# Guys, what are your gadgets? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 27, 2001, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652 "2001-03-27T06:12:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652/21 "2001-03-28T11:50:52Z")
Um, well this may be bending the definition a tad, but on my computer I have: a DVD-Rom, a scanner (both of these don’t work anymore, dammit), Photoshop 6, Lightwave 5.5 (a 3D graphics program), video capture card and software, and a VCR hooked up to it. All are for my hobbies of doodling around with video and animation and graphics. I also have a vast collection of special effects books and suchlike. Not gadgets per se, but definitely parts of my hobby of visual effects/CGI. Um. That’s all, really. I’m not a big gadget man. (another genitalia joke in there, I guess) ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652/22 "2001-03-28T22:47:10Z")
Oh, **Homer** , did you get robbed again? Sorry to hear that! **Dave Plankton** : Size doesn’t matter! **kferr** , “More than you need” is a good definition! **GuanoLad** , that’s not bending the definition at all. I should have added Mr. Rilch’s friend back east who collects anything that advertises Mail Pouch (chewing tobacco). Or the people who collect anything that says, “See Rock City”. ---
**Author:** ![Homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652/23 "2001-03-29T02:25:22Z")
Yeah Rilch, I did. Didn’t go odd-ball spaz this time, I’m proud of myself for that. 😉 Insurance will cover all the vehicle damage and audio equipment, but unless it’s attached to the vehicle, auto insurance doesn’t cover it. Homeowners should cover my tools and other stuff, but my deductible is $500 and only $300 worth was stolen, tops. Oh well. Sorry to be a downer in yer thread, Rilch. –Tim ---
**Author:** ![sk8rixtx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/858c86/32.png) [@sk8rixtx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sk8rixtx)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652/24 "2001-03-29T02:32:50Z")
I’ve got a skateboard utility tool, that doubles as a pipe. Tres rad… ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Rubin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billy_rubin/32/3622_2.png) [@Billy\_Rubin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Rubin)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652/25 "2001-03-29T02:49:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bawdysurfer \* > \*\*Does ownership of a hand crank, manual razor blade sharpener include me in this arena? > Smart money says few if any are familiar with this “gadget” > > [sub](I be not as olde as this may indicate…smirk)[/sub] \*\* not!! I have two. A “Comfort Perfect Hone” and an unnamed device. I don’t use them as I still shave with a Winchester straight razor. My personal favorite gadget changes almost every day. The Palm Pilot, the Swiss Army Knife, and the remote door opener thingy for my truck, however, are never far from reach. And I’ve cut myself rather badly on the gigantic pile of rusty used razor blades in between the studs in a bathroom wall- you’re right, Bawdy, we are a meager fraternity who’ve done that. Billy ---
**Author:** ![Mnementh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/898d66/32.png) [@Mnementh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mnementh)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652/26 "2001-03-29T05:06:50Z")
Well, if knives dont count, can I count my knife accessories? The sharpeners, polishers, lubricators, waxes, and other assorted bits… Anything at all that will improve my knives will end up being bought. I want an electric grinder. Oh baby… I also have various exercise gadgets, but not enough for it to be considered a collection. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652/27 "2001-03-29T13:02:42Z")
\*Pocket Leatherman tool kit \*Lava Lamp \*Plasma Sculpture ---
**Author:** ![dustMagnate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/fbc32d/32.png) [@dustMagnate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dustMagnate)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652/28 "2001-03-29T13:13:16Z")
I have a rudimentary collection of lawn and shop tools and a mechanical 35mmSLR. I fashioned a camera mount out of an old pellet rifle stock (a Stewart from my youth), a 1/4"X20 bolt, and a remote release cable that I use for field shooting. All the body mechanics used for accurate target shooting are used to get crisp clear photos from prone, sit, kneel, or standing position. I feel naked without my Leatherman Super tool and mag lite. Bubble gum, bailing wire, and the Supertool. (and Visa for when you craft yourself into a corner) ---
**Author:** ![Bawdysurfer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/90db22/32.png) [@Bawdysurfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bawdysurfer)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652/29 "2001-03-29T13:48:38Z")
Oxy-acetalene torch. Metal lathe. Mill/drill-press Electronics as old as Heathkit. Tube driven amplifiers, and the like. Antenae out the wazoo. Woodworking tools at the cabinetmakers level. Computers that are tolerable. Software that works. Auto-mechanical bird feeder. Am I an ass, yes. Can I produce. Some would say so. ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652/30 "2001-03-29T16:13:22Z")
Hmmmmm. My wife would say too many to list, but I will put down a couple here that I use every day or two or three. Sony Playstation 2 Sony Super-Psychadlic Hi-Fi stereo-sound stereo Sattelite dish Sega Dreamcast 1.2Ghz PC w/512MB RAM My little bottle cap opener that opens by placing it on top and pushing down. My front loading washing machine (it has a window!!!) George Forman Grill Digital Camera FN49 8MM Rifle (OK, not a gadget but I like to plunk with it every now and then) Cordless screwdriver (no home should be without one) Thats about all I can think of right now… ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2001, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652/31 "2001-03-30T00:59:17Z")
Wow, bernse! Except for the grill and the rifle, you sound like Mr. Rilch’s long-lost brother! ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2001, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652/32 "2001-03-30T02:25:41Z")
Did I mention my stained glass tools, and the light table? [hijack] Hey **Bawdysurfer,** I’ve got this antenna in my back yard somebody left here. It’s 2 pieces, fiberglass, put together is 40 feet long, looks like a flagpole, and says Shakespeare on the side, and has a rather large cable running up inside of it. Any idea what it’s used for? I’d say it _was_ a flagpole except for the cable and it being 2 pieces.[/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Bawdysurfer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/90db22/32.png) [@Bawdysurfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bawdysurfer)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2001, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652/33 "2001-03-30T11:59:03Z")
**Bumbazine**. [sub]Classic “stealth” technology at work. Zoning restrictions, home owners associations, or the desire to not advertise the activity can cause some to go the flagpole route. Amateur/ham radio operators use various means to conceal antennae. Shakespeare is a major supplier. No substantial value to your find.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2001, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652/34 "2001-03-30T14:45:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rilchiam \* > \*\*Wow, bernse! Except for the grill and the rifle, you sound like Mr. Rilch’s long-lost brother! \*\* Keith…? Is that \ _you_??? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e5b9ba/32.png) [@pestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pestie)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2001, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652/35 "2001-03-30T20:05:21Z")
Me? Gadgets? My major hobbies are radio, electronics, computers, and aviation. How could I NOT love gadgets? A partial list: o Leatherman Super Tool o Palm III (purchased when that was their top-of-the-line model) o Cybiko (any $75 “toy” that can form ad-hoc wireless networks HAS to be cool) o Various X-10 controlled devices around the house. o Two i-opener internet appliances (destined for modification into general-purpose PC’s) o Various plasma sculptures o One of those clocks that sets itself automagically to the WWVB atomic clock time signal o A flux-gate compass add-on for my Palm III o Not one, but two, Photon Micro-Lites. They’re ultra-tiny LED flashlights that put out a LOT of light. One’s on my keychain and the other I wear around my neck if I go flying at night. Both are red (yes, I know the other colors are cooler, but I want something that won’t destroy my night vision) I’m also known for buying things that fall into the category of “toys for grown-ups” (no, not THAT kind). I’ve got the big-screen TV, 5.1-channel audio system, satellite TV _and_ cable, an AR-5000+3 radio scanner (if you’re into radio scanners, you’ll know why I listed that), a big honkin’ “home theater” remote control that looks like one of those “data pads” they carry around on the newer Star Trek series and which has a cool touch-screen for most of its functions… The list goes on and on. I like to build stuff, too. I’ve built everything from a variety of potato cannons to a nifty device that scans all the codes for Stanley garage door openers, causing them to open on my command. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-are-your-gadgets/59652.md?page=1)