Giz Wiz Show 1720 March 28, 2019 Independent Show #202

13 is lucky for us! The Giz Wiz Show started year 13 overall & our 5th year of Independent Production! (First Giz Wiz show was February 20th, 2006.) Thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters we continue on! If it wasn't for them, the Giz Wiz Show would be gone. 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. Thank you for doing that! Our show wouldn't exist without our viewer's support, but a bit more support would be a big help. Thanks from OMGchad & DickDe!

On this week's show we learn about Chad's adventure at Disney World. He was there both helping raise money for children's hospitals and then just enjoying him with Disney Magic.

And then 3 new gadgets starting with one from the New Products Spring Showcase. It's billed as  a "silent generator" perfect for emergencies, camping trips, onsite jobs, even tailgating!

Here in NYC there was a Spring New Products Showcase. I was attracted to the EGO Nexus Power Station, which the spokesperson said is a battery-powered alternative to a small gas generator. A big difference is that the Nexus delivers clean, quiet, portable power that's safe to use indoors and out. It offers 3000-Watt peak power and 2000-Watt continuous power. There are three 120-Volt A/C outlets on the front and the power consumption and run time of each one is displayed on a bright LED display. There are also 4 USB ports to charge your devices. Since it's WiFi and Bluetooth equipped you can control it via your smartphone. At the show the spokesperson gave the example of a tailgate party. You could use it start a slow cooker so food is ready when you return from the game. And of course when the electricity goes out, use it to power a TV, microwave and even a full-sized refrigerator. Bring it on your next camping trip to plug in lights, fans, induction cook tops and play music. And of course it's ideal for a construction site. Water resistant construction. Weight from about 44 pounds to 56 pounds depending on how many batteries are connected to the unit. The EGO Nexus Power Station includes 2 EGO POWER+ ARC Lithium batteries (7.5Ah). It retails for $1197.00 at Home Depot.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/vWtUTpNqhJ4  

Home Depot: https://tinyurl.com/EGOpowerplus  

Company website: https://egopowerplus.com/nexus-portable-power-station/  

The Giz Wiz Tries Something New (for him) A camcorder! The Canon Vixia HF R800

Does anybody buy a new camcorder these days? I did!

Canon VIXIA HF R800: This camera is way smaller than I expected which I liked. Why buy a camcorder when all these years we've been shooting our videos with smartphones which have amazing cameras! The Vixia has a powerful 32X optical zoom and something called 57X advanced optical. Charging the battery on the VIXIA HF R800 is long - 6 to 7 hours, but you can run it from AC with the supplied cable. However, the battery will not charge while you're using the camera via AC. As you see in this week's show, even though it got 4.2 stars out of 5 from over 300 reviews on Amazon, I was very disappointed in the quality of the video. Indoors, even with all our studio lights on, the video still looked darkish. It was better outdoors, but the video quality just doesn't equal what a modern day smartphone can do. (We've been mostly using an LG G6 for our videos and they've been great, but zooms on smartphones are so great.)  Also on Amazon quite a few people said it's hard to use the foldout view screen in sunlight, a common complaint on many LCD screens. The biggest flaw in my camera? A few times it stopped recording because of an error something like "couldn't write to the SD card fast enough", even though I had one of the most recommended cards in the camera. Sadly, when that notice comes up - everything recorded up to that point  disappears! At a wedding, graduation, etc., that would be a disaster. I'm returning my camera because of that.   UPDATE: I haven't tried this yet, but after searching the web about this problem I found some valuable info on the Canon Forum website. It seems it occurs when people use a micro SD card in an adapter to record to. That's what I was using. But, as someone in a post pointed out, no where in the 288 page Canon Manual does it mention that you shouldn't use a micro SD card in an adapter. However many people reported that switching to a full-size Canon recommended SD card did solve the problem. Will it? I guess I'll give it a try.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/p-Oer3RMNGU  

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/2FyANaJ   As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

New From Bracketron, famous for making gadgets to hold other gadgets! One of their newest is the Roadtripper Travel Mount.

In the air or on the road, the Bracketron Roadtripper Travel Mount is designed to hold your smartphone, tablet and other portable devices. (Tablets up to 10.1" says Bracketron.) Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, this looks like an ideal traveling accessory. To use it you will peel the film off the 3M adhesive and attach to your tablet or other mobile devices. On my phone I was able to put the magnet between the case and the phone so you don't see it. And it works fine. But that's not recommended for tablets. On an airplane there's a wire in the back that you hook onto the tray table latch. Then attach your device to the powerful magnet and you’re ready to start streaming your favorite shows. You can easily adjust the mount with your tray table up or down. In the car the Roadtripper transforms into a magnetic phone vent mount that works with most air vent configurations. Perfect for the frequent traveler, you can go from entertainment on the plane to navigation in the car. You can even use this mount in the hotel as a phone or tablet stand. When you’re done with the mount, you can fold it up and place in the compact travel case with room for earbuds and charging cables. MSRP: $49.99.

Roadtripper animated demo: https://youtu.be/QD7T_7SvLZw 

-Dave from Bracketron explains how it works on an airplane seat back: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3yASVh9__Q  

Company website: https://www.bracketron.com/roadtripper-airplane-tablet-mount#.XJ0uDZhKhaR

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Ow0ddf - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Chad final gadget for his March theme: pointless & useless gadgets.

Chad's Final Useless and Pointless gadget is the Spikenzielabs' The Useless Machine.

Here's what Amazon says about it: The Useless Machine is a gizmo that turns itself off when you switch it on. But how? Is there a little stubborn person in the box playing a trick on you? Is it magic? No, it's a set of switches with a small motor and you get to put together! By building the kit yourself only you will know the secret of how it works. When you show it to your friends and co-workers, keep them guessing - after all you built it, it's your secret! $35.00

And Chad's take? This was a major disappointment for Chad. And an expensive one! Watch the video to see the results after Chad built the kit. Let's just say he's pointing the finger for his major disappointment at poor quality control. You'll see exactly why in this week's show. For $35.00 Chad said this probably the most, useless, pointless and disappointing product in a long time - or maybe ever on the show!

If you haven't learned your lesson, it's here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CMOZMC -As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases

I found this similar device while doing research for Chad's gadget. I don't have the heart to tell Chad about this wood version that appears to be smaller than the one Chad built, but this one is already built, and cost less than half of what Chad paid –  

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/2FAt9g4 - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1720

Dick's Gadget Warehouse & How to Submit Your Viewer Video On Any Kind Of Gadget!

It's time for another unique gadget discovered by a long-time loyal fan who loves gadgets as much as Chad & I do, Mo Torres. Here's his email:

Hey Guys

This is such a silly, no reason why this exists & useless gadget. So silly, that you have to buy it. I paid $29.98, not the current asking price of $45.00.

On Amazon it's: Compact Bluetooth Umbrella with Speaker micxroSD audio player - Travel Windproof Folding 7TECH Umbrella Compact Travel Windproof Bluetooth Folding Umbrellas for women,Ergonomic Handle, Auto Open/Close

Mo's video: YouTube: https://youtu.be/omwxfrnB430

Love the show - Mo

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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 earn a tiny amount of fame (hopefully). And if you live in the US, you'll also get an autographed 35-year-old Alfred E. Neuman picture and a MAD surprise (most likely the current issue of MAD.) But no matter where you live, I canemail an autographed to you Alfred E. Neuman photo if we show your video. Just print it out, frame it, or just hang it up and no one will know it's a copy. We've tested it out and fans say they look terrific!

All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv

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Letter of the week via Tech Guy Labs:

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Hey Dick-

I found several www.Fivebelow.com stores out here on the west coast. Bought two iPhone lightning connector docks for $5.00 each. Found some cool stuff on their website, like an app controlled RGB bulb that will work with an app for level and color control. The people there didn’t know about the $10,00 items (limited stock) that’s on the website, insisting that NOTHING there sells for more than $5.00 !

Docks (which come in various colors) are working great-they have an attached USB A cable -just sent back my recently purchased Apple dock back to Amazon @ $32.00. 

They apparently have stores all over, besides NYC. The attached photo of the dock reminds me of the Belkin dock which sells for $30 or more.

But I bought one, took it home and tested it and then went back for another one .Thanks for the tip on The Tech Guy Show, yesterday !