Gadgets: A smart bird feeder

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

The FeatherSnap Scout smart bird feeder is the first time I've reviewed a product like this, and if I had to describe it in one word, it would be addicting. It also makes sense that FeatherSnap calls the feeder "Your Window to the Wild." In just minutes, you can have live nature and wildlife from your backyard playing on your smartphone.

After a simple setup, including the paid subscription app, I found myself glued to my iPad, waiting for each bird's arrival. A solar-powered high-resolution camera captures the live stream video with a wide field of view built into the back of the feeder. A USB-C connection can also be used to power the internal rechargeable battery.

The FeatherSnap Scout measures 13 by 12 by 14.5 inches and features two easy-to-refill side-by-side feeders that hold 4.2 cups each. A platform expands to provide your visitors with a place to sit and eat. With its durable construction for outdoor use, it is rated to withstand temperatures ranging from -20 degrees to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Setting it up doesn't take much work. It connects to your Wi-Fi, so consider the distance it reaches when choosing where to put it. A universal mount with hardware is included. There is a built-in long-range Wi-Fi antenna; consider this when testing it before mounting.

With the FeatherSnap app (iOS and Android) subscription ($59.99 annually, $6.99 monthly), you unlock features including AI bird recognition, storage to save your content, and the ability to produce an in-app bird book with all your snaps and specific species information. The bird identification comes from AI technology and FeatherSnap's in-house Ornithologist.

The app, without a subscription, saves snaps (photos) for 72 hours; with the plan, for 10 days. Other subscription advantages include receiving more snaps per day, sharing snaps, cropping images and downloading videos. Downloading photos is available with both the included plan and the unlimited plan.

https://www.feathersnapcam.com $179.99

The Maono Wave T5 Wireless Lavalier Microphone kit is a simple, easy and affordable portable audio recording system that produces clear and crisp files.

When it comes to recording audio, there's a saying that someone told me a long time ago that still holds: People will watch a bad video with great audio but will turn off a great video with bad audio. While many video cameras have built-in microphones that work well, they must capture the audio from the distance between the camera and the subject. Having a wireless lavalier microphone such as the Maono Wave T5 makes a world of difference.

The Maono Wave T5, along with its app, is like having a portable recording studio. It includes a pair of microphone transmitters and receivers with USB-C and Apple Lightning connectors and a 3.5 mm auxiliary connection. Clips, USB-C to USB-A cable, a hard-shelled charging/storage case, a soft storage bag, windscreens and a few other accessories make a well-rounded kit. You'll get approximately 9 hours of battery life and up to 30 hours with the charging case.

Using it is straightforward; it's somewhat plug-and-play, but in some environments, you may need to make audio adjustments based on your specific tasks. I performed a basic test right out of the box without any changes, and I was more than satisfied.

Without getting overly technical, there are controls for gain control, one-click mute, pairing, battery levels, power and noise cancellation. The Maono Link app features user-friendly controls that allow for efficient sound control. They include activating noise cancellation and noise reduction adjustments with three modes and 14 levels of precision.

The system's specifications are listed as an 80dB signal-to-noise ratio, a 120dB maximum sound pressure level, and a 48kHz/24-bit audio format. The reach for the microphones is listed as 1,000 feet for interference-free transmission on the 2.4 GHz band.

https://www.maono.com/products/wave-t5-wireless-lavalier-wicrophone$129.99