Here's a gadget I found at the National Hardware Show back in 2001! It was from Leica (Yes, the camera people). They introduced the DISTO Laser Distance Meter. This is a hand-held laser rangefinder that offers fast and easy distance measurements of length, squares and volumes with the press of a button. Forget about messing around with a tape measure and coming up with inaccurate measurements. Worse yet is the problem you encounter when you try to figure out the volume of a room. Not only do you have to add up all those measurements, but many include weird fractions. Yep, it’s no fun. With the Leica DISTO Distance Meter measurements are so precise and reliable they can measure up to 200 meters with millimeter accuracy. With a press of one button you get your quick laser measurement, and can figure out thing like how much carpeting a room needs, gallons of paint required to cover an area, etc. Although the unit I have is long gone from the marketplace there are much more feature laden models now. You can get info transferred to your iPad, iPhone, laptop, via Bluetooth, with much newer models. Eight years ago the Disto Classic Lite I have cost about $500! They are much more reasonable now, with some models under $200. But the higher end models, which have full color screens, still go into the $600-$700 range. You can learn all about the new Disto models at the company website.
www.disto.com
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First time ever our 'letter of the week' is a viewer's video from someone who won a piece of crap for their "I Invented This" video.
Bobh's "I invented that" video featured his internet Usage Monitor to deal with data caps from your ISP.
In case you missed it, his winning video is here: http://vimeo.com/63508709
And now a new video from @bobh - one he shot after receiving his well-earned 'piece of crap':
I repurpose the Human Slingshot Product Bag.
https://vimeo.com/66168305
btw: The Human Slingshot itself will ultimately share "Adriana's Fate" ( see The Soprano's episode "Long Term Parking" ) @bobh
And sorry Bob, you don't get another piece of crap for sending in a video thanking us for your 1st piece of crap!
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.
NEW! NEW! NEW! If we select and show your video on The Giz Wiz you will now be awarded with some sort of prize. It's Leo's way to get rid of all the "crap from Sky Mall" he's collected. So there's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video!
All show submissions go to gizwiz@twit.tv
May 23, 2013 
I like this idea and in theory it looks like it should work rather well. Here’s what Solar Infra Systems says about their SIS model solar heater: It is like a room electric convection air space heater except it is operated by the sun’s solar energy. Hang or set it in a sun facing window, as shown (in the picture), or sideways, or even upside down, and it will maintain heat in a large room or area in the home. Its heating capacity is equivalent to a 150 to 500 watt electric heater, depending on the daytime sun and cloud cover. Sunlight operates a fan on the heater. The fan draws the room air into the heater and then pulls the air through metal solar energy collectors heated by the sun. The solar heated air is recirculated back into the room. The fan has a speed control so the air exchange in the room can be set, usually to 1 to 1-1/2 hours, at up to 75 cubic feet per minute. ---- Reading this description after the show makes me a wonder how big a room you can warm with the heating capacity equal to a 150 to 500 watt electric heater. 500 watts is not too bad. Most portable AC heaters at low use 600 to 750 watts and do put out a fair amount of heat. A salesman at the show told me the cost of Solar Infra System SIS Heater when it hits the big box stores will be $299.99.
