The Life Changing Gadget & Gizmo thread

I didn't see a thread like this so I figured I would start a thread for gadgets and gizmos that improved your quality of life. Figure this maybe a neat thread we can all share with one another. Could be a new razor, a cell phone, or maybe that new state of the art Coffee pot, or what ever that was life changing.
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I'll start off with a new French Butter dish my Wife bought me last weekend. I enjoy butter on my toast but can't stand how solid it is right from the fridge, if you pop it in the microwave for like 4-5 seconds some times it melts the center and not the sides so its a pain. You won't catch me using margarine! No sir, that is out of the question!!!

After hearing about French Butter dishes I have been wanting to try one. So far I have to say its a pretty darn slick gizmo. You simply let a stick of butter hit room temp and then place the softened butter into the dish and then it sits upside down in a cup with some water. It keeps the butter fresh up to 30 days however you need to change the water every three days. Simple trade off for soft spreadable butter at any time. Here is the one my Wife bought me for $7 bucks.

Amazon.com: Norpro Stoneware Butter Keeper: Kitchen & Dining

I will have to say the computer with internet. It has educated me in worldly ways, information is at my fingertips, but it can be a time leech if you allow it. Great invention technology is, but a burden sometimes too.

Computers, a hobby that became a job.

My wife just bought one of those Roomba's. Absolutely a gas. This thing runs all over the house vacuuming the floor. Not a clue how it works, but it just bumps into stuff and moves on. Does a really good job. I am loving watching the Dog's & Cat's just not knowing what to make of this gizmo. Probably some funny videos in the near future.

Who'd a thunk it...............

I'm not really into gadgets, but my wife bought a Tassimo coffee machine last year. I was reluctant to accept it at first but now I find it very convenient. Not something that I couldn't live without, just a nice thing to have.

I've been a gadget and gizmo guy since I'm a kid. I think the Iphone is the one I use the most. But I have to say the one I really enjoy are my DVRs. I have not watched a TV Commercial since I acquired my first one.

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Originally Posted by Lynn

My wife just bought one of those Roomba's. Absolutely a gas. This thing runs all over the house vacuuming the floor. Not a clue how it works, but it just bumps into stuff and moves on. Does a really good job. I am loving watching the Dog's & Cat's just not knowing what to make of this gizmo. Probably some funny videos in the near future.

Who'd a thunk it...............

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Hahaha - I've had one for years...my wife laughed at me when I bought it for her for a "joke" b-day present, before I gave her the real gift.

She asked me to set it up, and the thing is amazing, goes around the main room of the house, when it runs out of power, goes back to its docking station. There are tons of vids on YouTube with the Roomba.

They evolved from the military, they were used to sweep minefields, bomb disposal, chemical, a whole range of military applications. Look up the iRobot Corp and you will be blown away at how many variants of these things there are. Our vacuum gently criss-crosses an area, and as time goes by, they actually get better and "learn". The wife swears that after we sweep and wash the floors, we'll go to bed, come down, and she's amazed at how the hardwood floors shine, she say's she's never been able to get them like that. Only problem is, no rugs with tassles, strings or big objects lying around, and the floors should be somewhat swept because the Roomba will stop if it's dust / debris compartment is full. Other than that, it's hilarious to come down in the morning, floors gleaming, and the Roomba is parked and charging. Sheesh, our's even has a remote!!

They have one that will actually wash your floors for you as well!!

Here's a quick vid...hilarious:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLt5rBfNucc

I'm gonna have to go with a rather boring and predictable thing.

Years ago, around the year 2000, I was working as a technical manager in one of the major A/V companies in Norway.
Every day after work, my then fiancé wanted to use my Dell laptop for play and fun.
About 15 minutes after she started using it I would hear the dreaded uh-oh, and she showed me what eventually drove me crazy, the blue screen of death.

So, in an effort to find her a solution that would work for her I decided to get her a Powerbook.
I knew nothing about Mac's at the time, but figured she couldn't do any worse than what she was doing with my work machine at the time.

It arrived a couple days later, I set it up for her and lo and behold, I never heard the dreaded uh-oh again.
Being an impatient and curious fella, I went out searching for info about the MacOS.
A system that wouldn't crash in the hands of that woman must have something really special going for it...

After a rather intense couple of days reading a bunch of books and info online, I decided to take a bit of a gamble and get one for myself as well.
Two days after that arrived I had the IT department change the entire company's backbone and support systems to accommodate me and my new computer along with all the others working there..
I simply told the owners that this is now my preferred system, and I'll work on that or I will find another employer that woul dallow me to.

I got bit by the bug pretty badly, and have to this day managed to get former employers to accommodate me and my "fanboyism":)

As luck would have it, I now own the company myself, so nowadays I make sure that people can use whatever system they feel they are the most efficient with.
That has proven to be good economy to be honest!

Edit:
Great thread!
The heading on my personal web-site, stolen from a Swedish friend, reads "He who has the most gadgets when he dies, wins" ;)

You never know about some things. I never really had problems riding a horse to work every day like everyone else and when the came out with these new fangled horseless carriages we laughed at them. I remember going down this road when this steam powered monster scared the bejesus out of old lightening and he threw me into next Sunday. Who knew they would replace the horse completely. Seems funny now.

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

I'm not really into gadgets, but my wife bought a Tassimo coffee machine last year. I was reluctant to accept it at first but now I find it very convenient. Not something that I couldn't live without, just a nice thing to have.

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I got one of these Tassimo's 1 year ago & like it.

I'll go with the knife.

It's not all that complicated, but I love having and using a knife. I have been this way for years...probably why I eventually got into straights.

As far as tech gadgets...I like using my iPhone, but only as a portal to the web.

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Originally Posted by g60madman

I didn't see a thread like this so I figured I would start a thread for gadgets and gizmos that improved your quality of life.

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The Past recoil reducing shield enabled me to truly enjoy shooting my Winchester 1885 Highwall in 45-70 with heavy loads. Made what was a pain a pleasure.
http://www.amazon.com/Past-Mag-Plus-...ef=pd_sim_sg_2

Shimano Dura Ace clipless pedals/cleats make riding on or off road so much more efficient and smooth. Particularly off road on technical single track trails where you don't want to "pull a foot" unintentionally but want to be able to bail if you have to. Dura Ace pedals improved my rides considerably.

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Originally Posted by unit

I'll go with the knife.

It's not all that complicated, but I love having and using a knife. I have been this way for years...probably why I eventually got into straights.

As far as tech gadgets...I like using my iPhone, but only as a portal to the web.

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I'm always paired with a knife also. Seems like I use it several times a day. I got addicted to a site called countycomm.com.
My personal favorites are the peanut lighter and titanium widgy bars. Just the coolest little items for that inner prepper in all of us.

My SousVide Supreme. If you want perfectly cooked foods sous vide cooking offers a level of control that is unmatched. It also allows you to do things that would otherwise not be possible. Want your steak cooked perfectly medium rare every time you cook one? Want fish that is never overlooked? Chicken that's never dried out? Sous Vide.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/finer...ml#post1214455

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

The Past recoil reducing shield enabled me to truly enjoy shooting my Winchester 1885 Highwall in 45-70 with heavy loads. Made what was a pain a pleasure.
Amazon.com: Past Mag Plus Recoil Shield: Sports & Outdoors

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Recoilless rifles aren't.
Suppressive fires won't.
Friendly fire isn't.

My George Foreman Grill. :)

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

My George Foreman Grill. :)

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It knocks out the fat...wait, isn't George kinda chunky?

Yeah,,,but I wouldn't tell him that.

In 1990 I got electricity installed in my house and bought an automatic washer and an electric dryer. That was the bomb.

Yes,,, I love my front loading LG washer & dryer. I went through 3 top loaders in 10 years washing Gi's.

It was rotary phone to touch tone, Cable TV, Cell phones, Computer (seen my first one in 4th grade, never seen one again until I bought one in the mid 90's), Internet, but I must say my Iphone has had the biggest impact, it's like a swiss army knife in fact someone should develope a case for it that carries a knife and other implements

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Originally Posted by Trimmy72

It was rotary phone to touch tone, Cable TV, Cell phones, Computer (seen my first one in 4th grade, never seen one again until I bought one in the mid 90's), Internet, but I must say my Iphone has had the biggest impact, it's like a swiss army knife in fact someone should develope a case for it that carries a knife and other implements

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Actually someone developed a case that has a fold out knife and an integrated bottle opener. It looks ridiculous and cumbersome.

If you really want such a thing, I suggest a small day pack that you can stuff your phone into along with un compromised implements (multi-tools rarely perform any task with the same precision as the single tool it emulates).

Along these lines, another gadget I love is cargo pants. They allow me to carry a good flashlight (Surefire), an iPhone, a good knife, my wallet, keys, etc. and none of it goes in my back pockets, so I can sit comfortably.

This thread makes me sad.

Other than the obvious technology stuff, I don't have any life changing gizmos. :cry:

For me, I know it sounds crazy, but I love my Scientific Oregon Atomic Clock with weather station and LASER BEAM!

This clock connects to the Atomic Clock and always has perfect time. I have a Citizen watch that is also a radio controlled watch that is set by the atomic clock. I can watch the second hand on my watch and the second hand (digital) on my clock, and they are exactly the same.

The Oregon Scientific clock also has a remote sensor (waterproof), that I place on my outside window, it is a weather sensor, and will warn of storms, and forecasts the weather with various icons.

Now for the best part, the frustration of waking up, wondering what time it is, and looking to the wife's side of the bed to hopefully see the current time is no gone. I simply look up at the ceiling, where the clock beams the exact time and temperature. Lying there, on my back, merely open one eye and gaze up and there's the time.

Here's a newer model, mine's years older, but this is essentially the clock:

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Daylight-Projection-Clock/5835152/product.html?cid=213889&kid=130499585361138&track= pspla&adtype=pla&kw={keyword}

My cool gadget!

I was thinking of getting a wife, but that may be a bit too life changing.

I've been there, trust me,, you would rather have the George Foreman Grill. :beer2:

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

I've been there, trust me,, you would rather have the George Foreman Grill. :beer2:

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If women ran the world we wouldn’t have wars, just intense negotiations every 28 days.

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Originally Posted by Phrank

If women ran the world we wouldn’t have wars, just intense negotiations every 28 days.

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Negotiations or ultimatums?

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Originally Posted by easyace

I was thinking of getting a wife, but that may be a bit too life changing.

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I've had three of 'em... gets a bit too "life changing".

My 1.25 magnifying glasses.

MP3 Player

Stand-alone device or part of my smartphone. I enjoy listening to music and like the fact that I can hold my entire music collection in the palm of my hands. No more CD players. No longer do I have to decide on which CDs to carry with me in the car or on a trip. All CDs are packed away in boxes. All files are backed up monthly, just in case.

And of course, no more cassette tapes. I'm too young to have used 8-track. ;)