The Creative Vado is a hand held pocket video camera. I first fell in love with the Vado when I originally tested this cool camera. Since then, Creative has released a High Definition Vado. Just when I thought it couldnt get any better, the Vado HD was a pleasant surprise. There are so many times when a digital camera just cant capture the moment. This is where the Vado shines! With technology getting smaller and smaller, you can easily carry your favorite digital camera and the Creative HD Vado in a standard camera case. What makes the Creative Vado stand above the rest is the storage. You can record up to 2 hours of HD plus (highest quality) or 4 hours of HD quality video. All this from a pocket video camera that fits in the palm of your hand, is extremely easy to use and delivers superior video quality. Not only is it easy to record your video, but it is just as easy to upload to your web page or download to your desktop through a built in USB connector. Sure there are other pocket video cameras, but the Creative HD Vado is on the top of my list. Creative is quickly becoming on of my favorite manufactures, for all they have to offer, visit us.creative.com.
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When its time to take a cart, the TaylorMade GTR Cart Bag is a Gotta Have Gadget. With 9 zippered pockets, there is plenty of room to carry everything you need. The really nice feature is the velour-lined pocket to keep your valuables safe. I cant tell you how hacked up my blackberry or watch would get, when I threw it in a pocket with tees, ball markers or whatever else was in the pocket they ended up in, the velour keeps everything nice and safe. I always told myself I wouldnt have a bag with a manufacturers name all over it, unless of course the manufacturers started paying me like a pro. Well, since it is the TaylorMade bag and I will be playing the new R9 Driver, I changed my beliefs. This bag is both stylish and practical. Check it out on-line at http://www.taylormadegolf.com/accessories_bags.asp
This gadget is from Wilson Golf. This club replaced my 3-iron. The Wilson Staff FYbrid quickly became my go to club in 2008. The Wilson Staff FYbrid took the place of my standard 3-iron as it was much easier to hit and gave me the little added distance I needed. Whether it was a long par-3, or a punch shot from the rough, the Wilson Staff FYbrid delivered. Wilson offers the Staff FYbrid from 15-degree to 27-degree lofts. The 19.5-degree FYbrid was my choice club. I even found myself using this club for short chips around the green when I needed to play a bump and run. The first time I hit the Wilson Staff FYbrid, I was 225-yards out and had to carry 214-yards to get over the waist land in front of the green. I not only carried the waist land, but also was able to stick the shot on the green. This set-up my first eagle of 2008. For more information on the Wilson Staff FYbrid and all Wilson Golf has to offer, visit www.wilsonstaff.com
Fitness Gotta Have Gadget hands down goes to Bowflex with the Bowflex Revolution® and the Bowflex SelectTech® Dumbbells. The only thing these machines are missing is a size 10 boot that could come up behind me and kick me in the butt to use them more. Millions each year make their resolution to lose weight (like me again) and if you are serious about putting together a home workout routine, Bowflex should be part of your plan. The Bowflex Revolution® is a compact, complete home gym. Read the rest of this entry
This is not from an original Gotta Have Gadget column, but from a column I wrote entitled, How to keep your lawn Golf Course Green. The John Deere Gator XUV 4×4 utility vehicle by far was one of the most fun gadgets I tested in 2008. There are unlimited jobs and adventures you can accomplish with the John Deere Gator XUV. Read the rest of this entry
If you have any kind of iPod I have the perfect speaker system, the Samson StudioDock 3i Active USB Monitors. Actually this system is not just for iPods, with the USB connection, they offer pure digital audio. I personally like the integrated iPod dock. It allows me to go over, dock my iPod and get great audio sound without trying to configure a complex stereo system. Just plug in your iPod, select your playlist and enjoy! The cool thing is the iPod dock also charges your iPod while playing your music. Now if you want more control of your music, connect the StudioDock 3i via your USB port and you can record, mix and sync your audio like a pro. I will have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the audio from these little speakers. They also held up to the 14-year old test, which of course means play something I would never listen too in my life as loud as possible. After the third time of yelling, turn it down I said to myself, although the music is bad, the sound quality is great! If you are looking for the technical specs, visit them online at www.samsontech.com.
This Gotta Have Gadget is for you tool guys. I will honestly tell you my brother John Conrad would laugh his ass off every time he came to my house and I pulled out my little red toolbox. Well I have the last laugh now! The new Kobalt 53 Stainless Steel Tool Chest will be the envy of the neighborhood. It will take me 10 years to fill up the 16 heavy-duty drawers, and with the 1,000lbs casters and 4,000lbs weight capacity I will have plenty of shopping to do at Lowes. Im willing to bet my credit limit will run out before I fill this tool chest and test the weight limits! Not only will the Kobalt tool chest save me time running back and forth to get more tools, but when its break time I just reach to the bottom left door, open the built in 1.6 cubic foot refrigerator and pop open a cold one. Read the rest of this entry
Every year at the Conrad house, there is always a little payback come Christmas time. For example giving a niece or nephew a set of drums, or some toy that makes noises that will keep you up until the day the batteries die. If you want to be the cool aunt or uncles, the gift that will surely have parents screaming, “turn that down†would be the combination of the Creative Zen X-Fi with wireless LAN and the Creative GigaWorks T40 full range speaker system. The X-Fi MP3 player is far more than just an MP3 player. You can stream pictures and music utilizing the wireless LAN from your home network. X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity Audio Technology restores the quality of compressed music giving you true sound from your MP3 files. The GigaWorks T40 desktop speakers connects to your PC or MP3 player giving you rich quality sound your pc speakers or headphones can’t deliver. These are the perfect speakers to have on your desk allowing you to listen to music while you work or play. I am consistently impressed with the products Creative has to offer. For those last minute gifts that are sure to make a big impact visit http://us.creative.com
The ultimate gift for any golfer is a new set of irons. Although you may not play like Tiger Woods, you can play the same irons as he does. The Nike Victory Red (VR) Irons hit the shelves on November 1st and will surely be on holiday lists around the world. The first time I hit these irons, I could feel my confidence build with every swing. Believe me I gave these irons every lie imaginable during my test round. Of course you get a good solid feel from the fairway, but you all know with my go big or go home attitude I am not going to be in the fairway all the time. These irons were true from the short rough, long rough and even out of the pine needles of the woods. Even on off center hits, I carried the distance I needed to avoid further trouble. Tiger maybe hitting them from the fairway often, so I took it upon myself to test these from every lie the average golfer will find. Time and time again the Nike Victory Red (VR) Irons gave me solid contact, great feel but more importantly the confidence needed to know no matter what the situation, I could recover and make par or better. Nike offers three different versions of the Victory Red irons for every level of golfer. The Victory Red Full Cavity, Forged Split Cavity or Forged TW Blade will surely benefit every level of golfer. For the perfect gift for any golfer visit www.nikegolf.com.
My name is Michael Conrad, I am a freelance writer with a column titled, Gotta Have Gadget. This column is currently published in West Coast Golfer and Hooters Restaurant Magazines. I have added this blog as another source for my readers to view products and comment on any of my columns. If you would like to submit a product for any of my columns, please visit the submit a product tab at the top of this page for more information.
