The Giz Wiz, Week of Nov 6th 2014, Show # 1493

Two Gadgets From The PDN PhotoPlus Show in the Javits Center.

Joby Suction Cup & Locking Arm VersionAt the show I learned about the Joby Action series. There’s the Joby Suction Cup & Locking Arm designed for action video cameras such as GoPro, Contour, and Sony Action Cam. There’s also the Joby Suction Cup & GorillaPod Arm version. I got to play with the suction cup mount at the show, locking it on the display table. I was unable to break the suction pulling up on it. It’s that powerful suction cup that let you set up your camera to shoot videos in seconds! The quick-twist design can easily grip and secure to any clean, non-porous surface. Once secured, you’re ready to position your video camera! Use the two locking arm pivot points to position it at any angle you need. The two pivot points rotate 360° and pivot 180° side to side. When your Joby Action Series Lock Arm is locked into place, you’ve set the perfect vibration-resistant angle for your video camera. Both versions are available now at MSRP $39.95 each which includes free ground shipping on the Joby website. (As of 11/3/14) As of 11/6/14 I did not see these two products on Amazon, but they’re new and may be on Amazon in the future at a discount. 

Video Company Demo: http://vimeo.com/110138884 

Company website: http://joby.com/action-series/suction-cup-locking-arm/ 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1493 

Quad Copter Not Good Enough? This can turn into an eight motor copter!

At the PDN PhotoPlus Show Rotoconcepts was showing the Scout X4. Since the entire show is indoors, they weren’t flying it. But the gentlemen explained many of the features and said more info and video was on their website. I went to their website and there was no info and no videos showing the Scout X4. I emailed them, but never got a reply. But I did find a lot more info on the web, including a video. The full name of the device is the Walkera Scout X4. Features I had never heard of before (but maybe you did) are the “follow me” mode, where you put a remote in your pocket or on your car dashboard and your Scout X4 follows you at the height you set. And if four propellers aren’t enough you can click four more on to the bottom of the four motors driving the top propellers to make it an eight prop device. You can also draw a flight plan on your iOS device and the Scout X4 can follow it for up to 125 waypoints. Flying time on a full charge is 25 minutes. In case I got anything wrong, all the details are at the Banggood website below where the Scout X4 sells for $1339.00. They’re over-seas but it includes free shipping to the US. If you're in the US, it’s on ebay for about the same price. I’d do a Walkera Scout X4 web search for the best price and best location for yourself. It was not on Amazon as of 11/6/14. 

Video of the Scout X4:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPG1aqQBAAo 

www.banggood.com  (Best bang for your buck, I believe is their slogan.)  

Company showing X4 at the Javits, but with nothing about it on their website as of 11/6/14  www.rotorconcept.com

ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/251702357354?lpid=82

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1493 

A Butler To Help With Falling Leaves And All Sorts of Garbage!

The Bag Butler. I bought one of these and tried it. Before I tell you about my experience, here’s some of what Amazon says about the Bag Butler: Fill leaf bags fast. Just rake leaves and debris right into the bag. No bending over. No touching leaves or debris. Bag Butlers make using any plastic trash bag much easier. Textured finish is easy to clean. You'll use it year round...in the yard, camping, recycling, picnics, field events (it's like a folding portable trash can), in the shop....anywhere, anytime you use trash bags. Made from solid, heavy duty 100% Recycled plastics  Simple to use...just fold The Bag Butler creating tension, slip into bag, and release. The Bag Butler's spring like action instantly pops the bag wide open so you have both hands free to do the job.

And the Giz Wiz’s take: This does work, but it takes a bit of practice to hold the Bag Butler handles tight together with one hand while you lower it into a trash bag you're holding open with your other hand. (Don’t try to do it on a windy day, or it will be really hard.) Also the Bag Butler handles have a rough texture and there's quite a bit tension, so I’d wear garden gloves or wrap the handles with tape. Outside of that it works as advertised. The price keeps going up so check out the latest price at the link below. It's expensive, but it should save you a lot of time disposing of stuff into large plastic bags.  

Amazon Link:  Bag Butler   As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/Qbvoy0QciG4 

Company website: www.bagbutler.com 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1493 

Chad's Crappy Corner!

The theme for Chad’s gadgets for the month of November is Stocking Stuffers For The Holidays.

Chad first gadget is a mini drone – Here’s some info from Amazon:

Syma X5 4 Channel 2.4GHz RC Explorers Quad Copter. A key 360 degree continuous roll for perfect action and wonderful performance. Build-in 6-axis gyroscope for precise hovering in the sky. Using spread spectrum technology for further remote distance, best anti-interference ability, least power consumption.  Reaction speed is 100 times faster than other radio control. Various control options for those piloting the X5 Up, Down, Left, Right, Forward, Backward, Leftward flight, Rightward flight. Modular design structure is applied, more simple for assembly and convenient for maintenance. $49.99. 

And Chad’s take: Chad loves this Quad Copter. Turns out Padre, Bryan, and almost everyone else at the Brickhouse loves them. I think five of them now own a Syma 5X. They say they are easy to fly and a ton of fun! Even though they crashed them dozens of times, they keep on flying! And they're inexpensive at under $50. The only warning, avoid the camera version. Padre said that even though it's just $5 more, the video quality is awful with a very shaky picture. Outside of that, buy, buy, buy! Padre suggests also buying a couple of extra batteries to extend the approximate flying time of 10 to 12 minutes. Bryan says it might be good to also get a couple of extra propellers, just in case.

http://www.amazon.com/Syma-Channel-2-4GHz-Explorers-Copter/dp/B00K5Y22VG/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1415306847&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=sima+drone - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

And Chad has a more reasonable stocking stuffer from Monoprice...  

A 5.25" Stylus with Retractable Screen Cleaner for all iPad®, iPhone®, iPod®, Tablets, and SmartPhones - Black. Here’s what Monoprice says about it: Are you sick of seeing smudges and dirt on your phone? Do you want more precise control over your touch screen device? If so, then what you need is this 5.25" Stylus with a Retractable Screen Cleaner from Monoprice! The stylus features a soft, slick, rubber tip made to easily slide across any touch screen surface, allowing precise control of icons and apps. It also contains a retractable screen cleaner inside the stylus so you can wipe your screen clean at any time. $3.54. And the website says: "free standard domestic shipping." 

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=112&cp_id=11201&cs_id=1120105&p_id=10280&seq=1&format=2 

And Chad’s take? Chad likes this stylus a lot. And the fact that it has a built-in retractable microfiber cleaning cloth makes it a great gift for under $4. So this too Chad thinks is a good buy!

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1493  

Dick's Gadget Warehouse. And how to submit your video to the show.

Our viewer video starts with an email like this one: 

Hey guys, 

I found more stuff that I'm going to add to my "gadget shelf" and I thought you'd like to take a look at some of the stuff!

http://youtu.be/mUUQQOaNags

Thanks for watching it.

This month's issue of Mad looks brilliant! It's fantastic to see Chad, Leo, Dick and Lisa in it!

Thanks again, Kevin 

kevindublin in chat 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1493  

                              +++++++++++ 

We’re just about out of Viewer Videos, so we're looking for more! We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show, so let’s go going! 

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. 

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 a new gadget you just bought too. 

Post them on YouTube and send our producer, Jeff Needles, 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 will now be awarded with some sort of prize. Like an autographed MAD magazine and some piece of crap. So that's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video! 

All show submissions go to gizwiz@twit.tv  

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Letter of the week: 

From: Joel J

Subject: Re: Blacklight alternative item 

Wassup Dick & OMGChad!!!, 

I saw your predicament on last episode when it came to the price of that Black-light Flashlight price. As a former NY resident (Born in Nyack -> raised in New City till 8 years of age), i thought to look on Amazon and found out there is a cheaper flashlight with Amazon FREE SHIPPING!!!! Keep up the gr8 work. Good Luck with Patreon Chad!!!!! 

Blacklight: $12.95 & FREE shipping

 JJtothe4884 in the chatroom

Thanks also to Steve Miller for sending me that link too. It’s great that fans help us out like that! I already have my flashlight and it sure looks the same as the one Chad showed. It was under $13 at the link right above as of 11/6/14. So I’m a happy camper, with a black-light flashlight. Hmmm...maybe this isn't the best kind of flashlight for camping.