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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 October 1, 2018 - October 31, 2018

Friday
Oct192018

The Giz Wiz Show 1697, October 19th 2018 Independent Show #180 

The Giz Wiz Show is far into it's 13th year of production, and the fourth year of Independent Production! (The very first show was February 20th, 2006.) Thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters we continue on! If it wasn't for them, 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. You can also contribute just once via the PayPal link that's there too. And thank you for doing that! Our show wouldn't exist without our viewer's support, but a bit more support would be a big help. Thanks from OMGchad & DickDe!)

This week we check out three unique gadgets from the always exciting Luxury Technology Show.

 

But first a look back at one of the most astounding gadgets I ever found at a Luxury Technology Show or any tech show! It was an actual aircraft with a 34.8-foot wingspan on display inside a relatively small exhibit space really got my attention! I even got to sit inside the cockpit. I was totally impressed that the entire aircraft and its passengers can be landed safely in an emergency via a built-in parachute. It's a Cirrus Aircraft with equipped with their CAPS system. (Cirrus Airframe Parachute System). In 2014 Cirrus Aircraft SR-series fleet surpassed five million flight hours with 95 lives saved as a direct result of CAPS being a standard safety feature on all Cirrus aircraft. Price is the $700,000 range.

 

Company website: http://www.cirrusaircraft.com/

 

Not quite as dramatic, but probably more useful for the tech family is the SmartFlower Solar system. This is another 'big' gadget and they had a full sized unit out in the street so the press could see it in person. The SmartFlower is a fully integrated, all-in-one solar system that can live anywhere, but certainly the sunnier, the better. SmartFlower uses GPS tracking aligned to the specific longitude and latitude of the site where it is installed. This precise tracking can increase productivity by as much as 40%. They do want it setup by one of their installers to get the full warantee. There are two models that use the same moving solar panels, but the “plus” adds built in batteries to keep you in power when the regular power goes out. Within the next few months, all SmartFlowers will be upgraded to allow for remote monitoring. That means, using a smartphone/tablet, the owner and/or the dealer may determine the energy production and whether there are any problems from virtually anywhere in the world. I asked about how much power a SmartFlower typically produces. The answer is anywhere from 4,500 to over 6,500 kWh per year, depending on where it is located. So it's enough for a small house or cottage. And from The Giz Wiz: I asked what happens when it get windy. A spokesperson told me If winds reach 29 mph, the SmartFlower panels automatically move into horizontal position (Safety Position 1) to allow the wind to pass over and under them but the SmartFlower remains open to continue producing energy. If the winds reach 39 mph or higher the panels automatically fold up and down into secure position. The price is $24,950. Installation is about $7,000. The spokesperson said you get 30% rebate from the government for personal use or business use, but if you're using this for a business, you can write the entire investment off. (Better check with your accountant to be sure!)

 

http://smartflowersolar.com

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btdX8QdbyRQ

 

A day done in a minute with SmartFlower in use:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rk2bjO3hjY

 

See or hear this episode: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1697  

Friday
Oct192018

This Autocycle can hit 100 mph in just 4.5 seconds!

I wasn't quite sure what to make of the Vanderhall Venice when I first saw it. It's a two-seat with three wheels and a luxury interior. It's very low profile and you climb in since there are no doors to open and roof to hit your head on. What is this vehicle considered? The spokesperson at show said it was an autocycle, and it could be driven on any US highway with a regular driver's license. The company website seems to indicate it might be called a three-wheeled motorcycle, but you don't need to wear a helmet to drive or ride in it. I do know Jay Leno LOVES this car. You can watch his Jay Leno's Garage video on the company website. Jay said if he was guessing at the price, he would say $50,000+. He was amazed to hear the price is $29,950. Jay added that he didn't know how the US company could make it with the all features and all the workmanship for under $30,000. It has General Motors 1.4-liter 180 HP turbo engine which is a lot to push a 1,450-pound vehicle. Tony, the spokesperson said it can hit 60 miles per hour in just 4.5 seconds. And you can bring to a dead stop from 60 miles an hour in just 100 feet.

Giz Wiz Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yvovR3IsPo 

 

Company website: https://vanderhallusa.com/

 

See or hear this episode: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1697  

Friday
Oct192018

Here's The Ultimate Wine 'Cellar' Cabinet.

The WineCab is a wine cellar that stands in any room of your house, assuming the ceiling is at least 9' 4” high. It's completely automated and it's a first from Calvary Robotics. They say their WineCab is the most advanced wine storage, and inventory system in the world. I have to admit I have never seen anything like it. A robotic arm uses advanced technology and data to store, serve and let you know everything about your collection. The 1300 pound 9”3” high, is 4' wide and 3.5' deep wood cabinet alone is impressive. With configurable LED RGBW you can easily personalize how you wish the interior to be illuminated. When I asked how the information about each bottle of wine is entered into the inventory, a spokesperson said you just put your bottles of wine in the front loading drawer, close it, and the robotic arm will pick up and scan each bottle and then download the data from it's inventory of 600,000 labels. You can then consult that data via one of the two included iPod tablets making you the expert with perfect knowledge of food pairings, wine notes, the winery, and its region. Calvary Robotics says the WineCab is their first robotic arm for the home. They add that their next two products will bring even more value to the home market in Safety, Security and Health Care. Now this is not inexpensive. It is---- ready?? $70,000! But only $60,000 if you order one before the end of October 2018. And Coming soon:Single Glass Pour option for the WineCab which will include an aerator needle system to pour one glass at a time. 

https://winecab.com/

 

See or hear this episode: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1697  

Friday
Oct192018

Chad's Crappy Corner & Another Gadget For His October Theme, Cheap Halloween Gadgets!

Chad's third cheap Halloween gadget is: The Zero Toys Wizard Stick.

Here's what Amazon says about it: When you need a convenient source of fog to help visualize convention or an airflow experiment, the last thing you need to worry about is setting off the smoke alarm! This Wizard Stick produces a stream of safe, condensed vapor droplets and contains no actual solid 'smoke' particles to set off the alarm or cause injury. Using the same special effects technology found in Hollywood films, the Wizard Stick is safe, non-toxic, easy to use and cost effective. Each Wizard Stick includes 3oz. of fluid (fluid refills available). Requires 6 AA batteries (not included).

 

And Chad's take: Chad like this 'smoke maker'. It does require 6 AA batteries, but it ships with a decent supply of smoke juice. You'll see the amount of smoke Chad can create with just a little bit of the stuff. You'll see Chad's full review in this week's show, but all-in-all, he thought it was pretty good for under $24 on Amazon. It's Amazon Prime so free shipping for Amazon members.

 

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/2CU8jct

 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1697  

Friday
Oct192018

Dick's Gadget Warehouse & How to Submit Your Viewer Video.

We have another video from long time Giz Wiz fan, Mo Torres. This time it's a very old camera. Here's Mo's email:

Hey guys

 

I have another video for you, I think you will like. Wife & Son Paid $5 for it, & gave it to me as a gift. At the end of video, I have a clip from B&H, as they had the same camera, in their museum type display, for old cameras.

 

YouTube: https://youtu.be/A5SmADw0nfo

 

Mo - Patreon Supporter

 

From The Giz Wiz: On YouTube I found this young guy who has pretty much the same camera and he shoots pictures with it using a roll of 48 year old Polaroid film!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yvovR3IsPo


See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1697

 

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We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show, so 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 35-year-old Alfred E. Neuman picture and a MAD surprise (most likely the current issue of MAD.) But no matter where you live, I canemail an autographed to you Alfred E. Neuman photo 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!

 

All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv

 

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