The Giz Wiz, Week of August 20, 2013, Netcast 1430

Giz Wiz Video of the Week.

I’m having a lot of fun buying and trying “as seen on TV devices”. Several people asked me to get an Ear Vac and make a demo video. So I did. Ear Vac is a small, battery operated device to (in theory) gently suck the wax of your ear. It runs on two AA batteries, not included. Does it work? Watch the video and see a demo right before your eyes - and your ears! But first, here’s a description from Amazon:

North American Health and Wellness Cordless Ear Vac. Gentle and effective ear cleaner that is the safe way to clean your ears. Say goodbye to cotton swabs! Swabs push wax and debris further into the ear, which can damage eardrums. The Ear Vac gently draws moisture and debris from ears. Gentle suction draws dirt particles and moisture from the ear. Features: Safe and easy to use Quiet Motor Simple On/Off switch Silicone tips protect ear Removes moisture Requires 2 "AA" batteries- not included Includes: Cordless Ear Vac Ear Cleaning Device 4 x Hygienic silicone tips Cleaning brush.  (And now back to me.) It’s $7.25 at the Amazon link below. Elsewhere on Amazon it sells for as much as $16.00, but it looks exactly like the same machine. My guess is they both really suck. And not in the way they’re supposed to.

Giz Wiz Ear Vac Video Demo: http://youtu.be/jFiE4rjIIME

See or hear this show: http://twit.tv/giz1430

Remember Rockem Sockem Robots?

Well forget them. This is the modern WiFi, LED version. They’re called Battroborg motion controlled battling robots. You control  the robot and hopefully control and win the battle. You knock out your opponent by serving up five contact punches to the head – of their Battroborg, not their head, of course. Each of you has a wireless hand controller to master the art of combat. Battroborg's radio control technology also allows you to host a Battle Royal where up to 20 robots can battle at one time! And if you find yourself by yourself, there’s auto drone mode where you can battle against a self-activated Battroborg robot for up two minutes. They’re a endless ways to way Battroborg Robots. On Amazon the cheapest way to go that I could find is the Battroborg 3-in-1 Battle Arena, Clopto vs. Cobalt set. It includes two Battroborg Robots, the controllers and the arenas. Requires 8 AA batteries, which are not included. Be aware that the Battroborg Robots are small, just about 2” to 3” high. The complete arena measures: 16" x 20" x 4" and is recommended for ages 6 years and up. $79.99.   

See or hear this show: http://twit.tv/giz1430

Viewer Video of the Week. And how to submit yours.

Guess what? The show was so nutty this week with Leo having his hair chalked in various colors, we somehow left out the Viewer's Video of the week. But it will return next week. In the meantime, but sure to sumbit yours. Here's how:

                                                       +++++ 

We'd love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show.

Here's what we're looking for: Your home made Videos -- two to three minutes long - in the any of the following categories: 

I bought a piece of crap! Did you buy something you ended up hating? We won't get you a refund, but we might be able to give a platform to vent your disappointment. Remember, "family friendly" language applies. 

I Invented This! Did you invent something? (Or did a friend or relative invent something.) We can't market it for you, but we can help get the word out. Show us what it is, and how it works. Even if it's a prototype, you can get our (and the audience) reactions. 

My Gadget Warehouse! Okay, so you don't have a warehouse. It doesn't matter. Just tell us about your favorite old gadget(s). When and where you bought it, and why you're still hanging on to it. 

My favorite gadget of all time! Show us what it is, tell us what it does and why you love, or loved it! It can be something you just bought too. 

Post them on YouTube and send our producer, Jason, the link! We'll do the rest. (Or possibly nothing, but that's unlikely.) Remember, videos should be just 2 to 3 minutes long, 4 MAX! Low production value is fine. Even welcomed! That way our stuff doesn't look bad by comparison. We've set the bar low. Don't trip over it. 

NEW! NEW! NEW! If we select and show your video on The Giz Wiz you will now be awarded with some sort of prize. It's Leo's way to get rid of all the "crap from Sky Mall" he's collected. So there's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video! 

All show submissions go to gizwiz@twit.tv

Leo's Crap! (But sometimes it's good. Occassionally, very good!)

Leo is up to try just about anything, and that includes Hair Chalk! I didn’t get the exact brand of Hair Chalk Leo had, but he pointed out that there are dozens of choices online and on Amazon.com. Here’s how Hair Chalk works:

1. Spray a 1inch wide section of hair with water where you want the color streak to be.

2. Use the hair chalk to color on the wet section, starting at the root-Do not rub up and down. If you wish to use different colors, start with the lightest shade first, going from light to dark for best results.

3. Air dry hair completely. This is a crucial step to the process and must be done for the color to properly attach to your hair.

4. Use a flat iron or curling iron to go over the colored strands to seal in the color. For lasting results, use a small amount of hairspray.

5. This coloring method is intended to last 1-2 days. We recommend washing the color off within the same day to prevent any staining.

With the help of Lisa, Leo had three sections of hair blended with three different Hair Chalk Colors. I’m not sure he was totally pleased with the results. It was a funny spot as you’ll see, but deep down I think Leo is concerned about the color coming out completely without any after effects. I guess we’ll know next week! Here’s one choice on Amazon offering 24 colors. Leo pointed out it’s just like the Chalk we’re all familiar with. The kit is $10.49 with a couple of places offering free shipping without needing to be an Amazon Prime member. If you try it, sent us some dazzlingly pictures! Even if your hair fell out.

See or hear this show: http://twit.tv/giz1430

Back to Dick's Gadget Warehouse! The Sharper Imagine Mini-Fridge.

The Snack Box holds up to 6 cans of soda.The Sharper Image Hot+Cold Snack Box came out a dozen years in 2001. Here’s a description of it from the web: “Perfect for work or travel, Sharper Image's versatile Hot+Cold Snack Box is ready to grab and go! This innovative device features clean, quiet, environmentally friendly electronics to keep cold drinks cold and hot foods hot with the flip of a switch. Drinks and cold foods can be kept cool at 42F. Or keep takeout, hot sandwiches, and other cooked dishes nice and warm at 140F. The hinged door with lock keeps the insulated interior at a constant temperature for as long as it's plugged in. Can stand upright like a mini refrigerator or go on its side like a cooler. Measures OUTSIDE 10-1/2 by 7-4/5 by 11-4/5 inches; INSIDE 10" wide 5 3/4" wide 5 1/4" deep.”  And now back to me: What is missing from the description above is that this Hot+Cold “mini-fridge” uses Thermoelectric or Peltier cooling. It doesn’t use a compressor like a normal refrigerator, which also means it doesn’t cool like one. It’s quieter and cheaper to run than a mini-fridge, but it can only lower the temperature of a can of soda by about 30 to 40 degrees than the surrounding temperature. I tried using it on my boat, but when the boat is locked and sitting in the sun, the interior temps are about 90 to 100 degrees. That means I can have a can of soda chilled to 50 to 70 degrees. Not really a cold beverage. I never used it for holding warm food, but there are warnings all over the box, not to use to store warm food for more than one hour. Hot+Cold is no longer made, but they are dozens of them for sale on Ebay, mostly in the $30 to $40 range. New it sold for $79.95. Checking around the web, it looks like there are other new versions of thermoelectric “ice boxes” still being made.

See or hear this show: http://twit.tv/giz1430