Even the guy who has everything will appreciate one of the gadgets that Gizmo Guy has been scoping out with Father's Day gifting in mind. Most are meant for the guy who has it all . . . and wants to keep it that way!
Guarding the fort. Lose one expensive piece of equipment to a brownout or power spike, and it's OK to blame the electric company.
Lose stuff a second time, and it's your own darned fault for not installing a serious surge protector that comes between your valued gear and that dangerous (especially in summer) 'lectric line.
Thoughtfully designed, the new Panamax Power360 surge protectors pack "SafeGuard" technology that disconnects the power temporarily when the incoming voltage falls below 95 volts or rises above 140. There's no mistaking if everything's fine, as a bright "Circle of Protection" light array shows the safe (blue) or scary (red) status of outlet wiring, voltage, and protection.
(Warning: Cheap surge protectors might save gear once by blowing a flimsy fuse but then continue to operate as a power strip, la de dah, in unsecured fashion.)
Better still, Power360s do double duty as USB chargers, with 2.1A ports for fast charging of tablets and laptops, as well as mobile phones, digital cameras, Bluetooth headphones, and speakers, etc.
Plugging into (then covering up) a wall outlet, a Power360-Dock ($40) offers six AC plugs (three on the front, three hiding on the bottom) plus two side-mounted USB charge connections. A charging phone can rest on the top lip. It's the only Power360 with a switch to turn off that "Circle of Protection," though some will enjoy its blue glow as a night light.
The top-of-the-line P360-8 power strip ($80) packs eight protected AC outlets and two modular, dual-port USB charging stations, which you can relocate (with 6-foot extender cables) to a bedside table or desk.
Panamax guarantees connected gear with $75,000 to $500,000 insurance policies. (Save sales receipts!)
Charge here. Neatly organizing and charging a mess of smart devices is the primary purpose for Satechi's 7-port USB Charging Station Dock ($59.99 at Satechi.net). But this seven-slotted dock also offers modest surge protection - and a master on/off power switch - for all the phones and tablets stacked, plugged in and recharging. Sure straightens up the place.
Brusha-Brusha, Bucky. Electric razors are often promoted as a Father's Day item. But let us be so bold as to suggest that a Waterpik Complete Care (WP-900) Water Flosser and Sonic Toothbrush ($69.99-$99) is a more essential bathroom buddy, wishing Dad continued good health, starting with strong teeth and robust gums. Surprisingly fun and invigorating to use, Waterpik's toothbrush features two vibration speeds - slow for newbies, and hypercharged (25 percent faster than Sonicare Flexcare models) to powerwash plague away. Then finish the job with this compact system's 10 speed water-pulsing flosser, which pushes out yuck you haven't seen since the last visit to the dentist. The two component parts are also available separately, with a few more bells and whistles, as the Waterpik Sensonic Professional Plus SR-3000 ($75-$90) and Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser WP-660 ($59.99.)
Hear here. Protect dad's hearing with small, sophisticated earphones that shut out the world and sonically satisfy without heavy cranking. Etymotic's in-ear mk5 Isolator Earphones do the job with passive noise reduction (i.e., good seals) ($59 at www.Etymotic.com).
For guys who fly a lot, the ultra-compact, easily packed Bose Quiet Comfort 20i ($249) earphones emote with a sweet, warm presence, while deploying active noise reduction to "shush" fatiguing engine roar. An in-line rechargeable battery pack keeps music playing from here to Tokyo.
Safe 'n' sound. What's the most practical gift for the guy who has everything? Maybe a teched-up SentrySafe Alarm Safe. Priced $160-$200, the 1.2 cubic foot SWF123TTC model features a hotel safe-style digital keypad, interior LED light, and an alarm that wails for 99 minutes if someone tries to pick it up (not easy; weighs 100 pounds), seeks to pry open the door, or repeatedly enters a wrong combination. This SentrySafe is rated for one-hour fire protection at 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit and water resistance in up to 8 inches of water for up to 24 hours. Remains intact even when dropped 15 feet! Be aware: This thing also holds in moisture. And don't forget to change the AA batteries regularly, or you'll be calling in a (legal) safe cracker!
Let us entertain you. A/V gearheads gotta feed the beast with new music and movie releases. Super Deluxe edition of "Sticky Fingers"(UME) boasts a worthy bonus disc of Rolling Stones performances at the Roundhouse and University of Leeds(!). Or get Dad's mojo working with "Soundstage Blues Summit in Chicago 1974 - Muddy Waters and Friends" (Legacy DVD).
If the Chairman's Centennial looms larger in Pa's world, gift "Frank Sinatra 5-Film Collection" (Warner Bros.) including a newly Blu-rayed On the Town, Guys and Dolls, and the original Rat-Packed Ocean's 11.
Does pop stay "current"? Push Dawes' insightful "All Your Favorite Bands" (think Jackson Browne meets Dire Straits), cabaret-jazzed "2 in Love" from David Benoit & Jane Monheit (Concord), British neo-trad folk-find Olivia Chaney "The Longest River" (Nonesuch), '50s-rock-reviving JD McPherson "Let the Good Times Roll" (Rounder), Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings' ripe reunion "Django and Jimmie" (Legacy), and Angelique Kidjo's gorgeous Afro-Symphonic mash-up "Sings" (429).
Experience more screen pleasure with Philly guys Bradley Cooper in American Sniper and Will Smith in the con-job dramedy Focus (WB), complete box sets of Roger Moore's pre-Bond TV series, The Saint (Timeless Media), and HBO's The Wire or the fascinating music doc Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued (Eagle Vision Blu-ray), challenging mod talents to score found lyrics (old) from Bob Dylan.
215-854-5960@JTakiff