Wherever you stand on gun control, you can probably agree there are just some common sense restraints when it comes to gun use.
For instance, unless you’re Elmer Fudd there probably is no good reason to bring, say, a rocket launcher for rabbit hunting. You may also have a hard time convincing a judge that “Terminator 2” style minigun is just for hunting quail. That’s because as effective as those weapons may be, there is no practical reason to have that much firepower, in those scenarios.
That being the case, it could be argued that there is no practical reason for the power of the TrackingPoint sniper rifle to exist. But damn, I’m kind of glad it does.
That’s because the TrackingPoint is every overpowered video game or comic book weapon come to terrifying life. It’s main selling point is its ability to take into account wind, distance, obstacles, measurements, and more through internal systems. This matters because the weapon is so smart, it will not allow a shot to be fired until it is absolutely sure what you are aiming at through the laser point sight will be hit.
Also, like other smart devices, it has Wi-Fi capabilities, built in USB ports, and an included iPad Mini to store all of your shots on and upload them wherever you need.
Let’s be clear here. If you had a gun in a video game that wouldn’t fire until there was a guaranteed hit, you’d be banned for hacking, and uploading videos of it would be in bad taste. As this is a real weapon that can do just that, there are a few safety precautions, such as it being password protected to only function at full capacity by the original owner. While not the greatest preventive feature, the price point of around $22,000 will keep it out of most people’s hands.
I say most though, because these rifles have already begun selling to some apparently very high demand, to the point a waiting list has been created (and of course, a full background check applies). While there is obviously a long, long moral discussion regarding a rifle like this, just looking at its functions objectively, and as a rifle intended for hunters, makes it difficult to not see this as an impressive piece of technology.
If you’re anything like me, your desk is the cheapest, most easy to assemble piece you could find at IKEA, and usually doubles as an elevated storage unit, rather than stylish room piece.
However, some people take their desk designs more seriously, and whether it be one that Don Corleone would be proud to sit at, or a model the captain of the enterprise might use, there are a variety of awesome desks floating around the internet, that few of us will ever watch por…err…translate scripture from the bible at.
Of those desks, this infinity mirror desk from Reddit user Jacks_RagingHormones might just be the coolest.
While a pretty standard desk on the sides, that LED framed infinity mirror in the middle gives an incredible impression of an infinite void that your monitor, or you, could slip into at any moment (or worse, something the girl from “The Ring” could crawl out of).
The effect, as with most infinity mirrors, is perfect, and the actual design of the desk is that great mix of surprisingly practical and exceptionally nerdy that separates it from the pack.
So while the user leaves no instructions as to its design, and we’re unlikely to ever see a retail model, the desk envy I’m experiencing right now makes me want to take up some design lessons, save up a few hundred bucks, and (to quote John Lennon) “lay down all thought, and surrender to the void.”
Whether it be the suspicious prices, the forced conversations (or awkward silences depending on your barber), or the odd social phenomena that is staring at yourself in a mirror while a stranger runs their fingers through your hair, men have plenty of reasons to not like going to get a haircut.
Much like the dentist though, it’s just one of those unpleasant things that you have to suck up and get through every once in a while, especially since the act of cutting your own hair is usually only associated with comically bad hairstyles and behind the back laughter.
However, in case you’ve forgotten, we do live in an age where everything that once was suddenly no longer has to be and, thanks to a little gizmo called the single handed barber, that may now include the stigma surrounding self-haircuts.
The single handed barber is an electric hand held rotary cutter that promises to give you a clean and even cut, with no more effort than it would take to comb your hair. Thanks to separate attachments, you can get cuts at 1/8”, 1/4”,1/2”, or 3/8” lengths, and the rechargeable battery works for five minutes with a 16 hour charge (though a plug in option is available).
While you probably won’t be able to use this device to fashion that mohawk you’ve always wanted, as long as you don’t mind trusting your hair to something that looks like the little cousin of a Roomba, the single handed barber might just be the perfect $60 solution for those times when you need a trim, and really want to skip the barber.
I’m sure by now we’ve all seen the mock ups, diagrams, videos shot from, parodies, specs, put downs, hype ups, and general impressions of Google Glass that have been floating around the internet for quite some time.
However, through it all there are still very few people who know exactly what Glass looks like to the user which, when it comes to understanding a product without any real historical equivalent, is kind of a big deal.
While it’s unlikely anyone will get a truly great idea of what it’s like to wear Glass until they are able to do so, there is one blog called phandroid, that’s posted a video showing a pretty good demonstration of the device in action, from the perspective of the user.
The actual quality of the HUD image is…not so great, though that is likely a result of the awkward task of trying to record the device, combined with the impossible hype surrounding it.
However functionality wise, this is a pretty impressive demo. The commands exhibited are extremely responsive, the phone and video chat features are particular highlights, and in general everything looks to work more or less as advertised, at least in the current “out of the box” capacity.
Google Glass has a long way to go before the final chapter on it is written, but from this demo it looks like underneath the high asking price, and still somewhat stupid looks, there might just be an actually useful device.
Phone stands are an odd invention in that when you are away from the home, and need them the most, they are usually too big of a burden to carry around and effectively use, but when your are at home and don’t need to carry it, there aren’t near as many uses for one.
It’s a common conundrum that often prevents people from owning one of the more useful cell phone accessories out there.
If the makers of the keyprop are to be believed though, the answer to this problem has been in our pockets all along.
The keyprop is nothing more than a plastic key that goes on your keyring like any other. When you’re ready to prop your phone, simply plug the round end into the audio jack, and clip your phone in place. From there you have a weighted stand that can prop your phone at a variety of angles based on how you place your other keys under it. The keyprop been tested and verified as compatible with the iPhone 4/4S, iPhone 5, Galaxy S3, Nexus, and more, and even works with cases.
While it’s a little annoying that you’re unable to use the audio jack with the keyprop, if you’re taking timed photos, trying to browse the internet easier, or just looking for that perfect angle to avoid the glare of the sun, it may just be the most practical phone stand out there.
If you agree, and can get past the Fisher Price looks, then be sure to back the keyprop on Kickstarter.
When you build your zombie survival kit (bet it imaginary or sadly real), are you truly taking into account the word survival?
I mean sure everyone packs up on guns, ammo, katanas and the like, but does anyone think about food, medicine and, most importantly, water?
Many of us are fortunate enough to live in a part of the world where drinkable water is the last concern on our mind, meaning the only time we consider an instance where it is not, is when contemplating an apocalyptic scenario, or maybe while in the midst of a discovery channel marathon.
If you ever truly want to be prepared for the worst case, when water is a luxury, though, take advantage of the newest technology in the field of sterilization by considering the NDuR Survival Straw. Like an item out of some “what if” scenario, the survival straw allows you to drink out of almost any source of water (sorry, no salt water), and convert it instantly into something safe and drinkable.
The straw can filter out up to 99.9% of most harmful materials in the 25 gallons it can take in before needing replacement. It is also not only smaller than the average filtration kit, but it works much faster, and is even cheaper as it retails around $30.
There are parts of the world who consider a device like this nothing short of miraculous. Even if you don’t live there, for any outdoor enthusiast, the NDuR is cheap and effective enough to have on hand, should you ever find yourself in need. For everyone else, just consider yourself one step ahead of the zombie survival game and own something practical to go along with that samurai sword collection.
A question for you. Why would someone wear a shirt for a 100 days straight?
There are several answers of course. You really like that shirt, it’s a harbinger of good luck, you’re really broke, you’re…umm…trying to win some sort of bet, and of course many others.
Whatever your reason may be though, it is ultimately irrelevant as of course even the sturdiest of shirts need to be dried, ironed, and generally maintained in order to preserve their quality, meaning that the shirt of a 100 straight wears is in fact just a pipe dream.
There is one upstart designer, though, by the name of Wool&Prince that insists that isn’t true. What’s more is that they aren’t relying on some space age material or microchip to accomplish it either, but are rather using a simple wool blend to craft a shirt that can be worn for a 100 days straight, without generating a single wrinkle, or producing one bad odor. Also, unlike your typical wool sweater, the material is apparently very high quality and actually comfortable to wear.
While the 100 day wear spree may be a gimmick, it is one that proves the more interesting point that this is a durable shirt that can survive conditions both common and extraordinary and come out the other side in fresh from the dryer quality, with no more upkeep required than the occasional wash. While certain individuals like the business man on the go benefit most from this shirt then, it’s hard to imagine there isn’t a guy who wouldn’t like to have that one favorite shirt that just happens to be near invincible.
Of course the point is that you won’t have to imagine any longer. The makers of the shirt Wool&Prince have already earned $300,000+ of their asking $30,000 goal, meaning it’s just a matter of time until you can own a shirt that’s Clark Kent sensible on the outside, and Superman durable within.
Long before the Vikings cleaned house during the draft, residents of Minnesota have had a reason to feel blessed, and it has nothing to do with the natural beauty of the twin cities, but rather comes from the divey interiors of institutions like Matt’s Bar and the 5-8 club.
It’s called a juicy lucy, and it’s a hamburger stuffed with cheese.
Now you’d think that something so incredible would be available at every restaurant on the globe in an effort to kickstart world peace, but the truth is that a professionally made juicy lucy isn’t easy to find outside of Minnesota, and making one yourself is sooner to result in a mangled hamburger with the barest specs of cheese mocking you for your efforts.
That’s all changed now thanks to the stuff-a-burger. It’s a meat press that allows you to form the perfect ¾ or ½ pound burgers, with the right amount of room in the middle for a filling. Requiring considerably less effort than the hand-made method, the real draw to the stuff-a-burger is that it can form the perfect stuffed hamburger every time, and allow you to load it with such things as cheese, bacon, onions, or really anything you can think of within the reasons of your imagination, and concerned pleas of your cardiac physician.
Just in time for the summer, though just missing my man’s kitchen mock up, and clocking in at just $11.95, I advise any grill master to ignore the “as seen on TV name,” and turn your next burger party into an occasion that will drop everyone at the table’s jaws just enough to fit one of the monstrous wonders this device is capable of in.
Have you ever beat your hands on the steering wheel in rhythm with the radio?
I’m guessing the answer is likely yes. Hell, so many people have done it that it’s quite possible Neal Peart drum solos are the cause of more driving distractions than cell phone use.
Of course as fun as the act is, ultimately it is all for naught as you can beat the imaginary skins to your heart’s content, and it’s still just a steering wheel you’re hitting. Eventually, even the most bombastic of automotive percussionist are ultimately contributing nothing to the music.
The smack attack turns your steering wheel into a digital drum set, capable of kit accurate sounds by connecting to your iPhone via bluetooth. What makes this more than a high tech car wash waiting room novelty item though is a list of features that include a variety of available sounds and ranges, a drum karaoke option that removes the drums from certain songs (and lets you upload tracks to do the same) so that you can fill in the beat, and you’re even able to record your best performances for all to hear through regular contests on the manufacturer’s website.
Of course, abilities aside, the real joy here comes in being able to finally get some feedback from your drive time drumming, and really contribute to the commuter concerto that most partake in. While I’m still holding out for a device that will give me concert hall acoustics in the shower, the smack attack is a must have for all those 9-5 workers of the world who still harbor rock star dreams.
So let’s say you have several thousand dollars readily available to spend without worry, and you’ve been hoping to train in secret to shock everyone with your badass fighting skills for the next time you are forced into conflict, or presented the opportunity for a conflict, while out on the streets.
But even if you’re not, you will still love the Nexersys Home Boxing unit, which represents the ultimate in at home MMA or boxing training tools. It sports seven strike pads with integrated sensors that all feed to the built in monitor, which is the real highlight of the device. The monitor not only keeps track of your normal workout statistics like calories, history, and time, but more unit specific figures such as striking power and strike count, and also provides unique gaming workouts like digital avatar sparring.
While the undisputed heavyweight champion of fighting training equipment, as mentioned the Nexersys is only meant for those with serious on hand pocket change, as the basic unit will set you back $2,995, and the much sturdier professional model with a larger screen runs an impressive $6,995.
Of course can you really put a price on something that will put you on the path to becoming the next caped crusader, or at least living the ultimate man fantasy of delivering that perfect right hook in bar fight just once?
