distinct details out in this model. It features a Lothar Walther barrel and an ergonomic walnut stock. In addition, the adjustable trigger provides a personalized setup. Overall, the Ataman M2R Bullpup is an ultra-lightweight and versatile air rifle. Learn more about its specifications in the next section.
The M2R air rifles are a leading product of the Ataman factory. In producing M2R rifles, the company uses barrel blanks from the German brand Lothar Walther. In addition, the energy source of this PCP pneumatics rifle is a high-pressure tank with a volume of 250 cubic meters and a working pressure of 300. The design of the M2R air rifles allows for adjustments in stroke, force, and length.
Ataman M2R Bullpup Technical Specifications
The Ataman M2R Bullpup has advanced features, making it a popular choice for better performance and maneuverability. When Ataman designed this air rifle, they focused on creating a compact, maneuverable option for tight spaces. It’s noticeably smaller compared to other rifles we’ve checked out. The clockwork trigger is a standout feature for its easy customization, providing a match-grade experience, and the built-in pressure regulator ensures your shots stay consistently accurate.
Below are the technical specifications of Ataman M2R Bullpup:
Caliber: .22, .25, .357
Velocity: Up to 980 FPS
Barrel Style: Rifled
Barrel Length: 520 mm
Energy: Up to 55 foot-pounds
Safety: Manual
Loudness: 4-Medium-High
Shots Per Fill: 4
Weight: 3.8 kg.
Pros:
- Ambidextrous walnut stock
- Lothar Walther’s free-floating barrel
- Self-indexing magazine
- Integrated Picatinny rail
- Built-in air pressure gauge
- 1-Year Limited Warranty
Cons:
- Heavier than other brands
- Rather loud
What are the Other Leading Brands of Air Guns?
Here are some favorite options to help you choose the best air gun for your next hunting adventure.
1. AirForce Texan LSS Hunter Combo
One great feature of Airforce Texan LSS is its variety of options. Customers can choose among the .45, .357, and .30 caliber barrels depending on their preference and purpose. You also get a scope, air tank, bipod, and other goodies in the combo kit. Plus, it offers a lifetime limited warranty.
Features:
Caliber: .30, .357, .45
Velocity: Up to 1100 FPS
Barrel Style: Lothar Walther
Energy: Up to 600 foot-pounds
Safety: Automatic on cocking
Pros:
- Pressure relief device
- Adjustable power
- Two-stage, adjustable trigger
- Relatively quiet firing
- Low-effort, side-lever cocking
- Lifetime Limited Warranty
Cons:
- Expensive
2. Seneca Wing Shot MKII Shotgun
This air rifle is customizable to suit the preferences of upland or bushy-tail hunters. Thanks to the weapon’s removable choke, which will reduce the inner barrel down to .486 feet from .494 feet. This feature will enable a consistent shot stream and a 12-foot spread at 20 yards out.
Features:
Caliber: .50
Velocity: Up to 1130 FPS
Barrel Style: Smooth Bore
Energy: 245 foot-pounds
Safety: Manual
Loudness: 5-High
Shots Per Fill: 5
Pros:
- Removable choke.
- Pre-charged pneumatic (PCP)
- Single air reservoir (244cc)
- Built-in manometer
- 1-Year Limited Warranty
Cons:
- This air rifle is very loud.
3. Hatsan Blitz
The Hatsan Blitz is a fully-automatic air gun with a pre-charged pneumatic tank. It is among the top choices for full-automatic PCP air rifles. This automatic feature makes it a thrilling experience at the range, providing a Rambo-esque feel. Likewise, it can be effective for hunting coyotes and other small vermin.
Features:
Caliber: .22, .25, .30
Velocity: Up to 1050 FPS
Barrel Style: Rifled
Energy: Up to 53 foot-pounds
Safety: Manual
Loudness: 3-Medium
Shots Per Fill: 130
Pros:
- Full or semi-automatic mode
- 1,000 rounds/minute cyclic rate
- Detachable SwingLoad Magazine
- Combo 11mm dovetail and 22mm Weaver optics rail
- Three Picatinny forearm accessory rails
- Built-in manometer
- Available in 1-Year Limited Warranty
Cons:
- Full auto mode consumes many pellets.
4. Benjamin Bulldog .357 Bullpup
If you are looking for the best big-bore air gun for hunting, consider this Benjamin Bulldog Bullpup air gun. It is a fine hunting weapon. However, the Ataman M2R Bullpup still stands out in accuracy and versatility.
Features:
Caliber: .357
Velocity: Up to 910 FPS
Barrel Style: Rifled
Energy: 200 foot-pounds
Safety: Manual
Loudness: 4-Medium-High
Pros:
- Rubber recoil pad
- 2-stage non-adjustable trigger
- Picatinny optics and accessory rails
- Ambidextrous synthetic camp stock
- 5-Year Limited Warranty
Cons:
- Loud
5. Umarex Hammer
Umarex Hammer is a .50 caliber big bore air rifle that fires pellets at 700 foot-pounds of energy. Airgun Depot considers it the most potent PCP big-bore air gun.
Features:
Caliber: .50
Velocity: Up to 1000 FPS
Barrel Style: Rifled
Energy: 700 foot-pounds
Safety: Manual
Loudness: 5-High
Shots Per Fill: 4
Pros:
- 2-round chamber magazine
- Built-in manometer
- Weaver/Picatinny optics rail
- AR Magpul-style grip
- Accept M-LOK®attachments
- 5-Year Limited Warranty
Cons:
- Requires 550-grain lead pellets for optimal power
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