Steelseries Arctis 3, 5 and 7 replacement cable and splitter cable.

 

I recently aquired a set of Arctis 3 headphones that were near enough new but missing the little splitter cable that comes with them so you can use them with a regular headphone and mic setup on a PC. While no use for me (deaf in one ear) my other half likes them for her Zoom and Google Meetings so a replacement lead was needed.

After a quick search of AliExpress I found these splitter that convert most types of 4 pole 3.5mm headphones/earbuds etc.. to regular 3.5mm stereo headphone and microphone plugs. If you have a set of Arctis headphones or similar and want to connect to a regular PC this cable will do the trick.

Replacement splitter cable, suitable for Steelseries Arctis 3, 5 and 7

If you are missing the complete cable with the funky propretory connecter from the headphones themselves you can buy a range of replacement options. Click the image below to head to a search I made to help you find a replacement. These cables will suit the Steelseries Arctis 3, 5 and 7 Pro series of headphones.

Replacement cables for Arctis 3, 5 and 7 Pro series

I now have a Redbubble store. :)

Like everyone else during lockdown, I have needed to find something to do to help pass the time, having had a moment of genius/madness I came up with my #wearamask range of prints which you can have printed on pretty much anything... No really, anything, T-Shirts, Hoodies, Mugs, Stickers, Posters and more. Check out a few examples and click through to be taken to Redbubble, great prices and speedy delivery.

Game Controller/Holder for USB-C Android Phone. Direct Connection

Upgrade your mobile gaming experience with this high quality direct connection controller, no more pairing, battery, lag issues just hook upto your phone and get gaming. Will work with pretty much any game through either touchscreen press simulation or direct MOGA style input. It also has a handy passthrough so you can connect your charger or battery pack to keep gaming longer. The additional earphone socket let's you blast away your enemies in privacy :)

 

UPDATE 27/02/21: the latest app/firmware for this now allows S1 and S3 to be mapped either as C+Z (Great for 6 button console games) or more importantly L3 and R3. Head to http://www.opd-display.com/app.html and grab the apk from the blue 立即下载 V1.5.0.29(推介N1 PRO /X1以及X1 PRO X2 PRO鼠键产品玩家下载 link at the top. Once installed make sure to update the firmware which should bring you upto V1.001.26

 

Three Shipping Locations:

EU (& UK) Android N1 Controller

China: Android N1 Controller

US: Android N1 Controller

 

The China options is the cheapest but EU and US locations are faster for those in a hurry. 😃

We also have a Setup Guide and Advanced Guide to help you get more from this controller. The first YouTube video below also has a fairly active comments section in place of a forum.

 

 

These work great with most modern shooters and driving games e.g.: PUBG, Fortnite, Overwatch, Ashphalt 8/9 etc... as these are essentially console games on your phone. when switched to 'simulation' mode you are no longer pretending to touch the screen (possibly causing bans from looking like you have a helper app) instead you control the game directly, no lag, no emulation :)

Excellent for emulator use on your phone, play all the classics with a proper controller, most of the really good emulators support direct keymapping but others can be controlled through the touchscreen mapper.

Older games that only partially support controllers or are touchscreen can be mapped to the controller using the included app. The controller can be mapped for pretty much any type of game, platformers, swipers, shooters and drivers can all be controlled, you could even use it for Angry Birds if you really want. The full potential range of controls is pretty huge, and very customisable.

 

 

Features:

• Portable: The game controller is compact and lightweight, convenient to carry out, does not occupy much space.
• Direct Connection: Simply pop your phone in and play, no connection/pairing issues.
• Type C fast charging: The game controller features a fast charging Type C interface, supports charging and playing game at the same time.
• Headphone socket: Easily connect your headphones to enjoy uninterrupted gameplay
• Telescope phone holder: The telescope phone clip, whose holding length is up to 6.68inch, is widely suitable for different sizes of smart phone.
• Sensitive buttons design: The four direction buttons, X,Y, B, A buttons, and two joysticks are sensitive enough for you quick operation. The buttons is placed on the gamepad in suitable distance according to your finger length.
• Macro function: The game controller supports to design high class macro setting by yourself, which can effectively finish a set of operations by one button.
• Scope of application: The gamepad is widely suitable for different sizes smart phone, the max size is up to 7 inch. This game controller is not suitable for iPhone or for Android phone with micro USB interface.

Specification:

• Type: Game Controller
• Material: ABS + electric component
• Color: Black
• Interface: TYPE-C (To Phone) / TYPE-C & Earphone sockets on unit
• Size: 15.5*8.5*2.9cm / 6.09*3.34*1.14inch(L*W*H)
• Max phone holding length: 17cm / 6.68inch
• Net weight: 150g / 5.29oz

NSE Imports my new online shop is live.

Update March 2021: The original Opencart site we started on is now on Shopify, with better security for our customers, more payment options (Google Pay, Apple Pay and Amazon Pay) as well as the usual methods, we ar now offering a wide range of item including the masks and visors that started this whole thing.

Our new Shopify powered store.

 

 Original Post:

After getting some interest in my N95 masks I had to upgrade my game as getting people to click on a PayPal button on a blog page was a bit iffy looking, I've set up a brand new online shop at nseimports.co.uk

NSE Imports, currently selling KN95/N95/FFP2 Masks, Visors and Goggles, but eventually expanding into gadgets and gizmos as well. If you are looking for some PPE come and have a look at what we have for sale. Full SSL secured payments through PayPal (takes cards as well) and fast UK delivery.

Our original OpenCart where we started from.

N95 Respirator Masks for sale. (UK readers only)

As everyone is finding this current nasty bug is rather easy to catch and not very nice to suffer from. While our goverment's current advice about not needing a mask is fine and well, it assumes you can keep 2m/6ft from everyone, the UK is not built on that scale so the chances are you'll still be up close and personal with someone no matter what you do. 

In close quarters the chance of infection raises significantly (I was in Heathrow T3 for 3 hours the other night dropping my partner off, that was scary watching the passengers for another airline all bunched up for hours with not a mask between them). While no mask can offer full protection, wearing a mask can prevent face touching and offer some resistance against fluid spray from other people. However masks come in many grades and most of them are no use at all, as this handy image below shows... 

At a minimum any mask needs to be FFP2 or N95 rated, anything below that will offer next to nothing in blocking the particals. If you can source them FFP3 or N99's are nice but currently sell for the same price as a 2nd hand BMW.
 
From the CDC:
CDC Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Protective Equipment

• What makes N95 respirators different from facemasks (sometimes called a surgical mask)?
  • READ: Understanding the difference between masks.pdf
  • N95 respirators reduce the wearer’s exposure to airborne particles, from small particle aerosols to large droplets. N95 respirators are tight-fitting respirators that filter out at least 95% of particles in the air, including large and small particles.
  • Not everyone is able to wear a respirator due to medical conditions that may be made worse when breathing through a respirator. Before using a respirator or getting fit-tested, workers must have a medical evaluation to make sure that they are able to wear a respirator safely.
  • Achieving an adequate seal to the face is essential. United States regulations require that workers undergo an annual fit test and conduct a user seal check each time the respirator is used. Workers must pass a fit test to confirm a proper seal before using a respirator in the workplace.
  • When properly fitted and worn, minimal leakage occurs around edges of the respirator when the user inhales. This means almost all of the air is directed through the filter media.
  • Unlike NIOSH-approved N95s, facemasks are loose-fitting and provide only barrier protection against droplets, including large respiratory particles. No fit testing or seal check is necessary with facemasks. Most facemasks do not effectively filter small particles from the air and do not prevent leakage around the edge of the mask when the user inhales.
  • The role of facemasks is for patient source control, to prevent contamination of the surrounding area when a person coughs or sneezes.  Patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 should wear a facemask until they are isolated in a hospital or at home. The patient does not need to wear a facemask while isolated.

Deciding to try and do our bit I started to import some N95 respirator masks to sell on eBay and Amazon (at a sensible price) However, they blocked people making listings due to price gouging and that is only right and proper. However, I was left with a load of maks and no outlet, so until I can list elsewhere I have them for sale here on my own site.

April 2nd Update: We now have an online shop, click the image below to be taken to our online store. Fully SSL encrypted, Secure PayPal payments (no account required) and new products including Face Shields. 

So unless you happen to have a Dustin Hoffman Outbreak style suit and his magic juice....

...Stay safe as best you can.

Blackgold Drivers for 36xx Series Cards

Wow it's been so long since I made a post, I need to get back into it all, but as a quick starter I thought I would share something with my fellow BlackGold TV Tuner owners. At some point over the last year or so BlackGold's support page has had dead links for it's downloads. I emailed them and they reckon it will be fixed 'soon' and emailed me some drivers. In the meantime I have uploaded them to my FTP for you all to use as you need. These are great cards for use with TVHeadend, Emby, Plex and so forth, it's a shame they're not getting any love from the manufacturers at the moment.

BlackGold Support page
Have a look at their site and then come back and download whichever driver you wish. NOTE: The 9.1.1.2's are meant to be the latest but my 3650 does not like them for whatever reason so personally I found the 9.1.0.5's to be more stable, you mileage will no doubt vary :)

BGT_9.1.1.2.zip (32/64bit)
BGT_9.1.0.5.zip (32/64bit)
BGT_8.1.1.2.zip (32/64bit)
BGT36xx Installation Guide
Driver Update Instructions **IMPORTANT IF CHANGING DRIVERS**
BGT3500_7.6.9.0_32bit.zip
BGT3500_7.6.9.0_64bit.zip

They are also available from this link BlackGold mailed me (hopefully will not go dead) BlackGold Temp Driver Link

Hope this helps someone :)

Kohjinsha SC3 SSD: Not all mSATA's are equal.

A long time ago in 2014 I upgraded my trusty Kohjinsha SC3 to an SSD (Original Post), however over time it started flaking out and then it up and died on me. After a bit of testing it turned out the Intel 310 mSATA had suffered from it's (now) well known firmware issues and committed suicide for no particular reason.

Initially I replaced it with a 2nd hand Cruicial M500 mSATA and things seemed a bit off, after much testing (again) this time it turned out the drive was hitting it's thermal limit inside the very confined space of the SC3 and then shutting down, after a few hours it would naturally cool enough to work again but as soon as any real load was applied, shutdown. The drive itself is perfectly fine just it seems to like running a bit hot, again a known issue.

So I finally convinced myself to try one of the WAVE branded SSD's that keep cropping up on eBay, general word on the net is they they run cool and fast and seem to be relatively sound in terms of quality. First impressions it all looks quite good, enough words for a moment lets have some pictures.

Crucial M500 on the left WAVE 128GB on the right

The WAVE only has chips on one side, this helps with speed and temps.

The WAVE in it's mSATA to ZIF adapter, nice air gap between the two.

The Crucial M500 on the other hand is quite a snug fit.

Testing & Benchmarks:

Original Toshiba MK6028GAL

Intel 310 mSATA SSD

New WAVE 128GB mSATA SSD, sorry it's blurry was testing my new PODO camera.

Initial Conclusions:

So far so good, it pretty much beats the Intel hands down aside from 4K Q32 and it does 'feel' a bit quicker. I never benched the Crucial drive mainly because I could not before it fell over, however with a USB3>SATA dongle in UASP mode it did run roughly level with the WAVE drive so I imagine similar results if it had benched in the SC3. The temperatures are the main thing here, in the open air in my frankly freezing room the Cruicial M500 idled at high 40's to low 50's and peaked at near on 60 degrees when being benchmarked. The WAVE as you can see above hit 51 degrees in the enclosed space on the SC3 while being benchmarked so this looks like another win here.

I'm reinstalling Win 10 on the SC3 which is an adventure in itself due to chipset issues, it's loosely covered here. As things stand I can recommend these drives, UK viewers can get shop here for them Wave Gadgets @ eBay (No longer trading)

Update March 2021:

Well it's been some time since this post and the drive is ticking along nicely, I ended up back on Windows 7 in the end, while 10 would run there were so many issues, OS bloat meant everything was slow, Graphics drivers for the GMA500 were always bluescreening and so on. While no longer in daily service, this survives to run old x86 only software and under Win XP Mode I can still use my old Honda Diag Software.

The SSD upgrade finally gave this laptop what it needed, if you have something similar and are looking for a drive check out these KingSpec mSATA SSD 120gb (AliExpress*) The main thing is that you only have chips on one side so you do not cook it when it's in an SSD adpater in these tiny form factors.

*I may earn a few pence from any sales made through this link.