GearGuyd

Gear, Gadgets, Tech, and Fun Stuff You Gotta Try

New Official Arduino Starter Kit

I first wrote about the inexpensive and versatile Arduino microcontroller about a year ago. Since then I have worked with it a bit more, and have seen tons of interesting and innovative projects based off it. There are many ways to get started with Arduino, but until now there have not been any starter kits […]

Tech

Lego Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Sets

Lego is coming out with new building sets based off of Nickelodeon’s new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. The line will be available starting in January 2013. Shown here is the Shellraiser Street Chase set, 79104, which will be priced at $60. Other Lego TMNT Sets: 79100 Kraang Lab Escape 79101 Shredder’s Dragon Bike 79102 Stealth Shell […]

Cool

Herman Miller Embody Computer Chair Review

I’ve been needing a new home office chair. My current one, a <$200 leather chair from either Staples or Office Depot, is usually comfortable, but the “memory foam” seat lost its support and springiness, the seat reclines with the back, and the armrests are too high and not adjustable. Long sessions at the computer leave […]

Gadgets, Home

Wolfram Alpha Is Awesome but Still Unbelievably Wonky

Wolfram Alpha, a computational knowledge engine, is an incredibly useful reference tool. In addition to solving mathematical and scientific equations and conversions, it can handle factual answers with ease. Capital of Utah? Salt Lake City. Boiling point of alcohol? 78°C. How tall is a giraffe? 13-20 feet. But ask it more complex questions, and it will […]

Gadgets

Audio Technic ATH-M50 Headphones

My trusty Sony earbuds failed a couple months ago, and I have since replaced them with newer Sony buds. Sometime after that, my over-the-ear headphones died as well. It was an older Phillips model, and I’d been looking to replace them for some time even before they stopped working. Why buy headphones when I had […]

Gadgets, Gear

Scented Pens

I remember having scented markers way back 15-20 years ago, although what stands out most in my memory is the discovery that turquoise blue is my all-time favorite color. I don’t really member smelling the markers. These days, however, it’s not really a good idea to encourage children, or anyone else, to sniff their markers. Apparently […]

Cool, Home

Merrel World Route Shoes Review

I once went to 3 shoes stores in a mall – at least one of them twice – looking for a new pair of sneakers. A couple of years have passed, and I’m still unbelievably picky when it comes to footwear. These days I usually order footwear online, but the selection process can still be […]

Gear

Scott Kelby’s The Digital Photography Book Part 4

I’m a huge fan of Scott Kelby’s digital photography book series. They’re not so much technical guides as they are practical how-to and tip guides. The 4th volume just came out a few weeks ago, and early reviews seem to be quite positive. You can order a paperback copy for less than $15, and a […]

Entertainment

Tacticool Battle Mug

I’ve seen some weird and embellished mugs before, but this OPMOD Battle Mug is in a whole new league of excessiveness. The 24-ounce mug itself is machined out of a solid aluminum block that starts off at 13.5 lbs. On top of that, it features 3 functional Mil-Spec 1913 scope rails. The handle? A removable […]

Cool, Gadgets

Is This Armed Robot Walker the Greatest Toy in the Universe?

This unnamed hex-walker robot is radio (or at least infrared) controlled, fires 3-types of projectiles, and has blast-damage armor that falls off when hit. I want one, no, I NEED one of these. Seriously, this looks like an awesome toy. Beyond that, the (inexpensive?) hexapod platform looks to have great hacking potential for hobbyists. I […]

Cool

New Avengers and Spiderman Trailers!

Sweeeeet. What I’m wondering is who the baddies are in the movie. It’s clear that Loki is a bad guy, but who’s flying those pod-like spaceship/aircraft things? The new spiderman looks… interesting. With this one, I’ll probably check the reviews before heading to see it.

Entertainment

Wooden Ballista Kit is Perfect for Cubicle Warfare!

This laser-cut hardwood ballista kit provides a nice way to add a bit of fun into your day. It is modeled after Roman designs and features interlocking parts for quick and easy assembly. There are tons of small tabletop catapults, trebuchets, foam dart launchers, marshmallow shooters, and other such implements of cubicle warfare, and this […]

Cool

Lego Technic Pick-Up Tow Truck

In case you didn’t know, I’m a huge Lego fan, especially Lego Technics models, with the Supercar 8070 one of my strong favorites. A couple of new first-half 2012 (1H2012) Technic models were released this month, with the 9395 tow truck being particularly appealing. The Pick-Up Tow Truck features working steering, folding tow lift, working […]

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