Kymera Magic Wand
Since its appearance on Dragons' Den, the Kymera Magic Wand has seen a wave of popularity. It shouldn't be dismissed as gimmicky though.
With the ability to recognise up to 13 gestures and learn infrared codes from any remote control, the Kymera wand could bring magic home this Christmas without the need for the latest Harry Potter DVD.
Not being device specific also means this is probably the only time you can hold your wand, flick your wrist and turn on several models around you while keeping some dignity.
X-Factor Xmas special? Expelliamus...
Price £50
More Info The Wand Company
Parrot AR.Drone
Remote controlled helicopters are all the rage at the moment and can be picked up for small change, but how about this bad boy?
Featuring quad-blades and two cameras, Parrot's AR.Drone is controlled by an iOS device over a Wi-Fi network and is more a gaming device than just an RC helicopter.
Several game modes are possible including the option to have dogfights with other AR.Drones using a live video feed from its onboard cameras. Okay, it's quite pricey, and you'd probably want two, but RC vehicles have never looked so fun.
Price £300
More Info Parrot
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COMMENTS
English to Wrench translation ...
"I instantly though car maintenance."
Eh? Let's break this down ...
"Would have saved lifting a head"
Pulling a cylinder head ...
"when I had a passenger"
Non-driver's side (not a bike, then ...) ...
"back"
Towards the rear of the frame ... Not a transverse engine.
"inlet cam sproket"
Intake valve's cam gear's chain/belt ...
"jump"
Belt, then ...
"last year to check valves"
You looked at 'em? With a fucking low-end TV camera? Me, I usually get all measury & shit ... There is a reason that feeler gauges and degree wheels were invented, you know ...
"all 6"
Six passenger-side intake valves? So either a V-12 or a V-6 with dual intake valves per cylinder, then? With a timing belt, not a chain? Some things make you want to go "hmmmmm".
"were fine."
Possibly true, even though your timing belt had stretched enough to jump a tooth ... but surely you had an inkling that you had to do some serious mechanical work on your engine, thanks to the sudden performance hit? No wrench I know would need a video camera to diagnose this kind of failure ...
"Moral is alway use new stretch bolts."
Not certain where the stretch of a bolt comes in in this kind of scenario ... Torque, yes, but stretch? In valve gear? Maybe you have some kind of prototype desmodromic system that I've never worked on ...
"Boffin pic. because fitting cam timing belts is at that level!"
Ah. I see. You are not a wrench. I'd insert a "fail pic", but icons are for AOLers ...
good timing
Some great ideas here, shame it's too late to buy any of them before Xmas now...
Great timing
Yup, December 22nd is the perfect time to be posting articles on christmas gifts, most of which are available only online, or which will be sold out in stores, in the middle of the worst post-affecting weather I can remember. Classy timing, here. Very clever.
RE: passenger back inlet cam sproket jump
STOP MAKING UP WORDS!
Only if you have a laptop, and it is small enough.
I instantly though car maintenance.
Would have saved lifting a head when I had a passenger back inlet cam sproket jump last year to check valves, all 6 were fine.
Moral is alway use new stretch bolts.
Boffin pic. because fitting cam timing belts is at that level!
