The Kobra Go comes well packaged in a secure box, and it’s undeniably a pretty printer. Anycubic has a gift for classy design choices, and the Kobra Go is no exception.

Before starting, save yourself some trouble and carefully organize all the various pieces. Make sure you have everything! In the kit I received, some of the screws were mislabeled, but I was still able to easily complete the build process. By making sure that everything was in place beforehand, it kept me from worrying when I reached the point where the instructions and my on-hand components differed!

• Spring washer x 4 (#26)
• M5x25 screws x2 (#23)
• M5x45 x2 (#25)

Don’t forget to put the washers on the screw before tightening them!

The profiles are simple enough to install, but watch out for the wires beneath the left profile when you’re putting in the screw. One screw is very close to the wires, and though they’re well insulated, you still don’t want to risk damaging them.

Mmm, that’s a nice profile. Both flat edges will be facing the front of the printer.

Collect the Z-axis motor kit items.

• The motor
• M4x15 screws x2 (#20)

It fits in easily behind the profile, just line it up and screw it in.

Get out the screw and the anti-backlash nut.

You want to make sure that the anti-backlash nut is fully compressed before putting it on the screw. This requires a fair bit of finger strength! Depress the top of the nut into the main part of the nut’s body, then slot onto the screw. When it’s on, the top of the nut will remain slightly more depressed than it could be when off the screw, even after you stop squeezing it.

You’ll slot the opposite end of the screw from the anti-backlash nut into the coupling of the motor. Loosen the locking screw, press the driver screw down into position, then tighten the top locking screw again to make sure that the driver screw is held in place.

• Spring washer 2 x3 (#27)
• M4x16 x5 screw (#21)

The kit doesn’t separate out the parts quite as well as I would have liked, and the instructions were a bit complicated (solely due to organization and readability). For this section, you’ll be using just three of the #21 screws.

Attaching is easy, just thread the washer onto the screws and attach. Two screws for the XE-axis kit and one screw for the Z-axis passive block.

One screw gets the passive block into position. The two large rollers should be on the outside of the strut.

The belt slots into the strut, teeth down, so that it can interface with the gear.

You’ll take the printer head and slide it onto the strut from the end nearest the passive block. The runners will sit atop the belt that you just placed into the strut’s groove, holding it in place.

The tensioner came assembled, so disassemble and lay at the ready.

Take the gear and slot the belt into it so that the belt’s teeth interface with the gear.

Stretch the belt out and slide the ends with the brass crimps into the metal slots.

Once the belt is clipped in, attach the casing for the tensioner using the screws.

• M4x16 screw x2

Now that the whole x-axis arm is complete, you can slide it onto the struts. It won’t go down very far at first.

You must make sure that the anti-backlash nut is in place. It has two “wings” on either side, and one of these will fit into a slotted groove on the X-axis strut.

• M3x8 x2 screws (#18)

Using the provided screws, connect the metal baffle so that the long end faces down.

This part is pretty easy, though you may have to press apart (or together) the struts with a small amount of manual force to get the top beam to slot into place. The beam is plastic, not metal like with the Ender 3, but it’s heavy-duty plastic and I don’t find that it’s a compromise that bothers me overall.

• M5x16 x4 (#24)

The screen kit installs easily into the front of the printer, and you can connect the cable immediately. Having the screen already screwed down might make adjusting the levelling knobs a little difficult later on, but not terribly so, especially if you have smaller hands.

This is the switch that tells the printer when the x-axis arm hits its lowest point. Before screwing it into place, you’ll absolutely need to connect the cable. This makes it a little finicky, as aligning the cable through the slot in the cover, connecting the plastic bits, and screwing it down all felt a little difficult. An unwary person might accidentally snap the plastic lock on the bottom, too.

Just take your time, be careful, and it will go smoothly.

None of the wires have corresponding markers, which is extremely weird, but it’s also not that hard to figure out which ones go where just based on the size of the cable connector heads and the lengths of the cables themselves. Don’t try pulling any cables longer than they already are, and you’ll be fine.

The filament holder screws right into the top beam, easy as pie.

Now, this part was not well described in the instruction manual, though I could see that the manual designer meant well by including this. Basically, you use the included toolkit box to make sure that the x-axis arm is level, and you ensure the level by loosening and tightening certain screws and bolts.

Note that the bolts don’t have a maximum “tight” position! They move between loose and tight, depending on the position of a little dot bored into the bolt’s metal. If the dot is facing toward the nearest strut, it’s in its tightest state. If the little dot is facing away, it’s in its loosest state. Play with it, and it will quickly make sense just by feel.

I really wish, for the sake of less-experienced enthusiasts, that this whole section was clearer, as it provides a bit of a stumbling block for anyone not used to DIY kit printers.

There are two Teflon tubes. The long one attached to the printer head, and a short one that comes with the kit. Unclip the blue fastener already attached to the filament injector, then slide in the long Teflon tube’s end. Re-clip the blue fastener in place to hold it together.

On the other side of the printer, press in the short length of Teflon tubing—this acts as a feeder for the filament as it is brought into the injector component.

Tie down the excess cables, but make sure to leave some room on either end—this cable should not be too tight anywhere, and this tie is just to keep it out of the way.

Lubricating the driver screw will ensure that the printer runs more smoothly.

The print head will likely have a little wobble at first, so just use the included wrench to adjust the eccentric nut until the wobble goes away.

Press on the print bed with your hand. If you feel a wobble, you need to adjust the two eccentric nuts beneath the build plate. Remember, these don’t have a “maximum” tight state, but oscillate between loose and tight. Go slowly, and you’ll quickly figure out what feels right.

Before you can use your new Kobra Go 3D printer, you will want to level it, make sure to read our easy levelling guide before trying to use your printer for prints. Then check out our guide for loading filament and preparing for your first print which will take all the guesswork out of the process for you.

Leveling the Kobra Go is relatively easy, as its auto-leveling function does much of the work for you, but if you fail to run this step you’ll find your prints coming out pretty wonky.

But, otherwise, your new printer is ready to go!

The Kobra Go is easy enough to put together, though perhaps slightly more complex than the Ender 3 v2 kit printer. Especially for those following the stock directions, and for those without prior experience putting together a DIY kit printer, this would be a big project.

What makes this a powerful contender to Creality’s Ender 3 v2 is the automatic levelling procedure that the Kobra series offers. Aligning the Kobra beforehand is a bit of a pain, but once it’s ready, the auto-levelling feature makes it absurdly easy to get your print bed ready for projects.

Who is the Kobra Go for?

You want the Kobra Go if you’re experienced at putting together kit printers and want something that’s easy to assemble for your skill level, that also provides automatic levelling and produces high-quality prints. The Kobra Go would be a reasonable choice for beginners new to the world of 3D printing, as long as they have a lot of patience, the end result (a kit 3D printer with automatic levelling) is definitely worth it.

Booking your location is the first hurdle when it comes to tabling. When you’re first starting out, it’s best to go more local and smaller. That way, you can get your bearings and practice for larger events. You’ll also want to consider your target audience and product that you will be selling. If what you’ve made is more anime/comic/gaming-centric, then you might want to look into local conventions in your state on those topics. If you have more general crafted goods, then looking into local farmer’s markets and craft fairs are your best bet.

In essence, figuring out where you want to table will usually boil down to two primary questions:

1. What are the fees/expenses to sign up?
2. How far away is it?

Most conventions and vendor fairs will have some paperwork to fill out and will offer you a spot with a fee at sign-up. Depending on the popularity and/or mass of the event (i.e. is this New York Comic Con or your local farmer’s market?), the fee for your spot can vary anywhere between $10 to as high as $200. Some conventions and fairs may also give you the option to pick your spot. If this is the case, then tables that are either on the endcaps of aisles or are by main entryways usually tend to go for a bit more in price since these are optimal spots to make sales. If you want to sign up for one of these spots, you will most likely have to hop on sign-ups early. If you want to save a bit of money and don’t mind being down an aisle, then go for a regular spot. It’s also important to fully read the initial sign-up paperwork in order to get a full grasp on set-up times, parking, what your spot includes, and break-down times. It’s also worth noting how long the event is running (is it only for one day from a set time or does it last over the entire weekend?) in order to prepare properly.

Distance is another key factor when considering where to table. Consider travel and potentially boarding costs if the convention/fair lasts for several days when weighing your options. A good formula to keep in mind is this:

Table fees + ((total distance in miles ÷ your vehicle’s miles per gallon) x average gas prices) + lodging/hotel costs if applicable = the total cost of the event.

For example, let’s say I booked a table for $50 at a convention that was roughly 65 miles away and only lasting one day so I wouldn’t have to pay for a hotel. My car gets about 30 MPG (Google the average MPG for the make/model/year of your vehicle) and gas prices around me are currently at $3.96 USD. So, the average cost of my theoretical convention would be 50 + ((65 ÷ 30) x 3.96). This would roughly come out to $58.60. If I haven’t spent anything further on materials to bring, then that would be the price I would set for myself to beat in order to net profit. Even if I only made $58, I would consider that breaking even for me and would walk away from the event knowing that I might get potential clients or get signed on for other events in the future.

Quick tip: always fully read the convention’s Rules and Regulations section on their website or pamphlets! These sections will always list what is expected of each vendor, spot pricing, check-in/check-out times, display regulations, and venue policies.

Piggybacking off of the last topic, creating a general budget for yourself is incredibly important not just for tabling but also for starting your own small business. Figuring out the investment that you’re putting into your work will ultimately affect how you will price your goods.

For example, I’ve recently been selling art prints, copies of my poetry collections, and stickers when I table. If I am creating the art prints at home, I am usually investing in a 25 page pack of giclee paper and Canon ink to make my prints on my Canon Pixma TR4720, which means I will be spending around $60 USD in order to make products to sell. I know that I can get around 35-36 color printed pages out of my printer before needing another ink cartridge, and I usually need a couple extra pages to make a test print or two. So, at best, I’ll probably be making 20 8″x10″ prints per package of paper. Going back to the previous example, if theoretically the cost of my trip was roughly $60 and the cost I spent on materials to create product was also around $60, then I’m looking to push past $120 to break even. At $10 per 8″x10″ print, I would not only be breaking even, but I’d also be netting some profit for the time spent creating those pieces.

This example is, of course, excluding first time costs. By this, I mean the cost of purchasing a table, tablecloth, and display materials. Some fairs and events won’t provide you with a table, so you will need to bring one yourself. The prices on these items can vary, but that’s why creating a budget for yourself will help give you an idea of what to look for. Keeping a running expense chart can also help you keep track of your overall investment you’ve made so far. Personally, I use a template on Google Sheets to calculate and keep track of my expenses. I also keep another two spreadsheets tracking the sum total of my book and art sales. That way, I can reference between my profits and expenditures to see where I’m at each month.

Considering what to bring will be based on your table setup and the length of the event you’re attending. My recommended essentials list is as follows:

1. Your merchandise, obviously. However, ideally, you’ll want to try to bring at least enough merchandise so that if you completely sold out of it, you’d earn double your expenses.
2. Some way to track your inventory. Again, spreadsheets are your best friend! Whether you’re keeping track digitally or physically, tracking your earnings and stock during your event will help with knowing what was popular and sold well later.
3. Change. I usually bring $100 USD in $1’s and $5’s.
4. Money box/fanny pack. You’re going to need a way to not only make change, but also keep cash earned. I like keeping my earning close to me, so a fanny pack usually works great, especially for one day events. However, if you want to leave your table without carrying a money pouch around or are attending a longer event, a lockbox might be something worth looking into.
5. A table (if needed). I highly recommend a foldable table with a handle for easy pack up and maneuvering.
6. A pop-up canopy (if you’re outside). If you’re at an outdoor event, then sitting in the sun all day could not only be rough on you, but could also cause sun damage on any of the products you’re selling. Customers also like a bit of shade while they’re browsing. Pop up canopies are perfect for these events, but make sure you’re allowed to bring one prior to the event.
7. A tablecloth. As far as table coverings go, I’ve seen vendors with plain tablecloths to super fancy ones with their branding embroidered on the front. The design is up to you. However, I recommend making sure your tablecloth is around 90″x132″ or at least long enough for it to fall to the floor and hide your belongings.
8. A card reader. I’ll be breaking this down in the last key point of this guide, but effectively, you’ll want to offer some way of taking the card. Many vendors these days, including myself, use Square due to the general ease of the device/service and the ability to log transactions even if you lose Wi-Fi.
9. A portable battery pack. These power banks are a lifesaver! Events tend to be long, and you don’t want to be caught with 10% left on your devices (especially if you’re using your phone for the card reader you brought!).
10. Art portfolio (for example prints). Most artist vendors I see always have one or two art binders at the front of their table with examples of their work inside. This is a great way for customers to get a gist of what you do and what your artwork looks like!
11. Adequate signage. Decorate your table with concise signage in regard to prices, products, and your socials. Even though some customers will still ask you about prices, having signage around your table will help funnel questions better.
12. Sleeves for merchandise. Make sure you have some form of protective sleeve or bag to package your merchandise in before handing it off to the customer!
13. Business cards or QR code. Business cards with your shop name, website, and/or socials are great ways to garner new clients. If you want to save some money in terms of printing costs, however, I have also seen vendors put up a sign with a QR code that links to their online shop and information.
14. A banner or grid cubes. Although I have seen many artists use photo backdrops to display their work, I recommend using gridding cubes when starting out for a budget-friendly option that is easy to pack up and break down. Also, make sure to bring a method of hanging or displaying your work (binder clips, clamps, double-sided tape, etc.)!
15. Snacks and water. Events are long. Make sure to bring snacks and stay hydrated!
16. Emergency supply pack. I like to call this my “Everything Else Bag.” In this, you’ll want to bring Scotch tape, scissors, pens, markers/sharpies, Band-Aids, painkillers, a calculator, extension cords, extra binder clips, extra paper clips, etc.
17. Garbage bags. Just trust me on this. There will be garbage cans provided by the venue scattered about, but it’s easier to keep a garbage bag under your table than constantly getting up to find one.
18. A copy of your tax certificate or seller’s permit. Some states require a seller’s permit, and many convention websites will address what they will need in terms of legal paperwork from you. If you’re unsure of whether or not your state requires this OR you’re traveling to another state that requires one, I highly suggest you look into the venue’s needs well before the event. Also, if you’re making enough business with your freelance shop or plan to continue tabling for profit, you will eventually have to work this into your taxes. If you’ve kept all of your receipts from your expenses and a spreadsheet with your monthly/yearly budget, you may be able to write certain business expenses off on your annual taxes. Again, tax forms may vary from state-to-state, so if you’re unsure of where to start, I suggest researching this in advanced or consulting a professional.
19. A friend/co-hustler. Most events will allow you to have two chairs, which means fill that extra chair with another butt! Having a friend to help with transactions, packing, keep you company, and manage the table while you run to the bathroom, etc., makes the day way easier and enjoyable.
20. A big smile! Bring your sense of humor and a friendly grin! Not only does your attitude affect how your day will go, but nobody will want to bother with someone who looks like a sour-puss.

How you display your goods is key to making sales! This means making sure your set up is clean, professional, and eye-catching. Many vendors will decorate their tables with pastel or fun colors (that aren’t too overwhelming), small decorative signage, a theme, and have organized in a way that the display of their products have a certain flow to them. Keeping products neatly in their respective categories with pricing for the items in that section helps to draw the customer’s eye around your entire table!

Many vendors and artists will also have some sort of banner that displays their shop name and/or logo as well. Having a banner helps grab the attention of potential customers and clearly states your shop name to the crowd. I suggest either having your banner hang over the front of your table or hanging somewhere above your head on either a backdrop or on your grid cubes. I know many vendors/artists also recommend having some sort of backdrop, but if you’re just starting out or can’t afford a photography backdrop, you can still get this effect with grid cubes as well. The reason vendors recommend enclosing your space in some form of way is so that it gives the feeling of being in a small store and really draws attention to your products. Creating a small space to show off your wares is far more eye-catching than having a couple stands on a table with the entire event open behind you.

For example, common grid setup I’ve used and have seen at artist alleys have looked something like this:

I’ve also seen other vendors get this effect or make their own backdrop with PVC piping. How you arrange/display your products, what signage for pricing you’re using, and what else will be freestanding on your table is entirely up to you! I also recommend making a mock setup at home so that you can figure out how everything flows together before the day of the event. Check out this guide for more a more in depth look on how to set up grids!

Aside from your display, how you market your items will make a huge difference in sales. Having some freebies (business cards/bookmarks/candy/etc. or a holding raffle are great ways to get customers to come back to your table or keep your business in the back of their mind. Make sure to have ample freebies and signage of your socials/website around for easy grabbing and viewing!

As far as pricing goes, after calculating the time and materials put into your works, deciding what prices you’ll set at the event can help you plot out what sales tactics you’ll want to consider. Many vendors will run a percentage off sale on certain items or some form of bo-go sale to incentivize customers to purchase in bulk. Customers may feel more inclined to purchase if your sale price is a dollar or two cheaper than that you commission or sell online.

Some common pricing and sale techniques I’ve seen online and across various events are as follows:

• 5×7″ prints: ~$5
• 8×10″ prints: ~$10 or ~3/$25
• 11×17″ prints: ~$15 or ~2/$25
• Acrylic charms (single sided): $5-$12 (I’ve seen Buy-One-Get-One-Half on certain charms)
• Acrylic charms (double sided): $8-$20 (Same as above)
• Acrylic standees: $5-$15 depending on size
• Buttons: $1-3 (often with a Buy-Two-Get-One Free sale)
• Enamel Pins: $8-$15
• Stickers: $1-$4 depending on size (often paired with varying Bo-Go sales)
• Holographic/fancy/large stickers: $4-$5ish.
• Washi tape: $4-$5ish per roll
• Jewelry: Can go anywhere between $3-$30 depending on what it is and the materials used. If you want to sale particular jewelry items, perhaps consider a % off sale.
• Handmade Plushies: $5-$40 depending on size and craftsmanship
• Books are usually sold 3x more than the cost it takes to print
• Apparel and other larger items can vary in price depending on initial investment. I recommend doing further research when it comes to selling apparel.

In addition to working out your pricing and sales, you also should consider these marketing techniques:

1. Price in whole numbers to make checkout easy and be sure to include sales tax!
2. Provide variety over quantity. Stick to the golden rule of 10 copies of each item, but have a variety of items (possibly 10-30 different items). Having too many copies of too few items will often leave you with piles of copies that didn’t sell. If you do sell out of a particular item, you can always make a note of what you’ll need more for future events.
3. Talk to your fellow vendors. Talking to your table neighbors is a great way of networking, can help pass the time, and give you more ideas for your own business in the future.
4. Your mindset: Try to keep as concise but professional as possible. You’re here as a seller and should keep casual chatter polite, friendly, and under three minutes per customer. Getting used to talking to customers and promoting yourself can take time and practice, but don’t give up! Try complimenting a cosplayer (“Wow! I love [insert character here]! You look great!”) or open with a question (“How are you liking the convention/fair/event so far?”). Be sure to always look up and greet your customers with a smile!

Lastly, offering multiple checkout methods for easy payment is essential for good business. Ideally, you want the transaction to be as smooth as possible on both ends. Having multiple checkout options will also incentivize your customers to spend since they won’t have to jump through any hoops in order to pay you. When I table, I use the following payment methods:

1. Square card reader for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express
2. My Venmo QR code readily available or one a sign for online payments
3. And cash!

If you don’t have a Venmo, you can either sign up for free or list your Paypal email. Either way, it’s best to have some form of mobile payment in case customers don’t have anything else on hand. Again, try and make the check out process as seamless as possible. With some hard work, dedication, and a bit of sales knowledge and experience, you’ll get the hang of tabling in no time!

One Sentence Summary

Become the best hacker possible through the power of zines!

Official Summary

The year is 1997. You used to be a hacker, but now you have the phage. You made a deal: one hack, one dose. There’s nothing left to lose… except your life.

EXAPUNKS is the latest open-ended puzzle game from Zachtronics, the creators of Opus Magnum, SHENZHEN I/O, TIS-100, and more.

Developer

Zachtronics

Publisher

Zachtronics

Playable On

PC

Genre

Single player, Puzzle, Simulation

One Sentence Summary

Fight your way through an open word filled with enemies.

Official Summary

In a near future, Bolivia has fallen into the hands of Santa Blanca, a merciless drug cartel who spread injustice and violence. Their objective: to create the biggest Narco-State in history.

Create and fully customize your Ghost, weapons, and gear. Enjoy a total freedom of playstyle. Lead your team and take down the cartel, either solo or with up to three friends.

Developer

Ubisoft Paris

Publisher

Ubisoft

Playable On

Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Genre

Single player, Multiplayer, Shooter

One Sentence Summary

Creepy, but in an award-winning kind of way.

Official Summary

Discover Playdead’s unique indie adventure game Inside, a dark, narrative-driven platformer combining intense action with challenging puzzles. It has received critical acclaim for its moody art style, ambient soundtrack and unsettling atmosphere.

Developer

Playdead

Publisher

Playdead

Playable On

Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Genre

Single player, Action-adventure, Platformer

One Sentence Summary

Become more academic than you’ve ever been before.

Official Summary

Build your university, your way! It’s time to spin academia on its head! Got a yearning for learning? Or just keen to build an educational masterpiece? Two Point Campus is jam-packed with new creative tools to help you build the university of your dreams. For the first time, build on the outside as you develop a blank canvas of greenery into your own delightfully educational campus environment, housing the top teaching facilities in the land. Lay down pathways with new easy-to-use tools. Plant glorious collections of outdoor flora. Place benches and tennis courts. Build a Cheeseball arena, complete with stands. The only limit is your imagination (and your in-game bank balance).

Developer

Two Point Studios

Publisher

SEGA Europe Ltd

Playable On

Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Genre

Single player, Simulation, Strategy

One Sentence Summary

Walking simulator 5000.

Official Summary

From legendary game creator Hideo Kojima comes an all-new, genre-defying experience. Stay connected with the “Social Strand System™”.

Sam Bridges must brave a world utterly transformed by the Death Stranding. Carrying the disconnected remnants of our future in his hands, he embarks on a journey to reconnect the shattered world one step at a time.

Developer

KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS

Publisher

505 Games

Playable On

PC

Genre

Single player, Action-Adventure, RPG

One Sentence Summary

Siblings bond during tragedy.

Official Summary

Follow the critically acclaimed tale of young Amicia and her little brother Hugo, in a heartrending journey through the darkest hours of history. Hunted by Inquisition soldiers and surrounded by unstoppable swarms of rats, Amicia and Hugo will come to know and trust each other. As they struggle to survive against overwhelming odds, they will fight to find purpose in this brutal, unforgiving world.

Read about the sequel, A Plague Tale: Requiem, coming soon!

Developer

Asobo Studio

Publisher

Focus Entertainment

Playable on

Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Genre

Single player, Action-Adventure, RPG

One Sentence Summary

Another apocalyptic crafting game.

Official Summary

Set in a brutally unforgiving post-apocalyptic world overrun by the undead, 7 Days to Die is an open-world game that is a unique combination of first person shooter, survival horror, tower defense, and role-playing games. It presents combat, crafting, looting, mining, exploration, and character growth, in a way that has seen a rapturous response from fans worldwide.

Developer

The Fun Pimps / Iron Galaxy

Publisher

The Fun Pimps

Playable on

Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Genre

Multiplayer, Action-Adventure, Survival

One Sentence Summary

A truly groundbreaking and terrifying game.

Official Summary

Discover the true meaning of fear in Alien: Isolation, a survival horror set in an atmosphere of constant dread and mortal danger. Fifteen years after the events of Alien, Ellen Ripley’s daughter, Amanda enters a desperate battle for survival, on a mission to unravel the truth behind her mother’s disappearance.

Developer

The Creative Assembly

Publisher

SEGA Europe Ltd

Playable on

Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Genre

Singleplayer, Action-Adventure, RPG

One Sentence Summary

For those craving a game like Life is Strange.

Official Summary

As Dusk Falls is an original interactive drama from INTERIOR/NIGHT that explores the entangled lives of two families across thirty years. Starting in 1998 with a robbery-gone-wrong in small town Arizona, the choices you make have a powerful impact on the characters’ lives in this uncompromising story of betrayal, sacrifice and resilience.

Replay the story again and again to uncover vastly different outcomes for the characters and explore hidden nuances behind every decision. Will your characters survive unscathed? What kind of people will they ultimately become?

Discover more about As Dusk Falls from the Xbox Bethesda Games Showcase!

Developer

INTERIOR NIGHT

Publisher

Xbox Game Studios

Playable on

Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Genre

Singleplayer, Action-Adventure, RPG

One Sentence Summary

Hack and slash your way through a cooperative campaign!

Official Summary

Back 4 Blood is a thrilling cooperative first-person shooter from the creators of the critically acclaimed Left 4 Dead franchise. You are at the center of a war against the Ridden. These once-human hosts of a deadly parasite have turned into terrifying creatures bent on devouring what remains of civilization. With humanity’s extinction on the line, it’s up to you and your friends to take the fight to the enemy, eradicate the Ridden, and reclaim the world.

Developer

Turtle Rock Studios

Publisher

Warner Bros. Games

Playable on

Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Genre

Singleplayer, Multiplayer, Action-Adventure, FPS

These have quickly become my go-to headphones, and I wear them almost cybernetically at this point, even using them to play audiobooks at night as I go to sleep. They’re sleek, don’t cause me any difficulties even after 8+ hours of use, and allow me unparalleled function when I’m out and about.

Pros

Great battery life, very comfortable, reasonable IP rating.

Cons

Pricey, non-ideal IP rating, and higher volumes will leak sound.

A little cheaper than the Pro, these also come with much better water resistance. It’s still not recommended to swim with them, but just about anything else is fair game. They’re a slight degree more compact, and feature a sort of matte coating that I like the feel of. I wore these through the second year of the pandemic non-stop, to avoid getting ear infections due to the need to be at my desk working for extremely prolonged periods of time, and I found them very comfortable.

Pros

Fully enclosed, this model offers a great IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. It’s definitely not rated for swimming, but it can handle running in the rain (and probably something like a shower).

Cons

The IP rating comes at the cost of slightly more dulled audio, and a bit more buzzing against the skin at higher volumes.

I’m always skeptical of new Kickstarter projects because I’ve seen so many fails to come through, but these are already on the open market despite their campaigns just ending at the beginning of 2022. That is highly impressive, as are their claims regarding the sound quality, fit, and battery length.

I have yet to use these myself, but I’ll be reaching out to the company to see if they can supply me with a copy for testing purposes. If it lives up to everything it claims, this is likely to be the hot contender for the Shokz throne. You, dear reader, will be the first to know when I get my hands on them.

Pros

Quick charge, reasonable (if basic), IP rating, multipoint Bluetooth, and a 1-year warranty.

Cons

Very new product that’s Kickstarter-based.

These got on the list solely because of their claim to a novel technological principle: all the other bone-conduction headphones I’ve seen have been limited to internal storage only, which is a huge limitation. I was unable to find specific details regarding their true IP rating, however, so I’d suggest testing them heavily in the initial period of use.

Shokz has its own pair of waterproof headphones for swimming, though, so if you’re okay with just having preloaded content, those are probably the better option.

Pros

Can actually stream content from a nearby phone! Reasonable return period and warranty.

Cons

A little bulky, and requires that you’re comfortable leaving your phone someplace near the pool. **The biggest con is that I couldn’t find an actual IP rating from the company. They claim “waterproof” but that’s not the same thing.

These are the only true alternative to Shokz on the market (as far as I’ve encountered, and I’m always on the lookout for new bone-conduction breakthroughs). They offer a product very comparable to the non-Pro version of the Shokz OpenRun. There’s a little doubt whether the audio quality is quite as good as the OpenRun as well, suggesting that Mojawa still needs to fine-tune their transducer system. One thing I have noted: these can be found on much steeper sales than the Shokz products, so if you want a compariable Shokz experience for as much as $30-$50 less, keep an eye out for one of those sales.

Pros

Good IP rating, comfortable, great battery life.

Cons

Can cause some buzzing at higher volumes.

These are true entry-level bone-conduction headphones, but I see people constantly reviewing them and offering relatively high praise. Given my experience, I’d say that if you cannot afford anything else, and you need bone conduction headphones right away, these are a good option. But be aware of the limitations, the lack of waterproofing, and the muffled audio quality you’ll get in comparison to higher-quality products.

Pros

Great price.

Cons

Pretty poor IP rating, but not the worst. Leaks sound.

Pyle came out of the gate with an interesting alternative that’s founded a bit in some important areas, most notably in its battery life and IP rating. The sound quality is not as good as Shokz, though it’s reasonable for the price, but I’ve seen complaints about the longevity of the headphones as well. Personally, I like a company with a really strong return warranty, and while Pyle does offer a 1-year limited warranty, I’m not sure if I’d want to go through the process of dealing with it for these. At the end of the day, though, the short battery life is a dealbreaker.

Pros

Reasonable price. Leaks less sound than other lower-cost models.

Cons

Lower build quality, poor IP rating compared to slightly more expensive options. Slow charging time compared to other designs. Really poor battery life compared to slightly more expensive models.

Another extremely cheap option, these might be worthwhile if you can’t afford a more expensive model. Given that the battery is solid, it has an in-built mic, and generally provides good longevity (as reported by a fair sample of reviewers) these would be a good bet if you need bone conduction headphones without any glitzy features.

Pros

Reasonable warranty, relatively low cost.

Cons

Poor IP rating, bulky. Basically, a clone of the Taygoo model—possibly even the same company in the background.

In terms of audio quality, these totally rate higher than other budget options in the bone-conduction field, but the lack of multipoint pairing is a real shame. You do get a real IP rating, though, which is extremely nice. If you don’t need to connect your headphones to more than one device at a time, these are an obvious choice.

Pros

Better total IP rating than others in this price range.

Cons

Lower moisture IP rating than more expensive models. They released a firmware update that turned off their buggy multipoint pairing, and that’s a really poor move. Hopefully, they find a way to rectify that in the future, but I’m leery of any company that chooses to remove a feature rather than improve their product.

If you’re not convinced by the lure of the bone conduction headphones, but you know you need (or want) some headphones that offer a different listening style, these are a great alternative option. They offer solid sound, a good mic, and the freedom of your ear canal. However, they don’t conduct sound in the same way as bone-conduction headphones, so they may be less useful for those with hearing impairments.

Pros

A great 90-day trial period, a price match promise, and free 2-day shipping. A well-known company, and an innovative design.

Cons

Comes in two pieces, which leads us back to one of the major issues of earbuds: how easily lost one can become. Reviewers cite the lack of stability, especially while running or doing intensive sports, as a problem. The design of bone-conduction headphones on the market means they will stay on your head even if you’re doing sparring practice, while these definitely won’t. The absence of a good IP rating is also a fundamental flaw.

Right now, the field is skewed heavily in the favor of Shokz (formerly AfterShokz). They have a peak design, a corner on the market through a recognized brand, and consistently good products. I’m also a fan of their customer support: my first pair of headphones displayed some bluetooth issues towards the end of my first year of ownership, and the process of getting them replaced, free of charge, was easy as pie. I wish the warranty period were longer, of course, but I’m pleased with what they do offer. And, in terms of my needs for audio quality, multipoint functionality, all-day battery life, and reasonable IP ratings, Shokz is constantly a winner.

If you need to go low-budget, you might do best by buying a copy of each and trying them out during Amazon’s 3-day return window. See which offers you the better experience. My recommendation is the YouthWhisper headphones: their lack of multipoint is distressing, but otherwise they seem reasonable.

I’m very curious, bordering on excited, about the new Kaibo Flex. For a Kicklstarter-led campaign, they delivered on their product with blazing speed, and I love the idea of having a dock that comes with them for easy charging (as well as the 5-minute fast charge feature). Other cool elements are the smart play feature (put on and the audio starts, take off, and it stops), and the claims regarding overall sound quality. If you’re adventurous and have the dough to throw around, try them out, and check back here at Howchoo for updates and a more detailed review soon!

Brand: Samsung

Sizes: 128 GB – 256 GB

Speed: 100 MB/s

Price: $23.99 per 32GB

The Samsung Evo Select microSD card is another popular option, with a good number of positive reviews online. It’s the least cost-effective card on this list, but it comes with a couple of high capacity options between 128 GB and 256 GB with speeds as high as 100 MB/s.

Brand: PNY

Sizes: 32 GB – 256 GB

Speed: 100 MB/s

Price: $19.99 per 32GB

PNY’s Elite X microSD card comes in a 32 GB capacity and can reach as high as 256 GB. The speed for every capacity in this MicroSD card line is 100 MB/s. Price-wise, this isn’t the most cost effective microSD card, but the brand is fairly recognizable, and the card is popular with decent reviews.

Brand: Amazon

Sizes: 64 GB – 1 TB

Speed: 100 MB/s

Price: $18.44 per 128GB

The Amazon Basics MicroSD card has a speed of 100 MB/s for all of their SD cards, but the smallest size offered is 64 GB, so users will need to partition the card to use it with a Pi. The largest size available is 1 TB. As far as brand recognition goes, Amazon products are known as a decent quality store brand option for the online retailer.

Brand: PNY

Sizes: 16 GB – 128 GB

Speed: 85 MB/s – 100 MB/s

Price: $5.99 per 32GB

The PNY Elite MicroSD card has a 16 GB option as its smallest capacity, and can get as large as 128 GB. The speed for the 16 GB model caps out at 85 MB/s while the largest reaches up to 100 MB/s. It’s cost per GB is notable compared to the Samsung Evo Plus microSD card which offers similar speeds.

Brand: Samsung

Sizes: 32 GB – 512 GB

Speed: 100 MB/s

Price: $9.25 per 32GB

The Samsung Evo Plus microSD card is offered in a 32 GB capacity, with the largest option reaching 512 GB. All of the cards in this line have a speed of 100 MB/s making it a middle of the line option for users who may be on a budget but looking for something higher quality.

Brand: Gigastone

Sizes: 8GB – 1TB

Speed: 80 MB/s – 100 MB/s

Price: $7.98 per 32GB

Gigastone is a lesser known brand, but their Gaming Plus microSD card is regarded as a top seller with a fair amount of positive reviews. This microSD card is available in sizes as small as 8 GB and can reach up to 1 TB. The maximum speed for the largest size is 100 MB/s.

Brand: SanDisk / Western Digital

Sizes: 16 GB – 1TB

Speed: 98 MB/s – 120 MB/s

Price: $9.44 per 32GB

The SanDisk Ultra microSD comes in a wide range of capacities and is backed up with the quality and support you can expect from Western Digital. It has capacities ranging between 16GB and 1TB. The speeds cap out at 120 MB/s and start at 98 MB/s for the 32GB model. At 30 cents per GB, this is one of the more affordable options.

Brand: Samsung

Sizes: 128 GB – 512 GB

Speed: 160 MB/s

Price: $19.99 per 128GB

The Samsung Pro Plus microSD cards are available in capacities larger than the Raspberry Pi’s file system size requirement, but this can easily be fixed by formatting them to exFAT. The Samsung Pro Plus can reach speeds as high as 160 MB/s making it a notable option for high performance.

Brand: SanDisk / Western Digital

Sizes: 32 GB – 1 TB

Speed: 100 MB/s – 160 MB/s

Price: $10.99 per 32GB

The SanDisk Extreme microSD card is a great option for users looking for a 32GB model as it has a higher speed than the Extreme Pro while also running a tad cheaper. What it lacks most in comparison is the higher capacities which have a slightly lower speed of 160 MB/s. Again, SanDisk is a reputable brand owned by Western Digital which is well established in the storage industry.

Brand: SanDisk / Western Digital

Sizes: 32 GB – 1 TB

Speed: 90 MB/s – 200 MB/s

Price: $13.25 per 32GB

The SanDisk Extreme Pro microSD card is one of the best bargains you can find with speed taken into consideration. It starts out at $13.25 per 32GB with speeds of 90 MB/s while the higher capacity cards can reach up to 200 MB/s. The SanDisk name, owned by Western Digital, is fairly reputable, while the reviews for this card are overwhelmingly positive. As far as compatibility with the Pi goes, it’s available in a 32GB capacity but you can go as big as 1TB.