OT: Gadgets. I need to buy one.

[Fishy]

Basically because I am bored.

Suggestions?

Exemptions - I have more smart phones than even William Shea recommends for marathons. Also, we have Echos and a Google Home and I just do not find them useful at all.

 

[huskypantz]

Slow close toilet seat. Optional amenities include LED nightlight and heated seat with temp control. Don't be a chump, spoil your rump.

 

[CTMike]

Slow close toilet seat. Optional amenities include LED nightlight and heated seat with temp control. Don't be a chump, spoil your rump.

Brondell S1000-EW Swash 1000 Advanced Bidet Elongated Toilet Seat, White Amazon product ASIN B0045UB9GK
(For real I've had my eye on one, it sounds lovely)

And for the man who has it all :
Brother FAX-575 Personal Fax, Phone, and Copier Amazon product ASIN B0007KI6PE
Panasonic PV-9450 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR Amazon.com: Panasonic PV-9450 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR: Electronics

 

[8893]

Lethal weapon

Note that there does not appear to be any prohibition against filling with Horsey Sauce.

 

[dogpause]

I've got two suggestions:
1. Google Home -- Awesome. Eventually it will be a lot better than Amazon's.

2. I built a golf simulator in my shed (Now known as the Caddyshack) for about $650, including a used projector. I'm in Bristol if anyone wants to check it out.

 

[storrsroars]

While not a gadget, you might want to look at purchasing one of these

Haribo sugar free gummy bears. Read the online reviews. My side was hurting I was laughing so much.

I'm trying to convince my wife to send a gift box of these to her a.-hole former boss.

 

[GemParty]

I've got two suggestions:
1. Google Home -- Awesome. Eventually it will be a lot better than Amazon's.

2. I built a golf simulator in my shed (Now known as the Caddyshack) for about $650, including a used projector. I'm in Bristol if anyone wants to check it out.

Great idea!

 

[Revrat]

If you thought the Haribo reviews were fun check out the CTA Digital 2-in-1 iPotty with Activity Seat for iPad The ultimate gadget

View attachment 17729

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

I've got two suggestions:
1. Google Home -- Awesome. Eventually it will be a lot better than Amazon's.

2. I built a golf simulator in my shed (Now known as the Caddyshack) for about $650, including a used projector. I'm in Bristol if anyone wants to check it out.

Um. A guy on the internet is inviting people to visit his shed. No thanks.

 

[Kitaman]

I'm actually in LA but I live on the side of a mountain so we get a lot of wind and it's cool to know how strong they are - plus when it rains here it really dumps and I like to know how much we get.

I hear you, but wouldn't an earthquake monitoring device be more important?

 

[Kitaman]

Slow close toilet seat. Optional amenities include LED nightlight and heated seat with temp control. Don't be a chump, spoil your rump.

Got both, the slow toilet seat I'm still adjusting even after a few months. When get off it to take a shower I tend to want to push it down (quicker) to put my change of clothes off of it. But its still a great seat because it doesn't slam when I'm thoughtful enough to be considerate for the Mrs.

The toilet light worked for a minute but the battery was drained (I think). Thanks for reminding me, I'll change them for the holidays cuz the kids are coming home. Its pretty cool and it really does improve my accuracy in the dark.

 

[JakeTheDog]

Buy it all Fishy

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Speaking of gadgets, does anyone have Sonos? I'm thinking of getting it for my brother and his wife.

 

[dogpause]

Um. A guy on the internet is inviting people to visit his shed. No thanks.

I've got candy!

 

[8893]

Speaking of gadgets, does anyone have Sonos? I'm thinking of getting it for my brother and his wife.

Co-worker got it last year and mother-in-law got it last month. MIL lives close by and she had me and one of our daughters come over to be there for the installation and instruction so we could show her when she inevitably forgets. I was pretty impressed and am considering adding a few of the Sonos speakers to my system now. I was advised to go with a hard-wired system when I had a new one installed around 5 years ago because my guy didn't think the wireless speakers were good enough then. I think that has changed now. Apparently I have to have them add some type of small unit to my AVR in order to marry it with my existing system, but it's my understanding that once I do that I can essentially have as many additional zones as I want to have, which is a huge deal for me, as my existing system is limited to two zones, and it would have cost thousands more at the time to get an AVR with additional zones.

The thing you have to decide with Sonos is whether you want the zones to have stereo, which means buying two speakers instead of one for each zone that you want to be stereo. Otherwise, it's one speaker handling all the sound in each zone, so that could affect the cost significantly. I'm a music junkie but I grew up on radio, scratchy vinyl and Grateful Dead bootleg tapes, so I'm far from an audiophile, but I do prefer stereo (or 5.1, 7.1, etc.), so I'm trying to decide that part myself right now. Also, if, like me, they have their existing system programmed in a MX-990 or similar universal remote, they'll probably want to have that reprogrammed to add the Sonos; but it is also controllable from the Sonos app, which is nice.

One thing that is perhaps obvious to most, but it wasn't my mother-in-law, is that you have to have your own music stored digitally on iTunes or some other source in order to play it over Sonos; for example, you can't play a CD over the system. It can also play Pandora, Spotify, etc., if they are into that. I am not, but I am hoping that it will be able to play Sirius through my internet subscription.

 

[huskypantz]

Got both, the slow toilet seat I'm still adjusting even after a few months. When get off it to take a shower I tend to want to push it down (quicker) to put my change of clothes off of it. But its still a great seat because it doesn't slam when I'm thoughtful enough to be considerate for the Mrs.

The toilet light worked for a minute but the battery was drained (I think). Thanks for reminding me, I'll change them for the holidays cuz the kids are coming home. Its pretty cool and it really does improve my accuracy in the dark.

One of my wife's trigger points is the slamming of doors, lids, drawers etc. That said, she loves the seat. Added bonus is that we got the plastic seat, which absorbs heat nicely without requiring the heating function so it's never too cold.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Speaking of gadgets, does anyone have Sonos? I'm thinking of getting it for my brother and his wife.

I just got Sonos and love it. Amazing app that makes it easy to play different things in different rooms at different volumes. Or the same thing throughout the house. It is very addictive....you want to keep adding speakers so it gets pricey.

8893 is right about the stereo piece. But I think it sounds great and after hearing it I dont miss that element. I put one speaker in per room and think it sounds great.

 

[CL82]

I've got two suggestions:
1. Google Home -- Awesome. Eventually it will be a lot better than Amazon's.

2. I built a golf simulator in my shed (Now known as the Caddyshack) for about $650, including a used projector. I'm in Bristol if anyone wants to check it out.

If I were in the area, I'd definitely be stopping by. Pretty cool!

 

[Drumguy]

Slow close toilet seat. Optional amenities include LED nightlight and heated seat with temp control. Don't be a chump, spoil your rump.

Giving my wife a Toto 350e with installation (electric outlet) for one of her Christmas presents. Was complaining about a cold seat and I got used to these in Japan!

 

[Drumguy]

Bob Kramer folding picnic knife $350. May be sold out so you might have to wait for the next run. A simple knife but Kramer is consideed the best Master Bladesman in the US (yes that's a thing). His chef knives go for $30 - $50.000 or more, so this is really the only way to afford one of his knives. Besides no one resells them but you could probably get at least double on ebay if you bought one.

Bob Kramer | Kramer Knives - NEW! Kramer Picnic Knife

 

[uconnfan68]

I'm actually in LA but I live on the side of a mountain so we get a lot of wind and it's cool to know how strong they are - plus when it rains here it really dumps and I like to know how much we get.

Does it measure mudslides and fires? ;^)

 

[jleves]

Does it measure mudslides and fires? ;^)

Funny you should say that - first year we owned the house, fire fighters had hoses running through our fence to fight a brush fire and we had helicopters dropping water 50 feet from my fence. This year, they were about a quarter mile away - so things are getting better. No mud slides yet.

 

[jleves]

Sevenhugs Smart Remote

One remote to rule them all? We've heard that siren song for years, but this may be it. All you do is point the thing at stuff and it works. No need for a million buttons and switching from STB to DVR to lamp to thermostat. The touch screen changes based upon what you are pointing in at. Once it is set up, you point and it works. Not cheap but pretty damn cool.

The downside is the manufacturer is French so if any of your devices put up a fight, the remote will probably surrender.

A few more thoughts on this (because I've become obsessed with the idea and it needs to happen). It seems like you point at zones to have it recognize devices but how does it deal with a TV, Cable/Sat box, Stereo/Home entertainment system, BluRay and Xbox all in the same area? Seems like some kind of voice recognition would be a benefit here or at least a menu of devices you are pointing at so you can pick one.

Next, I have to imagine that Logitech has taken notice and can commit a shitton of resources to develop something better (or just buy them and improve it). I can see Apple, Amazon, Google and Microsoft all getting into the game. I think pretty soon there will be plenty of choices and manufacturers improving these things to make them really awesome. The integration of something like this with an Echo or Home seems beyond obvious.

Finally what marketing genius came up with the name Sevenhugs? Who in hell wants to buy an expensive tech device from a company called Sevenhugs? Yet another reason they should be bought.

 

[uconnfan68]

Funny you should say that - first year we owned the house, fire fighters had hoses running through our fence to fight a brush fire and we had helicopters dropping water 50 feet from my fence. This year, they were about a quarter mile away - so things are getting better. No mud slides yet.

Stay safe.

 

[uconnfan68]

I've got two suggestions:
1. Google Home -- Awesome. Eventually it will be a lot better than Amazon's.

2. I built a golf simulator in my shed (Now known as the Caddyshack) for about $650, including a used projector. I'm in Bristol if anyone wants to check it out.

Would love that sim, but more interested in Google Home right now. How many accesories to you need to make it useful?

 

[dogpause]

I've been using Chromecast modules ($35) for more than a year to "cast" videos, such as UConn game replays, to my TV's. But when I bought the GH , I added a few Chromecast Audio ($25) modules to send high quality digital (or good quality analog) audio to sound systems throughout my house. This is my favorite Google Home feature -- "Hey Google, play Pink Floyd;s Dark Side of the Moon album on the basement speakers."

I've also got a number of wifi enabled power outlets, and wifi thermostats, which so far are not GH compatible, but that's because GH is so new. Within a year, I expect a lot more things will be GH compatible.

BTW, I recommend Google Home over Amazon's Echo system for it's long term potential.

 

[dogpause]

...

Finally what marketing genius came up with the name Sevenhugs? Who in hell wants to buy an expensive tech device from a company called Sevenhugs? Yet another reason they should be bought.

I think it was the same guy who decided Connecticut should have the awesome marketing power that being known as the Nutmeg State would provide.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

I've been using Chromecast modules ($35) for more than a year to "cast" videos, such as UConn game replays, to my TV's. But when I bought the GH , I added a few Chromecast Audio ($25) modules to send high quality digital (or good quality analog) audio to sound systems throughout my house. This is my favorite Google Home feature -- "Hey Google, play Pink Floyd;s Dark Side of the Moon album on the basement speakers."

I've also got a number of wifi enabled power outlets, and wifi thermostats, which so far are not GH compatible, but that's because GH is so new. Within a year, I expect a lot more things will be GH compatible.

BTW, I recommend Google Home over Amazon's Echo system for it's long term potential.

What gives it better potential? I'm not challenging your opinion, I really want to know. I have yet to look into these systems, but would love to have the remote ability to monitor and adjust thermostats and other things like that.

 

[dogpause]

Fair question, and what I wrote is strictly my opinion. However, my problem with Amazon devices, such as the Kindle, is they tend to be proprietary. I think Google is more open with their stuff and invites others to offer add-ons and improvements. One could make an argument for either system, and Amazon has nice head start, but I'm betting Google Home will soon lead.

 

[Chin Diesel]

It's days away from the start of winter and you want a new gadget?



Here you go. Loads of fun.

 

[-McD-]

On sale: Captain Jules's Useless Box