Projecteo Tiny Instagram Projector

Remember the pretty-much default standard for taking and developing pictures and now (basically) defunct technology called “35mm?” If so, we regret to inform you that, well, most young teenagers nowadays don’t even know what that is. Feel old yet? Let’s digress, though.

The Projecteo Tiny Instagram Projector converts Instagrams into tiny, 35mm wheel-slides and projects them using the almost-ridiculously small projector. The slides are uploaded online, whereby the manufacturer (or some third party) develops each one onto single-frame, stock Kodak film that stores up to nine photos per slide. When you receive your retro-tastic 35mm slides, just pop them into Projecteo, focus them using the lens barrel, and enjoy the up-to three feet projection slideshow. Claims the inventor, since Projecteo Instagram slides have no pixels, the common issue (with digital pictures) of pixelation is completely moot. Oh, and it comes with “cute little feet” (snark: their words, not ours) for effortless placement on nearly any surface.

Although we, the (wannabe) tech savvy folks at inStash, can’t for the life of us imagine there being a huge market for the Projecteo, it just may give – cough – older folks yet another reason to claim that “35mm ain’t dead yet.”

Computer Peripherals, Gadgets, Gear, Portable Media

By Michael Bock on December 19th, 2012

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$TBA BUY

FireWood Desk Fireplace

We at inStash love a one-off, quirky gadget as much as the next guy. That said, urban dwellers who don’t get to experience the natural world – or those who simply lack fireplaces – as much as the hardcore adventurist should check out the Japan-based FireWood Desk Fireplace.

Think of the Desk Fireplace as your personal mobile fireplace or ‘open’ fire pit. It reproduces the charming sounds of burning wood and embers and emits a soft, amber glow via small LED lights disguised as miniature logs. Connect your iPod/mp3 player/smartphone to use it as a portable speaker, or select one of three modes: “Outdoor,” which “simulates” (we can only speculate) a not-so-raging fire, “music” that functions as the portable speaker, and “lighting,” which allows the user to adjust the brightness by – no kidding – blowing on the thing.

According to the maker’s website, the Desk Fireplace “will transform the atmosphere in your home (or your desk) at the flick of a switch.” Now, while the product would certainly make a great gift or stocking stuffer, we’re pretty sure that the former claim is a bit of an exaggeration.

$50-$100, Gadgets, Gear

By Michael Bock on December 14th, 2012

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$88 BUY

Hard Graft Grocery Bag

Ordinary grocery bags are just so… so pedestrian. If you’re one who won’t even leave the house without looking like you could grace the cover of GQ magazine, then this, presumably the Coach of all grocery bags that ever has been and ever will be, is for you.

Hard Graft U.K. designs and builds primarily high-end cases for the likes of iPads, iPhones, laptops and so forth; and its grocery toter fits right in. The grocery bag by Hard Graft is, according to the maker, one of the most durable, stylish, ergonomic ones around. Featuring “extra wide,” extra comfortable shoulder straps, it’s constructed of premium, brown Italian leather and high quality, durable (including water resistant) waxed cotton (i.e. uber sumptuous wool felt) canvas.

If price simply isn’t – or, if you refuse to let it be – a sticking point in your quest to be the most stylish bloke in the neighborhood, we’d definitely recommend (for all intents and purposes) this, the Fendi of all grocery/shopping bags.

$250-$500, Gear

By Michael Bock on December 14th, 2012

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$310 BUY

Legacy Power Wagon

Have an insatiable affinity for vintage trucks? Do you have a spare 100-grand laying around to plop down on a fully-restored, customized truck from a past era? Read on.

The self-proclaimed “Old Dog, New Tricks” Legacy Power Wagons (by Wyoming-based Legacy Classic Trucks) are restored and customized luxury trucks painstakingly handcrafted over 600 hours by the artisan-mechanic genius of Winslow Bent and Erik Johnson. Here, have a quick gander at two examples: The Legacy Power Wagon Woodie Conversion is a 10-passenger, Jeep Wagoneer-esque truck (on mega steroids) conversion that boasts a 360hp-powered 5.9L Dodge Magnum V8 and real mahogany and ash wood on the body, doors, and interior. It also has all of the expected modern conveniences: A/C, leather seating, disk brakes, power steering and so on.

Then you have the 2-Door Legacy Power Wagon (see feature picture), an extensive beautification and customization of an old-timey Dodge Power Wagon. After restoration to its original condition, Bent and Johnson throw in all kinds of luxury touches and amenities, as well as more modern tech than you can shake a stick at. The outcome is, according to the Legacy Wagon dream team, one of the most rugged and durable truck conversions on the road, ever.

Seriously, though, old trucks have NEVER looked better outside the hands of the folks at Legacy Classic Trucks.

$100,000-$250,000, Trucks

By Michael Bock on December 12th, 2012

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$120,000+ BUY

Breitling Avenger Seawolf Blacksteel Code Yellow

Never mind brands like Rolex and Cartier: Those are for Yankee sailor boys from Nantucket. No, you want the ultimate, yet most badass-looking (and sounding) timepiece. Look no further, soldier.

Consider the Breitling Avenger Seawolf Blacksteel Code Yellow (see? uber macho-sounding indeed!) watch the equivalent of a James Bond-Chuck Norris-Jackie Chan hybrid and, well, you get the idea. For starters, the waterproof-to-3,000-meters (10,000ft) (is it even possible to dive half that deep??) Seawolf Blacksteel Code Yellow case is fashioned from ultra-durable carbon fiber. Its inner bezel, seconds hand, and “Automatic” insignia on the dial ring yellow, while large, luminescent accents, stenciled numerals, and a thick, sapphire crystal glare-proofing glass housing add to the timeless aesthetic. Add a Breitling-certified chronometer, balancing security valve, unidirectional bezel and a computer-designed case and you’ve got yourself a top-shelf, practically second-to-none diver wristwatch from the prestigious maker of timepieces, Breitling.

Or, you can simply go with a Rolex, which may or may not be the du jour special of the local street “vendor.”

$2,500-$5,000, Watches

By Michael Bock on December 12th, 2012

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$4,720 BUY

Trek Madone 7.9 Bicycle

Who, save for cyclists of Lance Armstrong stature (RIP, your career, Lance), needs an eleven-thousand dollar bicycle? Hardcore bikers, that’s who.

Consider the Trek Madone 7.9 race bike the ~~Cadillac~~ Rolls-Royce of bicycles. Not only is it one of the most aerodynamic, lightest race bikes, Trek claims it’s one of the fastest in the world. And it’s hard to not believe them. Made from ultralight, ultra-strong 700-Series OCLV (Optimum Compaction, Low Void) carbon fiber and exacted to KVF (Kammtail Virtual Foil) standards, the Madone 7-series sports 11 speeds, body-integrated front and rear brakes, Bontrager wheels and tires, and much, much more. The end result of all of these really serious-sounding terms and technologies? A bicycle that hauls serious ass and compromises on nothing. Nothing.

Oh, and Mr. Armstrong totally approves.

$10,000-$25,000, Gear, Outdoor, Rides, Transportation

By Michael Bock on December 5th, 2012

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$11,550 BUY

Lazerwood Keys for MacBook Pro

Like the clean, sleek look of your MacBook Pro, but feel that its keypad is, um, well, a little dull and/or lacking something? Do you appreciate all things retro-looking?

Check out this slightly one-off (but really neat!) invention from Seattle-based Lazerwood Industries. Lazerwood Keys are thin, adhesive-based chips fashioned from timelessly beautiful walnut. Lazerwood assures that the keys are of the highest possible quality, with precisely cut squares and ‘laser cut’ characters. And even though the company itself admits that lining up every key just right will take time and concentration, if you fumble, they’re removable without damage to the base keyboard. A couple of caveats, however: Backlit keys aren’t visible through wood, and the system isn’t compatible with the MacBook Air. Soooo, yeah.

The manufacturer of Lazerwood Keys claims an assembly time of 30-40 minutes. Depending on your individual dexterity and poise, though, we’re guessing more like 1-2 hours.

$25-$50, Computer Peripherals, Computers, Gadgets, Gear

By Michael Bock on December 4th, 2012

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$40 BUY

BISTRO Electric Coffee Dripper

Making coffee – that’s actually good - is a real pain in the behind, right? Well with the BISTRO it is decidedly less so.

The people behind the BISTRO Electric Coffee Dripper, or basically your own personal Starbucks machine, claim that bitter, shit-tasting coffee is a thing of the past with one of their newest incarnations. The BISTRO coffee dripper boasts several advantages over your garden variety Mr. Coffee, like the high quality, removable (for cleaning) water tank linked to the filter via a glass-constructed pipe. Its filter, a titanium-plated and silicone work of art itself, needs no paper lining; from there your coffee is transported to a stainless steel, double-walled thermos that keeps it at the perfect temperature. The jug handles are constructed of heat-resistant silicone, too. And despite its relatively compact appearance, the BISTRO holds up to 40oz of coffee.

Technically and (especially) aesthetically speaking, the BISTRO coffee dripper blows every other system out of the filtered water.

$250-$500, Appliances, Food & Bev, Gear, Kitchen, Living

By Michael Bock on December 4th, 2012

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$250 BUY

Blink Steady Bike Light

Here’s one for all of you avid cyclists out there, especially you “night” riders.

The ‘Blink/Steady’ bike light is a simple, yet crafty (and probably life-saving!) little gadget. Not only is its all-aluminum construction classy and durable (not to mention waterproof), the B/S bike light automatically starts up at night when motion is detected – and kills itself after 30 seconds of motionlessness and/or upon sensing adequate light. No BS! And its dual .5W LED lights project a brighter, more distributed beam than regular bike lights.

“Well, what about those sticky finger thieves?” you might ask. It installs under your seat, on the seat post and – according to the manufacturer – is pretty low-profile, not really advertising itself to would-be thieves. (So, you know, if they jack your bike then you’re kind of screwed, but at least your fancy bike light is safe if they’re too lazy to nab your ride.)

$100-$250, Gadgets, Gear, Outdoor

By Michael Bock on December 3rd, 2012

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$125 BUY

Nest 2 Learning Thermostat

A while back, we told you about the Nest Learning Thermostat. Well, here’s Nest part deux in all of its sleeker, Apple-esque beauty.

The Nest 2 Learning Thermostat is actually a pretty incredible piece of technology. For one thing, this new unit is thinner and more streamlined. Another, Nest 2 is more compatible with existing air-conditioning systems than previously (95% vs. 75%, respectively), thanks to revamped connectors and a clever “*” slot – the latter that accepts four of the most common connector types in North America – DEHUM, HUM, W3, and E. Systems such as dual fuel, 2nd-stage cooling, and 3rd-stage heating (and more) are now supported, too.

And when they say ‘learning’, they aren’t kidding: Nest 2, like its predecessor, actively learns its users’ preferences, general schedule and habits, and adjusts itself accordingly. Working in tandem with the one-of-its-kind, included Nest 3.0 software (connectable via WiFi), it has and does all sorts of nifty things, like ‘Enhanced Auto-Away’ (turns the system off upon detecting no human presence in the residence), Auto-Schedule, and iOS/Android tablet remote control via the Nest app.

In sum, not only does Nest truly make life less worrisome, it can also “persuade” your HVAC system to finally become ‘less energy hog, more $$ saver’, and in this economy who wouldn’t want that?

$100-$250, Heating & Cooling

By Michael Bock on December 1st, 2012

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$250 BUY

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