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About Me

 

Known as MAD's Maddest Writer, co-host of The Giz Wiz with OMGchad at www.GizWiz.TV, The Giz Wiz on ABC's World News Now, and on Tech Guy Labs with Leo Laporte on www.TWiT.TV

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    After more than a dozen years as "Special Correspondent" - once a month, for a full hour, where I joined Craig Crossman and later in the series, Ben Crossman on Computer America, it was time to take a break from the series. But this longest running nationally syndicated talk show continues on! You can find the latest shows here: www.computeramerica.com

    Saturday
    Jun242017

    Flosstime is designed to help making flossing fun.

    The company says Flosstime is the world’s first automated floss dispenser. (I don't know of any other.) With a single touch, the tech-looking circular device dispenses the American Dental Association-recommended 18 inches of floss, cuts it and sets a 90-second LED-timer. The LED moves around the device, indicating how long users should spend on each section of the mouth. After 90-seconds, Flosstime will light up with a smile as a reward for a job well done. After a 22-hour period of inactivity, an orange frown reminds the user that it is time to floss again. If unused after seven days, the device will automatically shoot out a length of floss. (But it stops short of yelling at you to floss!) The device can be set to single and dual-user modes. Flosstime keeps it fun and engaging for the kids, too. Each device comes with the choice of a frog, goldfish or crab snap-on frame. If not used every day, the animal’s eyes glow to remind kids to floss reinforcing healthy oral hygiene habits at an early age. Flosstime comes with a patent-pending replaceable cartridge containing 54.6 yd (50m) of comfort floss, which should last the daily flosser approximately three to four months. Although the gentlemen in the video said $30.00, it's $39.99 on the company website and on Amazon. 

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/vPQFJcTNwxg

     

    Amazon: http://amzn.to/2t8fR6J

     

    http://www.flosstime.com/ (Company website)

    Saturday
    Jun242017

    Ahoy, Matey! Let's check out some unique boating gadgets. (Some good for RV's too.)

    Everybody need a good bucket for cleaning up and for storage between cleanings.

     

    The Shurhold One Bucket System is a very clever idea. It's a UV resistant bucket with a padded lid, so it can double as a seat. Plus there's an optional base so the bucket won't tip or slide around on a bumpy road, or in rought water. From the company: The Shurhold Deluxe ONE Bucket System includes: World's Best Rope Handle 5 gallon Bucket in black or white. Bucket Lid / Padded Seat combo Bucket Base (So your bucket won't slip or tip) Bucket Grate (Keeps your wash utensils in clean water) Bucket Caddy (Keeps everything you store in your bucket organized) MSRP: $59.99

     Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/CwJTotYgffM

    Company-website:  https://shurhold.com/marine/buckets/one-bucket-system/

    Saturday
    Jun242017

    The Giz Wiz Is A Fan of this Fan. 

    The Caframo Sirocco II (II is new version) 7" 12 and 24 Volt fan features a unique gimbaled design that allows airflow to be directed in any direction of the cabin - 360°. I like that it can also be folded flat and out of the way against the bulkhead when not in use. It's a 3 speed fan with an extra features I really like. A 3, 6, 9, and 12 hour timer setting. I used to worry about leaving the cabin fan on when I left the battery which would mean coming back to a dead battery. But with the timer setting it will go off automatically after the number of hours you choose. It has manual on/off too if you want that. The is also very quiet and the blades shouldn't hurt your fingers if for some reason you (or maybe the kid's stick their fingers in.) I stuck my fingers in and they stopped the blades with doing any damage, as least to my fingers. This is a premium fan that should last for years. MSRP is $129.99, but it's available for under $100 online.

    It was $95.80 here as of 6/15/17 with free shipping, but not Amazon Prime.
     
    http://amzn.to/2r2889r 

    Company website: http://www.caframolifestylesolutions.com/product/marine/sirocco-ii-draft/ 

    Saturday
    Jun242017

    Two Small, But Very Useful Marine Gadgets.

    Snap Tool Multi-Key. Davis calls this their deck plate key with attitude! Many tools in one, this new multi-key wants to go along on your next outdoor adventure! The Snap Tool Multi-Key is a pocket-sized stainless steel tool that is handy, universal, and strong–-perfect for all outdoor activities. It's Many Tools in One: A deck plate key that fits most caps: water, fuel, and waste. •Un-Snap Canvas Snaps/Snap Canvas Snaps: Handling button snaps made easy, especially on shrunken canvas or corroded snaps •Zipper Puller: Tames stiff, sticky oroxidized zippers •Cutting Tool: Fishing line, paracord, webbing, cardboard boxes, emergency use •Hex Wrench: Popular sizes: 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, and 1/2 inch •Screwdrivers: Both Phillips and slot
    •Scraper: Removes labels, tape, dry paint •Pin Shackle Key: Titghtens or loosens pins on most galvanized anchor shackles and stainless steel pin shackles •And of course, A Bottle Opener! MSRP $12.99

    It was here for a $1.50 more ($14.59 as of 5/24/17) on Amazon with free Prime 2-day shipping for Prime Members, and a bit cheaper if look on the right side of this page: http://amzn.to/2qU31qL 

    Company website: http://www.davisnet.com/marine-and-outdoor-recreation/ 

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/DEfmzHipnkc 

    And of course, Davis is famous for ----

    The self-inflating Key Buoy.  It can help can end the nightmare of keys dropped overboard. Even if your keys are on the Key Buoy, if you drop them into the drink, they disappear from view. But wait about 30 seconds to a minute and your keys start to be retreived from the bottom. Once you see that inflated orange tube breaking the surface you have approximately 25 minutes to grab them. (It starts to deflate after about 30 minutes.) I wondered how it worked. The guys at the Davis Instrument booth were happy to explain. When you drop the Key Buoy in the water, a tiny piece of sponge inside the device expands and forces the plastic clam shell to open. When it opens, a tightly folded 14” plastic tube is released. Then a small tablet which contains baking soda dissolves. This creates a gas that fills the tube that floats your keys. The package says the Key Buoy is suitable for items weighing up to 2.8 ounces. That's about as many as 5 keys. Davis Instruments said you can even attach them to other things that often fall in the water like the water fill or gas cap key providing it doesn't weight more than 2.8 ounces. We that in this week's photo shoot for World News Now and it did work. These are single use devices, but cost $7 TO $10. And if it saves your keys, I think you'll say it's worth it! This gadget has been around for a long time, but I figured a lot of people probably don't know about, so I'm showing it again. As reporters say: If you never saw it before, it's a 'new gadget'!

    Company website: http://www.davisnet.com/product/key-buoy/

     

    Giz Wiz Video: (same as video above for Multi-Key) https://youtu.be/DEfmzHipnkc

     

    It's on Amazon for under $6.00, but not Amazon Prime members. (Price as of 6/16/17)

     

    Davis Instruments Key Buoy

    Giz Wiz link. You pay whatever the Amazon price normally is, and Giz Wiz Biz gets a small credit to buy more stuff to show on the air.

    Saturday
    Jun242017

    NEVER FUMBLE AROUND IN THE DARK AGAIN 

    Someone recently showed me one of this LED light switches and I thought it was worthwhile enough to talk about on the show. I bought two of them on Amazon, branded the Aid & Prep Battery Operated Lights. This looks like a thick light switch, but it only turns on the LED's that are inside the switch! So no electrician needed. These are ideal for use as a closet light, emergency light or even to mount down low on a wall so young kids can easy turn them on or off. You could even use it as a short-term work like for fixing things in dark places, like under the sink. Batteries included, but not necessarily batteries that aren't dead, (One of my two units had working batteries, the other didn't.) So you can have light where you need it, this (advertised as NEW) version has magnets on the back as well as Velcro tape (which I didn't test - I put mine on a metal door) There are slots in the back also so you can hang the switch on a wall with screw (not included.)

     

    Watch this week's show is see a second version of the switch called the Tech Tools Night Light. It's works the same, but it's not nearly as bright. It might be good to light a room while you find the wired light switch to turn on. Even though LED's use very little power I don't think you want to leave this on all night as a regular night light. They're also 2 for $9.99 on Amazon, and Amazon Prime as of 6/8/17.

     

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/1buWNrqJN5Q

     

    Amazon Link: Battery Operated Closet Light (Brighter One) - http://amzn.to/2rQB5nZ

     

    In the video of this week's show you'll see me demonstrate a much dimmer version of the battery operated light switch. Some people might actually like that better. It's also powered by three AAA batteries which are not included. That one is here:

     

    TechTools Night Light (Less Bright One.) http://amzn.to/2sd5M7H