Giz Wiz Show 1608 for February 3rd, 2017, Our 92th Independent Production.

Thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters The Giz Wiz Show not only continues, but is heading toward the end of its 2nd year of independent production. If you'd like to support OMGchad & DickDe in our independent venture (we pay for everything ourselves, including travel) just click the Patreon link at the top of our show web page: http://www.gizwiz.tv/ You can also contribute just once via the PayPal link that's there too. And thank you for doing that! Our show wouldn't exist without our viewer's support.

Ahoy Mateys, let's visit the NY Boat Show and be the first to witness the

World Introduction of the new Sea Ray SLX 400.

Here's what Sea Ray says about their brand new SLX 400. (I'm added my comments in brackets, like this one.) The SLX 400 was conceived as the ideal entertaining vessel for socializing with large groups of family and friends. (It can sit 16 to 20 people, but keep safety in mind.) It's marketed as ‘the Entertainer,’ because boaters will be hard pressed to find anything this boat can’t do — or store. For those into stand-up paddle boarding, you’ll find enclosed storage for two full-sized boards. Additional storage throughout the boat holds large items, towels and other belongings safely out of the fray. For entertaining there's a well-appointed wet bar with refrigerator, sink and available dual grills. The transom entertainment zone — featuring a stereo, sprayer, and comfy aft-facing seating overlooking the integral extended swim platform. The most remarkable cockpit feature is the innovative new fold-down patio, a brilliantly designed wing of the hull that opens 90 degrees to expand the cockpit all the way to the water. (This is unique, I haven't seen it before in a boat this size. The SLX 400 include Axius® joystick control, for effortless docking and maneuvering in the tightest of spaces. (I've used Sea Ray joystick control on a different 40+ Sea Ray boat and it is amazingly easy to use, especially for leaving the dock and returning.) Raymarine® 14” glass displays let you create your dashboard instrument layout. Below deck there's a private head with shower, luxury sleeping for four, flat screen TV and more. Engine options to power this beauty between 40 and 50 mph. Depending on options it can range up to the $500,000 range.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/eAPOZuFS2Sc

Company website: http://www.searay.com/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1608

SeaKeeper Could Help You Keep From Getting Sea Sick!

If you own a boat bigger than 30', and you have a fair amount of money, you can control the waves as you boat! Actually, you can't control them totally, but I've seen tests that say the Seakeeper can dampen wave action up to 90%! If you want to own a boat, but get seasick easily, this could come in very handy! SeaKeeper devices have been available for years, but at the NY Boat 2017 they were showing the new Seakeeper 3 Model for smaller boats. This is the smallest and lightest Seakeeper unit yet and the first to run exclusively on 12-volt DC power. There means you don't need a generator or AC power. (Bigger unit do require a boat to have a generator to provide AC power.) But now boats between 30- and 40-feet long, can enjoy Seakeeper's stabilization solution. The unit features a newly designed touch screen control panel allowing users to capture real-time performance information. Now these are very high tech units and when the company says “easy” installation, they mean the unit can be installed and ready to use in as little as two days. And it is not inexpensive. This is the lowest priced model in the Seakeeper product line but a MSRP price of $26,900, not including installation. SeaKeeper 3 will be available starting Spring, 2017. 

SeaKeeper Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdgvfluTouQ

Company website: http://www.seakeeper.com/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1608 

What if there's a medical emergency on your boat, far from land?

I should have talked about this first before the talking about the prices of the other two gadgets above. But, although this is not inexpensive, but it could save a life or maybe more. I'm talking about

The Traveler Advanced Medical Kit was on display at the Core Medical booth at the 2017 NY Boat Show. The company says it provides immediate First Aid to treat Stroke, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Heart Attack and lots of other less critical emergencies. That kit has a suggested retail price of almost $2700, but it includes the $1175.00 HeartSine 350P Automated External Defibrillator. It seems Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) strikes over 300,000 people in the U.S. every year…without warning. With little time to act, especially aboard a board at sea, it’s important to have the a defibrillator nearby. I never used an automatic external defibrillator and I asked Jon Bloomberg at the booth if a total novice could use one. He didn't have a dummy there (provide your own joke here) to do a proper demo but did explain how easy they are to use. I asked if there was a video demo was on his company's website and he said there was. I went there, but the video was listed as "coming soon". However I found another video online that does a good job of showing folks who have never used an automated external defibrillator before react to using one for the first time. I also learned that used defirillator start at about $750 and that if you live in NYS you can get a $500 tax credit on one, used or new. The HeartSine 350P is lightweight (about 2.4 pounds), compact, portable and easy-to-use. Voice and visual prompts guide the user step-by-step through the rescue process. A 4 year battery/Pad-Pak life, suitable for all patients. There's an optional Pediatric Pak available for patients under 8 years of age or less than 55 pounds. It also has an IP56 rating, the highest dust and moisture ingress rating of any AED. And an automatic self-check.

Lots more info here: http://www.coremedicalsystems.com/

You Tube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghfj4HyU1M0

http://coremedicalsystems.com/catalog/traveler-advanced-medical-kit/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1608

Chad's Crappy Corner & His New Theme For February, 2017

Chad polled our great Patreon members to pick a theme for February. They picked “cheap toys for the desk”. You know - things you could have on your desk to entertainment yourself or guests, when you don't feel like working. 

Chad's first crappy 'toys for the desk' turned out not be so crappy. It was a plastic set of trains, complete with an nice sized oval of track. He bought his at Five Below for yes, $4.99. I couldn't find that exact set on Amazon, but I found one very close. It has a locomotive, 2 cars and caboose, and about the same amount of track. It's about $9, but it comes in a tin as opposed to the plastic case (which was already broken) that Chad's set came in. Here's what Amazon says about their Westminster Train in A Tin. (It's the photo on the right.)

This set proves that a lot of fun can fit in a little space-this 16 piece train set fits neatly inside its small tin! This battery operated train works like a charm, and is easy to take in and out of the tin. Perfect for travel and for train lovers. Recommended for ages 8 and up. $9.05 and Amazon Prime on 2/3/17.

And Chad's take: Chad thought his little FiveBelow train set was pretty neat. And the chatroom agreed. Once Chad set it up on camera, I thought for sure it would run right off the track, but it ran pretty well for a bit, and then fell off the track. The only down side Chad found was putting in the single AA battery. You need one of those mini-screwdrivers and you have to squeeze the sides of the locomotive to pull it off to reveal the battery compartment. But kids (and adults) should enjoy this toy a lot. Be sure to watch it run on this week's video!

(Whoever set up that train for the FiveBelow website, above left, isn't a train buff. The coal car is at the end, instead of behind the locomotive, and the caboose is in the middle!)

If you have a Five Below near you, here's the set Chad bought. It's priced at only $3 here, but I think minimum shipping is $5. (Actually, I just tried to buy one, and you need to spend at least $10 to be able to check out.)  https://www.fivebelow.com/mini-train-set.html

See or hear this show: http://www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1608

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

This week's video arrived with this email:

Dick and Chad,

I have been a viewer for about 2 years and really enjoy the show.  Whenever you do the Gadget Warehouse segment, I think about the Commodore VIC-20 computer that has been sitting on the shelf in my basement untouched for about 25 years, and how cool it would be to see if I could get it working again.  Well I finally got around to it, and captured it on video in case it might be a good fit for the show.   Cheers, and keep up the great work on the show!

Mark Rosens

VIC-20 video link: https://youtu.be/qEU2MF72F7k

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1608 

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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 here's what we're looking for! 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.

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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.

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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.

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My Favorite Gadget (favorite old, or favorite new): 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.

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Post them on YouTube and send us 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’ll a tiny amount of fame (hopefully), an autographed MAD magazine and a 35-year-old Alfred E. Neuman picture. So that's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video!

IMPORTANT: We'll just shower you with praise for your video if you live outside the US or Canada since we can't afford to send stuff outside of those two places. (Thanks for understanding.)

All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv

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Letter of the week:

From Kelly Rothschild

OMGChad,

* Cleaning your microwave is as simple as microwaving a cup of water for about five minutes. When it's done, the inside should be nice and steamy, and wiping out the grime inside will be practically effortless! Take this quick tip one step further to freshen your house up in the process. In the spring and summer, Tara likes to add a bit of citrus to the water, and in the fall and winter she adds a few drops of pure vanilla extract. You'll have a clean microwave, and your home will smell delicious.

* Remove burned odors from the microwave by mixing two tablespoons of ground coffee with one-half cup of water. Microwave for three minutes, and the smell should be gone!

[source: "All in good time: when to save, stock up, and schedule everything for your home," Tara Kuczykowski and Mandi Ehman. Publication Info. New York : Berkley Books, 2012.]

Put a microwave-safe bowl half full of water in your microwave; turn it on high for 5 minutes; wipe with a paper towel. (Some people advise adding a little vinegar, lemon juice, or baking soda -- but the truth is, water alone works just fine.) [i think this came from David Pogue's Life Hacks (book)]

I use a glass bowl, water only, no vinegar, one less gadget. I think your cats might prefer the aroma of vanilla or citrus.

still love the show. kelly