Gadgets - Gizmodo Gifts

Exchange Special: Garmin Nuvi 660

One of the most under appreciated gifts is the GPS system. Paper maps are great, but nothing tops a little digital screen telling you where to go and how to get there. Not get one over the holidays? No worries. Take back all of the sweaters and and clothing for one of these, the Garmin Nuvi 660. more »

4:08 PM ON THU DEC 27 2007
BY TRAVIS HUDSON
4,598 views, 16 comments

Flying Robot Revolution: WowWee FlyTech Dragonfly

In the same category of the enormously popular toy R/C helicopters is WowWee's FlyTech Dragonfly. Rather than a propeller, this guy flaps his wings furiously to fly around. It has a remote and can be controlled in two different modes — beginner and expert. Beginner is a good way to get a hang of flying the guy and expert allows for a wide variety of tricks and maneuvers to be performed. Be careful, though. This is liable to be one of those toys broken easily, especially with those darned rowdy kids. $42. [Best Buy]

12:50 PM ON MON DEC 17 2007
BY TRAVIS HUDSON
1,911 views, 2 comments

Latest by superdemon: that looks rad. all it needs now is a shotgun! more »

Gifts for the Zany: LED Skin Therapy Brush

You know those crazy people who constantly call into psychics and believe in odd herbal and other farfetched remedies? Yeah, this is great for him or her. It is a LED light therapy wand for the skin. Supposedly you allow the LED light to emit onto your skin for 15 minutes per day to help acne, aging or hyperpigmentation. It supposedly works with frequencies that increases tissue grown and other nonsense. They will love it, you will enjoy many many laughs. It is kind of like a gag gift, but not. $225. [Product Page]

12:28 PM ON WED DEC 12 2007
BY TRAVIS HUDSON
404 views, 1 comment

Latest by bobdole: well, actually...I don't know about the aging, or hyperpigmentation, but acne has a bacterial component to it + ultraviolet light kills bacteria (by destroying it's DNA...same reason you get skin cancer ;)) so if some of those are ultraviolet LEDs... ... more »

Nerf Sniper Rifle Proves Nerf Will Never Die

In an age where toy guns are getting banned left and right because of security and other concerns, Nerf is still going strong. Its latest addition is the CS-6 N-Strike Longshot, or a Nerf sniper rifle. It is available for $30. Man, Nerf toys have just gotten cooler and cooler over the years — it's a damn shame I had to grow up and no longer be eligible for Nerf toys during the holidays. [Product Page]

10:10 AM ON MON DEC 10 2007
BY TRAVIS HUDSON
5,905 views, 7 comments

TomTom ONE XL Will Get You To Grandmas in a Timely Manner this Year

In case you don't remember where your family lives this holiday season, you could ask for a TomTom ONE XL. This device has a gigantic 4.3-inch LCD screen. It also obviously includes TomTom's mapping software, that is a personal favorite of mine. Slap one of these on your windshield and you will be one heck of a hip and trendy driver and be able to find your way around, easily. It is available for $250. [Product Page]

4:15 PM ON SAT DEC 8 2007
BY TRAVIS HUDSON
3,304 views, 11 comments

Latest by NotMe: My TomTom One XL had instances where satellite strength dropped to zero suddenly in wide open spaces with no obstructions. This happened about four or five times, and took up to an hour to acquire satellites again. Last time it happened, more »

For the Chef With Everything: Temperature Detecting LED Faucet

Chef or cook in your life have everything in the kitchen? Probably not this. This dishwasher adapter can detect the temperature of the water — 89 degrees or more will provide a red LED, less than that provides blue. There isn't a lot of practicality with a device like this, but it sure will make that kitchen pop a little more and at $20, you can't go wrong. Check out our review here. [Product Page]

4:25 PM ON THU DEC 6 2007
BY TRAVIS HUDSON
5,617 views, 17 comments

Pocket R/C Helicopters is the Toy to have for All Ages

Asking for R/C cars and other vehicles is no longer limited to children. The latest trend this year in remote control toys are the miniature helicopters. These tiny copters can fly around anywhere easily tormenting people and pets. A variety of companies make these type of helicopters, but they are all fundamentally the same and usually sell in the $20 to $30 range. [Product Page]

1:45 PM ON THU DEC 6 2007
BY TRAVIS HUDSON
7,370 views, 27 comments

Gifts for Secret Santa: Boba Fett Bobblehead

So you drew the IT guy in your office's secret santa? It's not as hard of a task as you would imagine. Nothing was better for the bobblehead business than when Dwight Schrute took the bobblehead out of its natural automobile environment and into the office environment. This Bounty Hunter Bobbler would be loved by any Star Wars fan, especially given the unique and distinct Boba Fett head, which is enlarged, bobbly. This bobbler is available from ThinkGeek for $12.99 — plenty below the $20 secret santa price limit. [ Product Page]

12:05 PM ON MON DEC 3 2007
BY TRAVIS HUDSON
1,689 views, 4 comments

Latest by tcolberg: Agh. I love the stuff at ThinkGeek, but their shipping rates are killer. more »

Not Just for Kids: Lego Mindstorms NXT Robot Kit

We're no stranger to Lego Mindstorms NXT around these parts, and it should be included in every gift guide for the next decade (unless of course a next generation Mindstorms Nanobot set comes out). Mindstorms NXT takes traditional Legos and brings it to life with the NXT, a Bluetooth- compatible, computer-controlled and programmable brain. You can build completely customized robots and devices capable of accomplishing tasks and doing other things automatically. The NXT can link up with touch, sound, light and ultrasonic sensors as well as servo motors. If you're still confused about the NXT, check out all of our past coverage of Mindstorms NXT projects here and here. more »

4:28 PM ON SAT DEC 1 2007
BY TRAVIS HUDSON
6,310 views, 10 comments

Latest by war6763: The motors are also larger because they're not your average DC motor, they're stepper motors that can actually count steps and sense it's exact degree while spinning!! The cables are much easier to replace, make and are a lot tougher!! more »

Dremel Duo Li-Ion Duo is a Necessity for Any DIY'er

Dremel's latest duo of tools is the perfect companion for that aspiring or veteran DIY'er always looking at the next project to be done. The first is a 7.2V driver. Nothing too special, just a small, powerful driver. It's companion is Dremel's world-reknown stylus tool. The Dremel Stylus is all about precision, control and power. This multitool can do it all. It can do so much I'm without a proper way to name the action it performs. Maybe like a combination of a dentist drill and a sander (thanks Chazz)? The combo has a nice charging and accessory cradle and goes for $100. [Product Page]

1:50 PM ON THU NOV 29 2007
BY TRAVIS HUDSON
401 views, Comment