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Expensive Geek Toys Roundup

Posted by michael on from the put-it-on-my-credit-card dept.

An anonymous reader writes "I was recently asked by a coworker to come up with a list of <implied> expensive </implied> and cool gadgets for a VIP. He was interested in anything that was up-and-coming, rare and the usual odd combination of devices (ie. anything with a camera/WiFi that shouldn't have it). I figured that since it was Friday, it may be a good day to see what the /. crew has up their sleeves."

17 of 502 comments (clear)

  1. Lego Mindstorms. by Irvu · · Score: 5, Informative

    Not hideously expensive as things go but the Geekiness factor is astronomical.

    1. Re:Lego Mindstorms. by Nucleon500 · · Score: 3, Informative

      To clarify, there are several Geekiness levels within Lego Mindstorms. The lowest level is using the lego-style graphical-intensive Windows-only macro language. One level up is using the OCX control in Visual Basic. For real Geekiness, you need to use NQC, which compiles to the RCX's limited bytecode, but has C-like syntax. Above that, there are Fourth and Java implementations that run on the RCX. And to be the king of the geeks, you must build yourself a cross-compiling GCC and use LegOS.

      --
      Litigious bastards
  2. Check out Recomendo by Humba · · Score: 5, Informative
    One of the best "Cool Stuff" Blogs out there is Kevin Kelly's Recomendo.


    Not all of it requires a plug, and not all of it meets your "expensive" criteria, but it's full of great, high-quality stuff you didn't know you needed.

    --H

    1. Re:Check out Recomendo by El · · Score: 4, Informative

      I was wondering where Kevin Kelly got the money to buy all these toys... until I saw his recommendation for the book "Revolution in Cannabis - State of the art in pot usage." That explains a lot...

      --

      "Freedom means freedom for everybody" -- Dick Cheney

    2. Re:Check out Recomendo by blibbleblobble · · Score: 3, Informative

      "One of the best "Cool Stuff" Blogs out there is Kevin Kelly's Recomendo."

      The other is Dan's Data, which conveniently doubles as a drop-in replacement for "Tom's Hardware"

  3. A couple good ones by pbrinich · · Score: 3, Informative

    One useful:

    The Handspring Treo 600

    One not as much

    Airzooka Air Gun

    1. Re:A couple good ones by xanadu-xtroot.com · · Score: 4, Informative

      /me rolls his eyes.

      That has a session ID in the URL. It will time out. You could've just done it the right way if you really wanted us to see that page...

      --
      I'm not a prophet or a stone-age man,
      I'm just a mortal with potential of a super man.
  4. gizmodo by Sleepyguy · · Score: 5, Informative

    check out gizmodo for the newest gadgets

    http://www.gizmodo.com

    _

    --
    b
  5. Anything at Thinkgeek.com by Cyno01 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Particularly this, i love it, but unfortunatly i bought the 256Mb before the price drop and also shortly before the released a USB2 version which isn't carried by thinkgeek yet.

    --
    "Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus Rex."
  6. Say no more... by teamhasnoi · · Score: 4, Informative
    http://www.dynamism.com

    I could easily spend a year's salary here.

  7. mmmm, toys... by Tumbleweed · · Score: 4, Informative

    the new 40Gig iPod is nice and pricey, and totally cool.

    Perhaps the new 1GHz 12" Apple PowerBook?

    Certainly a Sony Aibo is expensive and unnecessary, but can be useful in harassing the interns.

    Or a UX50 CLIE(TM) Handheld PEG-UX50 PDA. Very cool, and uber-sexy.

    If you want impractical, get a Rubberband Machine gun (http://www.backyardartillery.com/machinegun/) Oh yeah. Great for hostile takeovers!
    Also check out their remote control tanks that shoot BBs: http://www.backyardartillery.com/tanks/. Sweet. (don't forget the plastic Army men to go along with the tanks!)

    Dan's Data (http://www.dansdata.com/) reviews a lot of fun toys like the above. LED flashlights, tanks, and what-not. Maybe a super-modded computer case? Maybe a Powerball (http://www.dansdata.com/gyrotwister.htm#pball would do.

    You can always check out the Sharper Image catalog, too. Lots of expensive junk in there.

  8. How about an X-Files Lantern ($1800-$4000) by joe_n_bloe · · Score: 5, Informative

    Everyone needs a ruggedized 6 million candlepower flashlight with an adjustable 40 degree wide to 2 degree spot beam ... right? I would certainly accept one as a gift. The only catch is it's just a bit pricey.

  9. car mp3 player by joe_bruin · · Score: 4, Informative

    how about a phatbox car mp3 player. it plugs into your stock stereo and emulates a cd changer with voice feedback. linux software is here. up to 60 gigs.

    or a kenwood music keg.

    or a vw/audi phatbox.

    can you tell i love this product? works with the audio controls on my steering wheel. no need to look down at an ipod screen while speeding.

    1. Re:car mp3 player by joe_bruin · · Score: 3, Informative

      But does it support OGG?

      yes.

      http://phatbox.sixpak.org/phatbox/ogg.phtml

      and flac, too.

  10. Re:speaking of geek toys... by bluGill · · Score: 3, Informative

    Try making them. A little wood or metalworking, and some help from a Surplus store and you should be well on your way. For comptuer interfaces, game controllers or keyboards are dirt cheap, buy one to take apart.

  11. That's Googolplex by oldmacdonald · · Score: 4, Informative

    A googolplex is not "sometimes just called a google." Well, I guess it is, but only by mistake. A googolplex is 10^googol or a 1 followed by 10^100 0s. Note that the search engine is spelled google, and the number googol.

  12. For Linux geeks: Sony Ericsson T610 mobile phone by Nailer · · Score: 3, Informative
    I recently brought a Sony Ericsson T610. Its sexy, powerful, and works with Linux. Much fun to be be had with Bluetooth, IRMC, GPRS, and the inbuilt camera. So far, it:

    • Takes photos with inbuilt camera, which I can then transfer to my laptop.
    • Syncronizes its contacts, Todo list and Calendar with Evolution.
    • Allows me to read Slashdot via WAP on the tram into work.
    • Add and edit entries in my Movabletype blog.
    • Gets net access for my laptop wherever I am via GPRS (only about modem speed, and kinda expensive, but good enough for email on the road).
    • Recieves wallpaper, ringtones, themes and java apps from my computer. Uses JPG, GIF, MIDI and Tar (yes, that tar).
    • Looks very shiny.


    Future applications: being a remote control for my laptop (playing MP3s, or controlling presentations).

    Software used: Bluez, Multisync, Bluetooth Transfer Manager, K68 and (on the phone) KaBlog.