RainyDayGiftGuide 2012 : Gadgets
Once again the Holiday season is upon us. Soon we will be getting together with friends and family, to catch up and to exchange gifts. A few years ago, readers suggested that we should put together a gift guide. We thought it was a great idea, but what to recommend? As we have never bought into the Black Friday scramble for deals, we did not want to add to the craziness.
After some discussion, we decided to use the same selection criteria we employ all year long in selecting items to review: recommending items which we wouldn’t mind receiving as presents ourselves. As a result, the RainyDayGiftGuides are some of our most popular articles of the year. We love putting them together almost as much as our readers seem to enjoy checking out the recommendations.
Gadgets make great gifts. That was why we put this collection at the front of the Gift Guide series this year. Enjoy!!!
The four new gadgets on the top of our list this year are:
- Cirago iAlertTag
- Lensbaby Spark
- Boogie Board JOT LCD eWriter
- Levenger iPhone Pocket Briefcase
Everyone misplaces their keys or their cell phones at one time or another. Cirago has created a solution where if you have one, you can find the other. The iAlertTag creates a link with your iPhone so that any time the phone and the tag are separated, both the tag and the phone vibrate and produce an alarm. Now how cool is that?
RainyDayPhotographers know that we are huge fans of the Lensbaby (Composer Pro, Edge 80, Macro). Lensbaby gear is for storytellers (and what photographer isn’t?). Recently, they have introduced a new lens called the Spark. At $80, the Spark is the perfect low cost way to jump-start anyone’s creativity.
We first told readers about Improv Electronics‘ Boogie Board over two years ago (8″, 10″, RIP). The product was an instant hit and Improv has been busy improving on both the functionality and the design of the device. Their latest release is the JOT eWriter. This update has incorporated may refining touches (better case, easier to grip, magnetic back, etc) which makes it even more enjoyable to use. Put one under someone’s tree this year.
If you travel or have someone on your list who does, then you know the advantage of multi-purpose wallet. Levenger’s International Phone Pocket Briefcase is a great gift for travelers. It will hold the passport, ID, boarding pass, pen, 3 x 5 notecards and currency, as well as the iPhone or phones of similar size. For some, the Pocket Briefcase may be all they need to do business anywhere in the world!
EveryDayCarry (EDC) is a frequent topic of conversations here at the office. We are contantly reviewing, optimizing, and upgrading our EDC list of items. Here are a few fully-tested, extensively used, high quality EDC items which we can heartily recommend:
- Moleskine City notebook – analog is still functional
- Pulse Pen/journal – going digital without the need to constantly recharge
- Quiver pen holder – comes in different sizes and materials
- CRKT Tao pen – designed for more than just writing
- Leatherman Skeletool – a stripped to the bone multi-tool
With the ubiquitous presence of smart phones, some people think wristwatches are a thing of the past. We could not disagree more. In fact, as a highly personal accessory, we think that they make more of a statement today than they ever have. The two watches on our list this year are the Casio Edifice EFR-516 ($100 on Amazon) and the Timex Fly-Back Chronograph T2N498 ($120 on Amazon). Both offer great looks and incredible value for the money.
If you are going to give a watch, here is a tip to make the gift giving even more exciting: add a few bands or other watch accessories. The best place to go for watch bands and accessories? StrappedForTime, of course. Sure, the band that comes with the watch is usually pretty good, but it would be nice to be able to switch it up every once in a while. We like stainless steel as much as the next guy, but who wouldn’t also want a nice flexible rubber one, especially if the band was textured with an attractive carbon fiber pattern? Want a warmer look? Swap in a tan leather strap. We especially like the one with the crocodile pattern.
OK. This should be enough to give you some ideas and to get your shopping started. Come back tomorrow to see our list for the science nerd on your list.
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