Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Products and Accessories You Need in 2025: My Favorite Tech, Travel, and Everyday Essentials

My Favorite Tech, Travel, and Everyday Essentials

Best tech and travel products for 2025 including SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 bone conduction headphones, Insta360 GO Ultra camera, SwitchBot Hub 3, Anker USB-C chargers, and more recommended accessories.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and trust.

Every year I like to refresh my setup with products that make my daily routine easier, travel smoother, and creative projects more enjoyable. After testing and researching a wide range of gear, these are my top products and accessories for 2025.

Audio

SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Bone Conduction Headphones

Buy on Amazon →
I’ve used SHOKZ headphones for years, and the new OpenRun Pro 2 is the best yet. The open-ear design keeps me aware of my surroundings while delivering clear, powerful sound. Great for workouts, walks, or hands-free calls.

Hollyland Lark M2S Combo

Buy on Amazon →
If you record videos or podcasts, the Lark M2S is a must. It’s small, clear, and connects to phones or cameras easily. I rely on it for travel vlogs and remote interviews.

DJI Mic Mini

Buy on Amazon →
This mic delivers clear, professional-quality sound in seconds. The compact clip-on design makes it ideal for on-the-go content creation.

Automation

SwitchBot Hub 2 (2nd Gen)

Buy on Amazon →
This hub acts as a Wi-Fi thermometer, hygrometer, and IR remote all in one. I use it to control my lights and A/C from a single app.

SwitchBot Hub 3 (3rd Gen)

Buy on Amazon →
The Hub 3 supports Matter, making it compatible with every major smart home platform. It’s the central piece of my home automation setup.

Camera and Video

Anker PowerConf C200 2K Webcam

Buy on Amazon →
Crisp video, natural lighting, and plug-and-play convenience make this webcam a winner for meetings and streaming.

Insta360 GO Ultra Standard Bundle

Buy on Amazon →
Tiny but powerful, the Insta360 GO Ultra captures stunning stabilized footage. I love it for travel clips and quick social videos.

Insta360 X5

Buy on Amazon →
For immersive 360-degree shots, the Insta360 X5 is unbeatable. The detail and dynamic range are incredible, and it pairs perfectly with these accessories:

114cm Invisible Selfie Stick
Lens Cap
9.8ft Carbon Fiber Invisible Selfie Stick
All-Purpose Tripod Stand

Computers

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch

Buy on Amazon →
Fast, efficient, and incredibly portable, the new MacBook Air remains one of the best laptops for work or travel.

Acer Aspire 14 AI

Buy on Amazon →
The Acer Aspire 14 AI delivers powerful performance and excellent value. Great for everyday work, students, and light content creation.

Travel

Members Mark 30-Liter Adult Travel Backpack

Buy on Amazon →
This 30-liter backpack is durable, comfortable, and organized. It’s the perfect size for short trips or carry-on travel.

Power and Charging

Atomi Power Cube 2-Pack

Buy on Amazon →
Compact and convenient, these power cubes are perfect for home and travel.

Anker 555 USB-C Hub (8-in-1)

Buy on Amazon →
The ultimate hub for modern laptops. It includes every port you need in a slim, travel-friendly design.

Anker USB-C Cable 240W Bio-Braided Fast Charge Cord

Buy on Amazon →
Durable, eco-friendly, and ultra-fast. This is my go-to cable for laptops and mobile devices.

Anker 525 Charging Station

Buy on Amazon →
Keeps my entire setup powered with multiple AC and USB ports. Perfect for desks or bedside charging.

Outdoor

JISULIFE Portable Handheld Fan Ultra2

Buy on Amazon →
Small but powerful, this handheld fan is a must for hot climates and outdoor events.

Socool 10000mAh Portable Waist Fan Clip

Buy on Amazon →
This wearable fan clips to your waist and provides cooling airflow for hours. Ideal for hikes or long outdoor days.

Communication

GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 Portable Travel Router

Buy on Amazon →
This portable router creates a secure Wi-Fi network anywhere. It’s essential for travel and working remotely.

These are the best products and accessories for 2025 that I personally use and recommend. Each one adds convenience, performance, or comfort to my life. If you’re upgrading your gear this year, this list is a great place to start.

Sunday, September 28, 2025

Relocating Your Pet from the USA to Panama

Relocating your pet from the USA to Panama can feel overwhelming. But with at least 15 days of preparation and careful planning, you can make the process smooth for both you and your furry companion.

Below is a step-by-step guide to help you prepare.

Step 1: Rabies and Vaccinations (31+ Days Before Travel)

Work with your vet to ensure rabies and other required vaccinations are complete.
Vaccinations must be administered at least 31 days before travel.

Step 2: Select and Prepare the Carrier (14+ Days Before Travel)

Choose an airline-approved carrier and give your pet time to get comfortable.

Airline Pet Travel Info:

Carrier Training Tips:

Feed meals inside the empty carrier.
Increase exposure time gradually.
Toss treats or toys inside to encourage entry.
Practice “in” and “out” commands.

If your pet and carrier weigh more than 20 lbs (10 kg), they must travel in cargo.

Helpful Links:

Step 3: Airline Cargo Booking (15 Days Before Travel)

Copa Airlines allows direct cargo bookings.
Delta Airlines currently only works through shipping companies.

Step 4: Vet Checkup & Health Certificate (10 Days Before Travel)

Visit a USDA-accredited vet who can issue a digital health certificate.
Digital certificates speed up approvals.
Your pet may also require a de-wormer during this visit.

Step 5: USDA Veterinary Certificate (9 Days Before Travel)

USDA verifies and validates the health certificate.
Digital submissions are usually processed faster.

Step 6: Apostille of USDA Certificate (9 Days Before Travel)

The USDA certificate must be apostilled to be recognized in Panama.
Each U.S. state handles apostilles differently (some allow walk-ins, others require appointments).

Check your state’s authority here: Apostille Directory

Step 7: Home Quarantine Request (3–5 Days Before Travel)

Download the form: Home Quarantine Request PDF

Attach the following:

Passport or Panamanian ID
Exportation Certificate
Apostille or Consular authentication
Vaccination record

Submit by email or fax:

Email: cam@minsa.gob.pa
Fax: (507) 238–3855 or (507) 238–4059

Step 8: Confirm Airline Booking (5 Days Before Travel if Cargo)

Step 9: Pet Drop-Off & Check-In

Cargo pets: Drop off at least 6 hours before departure.
In-cabin pets: Check in with you as carry-on (with an extra fee).

Step 10: Arrival in Panama

At Tocumen International Airport:

Bring $155 USD in cash for clearance fees.
Proceed to the MINSA/MIDA Veterinary Inspection.

MINSA Office Hours:

Monday–Friday, 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Info: Tocumen MINSA

Step 11: Arrange Transport From the Airport

Pet Taxi Services in Panama City:

A pet-friendly UberX may work, but scheduling transport in advance is highly recommended.

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

How to Integrate the Mopeka Pro Check Sensor with Home Assistant

Mopeka Pro Check Sensor

If you rely on propane tanks at home—for heating, cooking, or powering RV appliances—you’ve likely had the frustrating experience of running out of gas without warning. Enter the Mopeka Pro Check Sensor, a smart, wireless propane tank sensor that gives you real-time tank levels. Even better: you can integrate it with Home Assistant for full home automation and remote monitoring.

In this post, we’ll walk you through what the Mopeka Pro Check Sensor does and how to connect it to Home Assistant, based on the excellent video guide from @SmartHomeJunkie.

What is the Mopeka Pro Check Sensor?

The Mopeka Pro Check Sensor is a Bluetooth-enabled sensor that magnetically attaches to the bottom of your propane tank. It uses ultrasonic technology to measure the liquid propane level inside the tank and sends that data wirelessly to your phone—or, in our case, Home Assistant.

Key Features:

Bluetooth LE (Low Energy)
Magnetic mount (no drilling required)
Works with standard BBQ-size and RV propane tanks
Up to 100 ft Bluetooth range
Long battery life (replaceable CR2032)

What You’ll Need

Before you begin the integration, make sure you have the following:

Mopeka Pro Check Sensor (paired to your tank and functioning)
Bluetooth adapter on your Home Assistant server (e.g., Raspberry Pi 4)
Home Assistant (latest version recommended)
mopeka Bluetooth integration (or bluetooth-proxies if needed)

Extras:

ESP32 Development Board

Step-by-Step: Connecting Mopeka to Home Assistant

1. Install and Pair the Sensor

Install the sensor by sticking it to the bottom of your propane tank. Use the Mopeka Check app (available on iOS/Android) to calibrate and verify that it’s reading data properly. Make sure it’s set to Pro Check, not Standard.

Tip: Update the firmware in the app if prompted before integrating with Home Assistant.

2. Enable Bluetooth on Home Assistant

If you’re using a Home Assistant OS install on something like a Raspberry Pi 4/4 or a system with built-in Bluetooth, make sure Bluetooth is enabled.

If your Home Assistant hardware doesn’t have Bluetooth, use an external Bluetooth dongle or set up a Bluetooth Proxy with an ESPHome device.

3. Add the Mopeka Integration

As of mid-2024, Home Assistant includes built-in support for Mopeka sensors via the Bluetooth integration.

To add it:

Go to Settings > Devices & Services
Click “Add Integration”
Search for Mopeka
Home Assistant should automatically detect your Mopeka Pro Check Sensor if it’s broadcasting nearby via Bluetooth.

Once found, it will create a new device with entities like:

sensor.tank_level (percentage)
sensor.battery_level
sensor.signal_strength

4. Customize and Automate

Once the sensor is added, you can:

Show propane levels on your dashboard using a gauge card
Set up automations like:
- Send a notification when the tank drops below 20%
- Automatically reorder propane when low (via webhook or IFTTT)
- Turn off the outdoor heater when gas runs out

Example automation in YAML:

yaml
alias: Notify Low Propane
trigger:
  - platform: numeric_state
    entity_id: sensor.tank_level
    below: 20
action:
  - service: notify.mobile_app
    data:
      message: "⚠️ Propane tank is below 20%!"

Troubleshooting

If your sensor doesn’t show up:

Ensure it’s not still paired to your phone via the Mopeka app (disconnect it there).
Check that Bluetooth is functioning properly in Home Assistant.
Try placing the sensor closer to your Home Assistant hardware.
Use an ESPHome Bluetooth Proxy for longer range.
Video on how to setup

Final Thoughts

The Mopeka Pro Check Sensor is a simple yet powerful way to monitor your propane levels—without crawling under your tank with a flashlight. When integrated with Home Assistant, it becomes a fully automated part of your smart home.

Whether you’re monitoring fuel levels in your RV, outdoor kitchen, or whole-home propane system, the Mopeka + Home Assistant combo ensures you never run out unexpectedly again.

Watch the full video tutorial here: YouTube: Mopeka + Home Assistant Integration

Wednesday, July 09, 2025

Save on Calls Abroad with VoIP: How I Use Callcentric While Living in Panama

While living abroad as an expat, staying in touch with friends, family, business contacts, and associates—both in your home country and your new one—is essential. However, those international communication costs can pile up quickly.

After exploring multiple solutions, the most cost-effective and reliable option I've found is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) using Callcentric. I've been a loyal customer for over 12 years, and I can confidently say their service is rock solid, with excellent reliability and availability.

This guide is tailored for Panama, but Callcentric provides telephony service in over 50 countries, so these steps should be adaptable no matter where you're living.

Why Use VoIP?

Let’s simplify things. When you use a regular mobile phone plan, you’re paying your carrier for all the towers, infrastructure, and connectivity—often at a premium.

With VoIP, you can make and receive calls using your internet connection, not your cellular network. That means:

Lower costs
Global access
Richer feature sets
No roaming fees

Here’s a high-level comparison:

📱 Cellular Network: Uses mobile towers to send/receive SMS and voice calls.
🌐 VoIP (e.g., Callcentric): Uses the internet to make/receive voice calls via an app or IP phone.

You can even continue to use your current cell phone.

Projected Costs:

How It Works (Diagram)

In this diagram:

SMS and cellular calls flow through the mobile network.
VoIP calls use a SIP client (like Linphone) configured on your device.
Callcentric routes the calls over the internet, bypassing local telecom rates entirely.

Getting Started: Step-by-Step

1. Create a Callcentric Account

Sign up at callcentric.com
Choose a phone number (DID) from the U.S. or another supported country

I chose both U.S and Panama

Subscribe to inbound and outbound calling options (either per-minute or monthly packages)
Don’t forget to enable 911 service (mandatory in most countries)

2. Configure Your SIP Credentials

After setup, you'll receive:

A SIP username (e.g., 17775551232)
The SIP domain: sip.callcentric.net
A SIP password (create one that's long and secure!)

Example of a SIP client configuration screen:

Fill in your credentials just like this, using your own username/password. Make sure to use UDP transport unless otherwise specified.

3. Install a SIP App

I recommend Linphone, a free and open-source SIP client available for iOS and Android.

Once logged in, you're ready to make and receive calls over Wi-Fi or mobile data, with zero reliance on your mobile voice minutes.

Here’s an example of an incoming VoIP call :

4. Test & Optimize

Place some outbound test calls
Have someone call your Callcentric DID number
Ensure voicemail is working (set it to answer after 35 seconds)
Configure Caller ID (CNAM) for better identification
You can get fancy with call treatments and routing:

Use Case: Panama & USA Numbers

With Callcentric and Linphone installed:

I can receive calls to my US number and Panama number on my phones in Panama (or anywhere I have a cell signal)
I can also make calls using my Panama number, and it will show correctly to recipients
No international fees, no roaming charges, just a flat-rate VoIP subscription

Final Thoughts

Whether you're an expat, digital nomad, or simply looking to cut telecom costs, setting up VoIP with Callcentric is a game-changer. With minimal setup and low recurring fees, you can stay connected globally, seamlessly.

If you've ever struggled with high international rates or missed calls while abroad, this setup will feel like a breath of fresh air.

Try it, test it, and see how easy it is to make your phone smarter and more economical—no matter where you live.