USB Geek Drumming Santa

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Judie Hughes

December 05, 2005

It's not often that a product brings out the total Scrooge in me, but somehow or another this one certainly did. Perhaps it was the incessant noise produced when going to this product's webpage, or perhaps it was because the noise actually produced by this USB driven toy was even worse in person...I don't know. In any case, I am talking about the USB Geek Drumming Santa, a product which I think should only be given to someone that you don't like very much, or that you don't like at all.

At first glance, this item is cute enough. A three inch tall plastic molded Santa in full regalia with articulated arms stands on his 1.5" white plastic snow mound with a pair of drums. When the USB cable is plugged in, blue LEDs appear under each drum, which is kinda sesonal and harmless enough.

But when the start / stop button is pressed, a loud clanging begins as "Jingle Bells" is belted out and Santa begins banging on the two drums with his fists...really! As he bangs, the LEDs flash on and off...and yes, he is banging away in time. Banging away, people!

The start / stop sticker is totally removable - the better to torture office workers

So not only do you have the worlds most annoying version of "Jingle Bells" playing on your desk, you also have Santa thumping in tune. I think the Grinch thought this toy up. Oh wait, now I know why this item was created...it was to sell even more over the counter headache medicines during the holidays!

He is also supposed to play four other tunes, but I could not even make it all the way through the first. :0P

You think I am kidding? Just visit the webpage. Make sure you have your speakers turned on, and don't say that I didn't warn you. Sorry guys, this is one of those items that I just don't get at all...Bah humbug!