{"id":51429,"date":"2017-08-10T18:09:49","date_gmt":"2017-08-10T18:09:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/08\/10\/personal-tech-tutorial-from-vr-to-vacuums-10-items-to-know\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:53:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:53:26","slug":"personal-tech-tutorial-from-vr-to-vacuums-10-items-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/off-duty\/gearscout\/2017\/08\/10\/personal-tech-tutorial-from-vr-to-vacuums-10-items-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Personal tech tutorial: From VR to vacuums, 10 items to know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Maybe it\u2019s back-to-school gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you\u2019re seeking tech help for a late-summer outdoor excursion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you\u2019re one of the proud few who wrap up holiday shopping before football season \u2014 or you\u2019re sick of being jealous of those people while scrambling in mid-December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless, now\u2019s the perfect time to check out these 10 personal-tech offerings. Some boast military connections, some offer military discounts, some are recommended from troops and family members with substantial subject-matter expertise. Regardless, they\u2019re worth a look before your next gadget run:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
One former soldier swears by his Lifeproof FR\u0112 case, saying it protects his phone from frequent mishaps, including those triggered by his young children. (Manufacturer photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

ONE CLEVER CASE<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gear: <\/b>Lifeproof FRE phone case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why:<\/b> If you\u2019re tethered to your smartphone, best to ensure it can survive most anything \u2014 even the end of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel Gomez, an Army veteran, and his wife, Johanna, are the two-person band behind \u201cRED<\/a>,\u201d an interactive experience\/show in New York City where audience members role-play and problem-solve their way through a story of post-apocalyptic survival. When he\u2019s not designing the show, Gomez is doing everything else that comes with being his own boss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a small-business owner, I literally have to fish my phone out of my pocket every five minutes, while I\u2019m multitasking,\u201d said Gomez, who designed immersive training scenarios for special operators while in uniform. \u201cI\u2019m not the most coordinated individual, so I must have dropped the thing at least 100 times this past year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The waterproof case can survive a two-meter drop, per the Lifeproof website<\/a>, and doesn\u2019t add much bulk \u2014 the iPhone 7 variant weighs 1.23 ounces. It\u2019ll also stand up to a family-style beating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe kids throw it randomly around the room, drool on it, and cover it with spaghetti sauce,\u201d said Gomez, whose show offers a military discount<\/a>. \u201cThis thing should have been a goner a long time ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price:<\/b> Varies by model. $89.99 for the iPhone 7 and Galaxy S8, less for some older or smaller phones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
This tripod\/mount combo helps one military family go hands-free while FaceTiming a soldier on deployment. (Courtesy of Maria Cordova)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

EVERYBODY SAY \u2018CHEESE\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gear: <\/b>AmazonBasics 60-inch lightweight tripod<\/a> and Accmor tripod mount<\/a> adapter\/universal cellphone holder clip attachment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why: <\/b>Trying to get the whole family in front of a camera to send a message or talk online with a deployed spouse? This rig is \u201cperfect for including yourself in all the pictures and videos you capture, without hassle from the kiddos trying to take away your phone,\u201d said Maria Cordova \u2014 mom of two, Navy brat, wife of an Army officer and author of \u201cThe ABCs of the Army<\/a>\u201d children\u2019s book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The adapter fits any smartphone up to 3.3 inches wide. On the go? It\u2019ll also attach to a selfie stick. The tripod weighs 3 pounds, can handle most digital cameras and comes with a carrying case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s \u201cgreat for FaceTime with less interruption and hang-ups,\u201d said Cordova, who\u2019s online at www.mariacordova.com<\/a>. \u201cWe all have been there \u2014 your kiddo accidentally presses the \u2018end\u2019 button, and you\u2019re hoping your service member will call back, for the fifth time. Distance your phone from the subject.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price:<\/b> $23.49 (tripod); $7.89 (clip).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Oculus Rift and Touch combo. (Manufacturer photos)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

VR ON SALE<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gear:<\/b> Oculus Rift and Touch controllers bundle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why: <\/b>With competition heating up from Sony and HTC, the company that once was synonymous with virtual reality has gutted the price on its signature Rift device. You\u2019ll also get two Touch controllers, all for hundreds less than what the Rift was going for earlier this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check your PC to ensure it can handle the processing requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price:<\/b> $399.99 for a limited time \u2014 what Oculus calls the \u201cSummer of Rift<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The Roomba 690 can take orders from an Alexa-enabled device, or an app. (Manufacturer photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

NOT YOUR REGULAR ROOMBA<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gear: <\/b>Roomba 690<\/a> vacuum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why:<\/b> One of the newest additions to the iRobot line is also the best-selling no-human-necessary vacuum on Amazon.com, likely for three reasons: Favorable customer reviews, a price that\u2019s below other Roomba offerings (but above discount models) and new connectivity features that let users start their robo-maid via app or an Amazon Alexa-enabled device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price:<\/b> $374.99. The manufacturer offers a military discount<\/a> on some iRobot products; learn more and see other deals by searching here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Dark Energy’s Poseidon charger is water-resistant, can survive most any fall, and comes with a built-in flashlight. (Manufacturer photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

UP-ARMORED CAMO CHARGER<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gear: <\/b>Poseidon portable charger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why: <\/b>First, the practical \u2014 Dark Energy\u2019s signature charger weighs 0.7 pounds and boasts a 10,000 milliampere-hour battery that\u2019ll top off your cellphone up to a half-dozen times. Dark Energy says it can survive underwater for up to 45 minutes and has undergone \u201cextreme drop testing.\u201d It\u2019s a good solution for a tech-filled outdoor adventure; it even has a built-in flashlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, the less-practical \u2014 the Realtree camo pattern with orange border makes for a unique look, it comes with a paracord charging cable, and not every charger can say it\u2019s survived a shotgun blast from 30 feet away:<\/p>\n\n\n\n