The Giz Wiz, Week of August 21st 2014, Show # 1482

As seen on TV! The Magic Tap, drink dispenser.  

Here’s what Amazon says about it: Pouring Made Easy with the Magic Tap Automatic Drink Dispenser. Large bottles and jugs can be heavy and hard to handle. Pouring them can be inconvenient, messy and even painful. With The Magic Tap, you never have to lift or pour again. The Magic Tap is a revolutionary spill-proof automatic drink dispenser that fits easily on a wide variety of beverage containers. Easy for kids to use without making a mess. Moms can even use the Magic Tap one-handed. And it's great for older family members who might have arthritis or weakness in arms or hands. Easy to clean and environmentally friendly - you can use it over and over, even on refillable bottles and jugs. As of 8/20/14, it was $8.55 on Amazon and on Prime, so free shipping for Prime Members. Requires two AA batteries, not included. (Not good for carbonated beverages.)

And here’s what the Giz Wiz says about as he demonstrates it:

http://youtu.be/4GGKkWKeI3A 

The Magic Tap As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Take a look at how stupid they make people look trying to pour stuff at the beginning of this commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJsH5KbILo0#t=14

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1482

Nokero, maker of unique solar lights.

Nokero (An abbreviation for ‘no kerosene’) is a company that makes all sorts of unique solar lighting. And they aim to make it available at very low prices. We haven’t talked about a Nokero device in several years, so here are two of the newest solar designs. Designed as an all–in-one, the Prima N202 features an integrated solar panel, easy to use push button and rechargeable battery. The company says the Prima N202 uses the world’s most efficient solar panel. The micro-controlled pushbutton lets you toggle between Low/High/Off. The Prima N202 provides 7+ hours on the Low setting and 3.5+ Hours on the High setting, after a full 5-7 hour daily charge in direct sunlight. Each light includes a removable stand and clasp for both task and overhead lighting options. Prima N202 retails for $17.00. 

The N222-Huron is Nokero's flagship solar light. Fully charged, its LED light offers up to 50 lumens for six hours on high and up to 15 hours on the low setting, which is 25 lumens. There is also a 'flashing light' setting. If there’s no sunlight available, the N222 can be charged from a regular AC outlet. It also provides five volts at 0.3 amps to recharge mobile phones via a standard USB port. (You use your own charging cable.) The internal battery is 1400 mAh, so it may not fully charge some smart phones, but it can give it a partial charge, or let you keep talking longer. It ships with a stand that lets you tilt the solar panel to get the best use of the sun. The stand can double as a wall mount and there’s a unique hook that allows charging or provides light while the N222 is hanging on a cable. Nokero estimates the N222’s battery will last for five years if used daily. And with the supplied dome in place, it is weather-resistant. It also ships with both a red and green lens. It retails for $40 on the company website. 

Here’s the whole Nokero line as demonstrated by the founder Steve Katsaros. 

http://youtu.be/J0f-7H3TOjA 

Company website: www.nokero.com 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1482

Viewer Video of the Week - My favorite gadget!

This week it’s not a warehouse viewer video, but a “my favorite gadget” viewer video. (Be sure to read how to submit your video to the show, below in gadget warehouse spot.) 

Here’s Tim’s email: My son wanted to show off one of his favorite gadgets.  We also have a finishing joke that will reference a gadget reviewed a few weeks ago. Max bought the Toas-tite XL Long Handle with his birthday money from his grand-dad, after watching the review on the GizWiz. 

He and I love watching together, and now that it's on Thursdays we can watch it LIVE!  We watch on Roku on a 120" projector screen.  Dick, I hate to inflate your ego, but your head is already 4' tall.  Thanks for the great show. 

http://youtu.be/I2HbxhIlgDA

Tim (Savrip) Hopkins 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1482

Chad's Crappy Corner! The 3rd gadget in Chad’s theme for August: Home Improvement Gadgets.

Chad's pick for this week is the Thumbsaver, a magnetic nail setter. 

Here’s what it says about Thumbsaver on Amazon: Ouch! Gosh darn it! Dang it all! That smarts! Isn't that what you always say after hitting your thumb with a hammer? The Thumbsaver to the rescue! Invented by a long-time framing contractor, the Thumbsaver is a durable hand tool that houses a powerful magnet to hold virtually any nail, staple, or screw, while keeping thumbs and other appendages at a safe distance. The Thumbsaver has a rubber comfort grip secured around a durable solid aluminum shaft that houses a strong magnet on the end able to hold virtually any fastener. It has proven on the jobsite to hold up to the toughest use and abuse from the heaviest of waffle head hammers. It allows you to easily hold tiny staples, tacks, picture hanging hardware, or finishing nails, never thinking twice about your hands. 

And Chad’s take? Chad liked Thumbsaver. He gave us a little demo showing us how the two different size devices hold a wide range of nails and screws. It's very straight forward and easy to use. Just place the nail or screw in the magnetic vee and hit with a hammer. The price is good too, under $10. 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000G167FU/?tag=059-20 As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1482

Dick's Gadget Warehouse. And how to submit your video to the show.

Something else a bit different this week, my Gadget Warehouse Video was shot at the warehouse! (It’s actually the Sofia Warehouse on Amsterdam Avenue & 83^rd Street, NYC.) I originally talked about this gadget on The Daily Giz Wiz back on Friday 13^th, October 2006. But now that we have a video version of the Giz Wiz I’m going to be to re-visit some of those aging gadgets so folks can see them. Here’s some info on my Sonic Jacket from a newspaper article dating back to June, 1988. That’s some 26 years ago! …”People are taking their music with them, so forward-thinking designers thought: ‘why not build them into our clothing to keep hands free?’ Five feet of wires sealed by Velcro into the jacket's lining are connected to four speakers - two low-frequency speakers in the lining of the chest pockets and two 'tweeter-type" speakers on the shoulders. Available in limited supply, it comes in three sizes in black and white and sells for $199.95.” I never did see this jacket on sale, but I think you can see why. I don’t know many people who would want to walk down the street as a moving speaker-system.  

Giz Wiz Warehouse Video: http://youtu.be/Tx_DCtToLoo 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1482 

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We’re looking for more Viewer Videos! We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show, so let’s go going! 

Here’s what we’d like to see: Your home shot video – 2 to 3 minutes long, in 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. No professional ads please. 

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 a new gadget you just bought too. 

Post them on YouTube and send our producer, Jeff Needles, the link! We'll do the rest. (Or possibly nothing, but that's unlikely.) Remember, videos should be just 2 to 3 minutes long! Low production value is fine, but we should be able to hear you and see you! If we select and show your video on The Giz Wiz you will now be awarded with some sort of prize. Like an autographed MAD magazine and some piece of crap. So that's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video! 

All show submissions go to gizwiz@twit.tv  

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Letter of the week: 

From: Reinert, Andre    Subject: Wet Dry Plunger!

Saw your show on the wet dry plunger. Here is a website for a company called Ultra Everydry. This is the ultimate superhydrophobic coating.  

http://www.spillcontainment.com/everdry.  This can go on just about anything. After I saw this my mind went wild and could just imagine what I could use it for. My first thought was my car. Just think about never having to wash you car again! It is not the cheapest product but just think about the time and money you would save in cleaning or replacement cost on whatever you use it on. They have also been on TED talks. They have several cool videos on their website. Check it out. They also have it on Amazon for $152. 

I work in construction and am constantly having to walk around in mud. In the video it shows work boots that were coated in it and the mud comes right off. This saves on your boots getting ruined and also you car stays a lot cleaner with not tracking mud into it. 

I love gadgets. If there is a new gadget out there I have to get it. I get teased by a lot of my friends because I am always showing off some new gadget. That is what makes the GizWiz and BYB  shows so great. I get to see some of the gadgets and not have to buy them and that saves me some money. 

Chad, I love Cree bulbs. One of my favorite gadgets right now is a CREE Q5 or TS bulb flashlight on Amazon. You can get them from $3 – 12 on average. They are awesome. They range from 200 lumens for the Q5 to 1000 lumens for the T6. I am now looking at the NEW SKY RAY 3 CREE bulb flashlight. It is powered by 4 rechargeable 18650 batteries and puts out 3800 lumens and its only $28 on Amazon. 

Thanks for the show. Love the TWIT network and all the shows. Makes my commutes go a lot faster and enjoyable. 

Andre Reinert, CHST   Safety Engineer