If you want to remove both chloramines and chlorine from your shower, I recommend a vitamin-C based shower filter, like the Sonaki In-Line Filter

This combination filter is also available — it incorporates a sediment filter and a Vitamin C filter into one unit.

The Details

Almost all popular shower filters available today only remove 20% – 80% of free chlorine (not total combined chlorine) from your shower. This includes shower filters that are certified by the NSF #177 Standard — unfortunately this standard only indicates that a filter will remove 50% of free chlorine in the water.

Also, many cities now treat water with chloramines instead of chlorine. There are no conventional shower filters that will remove more than a small amount of chloramines from your shower. The only way to remove chloramines is to use a Vitamin-C based shower filter which are only made in Korea and Japan.

Why Filter Your Shower?

Because your skin absorbs substances while showering. Typically, 60% of the chlorine that most people absorb daily comes from showering in chlorinated water. Chlorine damages your hair and skin.

Shower water also contains things like heavy metals and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Ideally, all these things should all be filtered out, but filtering water at the showerhead is problematic, because the water is typically hot and under high pressure, making filtration difficult. Carbon filters, which are normally excellent at remove chlorine, cannot handle the volume and heat of shower water.

Because of these problems, most shower filter makers rely on a metallic medium called KDF. Shower filter vendors typically show impressive charts to demonstrate long-term removal of chlorine. However, if you read the tests carefully, you’ll see that they apply to “free chorine” (chlorine that has not combined with other constituents in water), and the reality is that KDF-filters have little effect on “total chlorine” (combined chlorine). In fact, chlorine is often added at the water plant as a blend with ammonia called “chloramine.” KDF is not effective at removing chloramine or combined chlorine.

Here are the details on my recommended shower filters:

Vitamin C Shower Filters

Vitamin C shower filters are very effective in removing chlorine and chloramines from shower water. Chloramine or NH₂Cl  (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) is now commonly being used in place of chlorine for disinfection, but chloramines are not easily removed from water. Carbon filters are virtually useless in showers, because they do not work when the water is warm, and they also get clogged fairly quickly. KDF filters also don’t perform well in hot water, and they don’t remove chloramines. However, Vitamin C filters can remove chloramines effectively from water. To back this up, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission now states on their website that only Vitamin C can be used to remove chlormaines from municipal water. Here is the quote from the Commission:

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has recently been included in AWWA Standard (AWWA, 2005b) as one of the methods for dechlorination of disinfected water mains. SFPUC and other utilities have used Vitamin C for dechlorination prior to environmental discharges of chlorinated and chloraminated water. Since ascorbic acid is weakly acidic, the pH of water may decrease slightly (Tikkanen et al., 2001). Ascorbic acid has been used for a long time as one of the dechlorinating agents for preservation of chlorinated or chloraminated water samples for laboratory analysis.

The full document can be found here.

Vitamin C filters are simple in design — they contain a solid block of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and water runs through the filter and comes into contact with the Vitamin C. The Vitamin C neutralizes about 99% of the chlorine and chloramines in the water, and their effectiveness does not diminish until the Vitamin C is completely used up.

My recommendation for a Vitamin C showerhead is the Sonaki In-Line Filter

The filters last about 2-4 months before they need replacing, depending on how many showers you take. The filter is transparent, so you can see when the Vitamin C has run out.

Refills for the Sonaki filters are priced at $37 for 5 filters.

Sprite HOB-CM Brass Shower Filter

If you are just interested in removing free chlorine and sediment from your water, my recommendation is to use a Sprite Shower Filter. This filter is NSF Certified to standard #177 for shower filtration. It removes most free chlorine and some combined chlorine, sediment, hydrogen sulfide, iron oxide. Besides the fact that it does not remove chloramines, this is pretty good filter, and it is constructed with brass instead of the usual plastic.

The filter comes with a one year warranty, it is rated to filter 20,000 gallons or last 12 months, which ever comes first. It should be flipped half-way through the year. If the O-ring on the filter breaks, Sprite will replace it for free.

You can get the Sprite Shower Filter on Amazon for around $48.

See also my review of low-flow shower heads — these shower heads can be used in conjunction with these filters.

The post The Best Shower Filter appeared first on Reactual.

• ZTS MBT-1 can test more than 30 different battery types and gives meaningful, accurate readings.
• The ZTS Mini is an affordable and portable alternative. It tests 15 battery types.

The Details

Musicians, professional photographers, hobbyists, parents, and anyone else who is a frequent battery user should invest in a quality professional-grade battery tester. Be cautious of the slew of cheap Chinese battery testers available for sale on the internet. These products do not give an accurate reading, and instead will do little more than tell you whether or not your battery is dead.

Consider the Amprobe, the best selling battery tester on Amazon. It is available for $7, which sounds too good to be true because it is. As expected, it is flimsily constructed and gives iffy reports on rechargeable batteries. As many reviewers noted, it is only good at identifying dead batteries. Worse, it gives inaccurate battery readings and gives artificially high “good” readings on batteries that are on the precipice of death. That can cause unfortunate mix ups, like taking a battery “good” on charge to an important photo-shoot, only for the flash to die after a few snaps.

Luckily, ZTS makes a quality tester that gives a dependable reading. This battery tester is manufactured here in the United States and gives an accurate measurement in a very short period of time. Just place the battery on the nickel-plated brass contact and wait for the bar at the top to show what percentage charge the battery holds.

It tests almost every battery type, including NiMH, Lithium-Ion, Alkaline Lithium, Coin Cells, CR1620 Cells. It has a row of six LED testers that gives percentage reading of how much life the battery has left.

This is not a portable tester — it weighs over a pound and is 8 inches tall.

A Portable Option

If you want a professional quality battery tester that can fit in a purse or glove box, ZTS has the MINIMBT. The Mini is exactly half the MBT: half the size, it can test half the number of batteries (15), and is half the price.

The Mini tests 1.5v alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D, N), 1.2v NiMH/NiCd, 3v photo lithium, and 9v alkaline batteries.

The post The Best Battery Tester appeared first on Reactual.

The Toughest Camera: Olympus TG-4

The Olympus TG-4 is a shockproof and freeze-resistant camera that will capture beautiful images in extreme environmental conditions. It works underwater, and can snap pictures in RAW with a wide-angle lens. See our full review.

The Toughest Tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 8.0

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab Active 8.0 is a rugged water and dust resistant tablet that can survive in rough-and-tumble workplaces. Enjoy the vibrant colors and ultra-high resolution of Samsung’s flagship line of portable electronic secured in a MIL STD 810G rated anti-shock case. See our full review.

The Toughest Laptop: Panasonic Toughbook 31

The Toughbook 31 combines military quality drop-shock protection and best-in-class performance to create the world’s best ruggedized Windows notebook. A full magnesium alloy case safe-guards a powerful touch-screen notebook from hazardous environmental conditions and accidental drops and blows. See our full review.

The Toughest Smart Phone: Droid Turbo 2

Frequent phone droppers rejoice — Motorola has created the world’s first truly shatterproof smartphone, the Droid Turbo 2. An innovative five layer plastic AMOLED screen and aluminum chassis keep the Droid Turbo functioning even after drops of over 900 feet. See our full review.

The Toughest Audio Player: Cowon Plenue 1

Audiophiles in search of a portable audio player with high-fidelity sound and durable construction need to check out the Cowon Plenue 1. This tough device forgoes cheap plastics for a diamond-cut aluminum chassis. The solid-metal frame makes this MP3 player the toughest in the field, and a Burr-Brown DAC gifts the discerning listener with great sound quality and diverse file support. See our full review.

The Toughest Headphones: V-MODA XS

Listen to music with the peace-of-mind that your headphones can survive the use and abuse of daily transit. The V-MODA XS offer hi-fi sound in a solidly constructed shell. It has a steel frame, detachable cloth braided cords and a headband that bends but doesn’t break. See our full review.

The Toughest Portable Charger: Unifun Waterproof Battery

Keep your portable electronics fully charged in harsh environments with this dustproof and waterproof external battery by Unifun. The lithium-polymer battery is water-resistant and protected by a hard plastic case and shock-absorbing rubber edges. Plastic cover seals the Unifun’s two micro-USB charging ports from water. See our full review.

The Toughest USB Drive: Survivor Stealth USB 3.0

Transport your files in aircraft-grade aluminum with the Survivor Stealth USB 3.0, a military-style data transport that can endure extreme environments. An EPDM waterproof seal keeps water out and a molded shock damping collar protects this USB drive from drops and crushing. See our full review.

The Toughest External Hard Drive: U32 Shadow

Edit HD video and store your files on the U32 Shadow, a compact Solid State Drive housed in a stylish and durable aluminum case. Store up to 256 GB of files and run them through USB 3.0 at a speed of up to 400 MB/s. See our full review.

The Toughest Keyboard: Topre Type Heaven

Discover the joy of typing on this luxurious Japanese keyboard, the Topre Type Heaven. The solid, heavy design features electrostatic capacitive key switches at an affordable price point. The Topre Type Heaven will win over any typist with its satisfying tactile feedback and silent stroke. See our full review.

The Toughest Mouse: G602 Wireless Gaming Mouse

Get over 20 million clicks with the G602, a wireless mouse with 11 programmable buttons and a crazy long battery life. The G602 is outfitted with mechanical switches to increase lifespan and uses Delta Zero Sensor Technology for ultra-accurate cursor control. See our full review.

The Toughest Compact Flashlight: Titan Plus

The brightest and strongest ultra-compact flashlight is the SureFire Titan Plus. This flashlight that shines with 300 lumens at its highest setting — more than enough light to illuminate a forest trail. A nickel-plated brass body gives rugged protection that brushes off scratches and prevents corrosion. See our full review.

The post The Toughest Electronics appeared first on Reactual.

Groom Mate Nose Hair Trimmer

The Groom Mate Nose Hair Trimmer is made with brushed stainless steel. The trimmer doesn’t require any batteries — instead you twist the bottom with a gentle motion, and the rotary blades cut ear or nose hair without the risk of injury. The trimmer received an average of of 4 out 5 stars from over 530 Amazon buyers. It comes with a lifetime “no questioned asked” guarantee. Priced at $18.88 from Amazon.

Khlip Ultimate Clipper

We reviewed this clipper from Khlip in our last post. The Ultimate Clipper is made with surgical stainless steel in the U.S. It has a unique design that allows for effective nail clipping. It comes with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects. The Ultimate Clipper is available directly from Khlip for $50.

See also this Seki Edge Toe Nail Clipper from Japan — its a quality clipper, and it sells for $18.

Tongue Sweeper

Bad breath is often caused by an accumulation of bacteria and fungi on the tongue. In fact 80-95% of all cases of bad breath are due to these bacteria accumulating on one’s tongue (see this article for more info).

The Tongue Sweeper featured here is designed to allow easier cleaning of the back of tongue. It comes with a lifetime warranty. There are two models: a titanium version, and a stainless steel version.

Merkur Heavy Duty Double Edge Razor

Merkur Razors are handcrafted in Solingen, Germany. These classic safety razors have been in use for over a hundred years. Compared to using disposable-blade razors, safety razors are much less expensive to use in the long term.

Merkur razors receive high-praised by Michael Ham, author of the Leisureguy’s Guide To Gourmet Shaving. Ham says the a Mercur is “the pre-eminent” razor due their excellent design and weight. The heavy stainless steel construction actually helps with the shaving process, since you don’t have to apply pressure — gravity does work instead.

Merkur Razors are available on Amazon.

Ernest Alexander Dopp Kit

This Dopp Kit is handmade in the U.S. by New York-based designer Ernest Alexander. Alexander says his products are constructed to last a lifetime. His Dopp Kit is made with charcoal wax canvas, brown leather bottom and trimmings, and brass rivets.

The post Buy It For Life: Grooming Tools For Men appeared first on Reactual.

The Details

Typically, 60% of the chlorine that most people absorb daily comes from showering or bathing in chlorinated water. Chlorine damages your hair and skin. Bath water also contains things like heavy metals and VOCs (volitive organic compounds). Ideally, all these things should all be filtered out.

Vitamin C Tablets or Powder

Vitamin C tablets or Vitamin C powder will remove 99% of free chlorine and 99% of chloramines from bath water. Chloramine or NH₂Cl (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) is now commonly being used in place of chlorine for disinfection, but chloramine is not easily removed from water. However, Vitamin C can neutralize 99% of the chloramines from water. To back this up, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission now states on their website that only Vitamin C can be used to remove chlormaines from municipal water. Here is the quote from the Commission:

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has recently been included in AWWA Standard (AWWA, 2005b) as one of the methods for dechlorination of disinfected water mains. SFPUC and other utilities have used Vitamin C for dechlorination prior to environmental discharges of chlorinated and chloraminated water. Since ascorbic acid is weakly acidic, the pH of water may decrease slightly (Tikkanen et al., 2001). Ascorbic acid has been used for a long time as one of the dechlorinating agents for preservation of chlorinated or chloraminated water samples for laboratory analysis.

The full document can be found here.

Vitamin C tablets are slight more convenient since the some in measured amounts (tablets) and they also “fizz” to release the Vitamin C. However, Vitamin C powder is quite a bit less expensive overall.

One More Option

The post The Best Bath Filters appeared first on Reactual.

This Slim Portfolio Briefcase from J. W. Hulme is handmade in St Paul, Minnesota. It is constructed with “analine finished deep burgundy” leather and brass hardware. The company has been producing leather goods since 1905. All their products come with a lifetime repair policy.

Available directly from J. W. Hulme website for $380.

The post Buy It For Life: Slim Portfolio Briefcase by J. W. Hulme appeared first on Reactual.

We present here the four of the top rated directional outdoor speakers on the market. These outdoor speakers are best suited for maximizing sound quality in a defined space, such as a porch or patio.

Most can be easily mounted on an exterior wall under an eave or overhang, which has two advantages: it offers protection from the elements, and also adds reflective surfaces near the speaker to improve sound quality.

Boston Acoustics Voyager 4 Outdoor Speakers

Boston Acoustics brings its legendary sound quality outdoors with its Voyager 4 speakers, the smallest of the Voyager series. Each Voyager 4 speaker is enclosed in a weather-resistant polypropylene case, and features a 4” co-polymer woofer to withstand moisture and temperature swings. A ¾” Kortec dome tweeter provides high tones, and the Voyagers are available in black or paintable white to match any outdoor décor. The wedge-shaped rear case allows installation in a corner location.

The Boston Acoustics Voyager 4 outdoor speakers are available from Amazon for about $200 per pair.

Polk Audio Atrium 45 Outdoor Speakers

The Atrium 45 from Polk Audio is another high-fidelity outdoor speaker with a streamlined design, and it’s the most compact model of Polk’s Atrium series. Its 4 ½” polymer bass cone features a butyl rubber suspension surround, and a ¾” dome tweeter covers the high notes while a sculpted front baffle minimizes sound diffraction. But this performance speaker is rugged enough to hold up to the nastiest weather too: all hardware is stainless steel or brass, the brackets and grilles are aluminium, and the Atrium meets or exceeds military specs for waterproofing, salt and corrosion resistance.

The Polk Audio Atrium 45 outdoor speakers are available in either black or white. You can find them at Amazon for about $100 per pair.

Klipsch AW-400 Outdoor Speakers

The Klipsch AW-400 sets itself apart from the pack with its efficient power usage, meaning bigger sound from even relatively low-wattage inputs. There are larger models available in the AW series, but the AW-400 packs a 4” IMG woofer and 1” Tractix Horn polymer tweeter into a weather-resistant ABS housing. Non-corrosive aluminum grilles and heavy-duty zinc brackets help the AW400 stand up to the elements, and a 3/8” – 16 threaded insert adds flexibility for mounting options. The AW-400 is available with black or white finishes, which are paintable and UV-resistant.

The Klipsch AW-400 outdoor speakers cost around $220 per pair at Amazon.

Yamaha NS-AW150W Outdoor Speakers

The Yamaha NS-AW150 is the least expensive of the bunch, but still offers great sound in an efficient and weather-resistant package. The speakers utilize a 5” polypropylene mica-filled woofer and ½” PEI dome tweeter, and they are magnetically shielded so they can be used near televisions & monitors with no image distortion. They feature five-way binding posts to accommodate various cable connection types.

The Yamaha NS-AW150W outdoor speakers are available at Amazon for around $70 per pair.

The post The Best Rated Outdoor Speakers appeared first on Reactual.