WOW!! Independent Show #200 Giz Wiz Show 1718 March 14, 2019

Happy Anniversary!!! This month Giz Wiz starts year 13 & 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!

Did you know there was such thing as LED Fireplace Lanterns?

There are lots of them online, but I found the i-Zoom Antique LED Fireplace Lantern on a 'deal of the day' website. Here's what the company said about it: This antique-style fireplace lantern delivers a wonderful ambient glow showing off its realistic LED Flickering Flame Effect. This next-generation flickering technology gives off a stunning effect complete with glowing logs. Put one on a table top, mantel, nightstand, or use the attached folding hanger to hang it up. You can use it outdoors as well - the casing and real glass panel is weather-resistant with a IP54 rating so you can hang it on a shepherd hook on the lawn, or place it on the front porch and patio. This rating means it will hold up to harsh sun rays and cold temperature, but you don't want it sitting in a pool of water. Battery-powered, it even comes with 3 AA batteries to use right out of the box. Power switch can be set to "burn" constantly until you're ready to turn it off (or the batteries die) or set to the 6 hour timer. It makes a great night light to fall asleep to for kids and adults alike! See how it looks and how it works in this week's video, or at the link below. Outside of a switch at the bottom (on, or on for six hours) that is very hard to operate, this is a good deal at about $11.00 each when you buy two at Pulse TV.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/L-9SmQECR6Q  

https://www.pulsetv.com/prodinfo.asp?number=8537 (It was still available as of 3/16/19)

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1718  

My LED Fountain from FiveBelow, Looks Like It Would Sell For $5 Above.

For years I was jealous that Chad had a FiveBelow Store to go to. But now there's one right here in NYC. On 5^th Avenue! I visited it 'just to look' and ending up spending $50 on a bunch of fun stuff. One of the neat things I bought was The Mirrored Wall LED Fountain. Here's what FiveBelow says about this fun gadget! “Promote relaxation with a tabletop water fountain. The mirrored wall LED fountain lights up & reflects the running water for double the ambiance! The perfect chill decor for your desk or tabletop, this small fountain runs on batteries or it can be plugged in! (It's small, roughly 4” X 5” X 7”). Includes natural river rocks. Intended for indoor use. Dual power operates on 3-volt adapter (not included) or 2 x AA batteries (not included). Brand: room 2 room™ Country of origin: china. ….I paid $5 and I think it's certainly worth it! See it in action on this week's show, or at the video below.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/WsgYk8n3ViQ  

FiveBelow Webpage: https://www.fivebelow.com/mirrored-wall-led-fountain.html (34 in stock on 3/14/19)

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1718  

Have a device that loves to devour AA Batteries?

If so, then you should know about the Everlasting Glow 93977 AA Battery Converter - Battery replacement device. If you have a battery operated device you love to leave on, but find it's using endless amounts of batteries, here's a way to end that with a device I found on Amazon. Some info from the company: “Save money by converting your AA battery operated device with this adapter. Light up LED candles and holiday décor without the worry of batteries giving out before the night is through with this power source. Insert the lead battery, then add enough blank batteries to fill your device and turn the switch to on, you can now use the switch on the cord to turn your device on and off. Extend the enjoyment of all your battery-operated decor with this clever adapter that will save you both time and money.” And now back to me. In this week's video you'll see me replace the 3 AA batteries in the LED fireplace lantern using this kit, and make it a device that now runs on AC. It did seems to be eating up a lot of batteries even though it's LED powered. But I assume there's some sort of small motor in the lantern generating the fake flames. Now it can stay on night and day even though the company says "unplug if you go to sleep, or leave the house."  Something Chad & I couldn't figure out is why does the kit seem to be designed for devices with four batteries (a total of 6 volts at 1.5v per battery) when the kit only provides 4.5 Volts. It works great in the Fireplace Lantern which does take 4.5 Volts - 3 1.5V AA batteries. Will a device with 4 AA batteries operate as well with 4.5 Volts. Can this be used in a device that only uses two AA batteries? If you know the answer, please email us so we can read your answer on the show! mail@gizwiz.tv. Thanks.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/t1znFghFSAg  

Amazon website: https://amzn.to/2TIF7yg  AAA version https://amzn.to/2XZr3Pb 

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

This never affects how we rate Amazon gadgets since we mostly buy everything we review.

 See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1718  

Chad's Crappy Corner & His Second Gadget For His New March Theme!

And that new theme as voted on by our loyal Patreons is something near and dear to some gadget lovers --- it's Stupid & Pointless Gadgets!!

This week Chad a picked a gadget that couldn't fit any better into that category! Meet the No Phone. Info from the company: 

The NoPhone is a fake phone for people who are addicted to real phones. As seen on ABC's Shark Tank, the NoPhone offers the only true alternative to constant hand-to-phone contact.The NoPhone is a technology-free alternative to constant hand-to-phone contact that allows you to stay connected with the real world. The NoPhone was awarded #1 Useless Gadget of 2015, beating out the Apple Watch. No Wifi. No Camera. No Phone. With a thin, light and completely wireless design, the NoPhone acts as a surrogate to any smart mobile device, enabling you to always have a rectangle of smooth, cold plastic to clutch without forgoing any potential engagement with your direct environment.

And Chad's take: Well, after getting it in the mail and opening it on camera Chad thought $14.99 for this pointless gadget was really high. He shows us that the workmanship is rather poor and basically you're paying $14.99 for a joke.

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/2TGf1Mh

Or course the chatroom pointed out that you can find fake phones that look like real phones but don't do anything, for way less than $14.99.

https://amzn.to/2Y02iT3 -

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

This never affects how we rate Amazon gadgets since we mostly buy everything we review.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1718  

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

Our viewer video this week arrived with this email from Tom Wynne:

Hello, love the show!

I have been watching since the very first episode. Keep up the good work :)

My gadget is a follow up to the Palm Pilot. It is the HP Jornada 540 Windows CE device with Stowaway portable keyboard.

https://youtu.be/tcxo3bqV83g  

Thanks again. Tom from Lynnwood, Washington

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1718

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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:  Important stuff to know about LifeStraw's global humanitarian efforts.

Hi guys!

We saw your episode containing gadgets from the International Housewares show media preview and wanted to follow up.

Unfortunately, we didn’t anticipate the lengthy delay between the event (mid January) and its appearance (mid March), otherwise would have been delighted to share launch plans for the Home pitcher via Kickstarter, as well as respond to questions posed during the episode regarding pricing and performance.

To provide clarity regarding pricing, it is worth noting that LifeStraw products contain inset global impact. For every product purchased, a school child in a developing country receives safe access to water for an entire school year. Buyers of products (whether a single product or 3-pack) receive a powerful and beneficial filtration product, and also support a global humanitarian effort (LifeStraw’s Give Back program) across some of the harshest backcountry regions around the world, where access to potable water is limited. In fact, the company’s first product was used to filter water for communities ravaged by Guinea Worm disease. Since the introduction of LifeStraw’s innovative filtration technology combined with the company’s global impact work, the disease has nearly been completely eradicated.

Finally, desalination of water is a super complex process requiring more than just filtration. While in jest Dick said he wanted to try the LifeStraw down on the Hudson River, we discouraged him to do so given that the Hudson is brackish, and the LifeStraw wouldn’t function in such an environment. LifeStraw technology does not desalinate water, it filters out parasites/bacteria/protozoa and toxins (herbicides/pesticides) from natural or tap water while reducing lead, chlorine and most importantly, microplastics, which continue to leech into our water supply.

We appreciate GizWiz’s engagement and interest in LifeStraw, but felt it valuable to clarify points and questions raised during the episode as questions from viewers may arise. It is incredibly important to avoid the spread of misinformation, especially when it has to do with public health. Kind regards, Wendy

Wendy B. Agudelo, Director