Gifts for Dad great for the outdoors

When it comes to finding Dad the right gadget for Father’s Day, there are so many choices; so here are three gift ideas for a Dad who likes to spend time outside, whether on the field, on the road or otherwise.

Ultimate Mini DashCam

You know Dad loves car gadgets but you also know he wouldn’t want to be gifted with some big clunky camera that would clutter up his dashboard. If that sounds like your Dad, then he might be surprised at what big features can be found in the compact Magellan MiVue 420 DashCam. 

At only 3.5”x1.9”x1.5” the MiVue 420 is packed full of features. The camera is equipped with a wide-angle lens camera (140° horizontal field of view) that captures Super HD (1296p) video both during the day and at night. It will also timestamp on the video GPS coordinates, date, time and speed, etc. These are also locked-in should Dad need proof of an event or if the unit senses the car’s been hit or moved erratically.

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Review: Braven Lux – a wireless speakerphone and not a purse

2 LUX_CLUTCHOne would rarely think of describing a Bluetooth speaker as having a luxurious feminine style, but when you look at the Braven Lux you just may smile and nod your head in agreement. In fact if you come across a lady holding one in her hand you might mistakenly take it for a clutch purse.

Created by accessory maker Braven, the LUX wireless speaker is part of a limited edition for the Braven Design Series, so I’m sure the purse look was created rather by design and not pure by accident.  Read Full Review at G4TV Canada.

Zus Kevlar Cable – is it bulletproof?

Zus Kevlar CableWhile the world has gone wireless, we still need to rely on cables. Sadly, these necessary links all too often become the weakest link as they can easily tear, fray and subsequently fail usually at the worst possible time. That’s why Nonda (No NDA Inc.) created the Zus Kevlar Cable, which they tout as, “The world’s most durable cable and the last cable you’ll ever need.”

Kevlar is a trade name of Dupont, and a type of Aramidfibre. It’s commonly used for bulletproof vests and ballistic helmets, but somehow I had my doubts that a cable would survive the actual impact from a bullet. I’m also sure our city’s finest have better things to do than have me bother them asking them to shoot up a defenseless cable, so I opted for other test methods.

While I didn’t exactly go crazy, I did put the cable through a number of paces but opted not to involve the jaws of neighbour’s pooch. Read full Review at G4TV Canada.

G4TV: Star Wars and other tech inspired Father’s Day gift ideas

 

BB-8Father’s Day is just around the corner and picking the right gift can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. So here are a few gadget gift ideas that might pique your interest and help you find the special one for that special Dad.
BB-8 App-Enabled Droid

For the ultimate Star Wars Dad and at the risk of sounding cliché, the Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid just might be the one he’s looking for. More than just a toy, it’s a Bluetooth BLE enabled interactive robot with an adaptive personality that evolves the more you play with it to give Dad virtually endless fun. It even listens and responds to voice commands like “Look Around,” “Wake up” and “Watch out” and like a pet BB-8 perks up when you talk to it. Order him around or even send him out on patrol and BB-8 will explore by itself.  Read Full Post at G4TV Canada.

 

Review: Gatekeeper 2.0 Secure Wireless Lock & Key for your Computer

1 GatekeeperProtecting your data from prying eyes is more important than ever before. Still, we often forget to lock our computers when we walk away or purposely don’t bother because it’s too much of a pain to retype in a password every time you move to and fro. For this, Untethered Labs created Gatekeeper, a key fob sized wireless “lock and key” for your computer that automatically locks your computer when you walk away from it and unlocks it when you return.

It’s a pocket Bluetooth 4.0 enabled system that consists of a small rectangular coin-cell battery-operated key fob, a USB dongle and a companion app. The company’s latest model, Gatekeeper 2.0, which we’re reviewing here today, is updated and redesigned; At 45 mm x 25 mm x 6 mm and weighing 10 grams, it’s lighter and 20% thinner and with better range detection. The new sleeker fob has a rubberized matte finish, so it won’t slip from your hands with a built-in loop to secure it on a safety keychain attachment or lanyard – both included. The USB lock or dongle is half the size and now has a metal shield. The Android and iOS apps have been updated as well as the software for Windows and Mac although the Mac version is still in beta.  Read Full Review at G4TV Canada.

Review: Creative MUVO mini water-resistant wireless speakerphone

1 MuvoMiniPicIt’s nice to have a small portable wireless speaker that you can just throw in your backpack or purse. It’s even better, when you can get such a gadget that’s designed to withstand the elements without easily getting destroyed. The MUVO mini from Creative Labs certainly fits that bill.

Water-Resistant Compact Footprint 

Muvo mini has a small footprint 7.4 x 1.4 x 2.3 inches housed in an attractive brick-shaped polished aluminum case.  It’s rated to IP66 standards, so it’s not waterproof, but it is water-resistant. And it’s light, weighing a mere 10 oz. It has a cool funky speaker grille pattern that could look like different things depending on how you visualize it. It might be a series of cubes stacked onto each other or a plethora of peace signs within a hexagonal shape.  The hexagonal motif also extends to its four speaker control buttons located atop the unit. Read Greg’s full review at G4TV Canada.

Review: Kidz Gear Bluetooth Headphones with Boom Mic

2 Kidz Gear Earcup Control

When you think of headphones for Kids, you’d likely think- cheap in terms of both price and build quality, often candy-coloured and fairly vanilla in terms of features. But one company doesn’t totally believe in that philosophy. In fact they are quite adamant, touting their latest offering the Kidz Gear Bluetooth Stereo Headphones with Boom Mic as being an adult product built for kids.

They’ve taken this direction, it seems, based on their assumptions that with kids being kids, they also want the same things that adults have. So to that end, the company introduced a fully featured wireless headset with detachable omnidirectional boom mic, ideal for use at home for gaming, on-line chatting and listening to tunes but also suitable for serious school work including activities like language learning.  Read Full Review at G4TV Canada.

 

Winter Inspired Holiday Headphones

Let’s face it, we take our music seriously and take it everywhere – rain, shine or even in the dead of cold. So with the holiday season right around the corner here are a few winter inspired holiday headphone gift ideas, ideal for keeping the tunes streaming and some to take and make calls when the temperature drops below zero.


Wireless Earwarmers

At first glance, the 180s Earwarmers look like simple earmuffs, but under that insulated poly-spandex shell with polyester lining is a Bluetooth enabled set of wireless headphones, so you’re just as likely to find them in a place that sells gadgets as one that offers outdoor wear.

They don’t have a lot of bells and whistles but they also don’t add a lot of bulk to your winter attire. But don’t let that fool you. Under the padding are high definition speakers plus they are Siri and Google Now friendly so your hands can keep more time in their mitts. They are also designed to sit behind your head than over the top so you could call them “toque-compatible”. The headband is adjustable plus they fold down for quick storage.  SEE FULL POST at G4TV Canada.

Bracketron TruSportPak with LED Safety Light & Smart VU

The New Bracketron TruSportPak is a clever solution that not only houses your smartphone when you’re on the go it also offers fun, practical and safety features.

Now that’s a good thing given that most of us never leave home without our mobile devices. But when we head out for a jog or walk we typically don’t have a lot of extra places to carry things. There are wristbands and fanny packs but most of them are either passé or not necessarily practical particularly with today’s super-sized devices.

Water Resistant, Clear Window

That’s where the Bracketron TruSportPak with LED Safety Light & Smart VU makes sense. It’s a pleated buckle-style weather resistant waist pack made from durable and stretchy Lycra, so you have room for your phone, but also your keys, a little cash, a few credit cards and even your earbuds.  Read Greg’s Full Review at G4TV Canada.

Review: Sound Blaster JAM Budget Bluetooth Headphones

1 SoundBlaster JamFinding a pair of budget headphones that has both a recognized brand name and wireless is not always the easiest thing. So when I discovered the Creative Sound Blaster JAM is Bluetooth enabled, supports NFC  (near field communications) and retails for under $50 U.S., it certainly piqued my curiosity.

Sound Blaster Jam looks like a typical set of charcoal grey pre-millennium on-ear headphones fitted with a pair of traditional foam cushions except without wires.  They have an operating range of up to 15 m, a little less than typical Bluetooth, but then again, the further you stray from your music source, the more breakup you’ll probably get.  READ Full Review at G4TV Canada.