On this page is, or will be, all the gadgets & gizmos Leo & talked about on the Daily Giz Wiz during the month of February, 2009. The newest shows are at the TOP of the page.
Week of February 23rd, 2009
Monday, February 23rd, 2009, This Netcast, #771, starts year four of the Daily Giz Wiz!
Some gadgets & gizmos I found at the Miami International Boat Show.
What’s a Seasucker?
No a Seasucker is not an octopus, at least not the one I saw at the show. And the company says it’s not a suction cup, either, but a vacuum cups. SeaSucker vacuum cups come from their integrated pumps. Once mounted, they really hold. The company says a 4.5" SeaSucker can support more than 100 pounds and a 6" SeaSucker can support more than 200 pounds. For even more holding power, multiple SeaSuckers can be attached to an aluminum track mount. You can use a SeaSucker to mount just about anything to your boat, RV, or your home. The only limit to a SeaSucker's uses is your imagination! The SeaSucker custom housing lets you choose between screwing into the standard 1/4-20 stainless steel center insert or back-plating through the slotted holes. You don't have to drill any new holes, they're non-marking, and their vacuum-cup operation gives you amazing holding power! At the show, a guy at Seasucker booth jumped up & down a table mounted to a door with 3 Seasuckers. A nice idea is the built in safety feature - a check valve. If the red line shows, you know you need to just give your SeaSucker another couple of pumps to get back to full vacuum power strength. On the water, they’re designed to withstand the harshness of the saltwater environment. All parts are made from stainless steel or high-strength plastic to resist corrosion. The 4.5” Seasucker is $47.99 and the 6” version is $67.99 They make a complete line of accessories including back to back SeaSuckers for holding various electronics to dashboards, etc.
Tuesday, February 24th, 2009, Another Turn The Table Tuesday, Netcast 772
Leo sits on a ball, does his TWiT-Fit and even goes to the gym. But that still wasn’t enough, so he bought himself a Wii Fit. I don’t have a Wii Fit, or even a Wii, so I did some research. It seems pretty neat. The active-play phenomenon started by Wii Sports now spreads to your whole body thanks to Wii Fit. It comes with a pressure-sensitive Wii Balance Board, which can do a lot of things, including keep track of your weight as you progress. Up to four family members can participate in challenging activities, including aerobics, yoga, muscle stretches and balance oriented games. The focus of these activities is towards providing a "core" workout, a popular exercise method that emphasizes slower, controlled motions, but it's the fun approach to fitness of Wii Fit that will keep players hooked on fitness for years to come. Something that’s clever is Wii Fit Age. You'll do a basic balance test and find out your current Wii Fit Age. This basic balance test measures how well you can control your left and right balance. Based on the results, you'll be assigned a Wii Fit Age. Wii Fit features four main categories to choose from: Strength Training, Aerobics, Yoga and Balance Games. As you spend time exercising, you'll earn Fit Credits that unlock additional exercises and activities within these categories. Wii Fit also tracks the activities you do the most and puts them into the Favorites category. Now Leo said the workouts are not heavy duty, and he wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t already own a Wii, because the Wii is $250 and the Wii Fit is an additional $89.99.
Another GPS, but this one is a Marine version with a unique twist.
It’s the Garmin GPSMAP640. An ultra portable touch screen navigator that comes ready to help on land and at sea. It’s waterproof (IPX7) with a super-bright 5.2” WVGA touch screen display (800 x 480 pixels). It ships preloaded with comprehensive street maps of North America and worldwide shaded relief mapping in addition to detailed U.S. coastal BlueChart g2 charts. A real tweak for this device comes when it’s placed in the marine mount, which is included with the unit. It recognizes the mount and automatically starts up in marine mode. So instead of street maps you’ll see marine charts with shaded depth contours, port plans, wrecks, restricted areas and more. And yes, when you leave the boat and place the 640 in your car or van mount it does switch to automotive navigator. On the road this device gives voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions. With the GPSMAP 640, users can also create their own custom Points of Interest list and set up proximity alerts for the ultimate in driver awareness. And with optional BlueChart g2 Vision cards, you'll get 3D 'mariner's eye view' above the waterline and 'fish eye view' below the waterline. You'll also benefit from Auto Guidance technology that searches chart data to suggest the best passage. The GPSMAP 640 is also NMEA 0183 compliant, so it can be easily added to an existing marine network aboard your boat. MSRP is $1199.99. For more information, visit
Back up Everything. Yes Everything Including Your Operating System!
When a spokesperson called from Rebit to say we should talk about their backup drives I said we’ve just talk about so many of them, I didn’t want to do another. But when this person said Rebit automatically backs up everything on the computer, I said: “everything”? Yes, she said Rebit protects everything with complete computer backup: your documents and information, including entertainment files, photos, video, mp3s and financial programs. But, and this was the part that was different it also backs up your operating system, applications, software, settings, bookmarks, drivers and configuration settings. The Rebit hard drive backup system automatically works to save your entire computer environment when you plug it in. They went one over and it is transparently, and continuously working to backup files. Any recent changes you've made, programs you've installed, or documents you've saved are reflected in the current back up hard drive. You never need think about what type of data you want to protect. Just to check as I’m typing this I placed my cursor on the ReBit icon in my system tray. It said everything in my computer was backed up as of 2/24/2009 9:53 PM. Considering it is just two minutes past that time and date, I’d say that’s very reassuring! Rebit backup drives range from 80 GB to 500 GB. Be sure to buy a higher capacity that your files since you need to back up everything! My Rebit sits next to my computer, plugged into a USB port. One reviewer said Rebit can be called a Time Machine for Windows XP and Vista. Prices range from $136 to $176.00. Do a web search for the lowest price.
Back to Dick’s Gadget Warehouse Friday, February 27th, 2009 Netcast 775
If you wanted to do video effects back in the days of VHS Video, it was complicated and expensive.
I bought the VIP Video Duplicator Hybrid-8 Professional w/remote joystick because I had this grand notion of making dazzling videos to impress my friends. And I liked the name VIP. Turns outs it’s not quite grand as it sounds. VIP stood for Video Interface Products. (I don’t think they’re around anymore.) You could do special effects by hooking up 3 video decks to "Hybrid-8 S.E.G." Yes, three! Two decks in and one deck out for the final product. Then using the switches on the front of the unit you can fade in and out, or click on the one of the special effects wipes, select stabilizer on and off, X- Fade, and use one of 6 special effects generator switches. There was also a “Compare on and off” so you could see what some of the buttons would do before and after. There was a digital timer and more knobs to adjust fade duration, enhance and color balance. I used it once or twice and it was pretty unique, but they were just too many cables to leave it set up in my 2.5 room apartment, so it quickly went to the warehouse. I think the main console was about $359.00, plus about $75 to $100 for the remote control!
You can still find VIP units on EBay for about $40.
Week of February 16th, 2009
Monday, February 16th, 2009 Netcast 766
Afraid of Germs?
From Verilux (the folks who made lights that simulate sunshine) comes the Cleanwave Pocket Sanitizing Wand. This gizmos features a convenient, travel-friendly compact design. Push the large button on the side and the light panel swings open and the UV-C light becomes active and ready to use. Since UV light can be harmful when used incorrectly, the safety shut off feature will turn the UV light off if turned upwards. You don’t want UV exposure to the eyes. When you are finished sanitizing, fold the light panel in to shut it off. The Cleanwave UV-C light technology works in just seconds to naturally eliminate 99% germs that are common causes of colds, infections and allergic reactions. The pocket wand is silent to operate because it using UV light waves. So it can provide chemical free disinfection of bedding, toys, telephones, toilets, eating utensils and more. It is ideal for use in hotel rooms or public spaces, and is a necessity to keep in a diaper bag to sterilize your child's bottles and toys. The Pocket wand is rechargeable and does not require batteries. And LED fans, it also features a bonus built-in flashlight. Effective exposure times to UVC light varies depending on surface to be sanitized. Visit the company’s website for recommended duration times to sanitize various objects. $69.99
Leo’s Turn The Table Tuesday is a Unique LED Light from C. Crane
Leo talked about the first 60-watt direct replacement, Premium Quality High Brightness (PQ-HB) bulb that uses less than 8 watts. The GeoBulb is the same size as a conventional incandescent bulb suitable for direct replacement in any indoor open fixture. It puts out more light than a standard 60-watt bulb but uses less than 8 watts. LED bulbs last 3 years of continuous use or 10 years at about 8 hours per day. Every part of the GeoBulb is built for long lasting durability. The GeoBulb is the first bulb built to withstand 10 years of use. So you’ll be using 8 watts of electric instead of 60. That can really offset the price of the bulb which as Leo said: “Is on the expensive side”. The bulb is about $110 to $120. Hopefully as people start using them and sales increase, the prices will drop. That will start a cycle where the bulbs will drop quickly in price as more people move into this energy saving, green technology.
Some new and different from Schlage! The Schlage Link
You probably know the name Schlage, a company big into locks and security. Now they’ve gone very high tech with a new lock the Schlage Link that uses the Internet! The lock can be opened the normal way, with a key, or by using a four-digit code. But the high tech part is that this lock can also be controlled via Schlage’s online website or even by a mobile device that are connected to the Internet. If you want, the lock can even alert you via SMS message any time the door is opened, or if someone keeps trying to enter incorrect entry codes. Constant putting in the wrong codes could mean someone is trying to hack the lock. (Or maybe they’re just very forgetful!) There’s an on-line control panel you can use to program the system to turn certain lights on when a door is opened. You can do other neat things too, like allow the use of specific codes for entry only at specified times. Or my favorite, it can send a photo from a Web cam to the owners phone whenever the door is opened. (Provided you have a webcam and set it up properly and you have a phone that can receive photos!) Leo loved the idea of this lock and knowing him, he’s probably already ordered one. Although he said he would wait a couple of month to see if he hears of anyone hacking into the system! The starter lock system is about $300. That includes the lock (which requires batteries), the unit that communicates with your router and a lamp module. There is also a monthly access charge of $12.99.
Joby is a name you know if you own one their popular GorillaPod flexible tripods for digital cameras. Joby has branched out and is now offering the Zivio Boom Bluetooth headset. This high tech looking Bluetooth headset is easy to adjust with the three large buttons on the front. They’re simple: volume up/down & one multifunction call button. The Zivio Boom has a built in boom mic, but you wonder where the heck it is when you open the box. I looked for one, thinking it would clip on the unit. But it’s built in! The extendable boom mic pulls out from the lower-left corner. And it’s a telescoping type like rabbit ears of a car antenna. It’s super thin as you can image, and when it’s opened it hangs down about 3 inches. Since it's curved it’s places the mic close to your mouth. The headset comes with a selection of six inter-changeable earpiece covers, so unless your Dr Spock you’ll most likely find a set that’s comfortable. And if you like you can also use the optional ear loop. So the ear loop can go anywhere you find comfortable, it’s attached with a small magnetized disc. I think that’s a clever idea and prefer a loop so I don’t worry that the earpiece might fall out while walking and talking. Paring the Zivio Boom with my LG Voyager was a breeze. I made a few phone calls and asked the folks I called to rate the call quality. All agreed it was clear and static free. I didn’t try this out in a crowded noisy area like Times Square, but because the Joby says the Boom has noise-cancellation and the fact that mic is right next your mouth, I think it should work fine. The headset does all the things any high end Bluetooth device does: answer, end, and reject calls if you have to. And there’s last number redial, voice dial support –assuming your phone supports it too, three-way calling support, and the ability to transfer calls from headset to phone and vice versa. Zivio says battery life equals 10 hours of talk & 200 hours of standby. In the Zivio Boom box is a USB charging cable, an AC adapter, ear loop, and the six assorted earbud covers. $129.95, but if you do a web search you can find it for about $99.99. Better than paying $100, right?
Three years ago – on February 20th, 2006, there was Daily Giz Wiz Episode # 1: Docupen! It ran just 8 minutes and had no jingles!
So this episode, Netcast 770, finishes up the first three years of the Daily Giz Wiz!
On March 31st, 2009, at Dick’s Gadget Warehouse, I talked about my first Sony Betamax. But that was not my first video recorder!
I was one of the first to buy the Sony Videocorder that could record 1 hour of black & white video on a reel-to-reel machine!
It’ was 1997 and I buy the Sony CV 2000 portable. Here’s what Sony said about it back then:
The Sony Model CV-2000 Portable Deck is the most compact and portable video tape recorder ever designed. Housed in a handy carrying case and weighing only 46 lbs.
Correct, weighing ONLY 46 pounds. And the cost? $730. Add to that the cost of a reel of black & white videotape that recorded one hour of video which was $40! A non-portable version with a walnut base was just $695.00. There were other models too, but they were not as light! The TCV-2010 Videocorder had a built in 8” black & white monitor/TV and was also “portable”. That combo was $995.00. And the tip-top of the line was the TCV-2020 Videocorder with built in monitor/TV in Walnut case, with timer. $1150.00. I bought the 8” (yep 8”, not 7 or 9) separately since I figured I couldn’t lift the whole unit as one piece. (I can’t find the weight of the combo unit. Sony probably didn’t want to publish it!)
Monday, February 9th, 2009 Netcast 761 This is the upgraded version of the Neverlate Clock we talked about on Daily Giz Wiz Monday, October 15th, Netcast 421. Okay, so maybe 7 alarms, one for everyday of the week wasn't enough There's now a BANK control on this new version, the Neverlate Executive. No, they didn't add an ATM, but now there are two separate "his" & "hers" 7-day alarm presets available. And each of those 14 alarms can be set to a different time and different sounding buzzers or 20 preset radio stations. Plus another bank of every day alarms which you can use for things like -time to take pill- reminders. That's 21 alarms in total! And if you get bored with the built-in AM/FM radio, you can plug in your MP3 player and listen through the clock speaker. You can even charge your MP3 player with the Executive Neverlate's standard 5V USB port. One of my favorite things on a clock that isn't often found, is the "Nap" button. It lets you set time for a little nap without upsetting any of the other alarms. Price is $59.95. I may have said $50 on the Netcast. The older version, which is still available is $39.95 Dan McCormick / Instructional Technology Technician added his own comments on the new version:This offers a great display at night with nice large numbers that are easily seen - the brightness of the clock can also be adjusted. You can set 7 presets (Sun- Sun) totally different from another set of 7 others. All with their own wake up time, radio station, a choice of 4 different buzzer sounds, aux in, and at all different volumes.The same goes for the other bank of 7. The one down side of this clock that is not atomic and does not automatically change for DST. Netcast on the new Executive Version: www.twit.tv/dgw761 Here?s the original Neverlate Alarm Clock Daily Giz Wiz:
http://www.gizwizbiz.com/olddgwnetcasts/dgwoct07.html Both versions are available at Think Geek http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/9bac/ TTTT, Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 Netcast 762 Turn The Table Tuesday - Leo buys another computer!!! The new MSI Wave 10" Netbook WIND is an acronym for Wi-Fi Network Device. This nifty little computer features an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor. The WIND Leo picked has a 10" wide LCD screen. (10" would be the smallest size I could live with too it if and when I break down a get a Netbook.) Leo saidthe 1024 x 600 resolution fully display web pages and supports very decent video.I found out on the web that the WIND's display features embedded LED power-saving backlight technology. And it?s equipped with magnifying technology so users can magnify words displayed on the monitor. Leo mentioned he had no trouble typing on the slightly smaller-than-standard keyboard. (It's about 20% smaller than a full sized keyboard.) Other features include 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth. While Leo plans on dual booting Apple's OSX on his new Wind, and then maybe dual booting with Windows 7, it comes with full Windows XP from the factory. No strange Linux distro here. It features an energy efficient Atom processor along with a 6 cell lithium ion battery, which should it exceptional battery life. The perfectly sized 10 inch screen form factor allows users to easily touch type the keyboard even if they may have had trouble with past smaller netbook computers. The hard drive is a traditional platter based magnetic hard drive, giving a generous 160 gigabytes of space, where many other netbooks only have very small solid state drives. Looking to built a Hackintosh netbook? This is the unit for you. The MSI Wind is frequently used in the Hackintosh community, and as such there is a great deal of knowledge and help available on the internet on how to perform the conversion.
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 Netcast 763 Now you can own your own Fuel Cell!
The Medis Fuel Cell Medis 24-7 Power Pack was a long time in coming. They showed it at CES one year, but it took the entire year before it was really to hit the marketplace. Unlike a battery which stores electricity, The Medium Fuel Cell an electrochemical device that actually creates or produces energy through a chemical reaction. And unlike other devices when this power is depleted it cannot be replenished. When you activate this gizmo it generates about 20 watts of power. A spokesperson said that the activated Medis Fuel Cell can charge a cell phone about 10 times, and a Smart Phone about 6 times. If you don't use it at all, the Medis has a shelf-life of about 18 months. (The month and year of mfr. are printed on the label on bottom of the unit.) Once you've "activated" it, (you cannot UN-activate it), it has a usable lifespan of about three months, or when its energy is depleted, whichever comes first. When you want to activate the unit, you remove a plastic strip around the base of the device and push down on the top until you hear it lock in place. Then you shake it bit and it's set to charge other devices. There's a 30? inch long cable where you attach the device specific charging dongle to match the device you?re going to charge ? cell phone, PDA, etc. When exhausted you can toss the Medis in the box it came in and mail it back to be recycled. The first you buy the Fuel Cell, you'll need the complete kit which is about $50. Then you buy replacement fuel cells for about $25 or less. www.poweritanywhere.com
Thursday, February 12th, 2009, Netcast 764 It's a ping-pong ball? A golf ball? No, it's a speaker!
Here’s a tiny speaker with some big sound! It's the X-Mini Pop-Open Speaker. Small enough to be carried in a pocket, you just twist open the capsule which will extend the speaker bellows. The open bellows are the resonance chamber, which increases the bass response. Take it on a trip when you want some music in your hotel room from your MP3 player. At full-charge can power it for nearly 8 hours! It recharges via a USB cable which is included. In the same cable is the cord that plugs into the headphone jack of your iPod, iPhone or MP3 Player. It's from Think Geek and it's under $25. There is also a stereo version with two golf ball sized speakers.
Friday, February 13th, 2009, Netcast 765 OMG, Friday the 13th!!Let’s see what we have, and then get out of Dick’s Gadget Warehouse as quickly as possible! Need Help to Get Your As-teroid Out of Bed?
Telemania Shuttlecraft Magellan Digital Clock Radio.
Telemania wasfamous for making strange shaped telephones. I have several of them I'll talk in further warehouse segments. So when they sent me a sample of their new Magellan Shuttlecraft from Star Trek: The Next Generation, I spent ten minutes trying to find which part lifted off to become the handset. Well it turns out it wasn’t a phone at all, but an AM/FM clock radio! As far I know this was their first venture away from telephones. When the alarm goes off it makes authentic RED ALERT sounds! It was made in the mid-1990. It features AM / FM radio, 5 station pre-sets, backlit LCD display light, snooze and sleep mode! It required 3 "AA" and a 9V battery, or you could use the 9V AC adaptor that came with the unit. As an added attraction, the Nacelles light up when the alarm goes off. You can wake up to the radio or to Star Trek sound effects. It retailed for about $70, but is no longer made. You can often find one on Ebay and/or Amazon. Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw765
Someone is/was selling this one on EBay.
The Daily Giz Wiz, Week of February 2, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009, Netcast 756
Holy cow, its yet another keyboard!It?s the Seal Shield Keyboard. Have you heard that your computer keyboard has 400 times more germs then your toilet seat? Gross yes, but that?s what Dr. Charles Gerba, University of Arizona claims. So what can you do about it? Well, whenever you want, you can put the Silver Seal Anti- microbial keyboard IN THE DISHWASHER! I asked the company if they?d be willing to let me do my own test: type with the keyboard --- wash it in my dishwasher --- and then use it to type again. They were more than willing to prove to me how dishwasher-safe their keyboard was. They sent me one and I put it to the test. The only difference you?You'll notice when you hook up this basic keyboard is that the USB dongle has a waterproof rubber boot which has to be used before you put the keyboard in the dishwasher. They also ask that you don?t let the dishwasher go through a heated dry cycle if your dishwasher offers that option when washing the keyboard. (Mine dishwasher doesn't?t have that option.) The keyboard went through the test perfectly. When I took the keyboard out of the dishwasher soaking wet, I was sure I did something wrong. But I drained it over the sink, dried it for a minute with a towel and plugged it in. They also ask you to dry off the USB connector if it gets wet in the dishwasher. Seal Shield TV Remote, Price TBA. Brand new from the company above is their TV remote control that can be put in the dishwasher too. And coming soon, a dish washer safe Home Theatre Remote Control. Spring 09.
Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw756 Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009, Netcast 757
Another Turn The Table Tuesday, and Leo buys himself one heck a laptop!
It?s the Dell Studio XPS 16. Since Leo opened the box for this gizmo as we were recording, he just made everyone listening drool describing the case, the leather accents, etc. He will a detailed review after he uses for a while. In the meantime I picked up some details from the Dell Website. The Studio XPS 16 is designed to deliver the ultimate multimedia laptop experience. The screen is has a 16" ultra-wide 16:9 aspect ratio with 1080p HD support & optional RGB-LED for brighter and more vivid colors. (Of course Leo ordered the optional RGB-LEDs.) Power: The latest Centrino 2 platform for blazing fast performance, amazing battery life and go anywhere wireless connectivity. (Leo said Dell claims 3 to 4 hours, he expect 2. He thought the only thing that might have been better was the graphics card. It comes with:) Premium ATI 512MB graphics. (Those of us watching the video saw this "live" as he took it out of the box.) Premium design with genuine leather accents, anodized aluminum, edge-to-edge display and back lit keyboard.
Now Dell says you can buy a Studio XPS 16 starting at $1199, but Leo went all out and bought the best of all the options. He said his computer cost a bit over $2,000.
This neat little very inexpensive gadget was suggest by DGW fan Mike Gunn from San Francisco. It?s the GE 911 Emergency Light Switch When you dial 911 for emergency assistance every second counts! Often precious minutes are wasted trying to locate the correct house. The Emergency Light Switch insurers that your house will be found as quickly as possible. You simply replace the standard front porch light switch with the Emergency Light Switch. If you need to dial 911 for help you can tell the operator to look for the flashing porch light. You then move the switch to the flashing position and your porch light will flash continuously to signal the emergency personnel trying to find you. After help arrives you can move the switch to the constant on or off position. (There are 3 positions on or off or flashing). Can also be used to help the pizza delivery man find your house or guests if you are expecting company. Easy installation in less than 10 minutes because you?re just swapping out one light switch for another. MAKE SURE YOU SHUT THE POWER THOUGH!After cutting off the power to the light at the circuit breaker you simply remove the switch cover plate untwist the two wires that connect the old switch and twist the two wires together to connect the new switch. Turn the power back on and you are done. This product can be seen online retailing for between $8.00 and 24.95! Itlooks like it's been discontinued, so grab one if you're interested. Leo had a good idea. They shouldn't call it the GE 911 Light Switch, but more like the "find us" light switch. http://www.shouldn't.com/ge-911-emergency-light-switch-p-818.html?shouldn't=9vpcnv0sttl39mbd15nnakpe31Under $8.00 http://www.amazon.com/As-Seen-TV-SD50269-Emergency/dp/B0016P8XFC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1227387464&sr=8-5Looks like this place reduced it to $6! Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw758
Thursday, February 5th, 2009, Netcast 759 Wanna know what's going inside your mouth, up very close and personal? Then you'll want the .... Mini USB 1.3M Intra-Oral Teeth Tooth Hygiene Dental PC Camera It's a gizmo suggest by Caleb Mixson. Guess what, I don't want one, but maybe you do. Here?s the company says about the Dental PC Camera: A great computer camera gadget for getting a close look at what is going on in your mouth, this device is perfect for dentists, teachers wanting to give lessons, or people looking to make sure that a trip to the dentist is necessary after all. Yes, it a camera with a resolution of 800 X 600 pixel. And you don't have to put a spotlight in your mouth because the USB Teeth Camera has 4 white LED lights that come to life when it powers on. Connects to any open USB port on your computer, which powers the device. And the Tooth PC Camera can also be used for close up views of skin, hair, flowers, PCB board, machinery etc. Support System: Windows 98/2000/XP (no support for VISTA ). So are you going to buy one? The usual price is $95.00, but right now it?s just about half that. $48.99.
http://www.uxcell.com/mini-usb-13m-intraoral-teeth-tooth-hygiene-dental-camera-p-27172.html Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw759 February 6th, Netcast 760 It's another Dick's Gadget Warehouse Friday and I found an old Aiwa that makes Leo jealous. It's about 1991 and Aiwa comes out with a very high-end cassette recorder. It's the Aiwa HS-JX707. It came wired remote, lead battery, charger, extra-time screw on 2X AAA case, and external plug-in microphone. It has a AM/FM tuner with 10 memory presets. I couldn't find the instruction book for it or anything about it on the web. But thanks to the chat room we figured out what a few of the dozen or more buttons on the unit did. It had BBE on/off. That was Bass Boost Effect. Listening to a music tape that still in the unit through a pair of Bose headphones, the sound was amazingly good. It featured Dolby B and C Noise Reduction, so this was a high-end recorder. It featured an all metal case with raised lettering. The lead-acid battery wouldn't?t take a charge with the included charger, but I able to put two AAA batteries in the extended play case and that brought this little gem to life. It almost came with an external plug in stereo microphone. Price was most likely high end. Leo guessed a several hundred dollars when it came back in 1990 or 1991! Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw760
This website is current only up to the end of April, 2009. My new website with everything from May 1st, 2009 forward is: www.gizwiz.biz.
