TorZo Petrified/Infused Polymer Surfaces
My wife’s blog, frillas, typically covers home decor products, but TorZo’s surfaces has caught my attention. It’s manufactured in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon) using renewable materials ranging from wheat, wood chips, sugar cane stalk, sunflower seed, and fibers. I particularly like the look of the Tiikeri line (pictured above) which is composed of 50% sugar cane stalk and the remaining 50% consists of an inert non-hazardous acrylic polymer.
Check out their complete product line here and if you are looking for some cool surfaces made from renewable materials TorZo’s product line should definitely be considered! I’m trying to figure out how we can incorporate this product in our home…
Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor – My Favorite Tools – March 2010
When I’m changing my breaks I just tighten to what I think is “tight enough” — not always a good thing. All automotive bolts and parts have a recommended torque amount that should be followed. Sure, you can get yourself an analog torque wrench, but why would you when you can get the Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor that turns any 1/2″ rachet into a digital one?
This little gadget not only can be used to calibrate analog torque wrenches (which you’d pay about the same as the adapter if taken to someone to calibrate) but you can use it in situations where you need precise torque pressure using a standard rachet wrench. The feature I really like is that you set the torque amount you want to achieve and then as you tighten you get both visual (LED light & LCD torque amount) and audible indication.
The Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor is Mavromatic’s, “My favorite tools”, for March 2010. It runs about $50.
- AMAZON.com – Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor
Did you pre-order an iPad today?
Just pressed submit and placed an order for a 16gb iPad… it’s been a pain developing applications via the simulator so I can’t wait to get this device in my grubby hands. Did you guys order an iPad today? Why or why not? How do you plan on using it? I’d love to hear — lurkers, now’s your time to post a comment…
Loading ...- Apple — Pre-Order iPad
Final Cut Blade – Blade that sands while it rips
The Final Cut Blade is one of those products that make you go, “Why didn’t I think of that!?”. It’s genius! It really is… a blade that sands while it rips! The way it works it very simple — you attach a self-adhesive sand paper which is designed to fit most blades and comes in sizes ranging from 10″ to 12″ — as the blade cuts, it also gives a nice sanding. You get perfect edges that are ready for glue or staining.
Watch the video above to view how the system works. Blades and sand paper is available directly from the Final Cut Blade Store.
- Final Cut Blade – All in one step… Just cut, the sanding is a bonus
Wolf Cinema — Digital Cinema Projector
I was flipping through next months (March 2010) Home Theater Magazine and saw the two-page spread on this projector by Wolf Cinema. Just by looking at it you know this it isn’t just any kind of projector, no, this projector does constant-height projection from 1.85:1 all the way to 2.7:1 (gives you “true widescreen”). The projector uses a high brightness Xenon lamp which allows it to project onto screens 15′ wide. All this comes at a hefty price too — starting at $65,000 and go up to $135,000.
Garmin ecoRoute HD bluetooth wireless dongle
The Garmin ecoRoute HD is a bluetooth wireless dongle which plugs into your vehicles ODB port allowing you to monitor sensors such as intake air temperature, coolant temperature, throttle position and engine load, intake manifold pressure, battery and charging system information, mass airflow rate, timing advance and emissions — you can even check and clear engine trouble codes without visiting the car dealership.
The ecoRoute works with newer Garmin Nuvi GPS units that feature ecoRoute firmware, but since this is bluetooth… A) is it hackable? B) will an iPhone App be released from Garmin to pair with the device?
At $149 (retail) the Garmin ecoRoute HD is a great feature to add to your Garmin Nuvi GPS. It’s available for pre-order now from Amazon.com.
Windows Phone 7 Series is very impressive!
So today Microsoft officially announced the newest version of their mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7 Series, and I have to say I am VERY impressed with the initial details. The user interface is reminiscent of Windows Media Center and XBOX which I have loved using over the years. The key element I like is that the user interaction is all about flow instead of launching little applications — something that makes the iPhone messy when you have a lot of apps installed.
My feeling is that if Microsoft can control the hardware quality, Apple will have a true contender to compete with which is great for the industry. As for where I think Andriod fits in… it feels like Windows CE from 10 years ago.
Pretty exciting for Microsoft and great job to all the teams involved! I can’t wait to use and develop for this platform too!
Check out the links below for some great photos and videos of the interface in action:
- Windows Phone 7 Series
- Announcing Windows Phone 7 Series
Wicked Lasers – The Torch is “World’s Most Powerful Flashlight”
If you are looking for the “World’s Most Powerful Flashlight” then look no further. This is no joke, the Torch is currently being reviewed by The Guinness Book of World Records. With a retina damaging 4100 lumens of light, the Torch can also melt plastic, light paper on fire within seconds, and even fry an egg (as shown in the video above).
The Torch accomplishes this by using an halogen light bulb running at 100 Watts using a custom build high voltage circuit. To keep the front lens from shattering due to the immense heat generated, The Torch flashlight is equipped with a specialized heat resistant glass lens and is encased in a durable, military grade aluminum case.
The Torch will set you back $299 and is available now from Wicked Lasers.
DISCLAIMER: You probably won’t want to use this as a flashlight or around kids… plus it only runs for about 10 minutes and is recommended to be used for around 3 minutes with about 2 minutes of “rest” time to let it cool down.
Niles MS220 – The Best IR Sensor!
It’s freaking 2010 and we’re still using IR, WTF? Oh well… if you are looking to find the most reliable IR Sensor to connect to your IR connection block (used in applications where you want to put AV components in a remote area but still have control), I highly recommend the new Niles MS220. I have used different units by Xantech, Russound, even Niles and the MS220 is the most reliable. How do I know? For starters, all the others I have used you needed to choose between CFL/Plasma friendly and not. You’d get weird noise (the LED on the sensor would flash) from stray “IR” signals. The MS220 utilizes a “smart” electronic circuit to filter out noise and works with all IR formats. Check out Niles Audio for more information.
- Product Page
- Product Specification Sheet [PDF]
Sole Power Tile – Integrated Solar Panel Roofing
I can’t remember exactly who I was talking to years ago (was it you, Mike D?) about turning roofs into full solar panels? This seems like the most practical model yet as you can blanket the whole roof and capture every angle. Perfect option if you have a Spanish/Mediterranean style home! The Sole Power Tile is the first curved photovoltaic roofing product and can be used as a full solar panel roof or woven into sections of traditional terra-cotta titles. The cost is about $50/sq ft installed… if you are interested in finding out more about this solar roofing system check out the SRS Energy website. Just don’t forget to add a TED 5000 to monitor your power savings!
[Originally seen in Popular Science Magazine]
Welcome to mavromatic! My goal is to bring to your attention the latest DIY projects, the greatest home automation and home theater products. As well as, the occasional offbeat entry, to spice things up a bit.
