Dadvice Weekly #9 / Tools & Tech
Dadvice Weekly - #9
We’ve all cycled through plenty of subpar “stuff” over the years: chargers that burn out, thermostats that do the bare minimum, tools that seem like the answer to a nagging problem only to fall apart. What we’re sharing this week are the opposite— these are daily-use items that have held up, solved what they promised to solve, and made our routines simpler. They’ve stood the test of time and earned their spot in our homes, bags, and toolboxes.
Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller
We’ve had our Rachio Controller for about three years (thanks Costco) and it’s easily one of those “set-and-forget” upgrades that keeps paying off. What sold me was the smart weather features. It automatically skips watering when it rains, or when the ground is already saturated, so you’re not wasting water or watching your yard flood.
The app lets me control everything remotely from my phone, which means no more running outside to tweak sprinklers or hoping the timer I set still works. It’s flexible, dependable, and feels like it’s working with the weather instead of fighting it. Also super easy to install. –KC
Anker Wall & Car Chargers
We’ve been using these Anker chargers for a few years now, and they’ve become daily drivers for us. The Anker Nano II 65W Wall Charger is small enough to toss in a bag but powerful enough to charge my laptop. It’s got two USB-C ports (and one USB-A) that’ll handle laptops, tablets, and phones at full speed. It supports PowerIQ 3.0 and PPS, so your devices charge with minimal battery wear. It also folds up nice and flat for travel.
In the car, we use the Anker USB-C Car Charger. It has three ports total (two USB-C and one USB-A), with enough power to charge a MacBook Pro and a phone simultaneously.
Both are solid, fast, and reliable. They’ve taken the stress out of dead-battery moments on the road or when traveling. –KC
USB-C Cords
A charger is only as good as its cable, right? Alicia and I both run these INIU braided USB-C cables for our laptops, phones, and even the kids’ Yotos. They’re under $10 for two, rated up to 240W for fast charging across big devices, and the braided nylon design has survived 45,000+ bend tests. They have a LED at the end that lights up when they’re in use. Unnecessary, but when I’m fumbling in the dark to see which cable is plugged in, it’s become delightfully useful. -KC
Ecobee Smart Thermostat
We live in a two-story house. Every winter it is the same story: the thermostat downstairs hits my preferred temperature while the bedrooms upstairs are four degrees hotter. That is not exactly ideal when you are trying to sleep.
A friend suggested a smart thermostat with an extra sensor, so I did some research and landed on the Ecobee Smart Thermostat with a remote sensor. It has been worth every dollar.
Here is how we use it: the main thermostat keeps the house at our usual setting during the day. Then at 7 p.m. it automatically switches to the upstairs sensor so the system runs based on the actual temperature in the bedrooms instead of the cooler downstairs reading.
This will be our second winter with the setup and the difference is huge. Comfortable nights and no constant fiddling with the controls. If you have a multi-story home with uneven temps this is an upgrade that really pays off. - SW
Just for Dad: DeWalt Magnetic Screw Holder
Last spring I did a home project to add a couple of cabinets to our laundry room. The project was fairly straightforward, but during checkout it was recommended that I add this little tool to the cart. Normally I do not take the bait, but I was curious what it was. I bought it for a few bucks and it has turned out to be a really nice-to-have tool for driving screws.
The DeWalt 4-inch magnetic drive guide snaps into a drill or impact driver and holds the screw in place while you drive. The magnetic tip keeps the screw steady so I am not trying to balance it with one hand, and the sliding sleeve gives a straight shot into the wood without worrying about my fingers getting too close. For quick projects like hanging shelves or assembling furniture it makes everything smoother and faster.
I like that it is compact and inexpensive. You just swap it in like any other bit and you are ready to go. After a few weekends of use it has earned a permanent spot in my drill bag.
If you do even occasional DIY projects this is a small tool that pays for itself. Less wobble, fewer dropped screws, and a cleaner start every time. Check it out. -SW
Dadvice Weekly is written by two friends in their thirties trying to be thoughtful, present dads without losing our minds. It’s our small way of sharing gear, routines, and ideas with other dads who are in the thick of it too.
We publish once a week. No fluff, just useful stuff to help you lead your home with a little more purpose and fun.
If that sounds good, stick around and subscribe. We’re glad you’re here.