Weekly Daily Giz Wiz, Week of August 8th, 2011, Netcast 1326

Give the heave-ho to mosquite bites.

I’ve used various ThermaCELL products over the years, but the latest is the most convenient and has the most features. This Mosquito Repellent Outdoor Lantern offers up to 225 sq. ft. of mosquito-free area. (That’s 15’ x 15’.) It repels mosquitoes, black flies and no-see-ums. The company says it repels up to 98% of mosquitoes. But wait, there’s more. This ThermaCELL device also has an eight LED lantern with a high/low switch. The light runs on 4AA batteries, which are not included. You can use the repellent and light together or separately. Here’s how it works: You slide a small rectangular repellent mat under a metal grill on the top of the lantern. You screw in a small butane cartridge, push the ignite button and you’re set for up to four hours of insect protection. There’s no actual visible flame, but you have to take care not to touch the grill once it’s in use. This spring in NYC was very wet, so my backyard is a haven for mosquitoes. But the ThermaCELL really clears them - and flies out quickly. I start it just a few minutes before I go out there. The kit includes the lantern, one butane cartridge and three repellent mats. The cartridge lasts about 12 hours and the mats lasts about 4 hours. So you get 12 hours of protection. There’s a Value Pack Refill Kit for under $16. It includes 4 Butane Cartridges and 12 Insect Repellent Mats. If I figured it right, you get 48 hours of protection for about 33 cents an hour. And you don’t have to rub anything on your body.

The company website: www.thermacell.net

Here on Amazon the Lantern Kit is about $30 – I haven’t bought anything here:   http://tinyurl.com/3dn2f9k

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Video the week --- Touch-n-go: a new kind of charger for your electronics.

Every few months there’s a new attempt to come up with an easy way to charge your electronic devices. This latest entry, Touch-n-go, is really unique and easy-to-use, provided your electronics charge via mini and micro USB. Called Zip’s Touch-n-go from The Joy Factory, it lets you charge your devices by using something the company calls Zip Tails. The ultra-low profile “ZipTail” connectors (almost the size of a button) eliminate cord tangle because they’re super short, at about 2 inches. The company says that unlike traditional charging systems, there’s zero percent power loss because Zip Tails plug directly into your devices. The neat part is attaching them to the charger. You just touch your device to the pad and a magnetic tab will quickly slide it into place. The Zip’s Touch-n-go design has multiple charging receivers for your Kindle, Blackberry, Treo or other mobile device and tablets. With 2100mA, you can charge up to three cellular phones at once—or more, depending on the power transformer on the devices. The Zip comes with a starter kit that includes one mini USB and two micro USB receiver. $79.95 Additional receivers will be available separately.

www.thejoyfactory.com

See or Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1326

Feel sorry for pets when they have to wear those big collars so they won't scratch?

I always feel sorry for dogs I see on the street wearing those huge collars so they don’t lick a hot spot or injury. I a recent mini-Pet Expo, I saw a solution to the problem that dogs (and other pets) will probably prefer. It’s called the AntiLickStrip Prevent and it’s a unique bandage with medical-grade adhesive backing on one side and all-natural ingredients on the other. It’s kind of an anti-treat for pets. According to the company, there’s a safe, outfacing all-natural active ingredients coating that includes cayenne pepper, oregano, lemon powder and clove oil. This is designed to effectively deliver powerful deterrents to the animal's nose when smelled and tongue when licked or bitten. From about $8 to $10 for 2 strips (twice that for 6 strips) depending on size. This company also makes super large size AntiLick Strip Prevent bandages for horses! They’re available at the company’s website online and at major pet retailers like Petco. Since they were introduced this month (August 2011) it may take a week or two more to show up on the shelves, although the company says most stores have them already.

http://www.nurturedpets.com/Products.aspx

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1326

And now it's time for Leo's Turn The Table Turkey!

This week’s Turn The Table Turkey is great for anyone who uses their Bluetooth enabled device to listen to music while working out. Leo said he ruined many pairs of headphones with sweat while working out. So when he saw these, he bought them because The Price Was Right! They’re the Motorola S10-HD Sweat Proof Bluetooth Stereo Headphones for iPhone, Mobile Phones and MP3 Players. Here’s a brief description from Ice Monkey the place that has them on sale (as of August 6^th for just $49.99 w/free shipping!)  These Motorola S10-HD Sweat Proof Bluetooth Stereo Headphones provide high definition audio that can be delivered while exercising, running, working out and more. The sweat proof design with hydrophobic acoustic mesh make for an unprecedented level of comfort. Also includes microphone so you can take and make calls and perfectly placed, easy operate buttons that allow you to control your music and answer calls effortlessly. Overall these headphones have a lightweight and comfortable design ideal for use while working out. What You Get: Motorola S10-HD Sweat Proof Bluetooth Headphones • Charger & Manual. Retail price: $109.99 You save: $60.00 (55%) Your Price: $49.99. + Free shipping.   (Leo said that’s all you get – there’s no Motorola packaging of any kind. But he didn’t care. He said they work great. The supply is very limited, so hurry if you’re interested!

http://www.icemonkey.com/motorola-s10-hd-sweat-proof-bluetooth-stereo-headphones-for-iphone-mobile-phones-and-mp3-players

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1326

Back to Dick's Gadget Warehouse for an 18 years old 'remote control aid'.

Back in 1993 Remote Idea said they had the simple solution for those who had a tough time with complicated remote controls. Remember this was marketed long before someone came up with the idea of a plain, old big-button remote. According to their printed brochure: “Remote Idea converts an existing television remote control into an easy-to-use, easy-to-handle unit.” It did work, but it was kind of big and clumsy. As you can see in the photo, the idea was to slip your current remote into the Remote Idea holder. (A lot of the remotes I have today don't even fit in the holder.) Once the remote was in the Remote Idea, you positioned those big buttons over the corresponding volume up/down, channel up/down and on/off buttons on your remote. They were color-coded to “offer immediate recognition of each function” – assuming you remembered what the color represented. You had push very hard for the top button to push on the remote control button beneath it and lining up the buttons was not easy. It was an interesting attempt at making using a remote control more convenient for the less techie, but I don’t think the Remote Idea brochure was entirely accurate when it asserted: “Its cutting edge design makes it an appealing addition to any home.” But, maybe 18 years ago ‘cutting edge’ was as cutting as it is today. 

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1326