The Giz Wiz Show, Week of February 5th, 2014, Show # 1454

Wow! Rechargeable Illuminating Wrenches. 

Working under the hood of your car, or under the sink. Forget needing someone to hold a flashlight. This wrench set has built-in LEDs that provide directional light without wires or hot bulbs. Their only wrenches (the company says) powered by rechargeable batteries. Recessed lights in the cradle of each wrench head come with high- and low-beam settings for precise viewing while working on any dimly lit project. With three hours of charging on the base, each wrench provides five hours of light. That should certainly be enough illumination for the duration of a project. Made of chrome-plated, drop-forged steel, the wrenches' LEDs also feature a flash setting. I’m not sure if you’ll need to attract attention in emergency ‘fix-it’ situation though. Includes seven double-sided wrenches from 3/8" (10mm) to 3/4" (20mm). Recharging dock stands upright on a workbench or hangs on a shop wall. 10" H x 8" W x 2" D. (4 lbs.) Was $129.95 at Hammacher, now $29.95, plus S&H. With tax and shipping, I paid about $40. With the freezing weather in NYC, I haven’t tried these yet, but should be good for boat projects. They are also available at Amazon for about the same price.

 http://www.hammacher.com/Product/Default.aspx?sku=81281 

Amazon link: Bossco 0208 Hi Beam 1st Ever Light Wrenches

Here’s a video from the company: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP55taiweYs 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1454

Giz Wiz Video of the Week: "What is this gadget?"

Watch the video before you guess:

Giz Wiz Video Demo: http://youtu.be/doq0dbBbji4

Okay, ready for the answer? This is a neat little gadget. TwoHands II from Felix opens wide to hold small and large tablets, ereaders and even smart phone in landscape or portrait mode. By sliding TwoHands II up or down your device, it lets you find the angle that’s best for working or viewing. To avoid glare outside you might want an upright angle, for movie viewing or swiping through your cookbook, you might want a much more angled view. Whatever your need, just slide the two hands up or down as you watch the screen for the best angle. It’s available in many color options and black or white. The company, Felix, says it should work with just about any modern tablet out there that has a maximum dimension of 10.5" or less and is 3/8" or thinner. TwoHands II is under $25.

Company website: http://felixbrand.com/products/twohands

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1454

A Bluetooth Speaker Small Enough To Hang On Your Keychain.

It's certainly the smallest Bluetooth speaker I've seen weighing in at 0.7 ounces. The ultra-small wireless Bluetooth iFrogz Tadpole Speaker offers very good sound for its tiny size. With the included carbineer, you can clip it onto key rings, purses, belts, etc. It would good when you travel and what a tiny bit of music from your own tunes because it will sound much better than your smart phone speaker. A 200mAH lithium-ion battery powers the Tadpole Speaker for up to 3 hours. Recharge it via micro-USB. It’s available in four colors, plus white. It's not available yet, but it is expected to ship soon. It will sell for under $20. At the company website you can leave your email to be notified when the iFrogz Tadpole Speaker becomes available. 

http://www.zagg.com/ifrogz/bluetooth-speakers/tadpole#tadpole/8708?&_suid=13899385036250058492798625349895

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1454

Chad's Crap. (Don't worry, sometimes it's something really good!)

Chad’s crap turned out to be something I showed on the Giz Wiz a few years ago. But it doesn’t matter, because it’s still sold and it’s not bad for the money. It’s the Lava Red LED Watch which some websites call the Samurai Japanese inspired faceless watch. As Chad showed us it does look like a bracelet, but it tells time like a watch at the push of a button. It’s a very big, wide bracelet, and neither Chad nor I could figure out how to shorten it for proper wear. The first time you push the button on the side of the Lava Watch you see the time digits. The second push brings up the red LED date display. The third push brings up the seconds display. All these displays stay lit for only a few seconds to save battery life. List price is said to be anywhere from $50 to $200, but you can find it for about $10 or $11 if you do a web search for “lava watch”. I think Chad said he paid about $6 or $7 for his. They’re shipped from China, so it does take about four weeks to get one. At first Chad said one set of digits on his watch wasn’t lighting correctly, but then I believe he said they were all okay.

Here's my video of the week on the Lava Watch from 3 years ago: http://youtu.be/1zqsjf7tc1g 

I prefer the blue LED version because I found it’s easier to see in daylight.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1454

Dick's Gadget Warehouse Viewer's Video & How To Submit Your Video.

Our viewer's video of the week combines two ideas in one video. Jason bought a piece of crap in order to make one of his old gadgets work better.  Here's his email:

Hi, jason.

I bought a piece of crap, but then I found a way to make the piece of crap make one of my favorite devices work better. Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6MbSXIZNN8

Tom, Brighton, IL

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1454

  +++++++++++++++++

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

Here’s what we’re looking: Your home shoot 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 professionally made videos please. It makes us look even worse than we are. 

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! 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 be rewarded with some sort of prize. Like an autographed MAD magazine and maybe even 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