Giz Wiz Show 1748 October 10, 2019 Independent Show #230

Wow! The Giz Wiz Show is in year 13 overall & our 5th year of Independent Production! (First Giz Wiz 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. 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!

To start off this week's show The Giz Wiz Compares Two LED Plug-in Dimmers.

Now that Gizneyland has all new LED lighting, we wanted better dimming control for them. We bought two dimmers on Amazon advertised as “LED” dimmers. We found the more famous and expensive one didn't work as well as the unknown brand (at least to me) did. The Topgreener had better ratings, was lower priced and worked a lot better. You'll see my (fairly unscientific) results in this week's video. I did buy a Lux meter to make it faster and easier to judge which dimmer was doing the better job. Far and away for me the Topgreener brand was the winner. You'll both in action on this week's show.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/jF0ISuROdC8

Lutron dimmer: https://amzn.to/2M1AB8i  

Topgreener dimmer:  https://amzn.to/2M3k57I  The Lux Meter is the Dr.meter LX1332B, but one was less money:  https://amzn.to/2VAZICj  - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

This never affects how we rate Amazon gadgets since we mostly buy everything we review.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1748  

The famous Inka Pen Returns after 3+ year absence.

The Inka Pen is one of my favorite gadgets. It's small enough to hang on a keychain to provide you with an excellent writing pen whenever you need one. The company Nite Ize that produces the pen had stopped making it in favor of a new pen/stylus combination. But it was bigger and came with a pocket clip so it didn't fit on a keychain. But now the original Inka pen is back. It's engineered to write in all conditions - underwater, at any altitude, in extreme temperatures, and at any angle. And as you'll see on this week's show, with just a few twists and turns you turn it into a full-size writing instrument. The stainless steel split ring lets you to attach it securely wherever you need it. Housed in a durable and lightweight aluminum body, the Inka pen features a replaceable pressurized ink cartridge that gives the Inka Pen its amazing ability to Write Anywhere®. Waterproof blue ink. Dimensions: .378" diameter x 3.95" x .98" (with keyring) Weight: .35oz | 11g. MSRP: $12.00

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/dNiLphEdZx4  

Nite Ize Comapy Link: (All color choices are available here.) https://www.niteize.com/product/INKA-Key-Chain-Pen.asp  

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1748

Yet another new toy, this one from the Holiday of Play event.

This how short & how tall - 32"- the Hatchimal can go.It was very noisy at the Time To Play Event, so we stopped recording after about 15 seconds. But you'll see me with new Hatchimals Wow and then in we'll see what this mystical creature can do by showing the company video.

The Hatchimals Wowis a Llalacorn 32" Tall Interactive with Re-Hatchable Egg. I believe a Llalacorn is cross between a llama and unicorn. (But I could be wrong.)  Here's some info from the company: Inside the largest Hatchimals egg ever, you could hatch a pink or purple Hatchimals wow in only 5 minutes! Then, extend the egg play and hatch again and again – each time llalacorn wakes up, she'll be in 1 of 10 surprise moods! Grows to 32 inches tall: With a neck that can magically shrink or grow tall, soft and fluffy llalacorn expresses her emotions through her movements and comes to life! Over 250 sounds and reactions, discover llalacorn’s unique personality as you play! She shrinks down when she's held; chases her accessory up and down; sings along to music; grows tall to reach the high note and more! Kids aged 5 and up. Requires 4 AA batteries (included). hatch a whole new experience with Hatchimals wow! MSRP: $77.00, but as of 10/11/19 there was a check box to get $7.01 off. That would bring the price to $69.99.

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/35r0o1h - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1748

This never affects how we rate Amazon gadgets since we mostly buy everything we review.

Chad's Crappy Corner & Another Gadget For His October Theme!

Chad's October theme, as picked by our loyal Patreons, is “cheap gadgets from Alibaba!

Chad's second Alababa week gadget is (as they describe it): Beautiful Breathable Portable Pet Carrier Bag Outdoor Travel puppy cat bag Transparent Space Pet Backpack Capsule.

Here's what Alibaba says about it: This brand new pet capsule backpack is convenient for your outdoor. Transparent design, helpful for calming down pet's anxiety, provide your pet a secure environment. Breathable and comfortable. Suitable for small or medium dogs and cats. Allow your pet to view sunshine and scenery from the outside world. Several ventilation holes on the side of the backpack, provide sufficient air circulation, make your pet breathe comfortably. Secure built-in locking mechanism, prevent your pet from jumping out, getting lost or hurt themselves. Detachable soft bottom mat, easy for cleaning, more hygienic. Ergonomic widen shoulder strap, make you carry your pet effortlessly. Perfect for travelling, walking, hiking and hanging out.

And Chad's take? Well, I think Chad's cat Waffle's take was more important here. On seeing it I thought what cat would stand still when trying to put him or her into a plastic bubble, but it turns out Waffles loves it! Chad said Waffles actually goes into it on her own to relax from time to time. But it's not only the cat, Chad likes this gadget too and says it's one of the least-crappy of his crappy gadgets so far. You'll see the whole story on this week's show. It's under $25 on Alibaba, and Chad points out there are dozens of similar pet carriers, some with portholes, when you go their website.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32953565667.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.67ce4c4d9AS8MI 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1748

Dick's Gadget Warehouse & How to Submit Your Viewer Video On Any Kind Of Gadget!

Our video this week is from a viewer who bought 3 speakers for under $10 and wired them into a much bigger boombox. Here's Henry's DIY project email:

Hi dick and chad,

I bought 3 speakers for 10 SGD or 7.30USD.

I took the circuit out and connected a bigger battery and speakers.

I got the idea from one of your videos.

Have to use round speakers to easily cut the hole.

The whole setup took maybe like 3hours..... Battery was 520mAh not 5200 :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpw_YU2YLc4    

Regards Henry New

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1748   

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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 hting? 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 can email 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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Letter of the week!

Dick and Chad,

Years ago, a vet showed me the easy way to load a cat into a carrier.

Check out this short video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcNUtII_J-U

Note: Most Giz Wiz Amazon links on this website are 'affiliate' links. If you buy something through one of those links you pay exactly the same as everyone else, but GizWizBiz gets a small credit to purchase more gadgets to demo on shows. Thank you.