Gadget Dose

Motorola really went the extra mile on this one, (pun intended). This 2 way radio set can transmit up to 18 miles! 11 Weather channels with weather alert feature - handsfree communication mode and a vibrating alert will page you if someone is trying to reach you.

There are many times when these would come in handy, for instance finding your wife in the mall - (thats my favorite). You could use these hiking or camping, or just to stay in touch while your out walking the dogs.

* Delivers a range of up to 18 miles (under optimum conditions)
* 22 channels, each with 121 privacy codes for 2,662 combinations for clear, uninterrupted connections
* Dual power, works with 3 AA batteries (not included) and rechargeable NiMH batteries (included)
* Approximately 32 hr. alkaline or 11 hr. NiMH estimated talk time
* iVOX for speech-activated, hands-free communication
* 7 NOAA/Environment Canada weather channels and 4 marine weather channels
* QT (Quiet Talk) interruption feature helps eliminate interference
* Backlit display for readability in low lighting conditions
* Companding technology to help filter out static between words
* LCD battery meter for charge indication
* Digital Signal Processing to help provide consistent sound quality
* VibraCall vibrating alert Other features include: audible low battery alert, battery save feature, keypad lock, time-out timer and a choice of 10 unique call tones.

Wow - these are awesome! - Another really nice Christmas gift for the gadget lover in your life.

They retail for $69.99 and the product page is HERE

Ok this has got to be way up there in terms of gadgety holiday decorations. - First off yes, its a snowman. Second - it makes snow! Third - it has a remote control. So you’ve got guests coming over and you want to make an impression - wait till they pull up and hit the remote. The snowman makes up to 5 hours of snow per bottle of solution - and 4 bottles are included. Voila -Festive!
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snowman generates realistic snowflakes that emanate from its upturned tophat and drift up to 20′ away, allowing you to greet guests with your own snow flurries using the included wireless remote. Its patented snow solution is turned into evaporate snow by a quiet fan that works in cold or warm weather. Includes four bottles of snow making solution that each provide five hours of snow making (snow evaporates in 90 seconds), and leaves no residue. Made of durable polyethylene with a nylon cover, the snowman plugs into AC

Woot - on sale now - was $149.95 now $99.95

Product Page

ITs gonna get cold soon - and most digital thermometers wont handle below freezing temps - these however are made for just that job.

This temperature and humidity sensor can transmit data in even the coldest temperatures. When used with 2 AAA lithium batteries (not included), this sensor can transmit temperature and humidity data up to 100 feet, and will operate even at -40 degrees F. Has an easy-to-open battery cover and can transmit on one of three different channels.

Lets hope none of us sees -40 this year!

If you are like me, you can find a million reasons to want to know just exactly what the weather is doing outside right at this moment. How cool would it be to be equipped like the local news station and be able to broadcast all that data live ? Sure, there are many such solutions on the market but most of them are very expensive and far out of the consideration of all but the most avid enthusiasts. This wonderful gadget brings the price into a much more reasonable range ($129.95)

This full featured weather station allows you to turn your TV’s screen into your very own local personal weather station. It analyzes 11 weather conditions in your own backyard and transmits big, easy-to-read data to your TV screen. It produces a forecast based on trends over the last 72 hours. Using wireless transmission and easy installation, the receiver plugs into any television, receiving info from sensors around the yard that transmit up to almost 200 feet.

The sensors that are mounted outside include a temperature sensor and radio transmitter, wind sensor and rain sensor. This allows you to track the temperature inside and outside, wind chill factor, wind direction, wind speed, barometric trend, rainfall, humidity and more. The measurements from those sensors are transmitted up to 60 meters (196.85ft) to the indoor receiver for display.

The indoor receiver plugs into any TV and displays current weather data from sensors you have placed around your yard. The receiver is powered by an AC adapter (included) and connects to the TV using the RCA video cable that is included.

Keep in mind that the RCA cable will limit which TV’s can actually get the signal natively. For example that spiffy new HDTV plasma screen is probably not going to work, but we all have older analog TV’s sitting around that will work fine. Grab that old 13″ color out of the attic and dedicate it to being a weather station.

Put this is the kitchen and nobody in your family will have an excuse for getting caught wearing shorts in a snowstorm. It’s fun to watch and informative.

Now when your friend says “man, it was really windy last night” you can add- yeah, we clocked winds at 45.3 miles an hour - and did you notice how low the dewpoint was?

# Displays wind speed and direction, wind gust, wind chill
# Displays forecasts for next 12hrs based on trends over last 72hrs
# Displays rainfall, date and time, barometric pressure, barometric trend over last 24hrs
# Displays temperature alarm, indoor and outdoor temp, indoor relative humidity
# Temperature range minus 40°F to 140°F ( minus 40°C to 60°C)

With the temperature alarm feature you could set it to warn you of impending frost so you could go out and cover your sensitive plants - or set it to warn at freezing, so you can go and find where the heck that ice scraper has been all summer.

If you think this is just a little too low tech for you and want something with more advanced pc readable stats and trends - check out the Honeywell Weather Station that also features a public alert which will let you know when theres a hurricane or tornado warning in your area.

Made by the fine folks at Estes - this bad boy takes video of the whole flight - and then you can connect it to your pc via USB cable and watch/edit the video.

We used to dream of such a thing when we were kids. Just make sure you launch it in a good sized area - you wouldn’t want to lose this one in a tree.

Includes a launch pad, camera software, and two sets of L1154 button-cell batteries for the camera. Injection-molded plastic . Includes launch pad and controller (requires four AA batteries).

Grab one HERE for $59.95 - not too bad a price.

This could be a great help on trips or vacations where you want to know the forecast but you’ve got no TV in your tent.

It provides a 12 to 24 hour forecast and local temperature and humidity readings in a compact, handheld design. Also handy are the digital clock and alarm, add in the belt clip and you got something that not only looks cool - but you may just get a chance to use it.

Pretty good price point $39.95 over at Oregon Scientific

This gadget marks the last of the summertime gadgets here at the Dose - its somewhat of a crossover device though, as it runs on 3 AA batteries - it can light up any body of water. So yep, you could use it in a pool. However it works in hot tubs - ponds - heck, even the bath tub.

A floating disco ball designed with the pool or spa in mind. Get your groove on as colorful rays of dancing light bring an exciting party atmosphere to your backyard. Engulf your entire pool in a dramatic light show of patterns and colors. New for 2007: Includes a color lid and batteries.

Can’t really go wrong for the price either - $19.99 over at Amazon

Summer is rapidly winding down so I thought I’d try and get this one in before the leaves start turning.

The Rainbow Fountain shoots continually changing color-lit water. This innovative product runs off water pressure - a garden hose or the pool return line provides all necessary power. Very easy to operate. No batteries or electrical power required. Tuscan-inspired base lends European sophistication and drama. For use for in-or above-ground pools.

Can also be used in fish ponds or decorative waterfalls.

Grab one here at Amazon for $61.99

You are riding your bike - or scooter - or heck, your riding lawnmower… you may not need a horn. You certainly may not need one that blares at an ear shattering 115 decibels. But it sure would be cool eh? Get yourself one 9 volt battery and 12 bucks later you too can scare the crap out of innocent bystanders.

# This Thunder Horn is not recommended for children under 8 years old unless supervised by adults
# Do not use within 50cm (18 inches) of anyones ears to avoid damage

Ready to get a ticket for disturbing the peace ? - Go HERE

Don’t say I didn’t warn ya….

My heart just skipped 3 beats when I found this. My wallet skipped a few dollars too. Here’s the details.

The Solar Airship needs no blowing or pumping up, because, as it’s name suggests, it is 100% solar powered. All it needs is reasonable sunshine, and you can go from box to sky in as little as two minutes!

It can fly up to about 30,000 feet on a reasonable day!

Now all you gotta do is to find 30,000 feet of string Available HERE - though they are currently out of stock. (It wasn’t me !)

While summer may be halfway over - you can still motor yourself around the pool in total luxury.

This inflatable lounger allows you to maneuver around your pool without paddling because it has two individually joystick-controlled electric Kort nozzles

The lounger supports up to 250 lbs. and is constructed of durable .35 mm thick PVC. It has large, comfortable arm rests, and includes a cup holder. The lounger inflates in minutes using the included air pump, and each thruster requires six D batteries.

Yeah I’d go for the rechargeable D batteries with this puppy.

Grab it HERE for $149.95

Gadget, Pool toy, Summer Fun

Wow- Garmin has done it again. If you are into hiking, bike riding, running, heck even swimming as this bad boy is waterproof. This is the tool for you.

The 305 can display a dizzying array of data, such as calories burned, distance, elevation, grade, and heading, as well as multiple lap and pace modes. The 305 adds the ability to track heartrate, lap heartrate, average heartrate, and heartrate zones via the included coded heartrate chest strap. With the purchase of a separate wireless cadence and speed meter, you can also track bike performance data.

The Training Center software (PC Only) also lets you define courses on your PC that you can upload to the device. When course information is combined with uploaded workout information, the Forerunner becomes a complete guide, telling you where to go, when to make a turn, and what kind of workout to do when you’re on the road or path. Back on the PC, the software’s ability to overlay workout data on maps of the course makes it easy to see where the course offers up the tough hills and the easy recovery spots. Plus, the ability to track historical performance on a given course is a great way to measure your improvement.

Astounding! - and can you believe
Amazon has it 41% off for only $220.85!

Thats reduced from $376.99

Gadget, Gps, Trainer

# Reduce the use of chlorine by up to 80%
# Low-maintenance system requires little attention
# Powered by environmentally friendly solar panels — no expensive batteries or high electric bills
# No more bleached hair or towels, dry skin or itchy eyes
# Handles pools up to 40,000 gallons

Enjoy swimming in the cleanest, softest water imaginable, without the unpleasant smell or taste of chlorine! With the Solar Powered Pool Purifier, a low-maintenance pool purification system that reduces chlorine use by upwards of 80%, you and your family will enjoy swimming in amazingly pure water — without bleached hair or towels, dry skin or itchy eyes!

Actually this thing is supposed to purify the water to federal clean water drinkable standards. Could save you a fortune in chemicals. IT wont eliminate chlorine use -
Because some pool contaminants, like dust or suntan lotion, are not affected by mineral ions, you will still need to add a small amount of chlorine or other oxidizers to dissolve them. Otherwise, there is practically no maintenance other than cleaning the mineral electrode every couple of weeks with a jet of water from a garden hose nozzle.

It’s available at Smarthome for $268.99

Gadget, Pool, Water Purifier

No electricity is required to power this floating light globe. The solar panel inside the globe converts sunlight into electricity that is then stored in the integral rechargeable battery pack. The light switches on automatically when it gets dark and turns itself off when re-exposed to light or when the battery is fully discharged. The globe uses a white plastic housing so that the LED can easily shine through, glowing in every color in the spectrum.

The Solar-Powered Floating Light Globe can be inserted into your home or garden’s décor in a variety of ways. A pedestal is included for secure positioning inside your home on a windowsill. The included ground spike will plant securely in the ground for outdoor color in a garden or path light. You can even float the globe as an accent light in a koi pond.

Really cool! - On sale at $21.99

What could be more fun than splashing someone who didn’t expect to get wet? - Well, doing it by remote control! - this floating water cannon is controlled by radio and can wet down unsuspecting partygoers up to 40 feet away!

As if that weren’t enough - you can get a couple of these things and have a full blown water war.

A very cool summer gadget- you can get it here. A little pricey at $129.95 - but hey, anything for the pool generally is.

Gadget, Summer, Pool, R/C