Category: on our radar

On our radar: Camp Snap camera

Yellow Camp Snap camera

I was a child of the late 70s/early 80s. I listened to my music via vinyl, cassette and 8-track tapes. I watched films on BetaMax… or at the cinema. TV was only a couple of channels – live as it was shown or, if you could work out how to do it, it could be set to be recorded on to videotape. Phones all had rotary dials… and a lead that was attached to the wall. Mobile meant that the cord was a few yards long, and you could carry the 2lb phone, possibly all the way into the adjoining room.

Cameras were simple point and shoot boxes that you held up to your face, shut one eye and peered through a view-finder with the other before pressing the button. The only option available in those days was flash on or flash off. And you had to wait a whole week to see the photos you took, because that was how long the pharmacy (it was always, and only, a pharmacy) took to process the roll of film you took into them. The roll of film could only hold 24 photos – or 36 if you paid extra. I’ve lost count of the number of times that not a single satisfactory image materialised as I eagerly shuffled through the photos on the pavement outside the shop. Blurry, underexposed, overexposed, superimposed… excitement quickly turned to dismay!

Black Camp Snap camera, front and rear views

Which brings me on to this week’s On our Radar item – the Camp Snap camera. It has all the good bits of a 1970s camera; the attractive retro looks, the point & shoot simplicity, combined with the useful 21st century technology; it’s digital, you can attach it to your computer to download, share and print the images you want. It’s available in 9 colour options and allows you to take up to 500 photos before it needs recharging. And all at the exceedingly reasonable price tag of £52.00 (as at May 2024).

 

 
 
 
 
 
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On our radar: Refillable lip balm

Wild refillable lip balms

Where we’ve been able, we’ve been using refillable products for many years; laundry detergent, washing up liquid, even deodorant. One new product that we’ve recently discovered is refillable lip balm. We’re not the only ones to discover it, though, less than a week after they were launched, they completely sold out!

The all-new Wild lip balms aren’t just refillable, they’re 100% vegan and completely natural, unlike the famous petroleum-based variety. The refills are available to buy as one-off bundles or as a regular subscription. A waiting list has been created – get yourself on it!

 

 
 
 
 
 
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On our radar: Briiv Air Filter

Briiv air filter

We’ve had a couple of lovely sunny days over the Easter period. With all this recent sunshine, I’ve noticed the huge number of particles in the air when beams of light shine through the bedroom Velux window in the morning. Dust, dog fur, dander, wood-burner emissions, mould spores and goodness knows what else. I dread to think what we’re breathing in as we sleep!

I looked online into gadgets that clean the air and discovered the Briiv Air Filter; what a beauty. The company describes it as, “The most sustainable, recyclable air purifier on Earth”. The unit is fitted with two filters which last for a year; one is made of moss and the other coconut fibre. It looks like a mini terrarium – more of a houseplant than a household appliance!

Of course, like any 21st century smart home device worth its salt, the Briiv Air Filter connects to your wi-fi and can be controlled using an app on your smartphone.

It currently retails at £329 which is a huge outlay, but they claim that it only costs £3.64 per year to run (based on the device being switched on for 6 hours per day).

On our radar: Henry Quick Pet cordless vacuum cleaner

Henry 'Quick Pet' cordless vacuum cleaner

We’re the proud owners of a couple of Henry vacuum cleaners; one for regular, run-of-the-mill cleaning jobs (the pet-fur-busting green Harry) and an old, 2nd hand one for very filthy jobs (the regular red Henry) such as removing the ash from our wood-burners and range cooker.

Just this week, I’ve discovered that Numatic have launched a Henry Quick Pet cordless vacuum cleaner. I’d expect it gives the same reliable, workhorse performance, but in miniature form. It would be the perfect tool for cleaning our upstairs bedrooms. I say ‘upstairs’, but what I really mean is ‘upsteps’. In our cottage, we have narrow wooden ladders leading up to the loft rooms. It’s a struggle manoeuvring the heavy, bulky Harry up & down through the small opening in the ceiling/floor.

Carrying the Henry Quick Pet cordless vacuum (which weighs just over 3kg) would be a cinch in comparison – and it would mean that the job of vacuuming would get done more often too!