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About Me

 

Known as MAD's Maddest Writer, co-host of The Giz Wiz with OMGchad at www.GizWiz.TV, The Giz Wiz on ABC's World News Now, and on Tech Guy Labs with Leo Laporte on www.TWiT.TV

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Entries from March 1, 2022 - March 31, 2022

Saturday
Mar262022

Show #1876 For Week of March 24th 2021 Independent Show 352 

AMAZING!! We just started year 17 of The Giz Wiz Show!

(The first Giz Wiz Show – called The Daily Giz Wiz back then – was February 20th 2006!) If it wasn't for our loyal supporters, 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/

 

I'm Letting A Wise Owl Be My Security System

 

It's the most unusual security system I've ever seen. Here's some info from the company: Both the motion sensor and plug-in receiver pick up alarm signals up to 1/2 mile away depending on the local terrain. The system adopts improved wireless transmission technology (FSK+FHSS) to avoid the wireless signal interference from other devices. Can detect moving people or vehicles from 35 feet to 50 feet in front of it. Two adjustable sensitivities (Low=35ft; High=50ft). Motion sensor uses 3 AA Alkaline batteries (not included). The receiver plugs into an AC outlet. The unit has been programmed before shipped. The unit includes one plug-in receiver and two motion sensors. Expandable up to 32 sensors and unlimited receivers for complete coverage of your outdoor/indoor property. 4 volume levels adjustment and 35 optional melodies. Was $35.99 as of 3/24/22.

 

From the Giz Wiz: You can tell from the photo how unusual looking these units are. Setting them up is fairly easy. Picking the tune you want to play when the alarm is tripped could take some time as you'll see on this week's see. On seeing them, Chad loved this security system.

 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/gpgvBvREAc4

 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JJbqTt $35.99 3/24/22

 

As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1876

Saturday
Mar262022

Does The Giz Wiz Have Enough LED Lights in the Gizneyland Studio?

Watch this week's show and judge for yourself. I felt I didn't have enough so I added a pair of HOUHUI rhythm light bars with 32 SMD 5050 LED lamp beads in each one. Each one has has a built-in microphone (and I don't know why) a noise cancellation function. It provides 21 dynamic modes and 8 pickup rhythm modes on the back of music rhythm light. I'm not sure about this either since there are just 3 buttons and one of them is on/off. The description mentions a smart app, but there is nothing in the instructions, on the box, or on the device itself to indicate there's any Bluetooth available. It is “USB & Battery Powered”. Use it wirelessly with the built in battery (No indication of the battery size) or it can be powered by DC 5V USB-C. Two charging cables are included. It's said to work for up to 3 hours with a full charge. But, and this is a stupid oversight for a device that has so many LED's – there is no LED to let you know when the unit is charging, or the state of the battery. That's just ridiculous. I was going to return them, but for about $9 each I guess I'll keep them.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/y2tO4LWxzto

Amazon: https://amzn.to/36rR7eT (Check around, I think you can do better than these.)

As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1876   

Friday
Mar252022

Do you take a lot of pills every day? This Pill Box Could Be A Big Help!

It's from Poke Label and it's a 4-A-Day for a Full Week Pill Box! This pill organizer has large deep compartments that will most likely be big enough for even very large pills. The company says you can store a week's worth of pills, and never worry about not putting enough medicine in it. The 4 times a day pill containers are marked Morning, Noon, Night, and Backup to remind you or your parents, or whomever, to take medicine on time. Not only do the lids lock with a click, but when the pills are taken out you can leave the lid open. That way with just a glance you can tell which of the daily pills you already took. Each daily container is seperate so you can take it with you. Going on a short trip, take the pills for the number of days you'll be away. Or take the entire locking tray if you're going for a full 7 days. It an easy way to organize meds and keep your pills in order. MSRP: $16.99, but it's often on sale for less.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/pZrSpz8WJqc

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ulqjoy

As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1876

Friday
Mar252022

Chad's Crappy Corner and his Patreon picked March Cheap Gadget Theme. 

The March theme is “Cheap Time Keeping Gadgets”. Chad's 4th cheap time keeping gadget is the Dretec Digital Timer Waterproof Shower Timer/ Shower Clock.

From the company: It is useful not only for shower time, but also for studying, exercising, cooking, and the outdoors. It has IPX7 level water resistance that can withstand water to a depth of 1 meter for more than 30 min. It can serve as both a timer and a watch. In addition to the standard count up, count down and repeat functions, the timer has 3 quickly adjustable buttons (10min/1min/10sec). The alarm continues for 15 sec and conveniently turns off automatically. You can switch the timer to a clock with just one button. Magnetic back, retractable stand, and a hook for hanging. $18.99 - Available in white, or silver & black. W 3.2” × D 0.5” × H 3.5in.

And Chad's take: Chad like this a lot. When not using it in the shower you can take this pocket size timer anywhere. Chad thought it looked well made, and it was easy to switch between timer and clock and set timers. He thought it was well worth the $18.99 he paid.

https://amzn.to/36sFMv9

As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1876

Friday
Mar252022

Dick's Gadget Warehouse & How To Submit Your Video And Win An Autographed MAD Magazine.

Yes! A fan submitting a warehouse video for the first time! Chad and I love when this happens!

And that email of the week is from Tim Desormo who writes:

Hi Dick & Chad,

This is my first video but my wife and I have been a long long time listener. I have a gadget that has seemed to peak the interest of others and I thought I would share it with you and the listeners.

Hope you enjoy this gadget.

I paid $89.95 at Ebay and they are plentiful and there are other brands that do about the same thing.

https://youtu.be/NecKiVobsRc

Tim Desormo

From the Giz Wiz. I also found two of them on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NinuNG $89.95. One phone

https://amzn.to/3qxSEac $119.95 For 2phones. As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

Be sure to watch this week's show because there are gadgets that might do something similar for a much lower price!

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1876

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show! 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.
-
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.
-
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 38+ year old Alfred E. Neuman picture and a MAD surprise (most likely the current issue of MAD.) But no matter where you live outside of US, I can autograph an Alfred E. Neuman photo to you, scan it & email you a high res copy 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! If you submitting warehouse videos for a second, third time, etc., you'll get the current issue of MAD as a thank you.

All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv  

 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 Email of the week!

 Subject: Tool for Chad's Floating Top!

Dickie De, There is a tool for Chad's floating top to help it float. I have one and it's actually in the base so you start it spinning on the base then carefully lift the base up until it floats, then take the base away leaving the top spinning in mid air. The base has to be leveled by the wedges and the top has to be perfectly balanced, then you can make it float by spinning it very fast between your finger and thumb but it's hard to do at first. I had to watch some Youtube videos showing how to do it in order to get it to work.

(Watch this week's show for a video demostration video Chad found.)

Also, the Dust Daddy is intended to use for cleaning dust and dirt out of spaces that have a lot of small items that would get sucked up by the regular vacuum hose but you don't want to have to take them out before cleaning, such in drawers. In that case it works pretty well.

Steve C. Phoenix