My Top Geek Gifts for 2009

Geeks, nerds, techies, trekkies – you may love one.  And you may be trying to find a unique gift for your geek.  Well, you’re in luck, because I have scoured the globe of nerdom to find that perfect gift.  Yeah, it’s a biased post, but I’m doing it.  I really hope you find something here that you like.

Roku HD Player

This is by far my #1 favorite tech purchase of 2009!  This tiny device is amazing.  The Roku player is a streaming video box.  It can hook up to Amazon online to deliver HD movies in 5.1 channel sound.  It can also hook up to Netflix to deliver HD movies.  As of yet, it still doesn’t deliver 5.1 channel sound over the Netflix API connection.  I think that will be coming in the future, however.  Now, I bought the Roku player because it cost me like $100.  Then I signed up for the $9/month Netflix account.  The Roku player allows you to watch Netflix Instant Queue on your TV.  It’s super easy to use and a fantastic value over the short and long term.  I have Roku player review in the past and noted that they may be adding some very cool services in the future.  Well, the future is now, because they just updated the firmware and there are some fun treats.

The first thing of note is that the Roku player now has Pandora!  Woohoo.  Now I can have rolling tunes on my home theater system.  But Roku really added much more than Pandora.  They added a channel suite.  This will allow you to add and remove channels.  So far, they have added: MLB.com, Blip.tv, Twit.tv, Facebook photos, Flickr, Revision3, Motionbox, and Mediafly.  Most of these are free.  And I’m sure they are going to be adding a lot more premium channels in the future.  It’s basically turning into an ala carte video player.  And I love it.

I unequivocally recommend this product.

Marshmallow Blaster in Blue and Red

Okay, this is a little juvenile…..So it’s right up a geek’s alley!  All you need is some marshmallows and it’s freakin’ go time.

Ny Central Dreyfuss Hudson Steam Engine

This is one of Lionel’s top models and it comes with all the bells and whistles, no pun intended.  A rare train.

WowWee Tribot Talking Companion in Red/Black

Night Vision Infared Stealth Goggles V2

Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor

Canon PowerShot SX20IS 12.1MP Digital Camera

Perfect Solutions Golf Ball Finder Glasses

HP LX195 MediaSmart Home Server

What could get a geek more excited than having a home server at his or her becking call.  It will serve all your illegal, i mean legally obtained media.

Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (Black)

Well, I know this isn’t a unique item, but I have to post it.  It’s just a hugely popular gift idea because it’s so easy to use, fun to use, and relatively cheap.  Flip is really innovating the whole HD camcorder arena.

• Easy-to-use, pocket-sized HD camcorder featuring one-touch recording and digital zoom
• Simple user interface lets you start capturing HD video just seconds after powering on
• Captures 120 minutes of HD video on 8 GB of built-in memory; no tapes or additional memory cards required

• Convenient flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your PC or Mac to launch FlipShare software
• Pre-installed FlipShare software lets you easily email videos, edit individual clips, make custom movies, capture still photos from video, and even upload video to sharing sites like YouTube and MySpace
• FlipShare’s advanced compression technology allows for quick and easy sharing of high-resolution HD video in compact-sized files (via email or publishing online)
• Comes with Flip Video rechargeable AA battery pack (recharges when connected to USB); also supported by standard AA batteries
• Large 2-inch anti-glare color LCD screen to play back and delete videos
• HDMI output (mini-HDMI connector) makes it simple to watch video on your HDTV
• Video: 16:9 widescreen, HD 720p (1280 x 720) at 30 frames per second (fps) progressive scan; recorded as MP4 files

La Crosse Technology Projection Alarm Clock with Outdoor Temperature

Why look at the time and temperature on a screen when you can project it?  Screens, they are so yesterday.

EasyBloom Plant Sensor

Now this thing is cool.  The Plant sensor takes all the guesswork out of gardening.  If your geek is also into gardening, this is the perfect combo.  Just read this uber geekiness, from the manufacturer:

“This ingenious in-ground sensor reads and analyzes growing conditions in specific spots inside your home or in your yard. It measures sunlight, temperature, humidity, soil moisture and drainage. It even uses the same technology used on NASA’s Mars Phoenix mission to measure the soil.”

Who can pass up having NASA technology in their garden?

Oregon Scientific AW131 Grill Right Wireless Talking Oven/Barbeque Thermometer

Who wants to constantly check their foodstuffs?  I would rather be watching the big game!  Well, now you can literally do both.  Put the probe in the meat and take the digital display with you to the couch.  Plug in the meat type,etc.  And then you will be alerted by screen and voice when your meat is done.  That’s like meat hacking.

Telespy Telephone Motion Sensor Alarm Security Intruder

Okay, now this is hilarious.  But this could come in handy.  As the graphic says above, the motion detecting phone will be triggered and dial your phone.  Then you can kick back and listen in on whoever tripped it.  The options are limitless.

Orion Skyline Deluxe Green Laser Pointer

Oooooh, danger signs.  Yes, I can’t go without posting a high powered laser.  This laser will pop balloons or light matches.  Yes, lasers can cost upwards of $3,000, but this one only goes for $100.  And it’s good.   Mmmmm, lighting matches with light.  Serious geek factor, but it’s definitely not a toy!

Vinturi Essential Wine Aerators, Red Wine and White Wine, Set of 2

Okay, so this is simple tech, but it’s still cool.  This gift would be a definite hit with any wine lover on your list who also loves gadgets.  Instead of decanting wine, this product mixes in the right amount of air at the right time.  People swear by this product.

Sanyo ECJ-F50S Micro-Computerized 5-Cup Rice Cooker and Steamer

You haven’t cooked rice until you have done it with a computer.  Makes it so easy, a monkey super smart geek could do it.

Keurig B40 Elite Gourmet Single-Cup Home-Brewing System

Single cup coffee makers are all the rage these days.  This Keurig makes it a super snap.  There’s just something really nerdy sexy about getting a metered dose of coffee.  Now we need bloodstream injectors.

Oster 4207 Electric Wine-Bottle Opener

Boy, it must be the year of wine gadgets.  Nobody really enjoys opening wine bottles with cheap openers.  Yes, there are some excellent mechanical wine openers, but why settle for mechanical?  Your geek wants some piece of tech to open his wine!  Here’s a video demonstration:

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Now, I have to qualify this recommendation.  People hate the PC version.  Don’t buy it.  But, if you are wanting it for Xbox360 or PS3, then go for it.  There is nothing more satisfying than saving the world from the comfort and safety of your armchair.

Assassin’s Creed II

While I’m at it, another game that is must have for this season.  Heck the trailer alone makes you want to play it.

Mindflex Game

If you have a junior geek in the house, the Mindflex Game may be right up his or her alley.  Mindflex is a telekinesis game.  Yes, you use your mind to control a foam ball!  Um, the geek index just went to volcanic.  Here’s a video demonstration from CES:

LEGO City Advent Calendar (7687)

Again, this one is for the younger crowd, but really fun.  Get kids into advent with this hilarious Lego Advent Calendar.  Geeky and family building at the same time, mmmmmm.

Moon in My Room

And now for the astronomer geeks out there.  The Uncle Milton Moon in My Room has been a huge hit with kids.  Here’s a nice video review:

Western Digital Elements 1 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive

A geek needs storage.  It’s like a geek’s brain – ever expanding.  Grab a really nice, well reviewed external hard drive for that brain feeding fiend.

Transcend 8 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card TS8GSDHC6

And what is true for computers, is true for cameras as well.  Grab your photography nerd this really nice priced SDHC card from Transcend.

Cinemin Swivel Multimedia Pico Projector

How many times does a geek get to be cool and popular?  Well the Swivel pico projector from Cinemin will.  This tiny little projector can project a 61″ image from 8 feet away.  It has a two hour battery life and is amazing for family get togethers or impromptu video showings.

Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speaker System (Black)

Okay, I actually own these speakers.  And let me tell you, if you have an audiophile nerdomatic in your family, these speakers are unbelievable.  I simply could not believe the sound they put out.  I reviewed them earlier and you can find it by searching on this site.  I gave this system really high marks, for good reason!

ASUS VW266H 25.5-Inch Widescreen LCD Monitor

Mmmmm, really large monitor.  Video good.  Sorry, I’m having trouble typing through my drool.

Toro 51599 Ultra 12 Amp Variable Speed Electric Blower

Now, I can think of how well this would do removing leaves from your yard.  Orrrr, I could think of a million ways I could use the blower for certain “side projects.”  **insert maniacal laugh

Playseats Limited Edition Forza 3 Evolution Racing Seat

I hear you, enough of the so called “practical” gifts.  Now, let’s just see what we have here.  It’s none other than your own racing seat.  Ridiculous, perhaps.  Geeky.  Er, totally.  Video demonstration:

uPro Golf GPS by Callaway Golf

Calling all golf nerds.  This little GPS unit is going to make you giggle like a school girl.  No, you will still be hitting balls into the pond, but at least you will know that you meant to hit it there.

Remote Control Tarantula Spider

Now geek and nasty, hairy spiders can go together.

Wacom Intuos4 Extra Large Pen Tablet

For that aspiring graphic artist, or serious enthusiast, this tablet is large and hard to beat.

Star Trek: The Original Series: Bronze Phaser

It’s every trekkie’s fantasy to own one of these.  Make em proud.

Star Trek the Original Series Tricorder

I’m a doctor, not an amazing gift giver Jim.  Think again.  Excellent prop for the price.

Star Trek: The Original Series (Remastered) – Three Season Pack

And while we are on it, here is something that would make your trekkie swoon.

Garmin nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

Tough to beat the Garmin Nuvi 260W for features and price.  Also tough to find someone who doesn’t already have a GPS these days.

ScoopFree® Self-Cleaning Litter Box

Now this is definitely where technology meets problem.  I’m sure you can think of someone who hates to clean the litter box.  Well, grab them some automatic kitty litter technology.

Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Pipsqueek – Yellow

Sometimes popular items just make you scratch your head.  This rodent on wheels is definitely in that category.  Super popular this year – grab it while you can.

Ucreate Music

Have a kid that is into art and music?  You should seriously consider getting him or her the uncreate music box.  It’s a highly addicted mixing and sampling station.  Yank loops from an ipod.  Great fun for young and old alike.  Seriously, you may get into this more than your child!

Ucreate Games & Artimation

Uncreate is on a roll because the artimation station allows your child to draw characters that come alive on the computer.  It’s an interactive art game that does a pretty good job of getting the creativity out.

Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder

I know what you’re thinking.  The Zoom H2 doesn’t look like much.  Seriously, don’t let that fool you.  This is an incredibly high rated 4 mic recording recorder that sports the following features:

KORG GA-30 GUITAR & BASS SOLO TUNER

Memorex MKS-SS1 SingStand Home Karaoke System

BreathKey Breathalyzer: The Digital Keychain Breath Alcohol Tester with Professional Features

Speaking of drunk relatives.  The breathkey breathalyzer is a very unique and geeky gift.  Not only is this thing super small, but it is also FDA certified.  That’s because the keychain has a fuel cell sensor in it.  This is the same sensor that police forces utilize.  I’ve seen other personal breathalyzers, but I liked the size of this one.  Also, people commented over and over on the accurate results.

The Breathkey also features a lifetime internal battery.  It can last 2500 testings.  You can also send the unit in for recalibration for $15.  The recommended calibration period is 6 months to a year.

For $69, the Breathkey personal breathalyzer keychain can be a huge peace of mind for folks.  Highly recommended.

Pyramat S1500W Wireless Sound Rocker

Here is a great gaming rocking chair that will blow your kids socks off.   Specs please:

• Weight: 29 pounds
• Maximum user weight capacity: 150 pounds
• Total RMS power: 8.5 watts
• Total peak power: 11.2 watts
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 85 dB
• Frequency response range: 190 Hz to 2000 Hz

Compatibility
PS2, PS3, XBox, XBox 360, Wii, Game Cube, Nintendo DS, DS Lite, PSP, iPod, TV, VCR, DVD, and MP3 players

What’s in the Box?
Sound Rocker, wireless transmitter, 9-foot 3.5mm male-to-male audio cable, RCA stereo-to-mini plug adapter, DC power adapter, printed operating instructions

Makes for a really fun gift.

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