Weekly Daily Giz Wiz – Week of May 14, 2012, Netcast 1364 (The real Netcast 1364)

New tools you can wear!

Every year at the National Hardware Show I make sure to stop by the Swiss Tech booth because they never fail to introduce several new products. This year a few of them caught my eye, and here are two of them. The 7-in-1 XDrive Micro Ratchet Tool is lightweight and easy to use. Rather than have all the tools fold out, the X-Drive Micro Ratchet-Tool has a swing-out bit storage tray containing all five-tool drivers. There’s a Flat Head Driver, #2 Phillips Driver, 5/32” Allen Driver,1/8” Allen Driver, and a 1/4" Socket Driver. The ¼” socket driver fits standard sized sockets and adds tremendous versatility to an already versatile and convenient pocket-sized micro multi-tool. Each driver locks in magnetically and can be used with the smooth action reversible ratchet.. There’s an LED at either side of the tool so you can illuminate the job at hand as you work. If you want to wear the Xdrive Micro Ratchet Tool, there’s a key chain quick release. The tool is 3.6" x 1.4" x .7" and it weighs 1.92 Oz. The  50,000-hour LED bulbs are powered by 2 CR1025 lithium batteries which are included. MSRP Under $12. Under $10 if you do a web search at Amazon. Company website info:

https://www.swisstechstore.com/home.php?cat=86

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1364

This link usually goes live Sunday, the day after we recorded this show.

Years ago, when I did the Zelco Purse Guard, Leo make fun of it (see link below). I don’t how he’ll react to the new Swiss Tech BodyGard Purse Light and Alarm. This device should appeal to anyone who has been frustrated trying to find something in a dark purse. But it’s not limited to lighting the inside of a purse. A large clip on the back of the BodyGuard Purse Light attaches it to belt, purse or pretty much anywhere. You could attach it to a pocket and with its 3 LED panoramic dome light and reflector, it could help light your way as you walk at night. But wait, there’s more! If you feel threatened and want to attract people nearby, push a button on the BodyGuard Purse Light to set off the built-in sonic alarm, which reaches up to 130 dB. There’s also a lanyard to attach this device to a purse strap or you can wear it around the neck. The replaceable batteries are included. It weighs 1.3 oz and is 2.4” x 1.83” x 1.33”. MSRP: Under $12.00 

https://www.swisstechstore.com/product.php?productid=429&cat=66&page=1

Zelco Purse Guard: http://www.gizwizsearch.com/episode-406.html

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1364

This link usually goes live Sunday, the day after we recorded this show.

Video of the week --- Come out and come out clean!

Jet-Pro Shower Spa is an easy way to rejuvenate your bathroom in an hour or less, according to the folks at the company. There’s no remodeling or new plumbing required. Jet-Pro Shower Spas come in a wide range of models. They offer everything from a giant 8-inch Rain-Style showerhead to a removable Twist Select Hand Shower. Some models offer their exclusive Powerful Comfort Jets, which are aligned with critical muscle groups in the back and shoulders, to help relax you in the privacy of your own bathroom. Looking at the higher end Jet-Pro Shower Spas you expect there would be quite a bit of plumbing involved. But at the National Hardware Show, I got quite a surprise when the spokesman turned the unit around to show me the back. 99% of the unit is pre-plumbed and requires just a single hose hook-up to your water supply. So basically it lets you give any shower (home, apartment, hotel or health club) a remodel upgrade in less than an hour. There’s no new construction or changes to existing pipes and water pressure. And amazingly, you don’t even have to turn off the water supply! You just remove the old showerhead, attach two mounting brackets to the bathroom wall, make a flexible hose connection to your current shower water line, hang unit and enjoy! The Jet-Pro Shower Spa panel is ready-to-use immediately after installation. You do have to make sure your water pressure is at least 30 PSI. I was told most homes will have more than 30 PSI. On the Jet-Pro website you can watch their step-by-step video to see how easy it is to install yourself.  While you’re there you can see all the various models from simple, to multi-purpose. They range in price from about $200 to $500. I did some web searches and in many cases, the price on the company website was lower than on other websites. 

www.jet-proshowerspas.com 

Giz Wiz Shower-Pro Video: (At the Hardware Show, not in the shower!)

http://youtu.be/7HlfEcY5IZA

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1364

Another neat, new kind of light!

The Box Light in a Coleman CoolerI just installed a The Box Light inside one of the hatches on my workboat. Designed for dark places on board that have no power source, the waterproof Box Light is from a company called Regarding The Outdoors. It provides a bright 180-degree beam via five LEDs. But it’s not just for boats. The Box Light can go under the hood of your car, under the trunk door, inside a toolbox lid; anything with a lid that you open and then need light to see inside. It’s powered by three AAA batteries (not included) and it turns on automatically when you open the lid you’ve attached it to. And, of course, it goes off automatically when you close the lid. Yes, I checked it out in the dark so I could watch it go on and off. But wait, there’s more! A daylight sensor keeps the light from going on when you don’t need it, which will help preserve battery power. At about 2.5” X 3.5” X ¾” The Box Light is compact and lightweight. I installed mine in under a minute with the provided two-sided mounting tape. Or can attach it with screws, which are also supplied. The light bracket is designed so you can remove The Box Light easily for hand held use. MSRP is $19.95.

www.theboxlight.com

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1364

This link usually goes live Sunday, the day after we recorded this show.

Time for Leo’s Turn The Table Turkey – Cue the drums!

Leo’s pick this week is musical! It’s the Korg Wavedrum Mini! This fun gadget is designed for on-the-go musicians. (And for hosts who sit at desks and can’t stop playing with it.) The Wavedrum Mini can be used just about anywhere because it has a built-in speaker, and it’s battery-powered. A really unique feature is the revolutionary sensor clip that transforms nearly any object into an instrument. Leo put it on his glasses, iPhone, desk, etc., and managed to make decent sounds. It didn’t work connected to his ears! The Wavedrum Mini offers 100 sounds, 10 audio effects, 100 rhythm patterns, plus an overdubbing loop recorder! You just tap your fingers on the Wavedrum Mini's pad surface and play one of the 100 ready-to-play sounds. Attach the Sensor Clip to nearly any object or surface and play a second sound simultaneously. Add in one of the 10 preset effects; play along to any of 100 rhythm patterns; and add layer upon layer using the built-in Looper. Leo did pretty well considering he just took it out of the box and started playing. If you’re entertaining at a party, there’s even a strap for securing the Wavedrum Mini to your thigh as you play in a sitting position! Of course Leo playing his sitting on his ball. It also ships with an AC adaptor and there’s a line out for home/studio use. This much fun comes at a price. Although the MSRP is $500, it’s available on Amazon for $299. Leo said he would have liked it even more if the price was lower.

Company website: http://www.korg.com/wavedrummini

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1364

This link usually goes live Sunday, the day after we recorded this show.

Dick's Gadget Warehouse - Cruizin' Coolers Is Still Trucking On!

At the Hardware Show in 2006, six years ago, I saw my first Cruizin’ Cooler. What is it? Here’s a bit of what I wrote six years ago: A Cruizin Cooler is an ice chest you can ride on. It has a seat, steering handle and is available with either a gas or electric engine. The gas engine I saw was a 33cc 2 cycle engine with disc brakes It can hit 13 miles an hour, and no it’s NOT designed for any sort of road use. There are also 300 and 500-watt electric models. The Cruzin Cooler has up  to a 10 mile range on electric models and 30 miles on the gas models. Since the engine cuts down the amount of stuff you can carry, they make trailers so you can assemble your own mini-cooler train. Cruzin Coolers wasn’t at this years (2012) National Hardware Show, but it turns out they are not ready for Dick’s Gadget Warehouse. The Cruzin Cooler website is still up and running. It seems they have new models, including a new 1,000-watt electric model. One thing hasn’t changed, however. If you click the “buy” button, here’s the first thing that comes up: 

         WARNING! READ THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Cruzin Coolers are motorized vehicles and as such are inherently dangerous. A driver or passenger may suffer serious injury or death while operating this vehicle. Extreme caution should be used while operating these units. All riders need to wear protective gear including an approved helmet. These units are designed for the operation with only one passenger not weighting more than 200 pounds and at least 18 years of age. These coolers are designed to be used on flat level paved surfaces only, grades may make the cooler run at excessive speeds downhill.  Many of the coolers are of a three wheel design. This design is known to be less stable than a 4 wheel configuration and could cause the vehicle to become unstable and cause an accident. Again, extreme caution should be used while riding this vehicle. 

Still want to buy one? Here you go: http://www.cruzincooler.com/

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1364

This link usually goes live Sunday, the day after we recorded this show.