The Giz Wiz visits Ask The Tech Guys, Leo Laporte and Mikah Sargent.
When the Giz Wiz visits “Ask The Tech Guys”, you’ll find the gadgets and gizmos he talks about with Leo Laporte and Mikah Sargent on this page.
Ask The Tech Guys is on TWiT Sundays, starting at 11 AM PT and 2 PM ET.
https://twit.tv/live
(Note: The Tech Guy Radio Show ended its run December 18, 2022. But all the gadgets and gizmos Dick showed over the years are archived below gadgets I showed or talked about on Ask The Tech Guys.)
Below are the gadgets we’ve talked about on the show.
2 Easy Ways To Show & Protect Your CDC Vaccination Record Card.
Hopefully you have been vaccinated. It does make me feel safer and more secure when outside with people you don’t know. Once you are, you’ll need a way to protect your CDC Record Card.
Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/ht4UsM2SIDU
Here are two options from Amazon:
This 4″ x 3″ Inch Record Cards Protector comes with a clip that can be used without any additional accessories. Simple to use and small, it allows you to easily show your CDC records Card at airlines and travel ports for quick entry. In the futurei t’s also possible other venues might require seeing your card. The company says this protector is accessible for barcodes and QC codes to be swiped or scanned with any scanner reader through the crystal-clear display PVC polyvinyl chloride material. Outer Dimensions (4.52 x 3.97 inch) Inner Dimensions (4.2x 3 inch). The flexible and resealable zipper ensures high water-resistance. This badge holder is 0.8mm thick, thicker that others I’ve seen. 5/$9.00 approx $1.80. This price can change at any time! Actually, on 5/1/21 it’s dropped $2.00 to $6.99.
As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.
Not Waterproof, But Magnetic!
This is a pack of 20 magnetic badge holders to keep badges secure, clean, and prominently displayed. Durable design made of PVC-free polypropylene with curved corners; sealed on 3 sides; top loading. 1 magnet pre-attached to badge holder; 2nd magnet removable (to be placed behind clothing); magnets won’t damage clothing when attached/removed. Compatible with any 3×4-inch badge (like the CDC Vaccine Record). Displayed horizontally; pre-punched holes for optional lanyard attachment (not included). Measures 3 by 4 inches. 20 for $20.20, so $1.01 each as of 5/1/21. Prices on Amazon can change at any time.
https://amzn.to/3gQ5exr – As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.
Unbranded Vaccinated Silicone Wristbands
There’s no official CDC wristband that I know of, but there are many options to buy an unofficial ones. This one is printed with a ‘check mark’ followed by “VACCINATED Covid-19” These vaccine wristbands allow others recognize that you have been vaccinated walking alone, or in a crowd. (That assumes that YOU actually have been vaccined and your wrist is showing!) But remember, this is not any official confirmation because anyone can buy these wristbands. They’re not individually wrapped – 6 of each color come in a single plastic bag. You get 24 for about $10.00 – under 50 cents each. That price can change at any time!
As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.
The VacSeen Wristbands.
These are more expensive $2.50 each, plus $4.99 shipping, unless you buy 10. Then it’s a flat $25 and you get one extra band and free shipping. I also bought these because the vendor says half of the money goes to the World Health Organization.
Free up valuable space on your desk with an adjustable Atumtek Riser.
With the Atumtek Monitor Riser you can keep a small size keyboard, mouse, and more under your computer, leaving your desk neater. It has three height adjustments: 3.9″ — 4.7″ -and 5.5″. You can use it for other gadgets too. I put my postage scale on my Atumtek stand, leaving room to store shipping supplies under it. On a desk you can raise your computer monitor to eye level for better posture. The ventilated design offers better cooling for a laptop, and the aluminium material is also excellent at heat dissipation. The company says it can hold up to 36 lbs. I’m not quite sure why they it “Fits laptops no more than 16″. If your laptop is a bit bigger I would think it would just over over the sides. The surface area is 14.6″ X 9”. There are non-slip pads underneath to help keep stand steady and to protect the surface it’s sitting on. It does come in kit form and building it is easy and takes about 15 minutes. It’s available in black and silver. It’s priced around $21 to $22 for one and a bit cheaper in pairs. I bought the two pack, black.
Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/6_umEtWPg_s
Amazon link – single black: https://amzn.to/3uZmwvK About $21 as of 4/17/21
single silver: https://amzn.to/2QyLtPE About $22 as of 4/17/21
2 pack black: https://amzn.to/2Qa4GHL – About $40 as of 4/17/21 As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.
The Water-powered Mini HydraLight! Does it really work?
A few years ago I both bought and reported on the HydraLight Flashlight, the water powered flashlight. Its operation was not great. Now it’s probably the same company that now offers the 3 Pack Mini Emergency LED Water Powered Flashlight. Here’s what the company says about them: NO POWER NO PROBLEM: Activates in 15 seconds by wetting the base; no batteries, plug-in or power source required; Flashlights run for 72 hours total; Switch off to extend time with hand light. Perfect for power outages, blackouts, flashlight emergency preparedness. Compact size ideal for pocket, pack, first-aid kit; Take camping, hiking, in auto glovebox, travel flash light survival flashlight. 3 Pack, each one 2.75”H x 1.6”W x 0.5”D. 3/$12.56
Did they work? Sort of. The quality is very uneven & with 2 of the 3 samples, the LED light was not very bright. You can see just how bright in my video. But since the shelf life is said to be unlimited, I do have 3 unused ones standing, since they only about $4. Remember, these are all single use – once activated & the light dies, they’re finished!
Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/f7lR8135RRI
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3miaJFL As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.
But wait, there’s more!!! Does how much you pay make a difference?
What if you spent 3X the amount of money. Like $12.00 for one, instead of $12.56 for 3? I did that too, by buying the Eton Blackout Buddy American Red Cross version. Even though it had 3 LED’s vs 2 for the cheaper one, it was no better and it doesn’t even have an on/off switch. Strangely, the cheaper ones with on/off switches lasted longer in my very unscientific tests. Remember, these are all single use – once activated & the light dies, they’re finished! I don’t think this is a worthwhile buy, but here’s the link anyway.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3cRww4h As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.
Read In Bed Without Disturbing Your Sleeping Partner.
It’s easy to be able to read in bed at night without disturbing your spouse. Or read on an airplane where there’s very little overhead light. Meet the strangely named Takkui Rechargeable LED Necklight. It offers 3 temperature light modes, yellow (3000K), warm white (4000K) and cool white (6000K). Plus each of those settings has a switch for 3 brightness levels. Choose a comfortable setting for reading, knitting, camping, repairing, crafts, etc. It’s covered with a comfortable soft rubber, which the company says is sweatproof, bendable and strong so you can twist, or fold to create the perfect illumination for yourself. Only 0.22Ib so it can easily fit your carry-on, backpack or even (large) pocket. The narrow beam angle design shouldn’t disturb a sleeping partner. Rechargeable built-in 1000mAh battery provides up to 40 hours of power depending on brightness. MSRP: $17.99
Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/ptISSVQ6yQ0
Check current price on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3eIsPii As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.
inCharge 6- the smallest, most versatile charging cable I’ve ever used!
The inCharge 6 – or as Amazon calls it: The Six-in-One Swiss Army Knife of Cables, Portable Keyring Compatible with Apple iPhone/USB/USB-C/Micro USB Cable for All of Your Devices. This cable is short, about 2”. The whole device ready to charge is about 5”. But it’s versatile. You get USB to USB-C, USB to combo Lightning/Micro USB, USB-C to USB-C & USB-C to dual Lightning/Micro USB. The device is very lightweight and easy to use once you master the ‘hidden’ connectors. With built-in magnets the heads snap together to hang on your keyring, backpack, etc. The company says you can sync and charge simultaneously. And this I haven’t seen before. This cable supports power transfer from one USB-C smartphone to another which doesn’t have to be USB-C, as you’ll see in my video. It can also charge from one USB-C smartphone to another type of portable device. So you can give a charge to a phone running out of juice, or charge earbuds, etc. It was under $20 on Amazon on 3/6/21, but that price can change at any time.
Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/X5JDCNd0UYQ
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3q7MCtK
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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.
