Gear Reviews

Nokia Lumia 520

          A couple of years ago I bought a Nokia Lumia 520: a gem released in 2013 running Windows, and is Windows 8.1 compatible. With 124 grams of sheer power this phone can push the limits of mobile technology. With a 4 inch display and a super-sensitive touchscreen that reads long nails and through gloves, it's the best of it's time. It comes with mix and match cover-shells in blue, white, red, and yellow, and an impressive 5 megapixel rear camera, and an 8GB expandable memory. The 1GHz Dual Core Processor is one of the best of it's time and is built with the latest Microsoft technology.

          In my opinion, this phone is great, when you take into consideration the year it was released.  But for 2015, the camera is very temperamental and only takes good pictures in the best light conditions, and is missing the front camera and flash that is a necessity in this day and age. The phone is proportionally thicker and heavier than most phones of it's size and of 4 inch display, and has the tendency to glitch and lag more frequently than most as well. On the flip side, the powerful touchscreen is incredibly impressive, and functions perfectly through even the thickest gloves, and the removable shells are fun to change around as you please.  Windows 8.1 functions well on this phone and creates a whole new level of productivity.  I wouldn't recommend this phone - I would recommend a more recent Nokia Lumia like the beautiful 1020 - but for it's time, it's very powerful little device.

Babolat Strike Tour 

          At 27 inches and 12 ounces, the Babolat Strike Tour is a powerful ad sophisticated racket, and takes your game to the next level. Its graphite composition, dense string pattern and head-light balance gives it a unique and very solid feel as the user is able to manipulate the ball with ease.  Its unusually small head of 98 square inches and thin frame allow for improved volley control and a truly amazing serving experience.

          This racket is like none other I've ever played with. Its unique composition with a small head and dense string pattern allow for increased control and very powerful strokes.  Many who use this racket including myself are in agreement that the Strike Tour's solid feel is truly different than any other, even when used without a shock absorber, and has potential to bring the user's game to a higher level when used properly.  The only downfalls to this deadly weapon is that the smaller head can be difficult to adjust to when used after a racket with a bigger head, and its solid feel can be damaging to those with older elbows.  I strongly urge any experienced tennis player to consider this racket when shopping for a new one.