Gotta Have Gadget

There are very few gadgets out there that become an instant classic, The Man Table as soon as I saw it went into the Gotta Have Gadget Hall of Fame?

So, what is a “Man Table”?  Perhaps you have seen one, but never knew the true secret of the man table.  The man table is a beautifully hand crafted end table that would look great in any living room or man cave.  I know what you are saying, what makes this an instant hall of fame gadget is that within this beauty, is a built in refrigerator!

I knew this was an instant classic as soon as it arrived.  My wife said, “That will look wonderful in our living room!”  Of course she didn’t realize it was a refrigerator!  That is what makes this such a great item.  I actually have fun when guests come over and I send them into the living room to get a beer out of the fridge.  They stand in the middle of the room looking around helpless as they search for the beer.  When I go over to the Man Table, they cannot believe it!  When their wife or girlfriend tells them the man table would look great in their living room, they all rush to the internet to visit www.mantables.com.

These end tables are Armish made and you can truly see the craftsmanship the day it arrives.  Available in tobacco, espresso and black, there is a man table for even the most decorative living room.  The debate will begin between men and women if the man table is an elegant end table or a classic refrigerator.  Honestly, who cares, it functions perfectly as both.

The Man Table eliminates the sprint to your kitchen or basement during commercials of the big game as it easily holds a 30-pack of your favorite beverage.  You will find the most popular seat on game day is next to the man table!

The best way to spend a day or week in the winter is up on a mountain snowboarding!  If you like free styling, glade running or all around boarding, Rome SDS has the right board for you!  The Rome Slash is the perfect board if you like to mix up your day and hit all the trails.  A triax laminate lets this board turn easily at slower speeds, but its still responsive off jumps and holds its edge when youre moving fast.  A carbon reverse-v stringer in the nose and tail help with response too.  Romes signature impact edges are extra thick to prevent damage when hitting the rails or grazing a tree.  In addition, Rome uses proprietary impact plates below the bindings to make the board 2.5x stronger than traditional wood core boards.  I wish I could truly test out all those features; however I am just not that good on the slopes and really didnt want to visit the local emergency room.  Thankfully my 15 year old son is that good, and could test out all the features.  To choose the best board for your riding style, visit Rome on-line at www.romesnowboards.com.

When it comes to Verizon Wireless phones, check out the Casio^® Exilim.  Im having a hard time figuring out if this is a fully functioning camera with a built-in phone, or a fully functioning phone with a built-in camera.  The phone features built in VZ Navigator^SM and V Cast Music with Rhapsody.  Most camera phones take low resolution photos that at best can be used as part of a picture message.  Read the rest of this entry »

Toshiba has recently introduced the Satellite series laptop computers.  With screen sizes ranging from 13.3 to 18.4 and affordable pricing there is a Toshiba Satellite® laptop for everyone.  A great feature of the Satellite® series is the high capacity battery (available option) which gives you more productivity from a single charge.  http://laptops.toshiba.com/laptops allows you to customize your Satellite® series laptop for your specific needs.  Of course you do not have to upgrade as the Satellite® series comes pre-loaded with tons of software and hardware features.  Well lit, easy access buttons allow you to change the audio, access Toshiba multimedia program or enable green mode for better battery life.  A built in webcam will allow you to keep in touch with friends or upload videos, DVD player, plenty of hard drive and memory makes the Satellite® series perfect for anyone on your shopping list.

This time of year not only brings in the holidays, but some great TV as well.  You have the FedEx Cup, NASCAR, NFL, NHL and a variety of programming.  To keep up with all that is going on, you need a universal remote that is easy to use and can stand up to the constant clicking! I have had several universal remotes; however there was always one device that just wouldnt communicate with the remote.  The Philips Prestigo SRT9320 universal remote control is the first remote I have had that completely controls my DirecTV receiver, DVD/VHS combo unit and my surround sound system!  The nice thing about the Philips Prestigo is it was extremely easy to program all these devices, and is a breeze to use.  There is no need to try to remember which channel is ESPN or the Golf Channel, as once the Prestigo is programmed, you can use the channel logos that show up on the digital screen to select the channel you like.  It is a lot easier to look down and see the Golf Channel logo, click and you are watching in no time.  You can also set-up activities such as watch a movie that will turn on the DVD player, television and surround system with all the proper settings for optimal viewing!  It doesnt matter who you are shopping for www.consumer.philips.com has products for everyone!  Philips offers great electric shavers for mens grooming, products for new moms, Spa-at-home products for her as well as their signature consumer electronics products such as HDTVs, Blu-Ray DVD players, MP3 Players, home theatre systems and anything else you need!  Philips Electronics is truly one stop shopping for all your household needs.

I’m sure you have all heard the term Freshman 15!  It is very common to go off to school and gain at least 15 pounds in your freshman year.  I have the perfect gadget to help keep the weight off.  If you are bringing a Wii with you to school, make sure you also bring EA Sports Active for the Wii.  I will be the first to admit to saying, OK what can a video game do to help me lose weight?  Read the rest of this entry »

By now everyone knows my grip it and rip it style of golf.  The Nike SQ Dymo STR8-FIT driver and Nike Vapor Golf Balls gives me the distance and bragging rights I demand off the tee.  The Nike SQ Dymo STR8-FIT driver offers you EIGHT different club head positions which in turn present you eight different shaped shots off the tee.  The head position is easy to adjust with a torque wrench that conveniently fits into the head cover.  I found the Nike SQ Dymo STR8-FIT driver gave me a couple extra yards off the tee than some of the recent clubs I have tested.  The Nike Vapor Golf Balls provide me the distance I crave and the feel around the green I need when it counts.  Combining the Vapor Golf Balls with the SQ Dymo STR8-FIT driver gave me the confidence to pull out the big dog standing over the most difficult tee box.  Add confidence to your game with Nike Golf.  For all Nike has to offer, visit www.nikegolf.com.

***Updated February 14th***I have added a new page called Printed Columns so you can see how my articles are printed in Hooters Restaurant Magazine and West Coast Golfer Magazine.  You can view the new page here http://gottahavegadget.com/?page_id=457 !

You may think you are ready, but without the next two gadgets are you really ready?  If you are a fantasy football player knowledge is the best thing to help your game.  Everyone knows when a key player is hurt the rush is on to pick up their back-up.  Those who delay and wait for the scroll on regular TV are those who are usually way too late.  If you are building a Man Cave to watch the big games, you have to have the proper equipment.  The Man Wall is a MUSTS for the Ultimate Man Cave.  The Man Wall comes with a 42 Vizio Flat Panel LCD HDTV, THREE 26 Vizio Flat Panel LCD HDTVs, 100 Watt Panasonic 5.1 Home Theatre System, and a 7-Foot sports ticker with built in computer.  But what would watching the game be without your favorite beer?  Well the Man Wall has a built in Kegarator (keg size refrigerator) with tap!  To see the technical specs and everything the Man Wall has to offer, check out their website at http://www.hybridspacefurniture.com/the-man-wall/.  Now I ask again, ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL??

I was at my nephews last football game taking videos. The cool thing was I was using a digital camera, the Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 is far more than a digital camera. How many times have you taken a picture and had to retake the picture because someone blinked, moved or did something else that just ruined that one picture? The Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 has a burst mode that takes up to 60 frames per second. So as you are getting ready to snap the picture, the EX-F1 is already recording the frames surrounding the shot. So when reviewing your picture, just scroll back a few frames and there is the picture with everyones eyes wide open. In addition to the burst feature, the Casio EX-F1 can take High Definition Video. You chose between standard 6-megapixel digital photos or recording HD video. There is no need to carry around a camcorder and digital camera any longer. The Casio EX-F1 gives you everything you need in one compact camera. Just a warning if you are going to use the 12x zoom, you may want to make sure you have a tripod. Although the Casion EX-F1 has some image stabilization, it is very difficult to keep a steady hand at 12x zoom. The HD video looked awesome and together with the Pinnacle Studio Pro editing software I was able to make a great DVD that stood up to my 60 inch HDTV. For all the technical specs visit Casio on-line at www.casio.com/products/Cameras/.

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.

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

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 1^st 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.