FEATURE: Christmas Stocking Fillers - Wireless Speakers

Dreaming of a loud Christmas.

In our most recent run-down of gifts to give audiophiles this Chrimbo, we took a look at some awesome new headphones. This time we're cranking up the volume a bit and bugging our neighbours by inappropriately playing White Christmas on Halloween, full blast. Its all for a worthwhile cause though, as we test eight wireless speakers.

REVIEW: Mr Robertson custom shirts and suits

Here's to you, Mr Robertson...

Calling all dapper gents. Sure you could pop down to your local menswear store and scoop up a few new outfits... if you wanted to look like everyone else in your town. We were looking for something a little more bespoke, but fearing a creepy tailor might enjoy measuring our inside legs a bit too much, we introduced ourselves to Mr Robertson. A website that offers male fashionistas the chance to design their own custom suits and jackets, Mr Robertson gave us the chance to create a brand spanking new shirt. So we did.

REVIEW: LEGO Technic Bulldozer

 No dozing off here.

While the rest of you might be spending your evenings out with friends, dancing, partying, and generally being awesome, we're being ten times as awesome. Plus one. That's because it is once again LEGO time at Test Pit Towers, so we battened down the hatches, threw the TV into the gutter and tore open several bags of small plastic pieces. One evening later we had the new Technic Bulldozer (#42028) to show for it.

FEATURE: Cycling Accessories

Ride hard.

Excited about our currently running competition to win a setof Leyzne bike lights, we took a look for some other cool kit designed for cyclists. We wanted something to keep us warm (but not sweating buckets), something to help us get about while keeping track of how far and where we ventured, and also something that... well, makes us look damn awesome. We think we've found them.

REVIEW: Leef Supra 3.0 Flash Drive

 Supraman.

Our computers are certainly getting smaller these days, with most people now only owning a laptop. Although great for our laps (they're as warming as a purring cat) laptops tend to get moved about a lot, whether you're squirming to get comfortable on the sofa while on Facebook, or hot-desking around the office. That can spell disaster for a USB flash drive that you have poking out the side - one knock on that and the whole thing could sheer off, ruining your precious digital data. What you need is a tiny, hard-as-nails flash drive that you can plug in and forget about. You need the new Leef Supra 3.0.

REVIEW: Oscha Raja Paprika Wrap

Wearing babies all year round.

When it comes to anything that makes our lives easier as parents, we're definitely game. So we were thrilled to be able to experience one of Oscha's newest releases -the Raja Paprika wrap. Oscha are known in the babywearing world for producing both high quality and beautiful wraparound slings and ring slings. Their highly sought after designs combine sturdy craftsmanship with exquisite luxury.

REVIEW: i-eX Bean Bag Gaming Chair

Got game?

If you're hitting the thumbsticks pretty hard tonight and delving deeper and deeper into your favourite video game, you'll probably be hunting for the most comfortable position to sit in. We've all pulled all-night gaming sessions, but after the fifth hour of play your bum doesn't half get numb. Arse numbness will surely be a thing of the past once you get yourself an i-eX Bean Bag Gaming Chair.

REVIEW: Fitbit Flex

Get more than a bit fit.

We've had fun with activity trackers in the past, and although they do tend to highlight the fact that we're all just a bunch of lazy slobs, we're suckers for wearable tech. We've been dying to get our hands (or rather wrists) on the Flex activity tracker from Fitbit for a while now, so were chuffed as cheese when one thudded onto the doormat of Test Pit Towers. Go on then gadget; judge us.

REVIEW: LEGO Movie - Ice Cream Machine

I scream, you scream, we all scream...

One of the best films of last year (and, probably, ever) was The LEGO Movie. As you might have guessed, our dear friends in Denmark seized upon the popularity of the film and immediately brought out all the fun vehicles and scenes from the film in actual LEGO format, allowing us all to get involved. We had a go with one such set, the Ice Cream  Machine (#70804).

FEATURE: Christmas Stocking Fillers - Toys & Games

Festive fun times.

The kids might have already stuck a post-it note to your face with the name of what they want for Christmas, but once the big present is sorted, what about the stocking fillers? Those extra few presents make all the difference when filling up that yawning space below the tree, and that is why we've gathered together a bunch of fun stuff for kids to make their Yule-time smiles even bigger.

REVIEW: Ollie

Beyond the ball.

One of The Test Pit's first ever reviews was of a remote-controlled ball called Sphero. We absolutely loved it (as you might have imagined) and have therefore kept a close eye out for the next product from Orbotix. It seems that the re-reinvented ball is actually tubular, and the next generation in connected toys is not called Tubulo (as we suggested), but rather... Ollie. We took it for a roll.

REVIEW: Oral-B Smart Series Pro 6000 Toothbrush

Brush up on this bathroom gadget.

Connected technology is everywhere these days and its pretty impossible to do anything without somehow being connected to the internet, or at least to another gadget that is. But never fear technophobes, as you'll always be safe in the bathroom. Your morning routine remains delightfully old school, with not a trace of modern gadgetry. NOT ANYMORE YOU LOSERS!

No, it would seem that now even toothbrushes come equipped with Bluetooth, so prepare your teeth for an thoroughly modern brushing, thanks to the Oral-B Smart Series Pro 6000.

FEATURE: Christmas Stocking Fillers - Headphones

Can you hear what I hear?

In the first of this year's Christmas Stocking Fillers features (and we've got a shed load of others planned) we take a look at some newly released musical head gear. Headphones are always a safe bet gift for an audiophile friend, but with so many of the mothers out there to choose from, picking the right pair can be a Christmas conundrum. That's why we've selected five of our favourites and duly tested the crap out of them.  So deck the halls and crank up the volume, eh?

COMPETITION: Lezyne Micro Drive Bike Light Set

See you, Jimmy!

As the nights get longer and the weather starts to hate all humankind, you can be sure that Autumn has well and truly started. In no time at all the sun will be a thing of mere memory, and bright daylight-filled afternoons something that used to happen. If you're a cyclist than this time of year can be particularly dangerous as it gets harder to be safely seen while on the road. What you need is a set of Lezyne Micro Drive bike sets, courtesy of cycling accident solicitors Cycle Aid.

REVIEW: KitVision Edge HD30W Action Camera

Living on the edge.

If you, like us, spend most of your time jumping out of aeroplanes, skiing down mountain sides and scuffing up the half pipe on your BMX, chances are you’ll want to share your exploits with the world. Trouble is, simply describing that 15,000 feet sky drive you just completed doesn’t make for a very exciting YouTube channel – what you need is an action cam. Believe it or not, GoPro is not the be-all and end-all of the market, as we discovered after testing the KitVision Edge HD30W Action Camera.

FEATURE: Autumn Apparel #2

When Helly freezes over.

We recently published a pretty comprehensive guide to some cool new clothing items to protect you from the worst autumn has to chuck at us. Thing is, as some of you may have noticed, our choice of items leant a little more to the Y chromosome. That is why, thanks to our chums at Helly Hansen, we've tested a few awesome autumnal clothing pieces for women.

REVIEW: LEGO Minifigures Series 12

Figure these out.

The crinkle-crinkle of foil bags has once again returned, as onto the doormat of Test Pit Towers has fallen yet more mysterious LEGO minifigures. Whereas last time we knew that each of the random bags would contain a character from The Simpsons, this time round we've purposely kept ourselves in the dark about who Series 12 will incarnate in plastic. We tore those bags open, assembled the pieces before the dog ate them, and met the new arrivals.

REVIEW: Logitech K480 Multidevice Bluetooth Keyboard

Multi-pass!


Touchscreen gadgets might be everywhere these days (check your pocket), and certainly they are incredibly handy, but nothing beats the convenience - and typing speed - of a physical keyboard. But as we toil away on our computers,  tablets and phones simultaneously, you might find yourself having to decide which gadget gets the keys. Until now. Logitech have stepped up the convenience quota with the K480 Multidevice Bluetooth Keyboard.

REVIEW: Revell Multicopter Hexatron

Six of one...

Our continuing look at some of the flying options offered by German model outfit Revell has reached the big guns; namely the largest RC Helicopter we've ever tested. But is the six-rotored Hexatron all blades and no trousers? We cleared some room, warned the neighbours to move their pets indoors, and took to the skies.

REVIEW: SpyNet Walkie Talkies and Laser Trip Wire

I spy.

Last year we reviewed the Ultra Vision Goggles from spy toy range SpyNet. We were so impressed with the use of actual gadgetry and technology that we've since kept an eye out for other new products from them. This time we're entering the realm of stealth and subterfuge with two bits of tech, the bone-conduction Walkie Talkies and the Laser Trip Wire. You're mission, should you choose to accept it...