The Dragon Grip from Dragon Grip Interactive is not a gaming controller.  This hand-held, special-effects toy is a Kickstarter project, and it is “based on a character from a creative world called Legend City.”  It “allows the user to make sound effects styled from 70′s Kung Fu movies in a choreographed sequence by the users own moves and style.”  A pledge of $10 gets you a copy of the Legend City comic book, and a $25 pledge gets you a first edition black Dragon Grip, too.  Other rewards, including a red Dragon Grip, are available at higher pledge levels.  The funding period ends Sunday, June 24 at 8:10pm EDT.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, News

Tagged: Toy

Dragon Grip Sound Effects Toy originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 11, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

One of my all-time favorite adult toys is the Plantraco Desktop Rover (I have the ‘pre-laser tag’ version, and sadly, they do not seem to sell this anymore. I liked it because it was a device I could play with on a desktop (hence the clever name) and imagine it being a Mars rover, or an alien scout vehicle, or whatever.

I was excited to try the Desk Pets Tankbot as a potential replacement that actually did more and cost less, and used my smartphone as the remote!

The $40 MSRP toy comes with the actual TankBot itself (available in 4 colors, each with its own frequency), a remote-control dongle for the earphone jack of your smartphone, and that’s about it. There are some instructions on the packaging, and some on-line if you need more assistance. The TankBot does amazingly well on the Gadgeteer Creak Test overall.

Front view and control dongle

The actual tank is about 2.5″ tall, 2″ wide, and about 2.25″ long and very light. A small folding ‘ramp’ in the rear is the USB charging plug, and it has LEDs inside the front windshield that act like a combination of eyes and headlights. They do not actually project light but have several brightness levels. What looks like two headlights seem to be the sensors. The overall design is simple and kind of cute. It is even cuter since it has a bit of a personality programmed in – it cries, honks, snores, beeps, and makes other noises.

The tank unit charges through the USB plug built into its back (see image below). On my laptop, it blocked the other USB port and was held at an odd angle. It takes about 40 minutes to get 15 minutes of play. The remote control dongle has an ‘off’ switch (that I always forget about) and uses 3 L1154F (AG13, LR44) batteries.

Back view showing charging plug, and the dongle again

Press the button for two seconds to turn it on, then press again to change between the three modes:

1. Obstacle Avoidance Mode – uses sensors to avoid barriers in front of it over a couple inches tall. In this mode it can run mazes, etc. It does not, however, sense drop-offs or things in front if it that can flip it over.
2. Autonomous Personality Mode – it runs around flashing the lights and making noises. When it gets stuck, it usually either snores or cries.
3. Smartphone Control – uses a dongle in the earphone jack and a downloaded free app to control the unit. The controller uses two simple sliders to control each track independently. Note that the receivers are in the front of the unit so it does not respond as well when controlled from behind.

It does the cries and so on in all modes, which rather detracts from imagining it is a Mars Rover or spy device – a ‘noises off’ switch would be nice. The unit is also a bit top-heavy, with a very small wheelbase and a very steep angle in the front treads, so it really does not take much to make it flip over. It is definitely not designed as an ‘all-terrain’ device.  In ‘remote control’ mode, I find I have to reset the connection pretty much every time, but that may be something I am doing wrong somehow (possibly forgetting to turn off the dongle!)

The above aside, it is kind of fun to play with. In mode 1, it will avoid your hands and almost any kind of barrier that is tall enough for it to ‘see’. You can make a neat maze with just pieces of paper folded to stand up on their own, and the website has a cool video of it running a maze. Mode 2 has more limited play potential but it still kind of fun to watch.

TankBot with eyes aglow, and the smartphone app

Mode 3, ‘Smartphone Control’, is what I had the most hope for! Like my old Desktop Rover, there are two joysticks – forward and back for each tread. The problems I keep seeing are a delay in responsiveness, and an inconsistent tendency to not return to neutral. Much of the time I needed to reverse whatever the previous command was to get that tread to stop moving. These two issues really made it tough to enjoy the unit on smaller play areas – it just rarely felt like it was under my control.

Seeing this in action will be worth a thousand more words, so…

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, Reviews

Tagged: desk toys, Remote Control, Toy

Desk Pets Tankbot Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 11, 2012 at 11:00 am.

This Crossbow Water Balloon Launcher won’t make you as cool as Daryl Dixon, but you’ll have a lot more fun shooting the Walking Dead than he does.  This crossbow toy from The Sharper Image comes with 50 biodegradable water balloons, a balloon tie maker, and a plastic target.  It’s made of brightly colored plastic, and it measures 12″ long X 20″ wide X 5.5″ thick and weighs 3.5 pounds.  It’s $29.99 at The Sharper Image.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, News

Tagged: Crossbow, Toy

Ready Yourself for the Zombie Apocalypse With a Crossbow Water Balloon Launcher originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 2, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

When I was a kid, there were no iPads, video games, or the Internet. When I wasn’t reading books or taking apart broken appliances to salvage magnets, I was playing with yo-yos and gyroscopes. I hadn’t thought about gyroscopes in years till I happened upon an entire site dedicated to selling them. Gyroscope.com offers several gyroscopes, but the one shown above really caught my eye. Made of brass and aluminum, it comes with a special electric motor that is used to get it spinning at 12000 RPM. Priced at $98.99, it’s definitely a  pricey toy. Luckily they offer less expensive models starting at $5.99.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, News

Tagged: Toy

Gyroscope – Geeky Spinning Fun originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 29, 2012 at 10:00 am.

Winner of the Popular Science Best of Toy Fair 2102, TheO Ball from Physical Apps encases your smartphone in a large foam ball, and special apps  allows players to have an entertaining movement-based experience, all while protecting your phone, the players and their surroundings. Current games are Bowling, Hot Potato and Interrogo a ”socially interactive game”, and the games can also pit competitors from across the web. To supplement these games Physical Apps is opening it’s APIs up to developers to make use of it’s motion sensing technology.

It is expected to be released in May with a price of $24.95. Each app will be sold separately and expected to range from $1.99 up to $4.99.

Will you be the first to volunteer your smartphone to be kicked around the room ?

Filed in categories: Miscellaneous, News

Tagged: Apps, Toy

TheO Ball – Toss your Smartphone Around for Fun originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 8, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

The PowerUp Electric Powered Paper Airplane Conversion Kit from TailorToys will turn a homemade folded paper airplane into an electric powered propeller driven plane. It comes with one propeller module and a charger module which runs on 3 AA batteries. You will need to supply your own paper to fold your plane. Once folded, clip the propeller module in place and charge it. 20 seconds of charge time will fly your plane for around 30 seconds or so. This looks like it could be a lot of fun for less than $20. You can get yours at Amazon.com

Filed in categories: Do-It-Yourself, Geek Toys, Kid Gadgets, News

Tagged: Toy

Convert a Paper Airplane into an Electric Plane originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 30, 2011 at 10:00 am.

These little Radica Fijit Friends from ThinkGeek are cuddly and cute.  ThinkGeek, and the video on their Fijit page, say these toys are for girls, but I think they might appeal to younger kids of both genders.  Be aware that they are recommended for ages 6+ because they have small parts that could pose a choking risk.  They are interactive, recognizing 30 keywords and responding with 150 phrases.  Their faces light up to show they’re listening and ready to play.  Fijits hear and respond to music by dancing.  And they have Sonic Chirp technology that listens for signals from the Fijit Friends website that will unlock new phrases and dance moves.  These robots are 8.6″ tall and weigh 1.6 pounds.  They come in four colors, but you’ll receive a random color.  Each Fijit is $49.99.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, News

Tagged: Toy

Fijit Friends for Your Daughter originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 18, 2011 at 12:00 pm.

This Edge Robotic Arm Kit from ThinkGeek could be the first step in automating your house – or at least dunking your teabag to make your mornings easier…  You won’t have to solder, but you will have to follow instructions carefully.  In about 2 hours, you should have your own, working robotic arm.  The arm has 5 motors with 5 axes of movement controlled by the wired remote.  The gripper will open and close and has an LED spotlight, and the arm has a wrist motion of 120 degrees, elbow range of 300 degrees, base rotation of 270 degrees, base motion of 180 degrees, vertical reach of 15 inches, horizontal reach of 12.6 inches, and lifting capacity of 100g.  The Edge Robotic Arm Kit is $49.99, and you’ll need to supply your own D alkaline batteries.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, News

Tagged: Robot, Toy

Edge Robotic Arm Kit from ThinkGeek originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 23, 2011 at 1:00 pm.

Is there a more prolific and quintessential toy than the ball?  Used in all manner of games and sports (for both kids and adults), the versatile sphere is synonymous with fun the world over.  Well, the deceptively simple ball may be going high tech.  At the 2011 CES, Orbotix unveiled Sphero, a ball that can be remotely controlled via Bluetooth from a “driving” app on your iOS or Android mobile phone.  Dig on this YouTube video for more.  74mm in diameter, it includes an internal color-changing RGB LED light and an inductive charging cradle system.  Slated to be available “late 2011″, you can currently sign up to reserve your Sphero.  Estimated retail price is $100.  Got the balls for this?

Filed in categories: Android related, Bluetooth Gear, Geek Toys, iPhone, iPad, iPod related

Tagged: Android phone accessory, iPhone/iPod/iPad accessory, Toy

Have a ball driving Sphero with your phone originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 2, 2011 at 2:56 pm.

For a long, long time now, in households far and near, a battle has raged over whether young padawans would be allowed to play with their parents’ movie-realistic and super-expensive Force FX lightsaber replicas, or be relegated to the clunky, much cheaper toyish versions found at toy stores across the Outer Rim (and here on Earth).  Via StarWars.com, Hasbro has recently announced that in summer 2011 they will be releasing the Ultimate FX Lightsaber.  These elegant weapons will feature a progressive light-up LED blade, authentic sounds and a more realistic look.  Maybe the coolest feature is that they will be sized for kids, not adults.  A good idea, this is.  Initially available in Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader models with approximate retail price of $34.99.  Anyone besides me going to lay down your Republic credits and outfit your padawans with one of these?

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, Kid Gadgets, News

Tagged: Star Wars, Toy

Your father wanted you to have this when you were old enough… originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 11, 2011 at 7:30 am.

Those clever nerds and monkeys at ThinkGeek have done it again.  Continuing their ice planet of Hoth product theme, and as a compliment to their Tauntaun Sleeping Bag, behold the Wampa Rug.  This “bearskin”-style floor rug is about 62″ long by 30″ wide and made of synthetic fur, with pillow head, vinyl claws and non-slip backing.  Slave Leia not included.  $100 Republic credits.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, Kid Gadgets, News

Tagged: Star Wars, Toy

Wampa Rug Will Warm Your Hoth Hearth originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 31, 2011 at 2:30 pm.

I had the opportunity to see the Skitterbot in action last February when I attended the International Toy Fair in NYC. The Skitterbot is a small bug shaped robot that is crazy fast. It can travel at one foot per second. You can control the Skitterbot with the 5 function remote that includes controls for forward, back, left, right, and stop. A retractable USB charger is built into remote and will provide 15 minutes of play
for a 30 minute charging session. Skitterbots come in Red, Blue, Clear, and Green. They are currently available at RadioShack and Toys R’ Us for $19.99. Watch them in action here.

Filed in categories: Kid Gadgets, News

Tagged: Remote Control, Robot, Spotlight Gadgets, Toy

Skitterbot – A Bug You Won’t Want to Squash originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 24, 2010 at 9:55 am.

Have your kids asked you for the umpteenth time, “Can I play with your iPhone?”  Then check out the Woogie from Griffin Technology.  Billed as 50% stuffed animal, 50% speaker case, 100% fun, it’s a green asterisk-shaped plush toy with a slide-in iPhone/iPod touch case attached to the side.  Kids can listen via headphones or the built-in speaker powered by 2 AA batteries and its legs can be tucked to use it as a viewing stand.  It also has its own free app in the App Store that can be used to preview Sesame Street books and more.  $19.99.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Kid Gadgets

Tagged: iPhone accessory, Toy

Woogie is fun, plush iPhone protection originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 17, 2010 at 3:00 am.

Computer Software Engineer Barbie. Mattel's 126th Career Choice for Barbie aimed at encouraging young girls to consider the computer industry as a career. Photo by Engadget.com

Computer Software Engineer Barbie is officially Barbie’s 126^th Career Choice. Whoda thunk it?   Barbie, that iconic symbol of glamour and the impossible figure (and wardrobe) is now a nerd.  Yes, tech fans, Barbie  the doll by Mattel, is now a geek.   In order to celebrate Barbie’s 125^th career choice (mid life crisis anyone?), Mattel sponsored a Vote For Barbie’s Next Career campaign on their website in effort, ostensibly, to motivate young female minds towards career goals outside of being a fabulously dressed, pimped out car ridin’ glamour girl with the same “out of the spotlight” boyfriend, Ken.

To this end, voters voted and the word was heard.   Almost.   Instead of Barbie’s 125^th Career choice, Mattel is releasing two career dolls that will reflect the voters’ responses.

Aimed at recruiting more females into the computer industry, Mattel has made Barbie (remember, this is a doll that has held jobs like Chief Surgeon, Airline Pilot, Army Medic and an Astronaut) a computer cubicle dweller.   Barbie is outfitted with a pink (naturally) Blackberry, aqua blue Bluetooth headset, hot pink nerdy reading glasses and  a pink laptop (maybe just a hair larger than my netbook) that (don’t say I didn’t warn you) runs Linux.   Yes, Mattel has certainly done their homework.  Obviously gleaning clues from whatever Nerdery they visited, they’ve outfitted Barbie in a cramped cubicle (replete with a picture of Ken) and a fashionable ensemble completely out of step with the togs that your average and sundry computer software engineer  sports these days.  But while Barbie’s ensemble IS fashion forward, she continues to pay homage to the Geek:  her blouse sports binary code all over it.

Sporting binary code fashion and To Die For reading glasses, Geek Barbie's laptop runs Linux. Photo by BBC News Magazine

Computer Software Engineer Barbie is Barbie’s 126^th Career Choice.  This was the Most Popular Career Choice voted in by all kinds of moms, grandmoms and who knows who else.  But.   Mattel does collect demographic information because the Girls’ Most Popular Career Choice?  TV News Anchor Barbie which is the 125^th Career Choice.   Which one will you get for your daughter?

[First photo courtesy of Engadget.com]

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, Kid Gadgets, News

Tagged: Barbie, Spotlight Gadgets, Toy

Barbie Goes Geek originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 16, 2010 at 12:24 pm.

Did you collect bugs as a kid? I remember doing an exhibit for the 4H fair one year where I collected various local bugs. Catching them was fun, but I found the whole killjar thing a bit distasteful. Even as a kid, I was a tree hugger… or would that be bug hugger? HEXBUG Nanos are cute little battery operated robotic creatures that behave like bugs, but you don’t have to worry about them stinging you. You can buy your own nano for $9.99

Filed in categories: Kid Gadgets, News

Tagged: Spotlight Gadgets, Toy

Why go outside to collect bugs when you can buy a HEXBUG Nano instead? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 29, 2010 at 10:32 am.

Originally one of ThinkGeek‘s annual April Fool’s product pranks, this “sleeping gag” was turned into a real product and is fully LucasFilm-licensed.  You’ll sleep safe and snug like an injured and delirious Jedi Knight while stuffed into this simulated carcass.  Featuring a built-in embroidered tauntaun head pillow, protruding leg, arm and tail, plush lightsaber zipper pull (for slicing in and out), and arguably the best feature…printed intestines pattern on the inside.  It is 100% machine-washable polyester and one-size-fits-all 33 in x 67 in, so everyone from crusty old Jedi Masters down to wee youngling Padawans can enjoy it.  Available at ThinkGeek for $99.99.  Hoth Rebel trooper gear sold separately of course.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, Kid Gadgets, News

Tagged: Star Wars, Toy

Your Tauntaun May Freeze, But You’ll Stay Toasty originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 13, 2010 at 10:34 pm.

Don’t show these Topobo sets to your kids. They will want a set for Christmas and you won’t be able to afford them. You might be able to afford a starter kit, but their 1000 piece kit will run you $4,999.00. Yowch! That’s the price you have to pay for a construction set that can remember and play back movements that you teach your creations. Build a dog and teach him to walk. Build a robot and teach him to dance. Build a man and teach him to fish and he’ll never be hungry again. Oops, wrong article.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, News, Reviews

Tagged: Toy

Construction Toy with Kinetic Memory – Topobo originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 28, 2009 at 10:56 pm.

First of all– whoa– these are some horrifying  looking little  monsters toys.  The Huru Humi clan feature digital faces, a speaker built into the chest, and since they are marketed towards girls they of course must have interchangeable bodies/clothing and hair.  In a functionality they seem part tamagotchi and part neopet- you talk to them and they talk back (saying what, I’m not sure, but they’re loaded with 45 minutes of speech) and, in a feature that can’t possibly be irritating, will also talk to each other.   Each has its own voice, personality, and online game world to unlock.  There are eight currently in the series (seven females, one male) with more looming on the horizon.  $12.99-$29.99 on Amazon.

Filed in categories: Kid Gadgets

Tagged: doll, Toy

Huru Humi Heidi and Friends originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 3, 2009 at 6:03 pm.

How would you like a robotic bug that can react to sound and light? I hate bugs, but I’d take a HEXBUG any day. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but you give her a crab and she will remember you forever

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Robot, Spotlight Gadgets, Toy

Spotlight Gadget – HEXBUG originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 4, 2009 at 6:49 am.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to play with all sorts of R/C (remote controlled) cars,planes and helicopters. I’ve even flown an
R/C UFO. But until now, I’d never controlled
an R/C submarine. But now I can say that I have, because Trend Times Toys sent me the Sub-Sonic XP R/C Submarine to review.

Package Contents

Sub-Sonic XP Sub
Controller
Charger
Instructions

The submarine is made surprisingly well. The plastic is thick and feels like it can take a lot of abuse. A small on/off power switch is located on top of the sub.

The sub has 3 different rotating blades. Two of them are in the tail section of the sub, pointing towards the back. Another rotor is located in the center.

On the bottom of the sub there is a two prong power connector that is protected by a flexible plastic cap. To charge the sub, you just lift that protective cap and plug the sub into the charging base.

The charging base is powered by 3 AA batteries (not included).

What I like about the charging base is that you just press the sub into the base and it will immediately start charging the sub’s batteries. You don’t have to flip any switches
on the base for this to occur.

Charging takes about 3 minutes. When completed, the two Red LEDs on the charging base will turn off to signal that it is ready to go. A full charge will give you 3 minutes of play.

Controlling the sub is done with the hand held remote. This remote is powered by one 9V battery (not included). The controller reminds me of an Xbox controller as it has shoulder buttons, Left and Right thumb style joysticks and two other buttons that control lights and the center rotor. There is also a channel selector if you have more than one sub.

I guess you could compare controlling the sub with flying an RC plane. You can steer Left and Right, as well as diving down and surfacing. I wouldn’t be lying if I told you that it takes some practice. I actually didn’t have an optimal way to review the sub as most people’s pools are already covered for the season. My bathtub was the biggest body of water that I could come up with, so that is what I used. If you’ve played with other RC toys in the past, this sub is a nice change of pace. I’m guessing kids might be tempted to take more baths if they had a toy such as this one to take into the tub with them ;o) The Sub-Sonic XP is a fun RC submarine that kids and grownups alike will enjoy.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys

Tagged: RC Toy, Toy

Remote Controlled Sub-Sonic XP Submarine Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 27, 2008 at 6:00 pm.

There are all kinds of small RC flying toys on the market these days. We’ve reviewed our share of them here on the Gadgeteer. They are fun to play with, but I really am not very good at flying them. If I take one outdoors, it ends up on the roof. If I fly indoors, I tend to crash them into walls, people’s heads, etc. Some people can fly RC toys and some can’t. If you find yourself in the same group as me, then you’ll love the Intelli UFO from Trend Times Toys. Anyone can fly this one!

Package Contents

UFO
Controller
Charger / battery pack

The Intelli UFO is really more of a helicopter than a true flying saucer, as it has three sets of rotors. There are two sets of blades that are connected to the top of the saucer and then the little feet on the bottom are actually another set of blades that will rotate while flying.

The saucer is really small, about the size of a 25 cent gumball, or the diameter of a quarter. It’s made of plastic and has a small connector for the charger and a small power switch built into its base.

To fly the UFO, you first have to charge its internal batteries. You do this with the large plastic battery pack. Hmm, it just occurred to me that the design on the top of the battery pack might be a landing pad.

This battery pack requires 8 (yes, I said AA batteries. My suggestion is to use rechargeable batteries. Once the batteries are loaded, you plug the small connector into the matching socket on the UFO and turn the power switch on the charger pack to ON. Both the Green charge LED and Red Power LED will light up. When charging is completed (approximately 20-30 minutes), the Green light will go off, to signal that the batteries in the UFO have been charged.

Like all RC toys, some type of controller has to be used. The one for the UFO is the smallest RC controller I’ve ever seen. It’s powered by 3 AG13 button cell batteries (included) and is about the size of a lighter at 2.5 inches long. On the top are two buttons to control the LEDs on the UFO, a power indicator LED and the throttle. On the side is the controller power switch. As you will notice, there aren’t any steering controls, just a simple throttle.

To fly the Intelli UFO, you unhook it from the charger, flip the little power switch to On and flip the power switch on the controller to On.

When you flip the power switch on the UFO, some LEDs will light up. You can then either set the UFO on a flat surface, or hold the body between your thumb and index finger and use your other hand to slide the throttle on the controller to start spinning the blades. I think it’s easier to hold the UFO and drop it while the blades are spinning. It will then hover or fly higher depending on how far you slide the throttle. If you’re flying indoors, you’ll have to be careful not to crash into the ceiling. If it goes too high, just ease back on the throttle. Doing so, will cause the saucer to start descending. Slide the throttle back up and it will cause the UFO to ascend. Since you can’t steer the UFO in any direction besides up and down, it’s sort of like playing with an RC yo-yo.

On a full charge, you can fly the UFO for about 5-6 minutes. You’ll know when the batteries are getting too weak, when the UFO won’t fly more than an inch or so off the floor.

The row of LEDs in the body of the UFO create an interesting pattern as it spins in flight. If this bugs you, you can turn them off with the switch on the controller.

The Intelli UFO is as simple an RC flying toy as you can probably get. You don’t have to worry about pitch, trim or steering. You just have one simple throttle to increase or decrease height. My only complaints are that it might be priced a bit high for what it can actually do, and then the fact that the battery charger requires 8 batteries… If you can get past those two things, this is a great toy for people with less than stellar RC flying skills.

Right now Trend Times Toys is running a special promotional price of 19.95 each when buying 3 or more UFOs.

the UFOs.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys

Tagged: RC Toy, Toy

Remote Controlled Intelli UFO Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 27, 2008 at 7:30 am.

I’ve loved playing with magnets since I was a kid. I remember that anytime something in the house would break that might have a motor in it, I would snatch it out of the trash, dismantle it and retrieve the magnets from the motor. I even had a little metal fishing tackle box with tools and scavenged magnets that I kept under my bed. I was an odd child. ) Now that I’m an adult, I’m still odd and I still love  magnets. That’s why I was really excited to be able to review two magnetic puzzle sets. One from NeoCube and one from CyberCube.

CyberCube

The CyberCube is made of 216, 6mm, Neodymium spherical magnets otherwise known as rare earth magnets.

It comes packaged in a simple but nice presentation box in the shape of a 6×6 cube. Unlucky for me, the CyberCube was shipped to my day job and when my boss saw it, he took it out of the box and wrecked the cube shape. At the time, I didn’t know how to get it back into that shape. I actually had to email the company and ask for directions so that I could take the image that you see above. )

Each magnet is about the size of a BB. These magnets are extremely strong and it takes a bit of effort to detach one from the group. Often, when you pull one magnet, you come away with a whole string. In a weird way, it almost makes the group of magnets feel like one living thing.

What’s the purpose of these magnet sets? There isn’t one really… It’s a fidget object. Something to keep your hands and mind busy when you’re bored or need a break from some other task. You can make all sorts of shapes. Above you see a cube in process.

Impressive huh? The videos on  the CyberCube site make this lowly cube look like nothing.

If you set this on your desk at work, people won’t be able to help themselves and will have to pick it up. It’s as if it were a magnet. Sorry, couldn’t resist ;o)

Price: $39.99

NeoCube

NeoCube is another magnet set that uses rare earth magnets. It doesn’t come in a nice box like the CyberCube, but you do get a few extra magnets just in case you lose a few. While CyberCube only sells one set of magnets, NeoCube has a 6×6 cube set (216 magnets) which they call the NeoCube Alpha set and a NeoCube Mini set, that can create a 3×3 cube (27 magnets). You can also buy both sets together if you’re a complete magnet maniac.

Besides the difference in the the number of magnets per set, the only other difference between the NeoCube and CyberCube is the size of each magnet. The NeoCube magnets are smaller.

I didn’t have a set of calipers handy to measure the exact size, but here you see the CyberCube 6×6 cube on the Left and the NeoCube 6×6 on the right.

The NeoCube magnets perform the same as the CyberCube magnets in that you can create all sorts of shapes with them.

So far the shapes that I try to create are super lame. But both the CyberCube and NeoCube sites have videos with someone showing how to create things. They make it look so easy ;o) It’s really not that easy for me – at least not yet.

Price: Alpha and Mini set $34.95, Alpha set $29.95, Mini set $13.95

Summary

Which set should you buy? The combination Alpha / Mini set from NeoCube is the better buy because you get 35 more magnets than the CuberCube set for a cheaper price. The only issue might be the size of the magnets… the Neo’s are smaller. Heck, buy a set from both company’s and then go wild and stick them altogether! Regardless as to which set you might choose, they will keep you entertained for hours and make a great gift for your favorite geek. Anyone else out there have a “thing” for magnets?

Filed in categories: Geek Toys

Tagged: magnets, Puzzle, Toy

NeoCube and CyberCube Neodymium Magnet Sets Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 16, 2008 at 9:00 am.

This week’s video quick look review comes from the Gadgeteer Kid. He takes a look at the Rechargeable Desktop Mini R/C Ferrari FXX Enzo car from Brando’s Toy Shop.

Features

The Mini RC Ferrari FXX Enzo is officially licensed by Ferrari
Scale 1/43
Effective Control Distance is about 10M
Full Function Remote Controller (6 Ways Controls)
Fast Charging Station (3 Minutes Fast Charging)
HxWxD(approx.): 25mm x 30mm x 65mm
Required 6 AA batteries (not included)

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, Video Reviews

Tagged: RC Toy, Toy

The Gadgeteer Kid’s Video Quick Look at the Mini R/C Ferrari FXX Enzo Set from Brando originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 14, 2008 at 8:45 pm.

Last year at this time, I reviewed my very first RC helicopter. It was the PicooZ from HobbyTron. I guess it’s only fitting that almost one year later, that I review a step up from the PiccoZ; today I’m going tell you about the Hornet 3.

Features

15 Step Digital Proportional Controls
Tail Rotor Trim Dial (persists through power down)
EPP Foam CP2 ‘Crash Proof’ Design
Hi-Capacity Li-Poly Battery (7-9 min fly times)
Charges From the Controller
3 Flight Modes (hover, pilot, attack)

Package Contents

Hornet 3 Mini RC Helicopter
Controller
Advanced Tuning Guide
Tool Set
Customizable Decals

Very similar in size, shape and design, the Hornet 3 does have some nice upgrades that make it a great choice of RC toy for those of you that have small spaces to fly in. This is an indoors only RC helicopter. You can ‘try’ to fly it outside, but any slight breeze will play havoc with controlling it.

The Hornet 3 has a more realistic shape than the PicooZ. It’s made of EPP foam, which is dense, but very light weight and crash resistant. Even though this helicopter feels very fragile, it can take quite a bit of abuse and not be any worse for wear.

As you can see in the image above, the Hornet 3 has landing gear instead of foam fins. This is a nice improvement over the PicooZ as it allows you to land more easily.

A nice handheld controller is included with the helicopter. This controller is powered by 6 AA batteries which are not included. The controller has thumb controls for lift up/down and turn left/right. There is also a trim dial that you can use to adjust the rotation of helicopter while flying. For the most part you do not want it to rotate at all. You want it to remain steady as you lift up and down and turn left and right.

The battery in the helicopter has to be charged before you can fly it. This is done by plugging it into the handheld controller. There is a charging cable hidden in a compartment that is accessed by a sliding door on the top of the controller.

The cable plugs into the bottom of the helicopter, next to the power switch. Charging takes approximately 10 minutes, which will yield you about 7-9 minutes of flight time.

You might also notice the vertical lines on the belly of the helicopter. This are the indicators for adding the included stick-on weights. These weights let you change the way the helicopter flies. There are three ‘modes’… Hover, Pilot and Attack. The instructions really don’t explain what the differences are between the modes. I gave each one a try and found that when the weight is the attack position, the helicopter flies with it’s nose pointed down just a bit. In the pilot position, the weight allows you to navigate easier. And in the hover position, the weight let’s you more easily — hover. Who would have guessed ;o)

Of all the RC flying toys that I’ve reviewed thus far, I would have to say that the Hornet 3 is the easiest to control and is the most fun to fly.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys

Tagged: RC Toy, Toy

HobbyTron Hornet 3 Series Mini RC Helicopter originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 4, 2007 at 12:50 pm.

Here’s another indoor remote controlled airplane for those of you that have problems controlling RC helicopters. This is the Aero Soarer from Takara Tomy. Brando sent one over for me to tear up. I mean play with. )

The Aero Soarer is very similar in design to the Silverlit Palm-Z RC airplane that I just reviewed.

Package Contents

Aero Soarer plane
Handheld remote
Wall hanger
Instructions

The Aero Soarer is made of very light styrofoam material. It’s flimsier than the material used for the Palm-Z. The Aero has just one wing, whereas the Palm-Z is a bi-plane.

The plane is powered by a rechargeable battery that is located in the mid-section of the plane.

Here you see the propeller and tail rudder.

Controlling and charging the plane is done through the small handheld remote control. This remote is powered by 3 AA batteries that are not included. There is a throttle and Left / Right buttons.

To charge the plane’s battery, you connect it into the slot on the top of the remote.

It takes a firm press to seat the battery contacts into the connector. Everytime I connected it, I was afraid I might accidently snap the body of the plane. Once the plane is connected, you just flip the switch on the remote to Charge. The Red LED will blink while the battery is charging and will turn off when complete. The plane will also beep to signal that charging is completed. The charging operation is very quick. It takes only a couple of minutes.

To fly the Aero Soarer, you just flip the power switch on the remote to On, slide the throttle up so that the propeller on the plane is twirling and then give the plane a little toss to start it flying. At this point, I’ll say that the Aero Soarer is a little easier to fly than the Palm-Z. But, it runs out of spizz way too quickly. It seems like you can get some good height for about 30 seconds or so and from then until the battery dies, you can’t get the plane to climb more than a foot or two off the floor. Per charge you can probably expect to fly the plane for maybe 5 minutes. That includes all the time that it takes to run after it after it’s crashed too.

The Aero Soarer is fun to play with, but if you want a little RC plane like this one, I’d recommend the Palm-Z instead. It’s not as fragile and flies longer and higher per charge.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys

Tagged: RC Toy, Toy

Takara Tomy Aero Soarer RC Airplane originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 29, 2007 at 7:56 pm.