(Part 2) Best products from r/ProjectFi

I use the 2nd link you posted at work. Works great.

I also have the Qi-infinity at home. Little more pricey but still works great.

Both those chargers will charge my phone using either of the following cases.

• http://amzn.com/B00OKRJLSQ
  
• http://amzn.com/B00OGXQ3LC (this case is pretty thick too)

5ghz doesn't penetrate walls or other solid objects very well. A well-placed range extender could solve your bedroom problem. Er... Well, the problem you described. Low frequencies penetrate better--similar to sound. When someone is playing annoying music two houses down, it's usually the bass thump that reaches you.

I have a relatively expensive TP-Link RE450 and cheap TP-Link WA801ND and they both work very well for me. If you don't need 802.11ac, I'd go with a $25 802.11n extender.

Radio waves reflect, refract, and diffract like visible light. The locations of strong & weak signals are often surprising. Use an app that reports signal strength and find a spot with a good signal between your router & bedroom. Put a repeater there. Even after making a heat map of our house, I found that in practice I had to do a bit of trial & error to find the best spot.

I bought a T-Mobile ZTE FALCON Z-917 (Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ER6UAP2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_1qJCM85FrC2JT

Works great, has LTE, and the built in battery is a nice bonus.

I can definitely recommend this brand. The 3 pack linked here is not necessary, though I found it useful with all the devices I was testing the Data SIMs in. It certainly did better than my home made, painstakingly cut version.

https://www.amazon.com/CARD-ADAPTER-3-Pack-Total-Adapters/dp/B00M9P5RXO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473948545&sr=8-1&keywords=noosy+sim+card+adapter

You said cheapest, you didn't say it had to be great!

https://www.amazon.com/BLU-Advance-Unlocked-Smartphone-Black/dp/B072N6BD9V/

I have an old BLU phone that I use at times with a data-only SIM and it works fine.

However, if I were in your shoes, I would "splurge" for a $99 Moto G6, you'll need to "activate" it on GoogleFi and you might as well use it for 1 week or - better - 1 month.

That looks like the one I've had for a while only mine cost a tab bit more. I have a screen protector as well. The thing survived a seven foot drop on to aggregate concrete with only a tiny little speck of damage to the case. Subsequently it took a lesser fall which cracked the case near the corner, I duct taped it from the inside. Then, the other day I noticed a crack starting in the center near the camera bump. I have another one on order.

I wish Google would offer a true carbon fiber one like they had for the LG Nexus 5X.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075DZ6DG6

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075FCSBLN

(Note: the screen protector does not cover the side bezels.)

You could do that, or you could have your trusted friend buy a $50 phone.

Just to be certain, give your friend one of your data-only SIM, unless he is a European citizen they are going to have a hard time buying a SIM there (5-7 business day waiting and even then.. it's not a sure thing).

I am also a journalist and have a pixel on Fi. I have been using this nifty thing to record calls for two years:

Sony Compact Earphone Style Microphone, Designed to Record Phone Conversations From Your Cell or Telephone to Your Voice Recorder, Computer and Any Other Recording Device https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009W4B0W2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_CLTyyb6XPE7AV

It's pretty cheap, extremely easy to use, and can be used with any phone and digital recorder. I've never had much luck with apps for recording calls. As long as you're just using the recordings for review/transcribing and not for posting audio interviews for podcasts and whatnot, it's perfect.

Headphones:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GWU8FTK/

I really wanted one with a boom mic, I feel like they are superior.

Obitalk:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BUV7C9A/

So what I do with this is it's connected to my router via Ethernet and then via RJ9 (regular phone cable) to a wireless phone base. I have three wireless handsets, just traditional phones. For the cost of $50 bucks for the hardware you basically have free VOIP via Google Voice for life.

I picked this up from the Verizon store:
https://www.amazon.com/Evo-Check-Case-Google-Pixel/dp/B074CJRT7Y/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1521475599&sr=1-3&keywords=tech21+pixel+2+case&dpID=51ANdE4%252Bi4L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

More expensive than what I wanted to pay (Amazon has it for $29, I think I paid $37), but I have to admit it is an outstanding case.

Can confirm that will work. Used that phone as backup when my 5x bootlooped. Not a phone I'd want to use for a long time, but it worked fine. Get a micro to nano sim adapter, or you can just center it in the sim compartment. It worked fine without the adapter for me, but it would have been easier with it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HSPQZIG

I enjoy this one My first one that I bought pretty much deteriorated over time, but the soft body that covers the phone was still good. I replaced it so I'd have a decent case for my California trip next month. I bought 2 for 11 bucks a few weeks ago, so the prices are subject to change.

Bluetooth...the answer is always Bluetooth...buy a second set of headphones if the ones you have don't last all day. I just bought a spare set of Bluetooth earbuds that last about 8-10hrs on a full charge on Amazon

SoundPEATS Magnetic Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth Headphones Sport In-Ear Sweatproof Earphones with Mic (High Fidelity Sound, IPX6, Bluetooth 4.1, aptx, 8 Hours Play Time, Secure Fit Design)- Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079Z2SCP3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_u7Q3Ab6802B34

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076D4ZS5G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I went with this and it grips really well, seems to protect good too.

I just bought two of these (one for each).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0797PTJ3W/
Read the reviews. My only real issue is that the built in screen protector has too much play in it and doesn't fit as tight against the glass as an Otterbox Defender. Sadly Otterbox doesn't make them for this phone. It's not as nice as an Otterbox, but it's not bad. And for $10, it's great. I can afford to destroy a belt clip and replace the whole unit for that price. It really snaps in good with the belt clip. Just put it in with the power button the right way. (Read the reviews.)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015GHQHXA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We got this one and it's really nice - hard to tell it even has a case on it. Looks rugged too.

Nexus 5X Case, Verus [High Pro Shield][Satin Silver] - [Military Grade Drop Protection][Slim Fit] For Google Nexus 5X
by Verus
3.9 out of 5 stars 819 customer reviews | 47 answered questions
Was: $18.49
Price: $15.99 Free Shipping for Prime Members
You Save: $2.50 (14%)

I converted my whole household into wireless charging. I keep the little puck chargers around the house. My wife has an iphone 5s so I converted her phone to wireless charging as well.

The puck chargers I use are the powerbot chargers: http://smile.amazon.com/PowerBot-Enabled-Wireless-Charger-Smartphones/dp/B00F6SPYJS/ref=pd_bxgy_107_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1ZB69PZ9QEYM3AFEKCG4

Another charger I use is: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JA7HNZO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

I use this case on my phone: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OH4I2LY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

With that setup it works fine. You do have to line it up pretty close, but once you figure out where that is, it is quick. The key is making sure you have the charger hooked to a sufficient power supply otherwise it will keep disconnecting.

Can't recommend an arm band, but I use a Flipbelt and that works great.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CH0CYLS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_wyt2BbF0WG7QX

I use the Spigen Neo Hybrid case on my P2. I was a bit concerned that it would add bulk, but I dont notice any significant bulk added. I plan on keeping this phone 2-3 years atleast, and this case will help make that happen. Plus, it has a premium look to the back of it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0746Z1KYN/

Looking around, this is the more robust version https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0746Z1KYN/ref=psdc_3081461011_t1_B07471C38C