Casio QV-10 – 1996.

1^st Consumer digitalcamera under $1,000.

Introductory price was $650.00. Amazing 2MB

of non-removable memory. No flash and

resolution of 320 X 240. Could store up to 96

pictures. But you could use the camera to take

a selfie!

Sony Walkman Cassette Player 1979.

42 years old as of July 2021. Featured

in Guardians in the Galaxy, the price of

these on eBay, used, can range from $500

to $1200.00. $200 in 1979 = more than

$740.00 today. A “Mic” button let a person

talk to you over your headphones without

taking them off.

iPod Nano 4 GB First Gen -Sept 2005

1000 songs in your pocket like the original

iPod, but at 1/5^th the size! $249.00

Janghans World’s 1^st radio-controlled

production clock for private use.

1985. About $175. It checked with the

Bolder Colorado master clock once

every 24 hours, but mostly couldn’t

connect, so it wasn’t very accurate at

my location.

Since people are flying a lot more lately and taking trains too, I started scouting out some interesting travel gadgets. One I bought was the awfully named MLVOC Travel Pillow. It’s said to be a 100% Pure Memory Foam Neck Pillow, Comfortable & Breathable Cover that is Machine Washable. It actually is travel kit that also contains a 3D Contoured Eye Masks, Earplugs, and Luxury Bag. Well, carry bag, not so much luxury. What I like about this is that it fits all the way around your neck and can fasten in the front. Doing that will help prevent your head from falling down to your chest while you snooze. Waiting up from a head down snooze does give one a terrible pain the neck. The company says their adjustable rope lock lets you adjust the angle and the size of the pillow, meeting different neck size requirements. The luxury memory foam filler uses “5 second return technology”. Maybe, I didn’t time it. The travel bag that allows the neck pillow to compress down to ½ its size. With its snap strap, this pillow can be attached to your carry on luggage without taking up extra space. About $21 – $22, the prices are ever changing. See the links below.

A longer video about this set: https://youtu.be/lTi4ZoPinE8

This link shows the VENTO brand with the exact same photo & the same 3 items, pillow, sleep mask, & ear plugs for Under $20. (But see below for more options.)

https://amzn.to/2SgsN8y   Affliliate link. You  pay the same but Giz Wiz Biz earns from a qualified purchase.

There are other options that look the same for less money. You can check them on this page: https://amzn.to/2UB0Au0 – Affliliate link. You  pay the same but Giz Wiz Biz earns from a qualified purchase.

If you have travel plans you just may want the Anker PowerExtend USB-C 3 Cube. It offers high-speed charging: with a 30W USB-C port equipped with Power Delivery to charge phones, tablets, and even some laptops at high speed. In total the cube has 3 AC outlets, 2 USB-A ports, and 1 USB-C port to deliver power for up to 6 devices. At less than 2 ½ cubic inches, this compact power strip is perfect for your travel bag or even on your nightstand at home. Anker’s exclusive 7-point safety system includes a fire-retardant casing, internal safety shutters, grounded protection, and more to keep you and your devices safe. In addition to the cube you get a worry-free 18-month warranty, lifetime $25,000 connected equipment warranty, and friendly customer service. For the purpose of the connected equipment warranty, “lifetime” is defined as the lifetime of the product. MSRP: $39.99. When I bought mine on Amazon it was under $30.

A Longer Giz Wiz Video About This Gadget: https://youtu.be/z38n3spRSsM  

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vVz4EJ As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

Popular with coffee enthusiasts worldwide, including the Giz Wiz, is the AeroPress Go coffee maker. It use a fast brewing process (similar to French Press) to make a smooth, full flavored cup of coffee. With the AeroPress & the newer AeroPress Go paper Micro-filter, there’s no grit in your cup and clean up takes seconds. Plus, you get 350 filters in the box with the Go! Also with the “Go”, the company says you can make 1 to 3 cups of American coffee per pressing in about a minute. Cold brew coffee per pressing in about two minutes and it can brew espresso style coffee for use in lattes & cappuccinos. You’ll see in the video how compact it is, with everything needed fitting in the mug you brew into and drink from. In hotels you can make hot hot water with one of those portable travel immersion water heater devices, or brew a really nice cold brew coffee when you have no access to water. When packed up, the AeroPress Go is great when traveling, camping, boating or otherwise on the go. It’s about $32.00. 

Here’s a longer video about the device: https://youtu.be/LPNXKdTj7Bo

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3x0Pm09 Affiliate link. You pay no more but Giz Wiz Biz can earn on qualifying Amazon purchases.

Norpro Instant Immersion Heater Coffee/Tea/Soup Electric Water Portable Heater.

 To make hot water in a hotel (for making coffee, tea, etc.) I use one of those small travel immersion heaters. The latest one I bought, the Norpro Instant Immersion Heater, is perfect for heating hot water for coffee/tea/etc. This AC portable heater works faster than my old one which was 200 watts. This one is rated at 300 watts and is said to be UL approved. Be sure to follow the directions carefully! Plug it in after the heater is in the water, and be sure to unplug it after the water is heated and only then should you remove it. Otherwise it can burn out. (All immersion heaters I’ve used work this way!)  It’s under $15.00 on Amazon. I saved a bit of money by buying the 2 pack.

 Affiliate link. https://amzn.to/3gWTn0e    You pay no more but Giz Wiz Biz can earn on qualifying Amazon purchases.

Small and easy to pack, it’s the Lewis N. Clark Travel Door Alarm. These type of devices have been around for a while, but now they’re more compact and feature a built in LED flashlight. They’re very simple to use. Just hang it on the hotel door, slide out the builtin thin metal prongs and stick them in the door jamb. Then, if someone opens the door, a loud, high-pitched 91db alarm sounds. It will wake you and most likely scare an intruder away. Under $15.00

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3xTFdT4 – As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.