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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 May 1, 2021 - May 31, 2021

Friday
May212021

Show #1832 Thursday May 20, 2021 Independent Show 312

Wow! We're in year 16 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/  

And now those who need a quick cup of coffee in the morning....

Or any time during the day? A Kcup is too little? A full carafe, too much? What to do? Well I bought the compact, Hamilton Beach 5 Cup small coffee maker (48136). Great for small kitchens, dorm rooms, boats and small office. Amazon says “even travel”, but yes, for a RV, perfect. It's the only one I saw that says: “Smart Plug Compatible: Plug Into Any Smart Plug Compatible With Alexa, Google Home or Siri to Voice Control or Add to Your Routines; Smart Plug Sold Separately.” There's no clock, no auto shut off, but it does have two features I had to have: Automatic Pause and Serve: Brewing stop when carafe is removed so you can pour your first cup before the whole pot is ready. And I had to have a warming plate to keep the coffee hot. Again, this machine does not have auto shut off, but it does have a red “on” light so you can tell at a glance that it's on. Cleanup is easy because HB says the carafe and brew basket are dishwasher safe. And the price? Under $20 on 5/21/21!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Sl5ryd As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

Friday
May212021

A Quickie 'What The Heck Is It?' (See if you can guess.)

If you didn't guess it, it's a portable shopping cart safety tray for children called Buggie Huggie. The tray designed for babies & toddlers is said to be BPA-Free and made with food-grade material for daily use. Load tested up to 80 pounds. Shopping carts are often outfitted with a section for children to sit during trips to the store but often sees them standing up or squirming their way out. The inventors of 'Buggie Huggie' (a husband and wife who had a child fall out a regular shopping cartis position their device as a way to keep kids safer and entertained. The tray 'hugs' around the child once in the shopping cart and helps prevent them from standing up or potentially falling out of the shopping cart. When you're done shopping Buggie Huggie folds up quickly for convenient storage. MSRP: $39.95. Optional Holder for smartphone that snaps on to the tray: $14.95. (It is included on the Amazon version.)

https://buggiehuggie.com/ - Company video is here.

 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3yqSfbX  - this version comes with the optional phone holder. $54.95. 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/1832  

Friday
May212021

Scrub & Rinse At The Same Time With Deck Washer.

It seems my Homeright Deck Washer has been sitting in the backyard deckbox for quite some time. In the video I said I had it for four years, but now I see it was probably ten years because the box was printed in 2011. It 's shown on on Amazon, but comes up "unavailable". It's probably available someplace, so here's some info from the company: The Homeright Deck Washer C800876 allows you to pressure clean while you sweep. The stiff bristles loosen and push debris, and the high pressure water jets blast the surface clean. The Deck Washer is also great for eliminating mold and mildew, suppressing dust, cleaning between the cracks and removing stubborn dirt and debris. It was priced at about $32.00. This works well, but I see by the reviews people wish it was built stronger. The brush seems heavy duty, but the handle is aluminum and plastic, so it can't take a beating. Chad found two possible alternatives on Amazon that look like they do the same thing, scrub and rinse at the same tiem.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/VA-yDZud3oA

 

The company still makes other outdoor products: http://www.homeright.com/.  

 

In the video I said it would be great if you could add a detergent dispensor. Turns out they did offer one a year after I got mine. The manual is still on their website:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.homeright.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F3%2F2020%2F01%2FC820512A_MAN_DeckWasher_HR.pdf  

 

Two similar devices Chad found on Amazon during the show:

 

Camco RV Flow-Through Wash Brush with Adjustable Handle

Under $27 - https://amzn.to/3vexePx  - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

 

Big Boss Broom Jet - Under $35. https://amzn.to/3wsCX4s 

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/1832

Friday
May212021

Chad's Crappy Corner & his third gadget for his new May Theme.

The winning theme for Chad's Crappy Corner, voted on by our loyal Patreons, is Cheap Anti-Theft & Security Gadgets.

Chad's third security gadget of the month is the PIR Motion Sensor Detector Infrared Alert System - Integrated Home Infrared Anti-Theft Security Alarm, Wireless Home Security Driveway Alarm. Here's what Amazon says about it: This product integrates detection, reception, and alarm. When it finds that someone in the monitored area is active, it will immediately sound a siren alarm to remind the owner to pay attention to or intimidate the illegal intruder. It has a small size, is easy to install and use, and requires no wiring; it can also be carried around and temporarily armed. Motion Detect,this motion detector integrates detection, reception, and alarm. When it finds that someone in the monitored area is active, it will immediately sound a siren alarm to remind the owner to pay attention to or intimidate the illegal intruder. Infrared Probe,the low-power, high-sensitivity infrared probe is equally sensitive, day or night. Once the thief enters the surveillance range, the alarm will automatically. Screw only. 4 AAA Sound is sonorous.

 

And Chad's Take? It's Loud -but no actual decibel rating is provided. There are no instructions, but Chad found out a bit about how to set it up & get out of the room before the alarm goes off, so be sure to watch this week's show. And it's cheap. Built cheap, and sells cheap. Under $8, and batteries of course, not included. Also strangely, the product box is branded Electronic Dog Alarm.

$8.79 Amazon: https://amzn.to/34arbzz 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/1832  

Friday
May212021

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

This never happened before. We have two-in-a-row from Mo, our most loyal fan. We showed another Mo video on our last show, but he Mo wanted us to show this video during Chad's 'Safety Gadget Month” theme. And so we are! (And we're also pretty much out of Gadget Warehouse Videos - so see below about submitting one!! It's fun.) Here's Mo's email:

Hey guys, I have a security gadget, made just for you guys, & maybe some of your fans.

 

Youtube: https://youtu.be/e_I-tw-XCJA

 

Some info on item.

Door Stopper Security Tool Alarm 120 dB Traveling Hotel Home
Apartment Door - GiZ WiZ  --  Upgraded Door Stop Alarm 3-Pack, Door Stoppers
Security Alarm with 120 dB - Great Gift for Traveling Hotel Home

Cost: $16.59 / 3 Pack- Purchased on amazon's website.

Amazon:
  https://amzn.to/3hSj4Qx  As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

MO

 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1832

 

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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.
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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 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  

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