The Giz Wiz, Week of March 19, 2013, Netcast 1408

Keep track of where your car is, even when you're not in it! Plus a WHOLE lot more.

Car Connection by Audiovox is simple, do it yourself telematics device that enables you to monitor, manage and maintain vehicle performance under the hood and behind the wheel. The device is a small module that fits in the palm of your hand and plugs in under the dash in the OBDII port available on almost all cars post 1996. Car Connection tracks your vehicle every five minutes, provides vehicle maintenance alerts and monitors your driving habits, Car connection can even create a driver score that can be used to coach young drivers. Outside of just plugging it in Car Connection requires no installation. It sends alerts directly to your laptop, smart phone or tablet. Being a typical native New Yorker, I don’t own a car. But AudioVox sent me a list of the things Car Connection allows you to do. And here they are: Control a driver’s cell phone use through software that restricts the ability to send or receive calls and texts while driving. Track a vehicle from a laptop, smart phone or tablet and provide walking directions back to your car. Receive an alert if the driver leaves a pre-set safety zone. Receive vehicle safety and maintenance alerts to identify recommended repairs before heading to the mechanic. Car Connection by Audiovox is currently available at Sears and Pep Boys for $169.99 with a required monthly or annual service plan. There is also a one-time activation fee of $19.95. Plans start at under $10 a month, and are cheaper on an annual basis.

www.mycar-connection.com

See or hear this episode: www.twit.tv/giz1408   This link goes live late 3/19/13

Two ways to park your car in the garage at the exact same spot each time.

Garage Laser Park ends of problem of how far forward to bring your car in the garage without hitting the back wall, or running over the bikes, rakes, hoses and everything else you have in the garage. Garage Laser automatically turns on (via a motion sensor) when you enter the garage. Stop your car when the red dot is on your dashboard (or any place you choose). You only set it once when you install it. You can use screws or tape and both are included. Operates on a 9V battery (not included) or the included AC adapter. Easy installation. It’s here for under $20 at Amazon. I have not shopped here.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0008D6NK0/?tag=twnene-20  (A TWiiT link. You pay the same, TWiT gets a pittance.)

Dual laser model is ideal if you have 2 cars in the same garage. It's under $32. I have not shopped here:

http://amazon.com/dp/B000CBXSX8/?tag=twnene-20  (A TWiT link. TWiT gets credit if you buy 1, price is the same for you.)

Park Right Lighted Ball If you want less tech than a laser at half the price, here it is. The Park Right Ballpark is the 21^st century version of the tennis ball on a string. The ball creates a light show when it touches your windshield. It’s under $10 here. I have not shopped here, but found it via a web search:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015GOA54/?tag=twnene-20 (TWiT link. TWiT get a pittance if you buy 1. You price is the same.)

See or hear this episode: www.twit.tv/giz1408   This link goes live late 3/19/13

Great for the kids - they're own backseat 'electric blanket'.

Comfy Cruise heated blanket About $30. Provides gentle heat wherever you have a 12 volt plug - in your car, boat, or RV. The blanket is large enough (42” x 58”) to cover 2 people. The 7’ cord is long enough to reach from the cigarette lighter plug to the back seat of the car so the kids can coil up and take a nap. Switch lets you set the blanket to automatically turn off after 30 or 45 minutes; you don't want to have it on all night, as it could drain the battery. There's a red LED in the cigarette plug adapter, and another one on the mini controller to let you know there's 12 volt power available. List price is $39.99, but I found it on Amazon for under $26. And if you're Amazon Prime (I am and love it!) it's free shipping. I have not shopped at this particular link however:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Y1RQDM/?tag=twene-20

TWiT gets credit if you buy one, but you pay the same under $26 price.

See or hear this episode: www.twit.tv/giz1408   This link goes live late 3/19/13

It's Leo's 'Crap I Got From Sky Mall' Time! And a poll on what Leo should buy next!

This week Leo showed up the Remote Control Beverage Cooler from Sky Mall.  First here's the info from the Sky Mall website:

Remote-Control Beverage Cooler.  Get up and walk all the way over to the cooler for a cold one? Not necessary. Just point your remote, and get your drink delivered, no cabana boy required. This fun remote-control cooler holds up to a dozen bottles or cans plus ice, plus collapses for easy storage; make it go forward, back, turn or spin just by adding batteries.  Cooler requires 6 C batteries; remote, 2 AA (not included). 13-1/4"H x 12" Diameter.  $69.99, plus S&H.

http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=203751138&c=

And Leo's take! It's very noisy when it runs, but it does work. A downside is that the range is rather limited. Leo thought he couldn't get to go more than 30 feet or so from the remote control before it just stopped working because it was out of range. Even though it was $70 plus shipping and handling, Leo said: "It's a conversation starter" so it was probably worth the money.

See or hear this episode: www.twit.tv/giz1408 This link goes live late 3/19/13

What should Leo get next? Vote Now!

Back to Dick's Gadget Warehouse! With another viewer video & how to sumbit your video.

First, here’s an excerpt of a back-ground info article by Ivan Berger, editor at Audio Magazine. It appeared in the NY Times on March 16, 1991.   

Coping/With Wireless Video Systems. Video signals aren't always available where we want them. We may want to watch a tape in a room that has no videocassette recorder, use a camera or camcorder to monitor a sick or sleeping child, or (if cable company regulations permit) send decoded signals from premium channels like Showtime to any room. Installing wires for such purposes involves long, expensive runs around walls or holes drilled through them, and it is hard to hide the wires. In recent years the Federal Communications Commission has allowed a wireless solution: home viewers can use miniature receivers and low-power transmitters to carry video signals between rooms. The best known of these receiver-transmitter systems may be the Rabbit, made by Gemini Industries. So that 22+ year old gadget is what Steve will be talking about in his gadget warehouse video.

Steve sent us the following email about his video for the show:

Hi Dick and Leo. Love the show! I have a gadget warehouse item to share. It's called the Gemini Rabbit. It takes the output signal from a video player (VCR or DVD) and sends it to a tv in another room.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCAoZJZoreE

Steve Shapiro KI4OUD

In Steve's photo you can see the Rabbit transmitter and the Rabbit Receiver.

See or hear this episode: www.twit.tv/giz1408   This link goes live late 3/19/13

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 - (four maximum) 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! Do 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.

All show submissions go to gizwiz@twit.tv