Reviews
My Honest Review Of The Opkix One After 3 Months Of Use
The Opkix is unlike anything else on the market right now. If wearable tech and action-cameras had a child together, the result would be the Opkix. We previously reviewed it on Owner’s Magazine. See the review here.
However, our team was so impressed with the Opkix that we decided to test it for 3 months and write a much more in-depth look at what it can really do. In our extended review of the Opkix we discovered a lot of things that weren’t obvious at first. We found even more things to like about it and also unearthed quite a few issues.
Here’s what we found after 3 months of using the Opkix on a daily basis.
How Did I Use It?
The Opkix comes with accessories to clip it onto your glasses or hat. Luckily I wear prescription glasses 24/7, so it was fairly easy to adapt it to my daily routine. For the most part, I just carry the Opkix in my bag with me and have one of the cameras clipped onto my glasses at all times.
One of the best use for the Opkix that I found was having it as a video camera that was literally always on and always within reach. Whenever an opportunity for a video comes, I would simply press the bottom on the camera, and it would start recording.
The Opkix Is A Game Changer…
If I wanted to record something smartphone where I’d have to take it out of my pocket, unlock it, open the camera app, choose “Video”, focus…and then finally hit record. I’m usually discouraged from trying unless the moment absolutely NEEDS to be captured.
Everything changed with the Opkix. One of the most amazing yet subtle features of the Opkix is that there’s no on/off buttons on the cameras. You just tap the “record” button and it begins recording. The fact that it’s always on and always available makes it so easy and seamless to record quick clips. It was so easy to record that I find myself recording even the silliest moments in my day that I would’ve never thought of capturing.
At the end of the week, I’d have a whole collection of these short funny clips of my week that I never had before. This little device completely changed the way I capture moments in my life. It’s not just the important moments that deserve to be captured anymore. Now it’s everything in between.
Immersive 1st Person View
This is the first time you’re able to create immersive 1st person view content. Holding your phone up to your face is awkward. Having a Go-pro mounted in front of your chest or helmet makes you joke in normal settings. The only product on the market right now that lets you actually record AND be a part of the conversation and experience is this Opkix. For the first time, you can record people singing “Happy birthday” AND clap at the same time.
The cameras can also be used in any orientation. No matter what orientation you record in, your videos will never be upside-down.
My one concern with the Opkix is that the halo light around the camera can’t be turned off when you’re recording. This is often obvious and glaring to others that you’re recording them and can also take you out of the moment. The lights are especially noticeable under lowlight. Hopefully, this gets fixed in future updates.
Battery Life & Portability
The actual record time is about 10 – 15 minutes for each camera. After they’re depleted, I can just put them back into the egg and recharge. Recharging the cameras from 0 – 100% is fast and I’m usually able to get back into the action quickly. Considering the cameras are always on, battery life is pretty good. Leaving the house with a fully charge egg it’s able to last me an entire day and returning home usually with 20 – 25% juice left.
Having the cameras always on my glass also wasn’t much of a hindrance because it’s so lightweight you forget it’s there. Although I do get a lot of questions about it since it does stand out.
Video Quality
This was a hit and miss for me. Video quality was capped at 1080 resolution, which isn’t a problem. The problem is the quality of the videos. The lenses are great during day-time and when there’s an abundance of light. However, the camera fails to accurately capture colors when you’re indoors or in low-light situations. The halo light around the lens doesn’t do much.
There’s also a lot of over-saturation in some of my clips. I certainly can edit these clips to be perfect, but that defeats the purpose of the Opkix. It’s meant to be a user-friendly device for the average everyday person to capture moments. I shouldn’t need to boot up any video editing software to correct the clips.
If this was a $99 device, I wouldn’t complain. But given its $299 price tag, most would expect better quality videos.
Connectivity Issues
After a day’s worth of recording, I usually plug both cameras back into the egg and then try to extract the clips. You can’t plug the egg into your computer via USB to extract the clips. The only way to get the clips off the cameras is through the App via Bluetooth. The App is very well designed and you can see a lot of work went into refining it. It’s intuitive, easy to use, and has a lot of great features. Overall, a polished product.
The connectivity on the other hand – a complete failure. Pairing the egg with your device the first time was easy. But connecting the egg with your device afterward is a nightmare. It would connect sometimes but not always. When you hit “Connect” on the App, it takes a lot longer than it should connect. The wait is usually between 10 – 15 seconds before it tells you connection failed and to try again. I tested this with an Asus Zenfone 6 (Android), Samsung S20 Ultra, and iPhone 11, all with the same connection problems.
Eventually, I learned that the device connects best when the egg is above 30% battery. I don’t know if this is a bug or done for a specific purpose. However, a warning or some instructions on the App to connect would be appreciated.
Recording videos with the Opkix is an enjoyable good experience. Exporting them is another story.
The App
The App is about 50% of the product if not more. The egg can’t function without the app. It’s available for both Android and iOS. Usually, tech hardware that has an app companion tends to overlook the user experience and functionality of the app. Not this time. The team over at Opkix invested heavily in the design and development of the App, and it shows. The main connection screen shows you a neat image of the egg.
The app works flawlessly and does everything you’d expect it to. However, there is one major downside. Exporting videos from the cameras to your device takes far too long. For a 10 minute clip, you’d probably wait about 5-10 minutes to be fully exported.
Image stabilization
The image stabilization process is actually done via software through the App. And for the most part, it’s pretty good. After you’ve exported the video clips from the camera, there’s an option for you to Stabilize the video. Again, this was another source of pain for me. I wish video stabilization was done automatically. Given the nature of 99% of the video clips, I can’t imagine anyone NOT choosing to stabilize their videos.
Time-consuming Video Processing
I do believe the folks at Opkix thought extensively about their user’s experience. However, they missed a major one. The time it takes to export and process the videos. My smartphones, although clunkier to use, can automatically stabilize everything I record in real-time.
I understand there may be a hardware limitation given the size of the cameras on the Opkix, but having the video stabilization be an extra step AFTER I export the videos is a mistake. The export time is already extensive. Now I have to wait just as long all of the videos to stabilize.
Not to mention, there’s no option to “stabilize all”. I have to sit there and manually click “Stabilize” on every single video. All the fun, seamlessness, and intuitiveness of the Opkix is completely derailed because of this.
Final Verdict
The Opkix is trying to do something new and for that alone, it should be celebrated. For my 3 months of using the Opkix to replace my smartphone as a primary video camera, I enjoyed every moment of recording. The portability, ease of use, and plethora of attachment accessories made it incredibly simple to integrate the Opkix into my day.
My biggest surprise after 3 months was the sheer volume of video clips I now have. Scrolling through my collection, I’m amazed at all the tiny little moments in my life that had been captured.
The Opkix is an innovative tech that found a specific niche in the wearable market. There’s simply nothing like it. Despite the connectivity and time-consuming video processing issues, I still think it’s a great product with massive potential. At $299 it might look expensive, but trust me you’ll be recording with this thing a lot. For countless hours of footage you’ll be able to capture on-demand with the Opkix, $299 is a steal.
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
99Designs is one of the go-to graphic design services online. It’s a platform full of professional designers that will make branding easier for you. Here’s an honest 99Designs review of the service from a non-designer.
99Designs: Overview
99Designs is a graphic design service that helps clients connect with various web and graphic designers worldwide. The platform offers the following design services:
- Logos
- Websites
- Stationary
- Business Cards
- Postcards
- Posters
- Clothing
- Brochures
How Does it Work
#1 Brief Your Requirements
First, you need to create a simple design brief to help graphic designers visualize your requirements.
#2 Connect with a Designer
Second, you need to choose how you’ll connect with a designer. In99Designs, you have two options:
- Work Directly
You can choose to work with a graphic designer directly.99Designs will help you find the designer that matches your preferred design style. This option allows you to review the portfolio and request the designer’s quotes.
- Start a Contest
For this option, you’ll open your design brief to the99Designs community. After that, designers will submit ideas to you, providing you multiple styles to choose from.
#3 Collaborate
Lastly, after choosing your preferred design process, you’ll collaborate with your graphic designer. Once satisfied with the output, you can release the payment securely to the designer. Take note that all copyright and ownership entirely belongs to you.
99Designs Review: The Pros and Cons
Pros of99Designs
- Built-in design process
It guides the non-designers to organize their design requirements. The platform provides questions that help clients define their requirements to help designers visualize what is needed. So if you also have a hard time translating the creative path you want your designer to take,99Designs’ platform will help.
- 100% Money-back warranty
99Designs offers a 100% guarantee within 60 days of payment. The warranty is available for all types of contests. However, it does not apply to contests with a guaranteed prize. When we say “guaranteed prize,” it means that the contest already proceeded to the final round.
- Estimated quantity of submissions
As you pick a package for your design requirement,99Designs will provide an estimated quantity based on the budget. Each bid will have a fixed amount of price. So, it’s safe to say there are no hidden fees.
- Large Marketplace
99Designs is one of the best graphic design services on the internet. Its popularity is evident by the number of bids a client receives on a single project. Although it’s a disadvantage for the designers, as the client, you have more gains.
Cons of99Designs
- Limited Options
As you scroll through several design proposals for your contest, you can’t research more about the designers. It’s impossible to dig deeper about the designer’s portfolio, resume or feedback from previous customers.
- Misleading Pricing
According to99Designs, “you can set your price.” However, there are minimum prices for each design category. Although the minimum fee is reasonable, the claim of setting your rate as a client is somewhat misleading.
- Newbie Designers
There are a handful of people who believe newbie designers often join design contests. For some, this claim is valid, but seniority is not an issue as long as they produce quality works.
- Unpaid Efforts
This is the advantage for designers when joining contests. Of course, designers are aware of this downside. However, they often take it as a learning experience.
99Designs Review: Monthly Plans
The following are the fixed pricing for contest packages. Using the contest option in99Designs, you’ll receive creative concepts from multiple designers around the world.
Logo Design
- Bronze, 30 designs at $299
- Silver, 60 designs at $499
- Gold, 90 designs at $899
- Platinum, 60 designs at $1,299 (Top-level designer entry requirement)
Web Page Design
- Bronze, 15 designs at $599
- Silver, 25 designs at $899
- Gold, 35 designs at $1,599
- Platinum, 25 designs at $2,499 (Top-level designer entry requirement)
Other Pricing Includes:
- 3D
- Album cover
- App design
- Banner ad
- Book cover
- Business card
- Car, truck, or van wrap
- Character or mascot
- Landing page design
- Merchandise design
- Graphic illustrations
- Other Branding assets
Maximizing Your Experience with 99Designs
Here are several expert tips to help you utilize 99Designs effectively:
- Define Your Vision Clearly: Begin with a comprehensive and clear design brief. The more details you provide about your vision, the better designers can align with your expectations.
- Choose the Right Engagement Model: Decide whether direct collaboration with a designer or launching a contest fits your project better. Each has its benefits, with direct hires offering personalized engagement and contests providing diverse creative options.
- Engage Actively with Designers: Whether you opt for a direct hire or a contest, actively engaging with the designers is crucial. Provide feedback promptly to refine designs closer to your vision.
Final Note
In the end, this99Designs review proved that the platform is one of the best graphic design services on the internet. If you’re still contemplating if you need their service, you can explore the99Designs website. However, if you’re searching for a design service that’s perfect for non-design,99Designs is worth considering.
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Eric
February 19, 2021 at 5:35 pm
Conclusion flies in the face of your own criticisms. It it’s a pain to export clips, and a pain to stabilize them, and there are color correction issues in the camera (which were abundantly obvious, especially in things like bricks which turned quite vibrantly magenta), you shouldn’t be saying that at $299 it’s a steal. Sounds to me like a fun toy that’s also a pain in the butt, producing uneven results.
I’ll wait for Gen 2.