With the Holiday Seasons quickly approaching, we at Roadfly went about scouring our gift lists – checking to see who has been naughty and who has been nice. We’ve assembled a shopping list for the typical car aficianado; gifts and gadgets that any enthusiast would be happy to find in his (or her) stocking.
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1. TiVo Series 2 DVR $249 http://www.tivo.com
Digitally record up to 80 hours worth of television and just in time for the holidays, save $50 on your TiVo purchase, compliments of a mail-in rebate. Ideal for the busy person in your life, TiVo can be programmed to record a seasons worth of your favorite shows, even if the network changes its programming schedule. COOL – no more Martha Stewart reruns when you were expecting to record the pre-race show. Built-in USB ports allow for future expansion, and the TiVo Series 2 is compatible with mp3s, digital photos and other digital formats. Monthly service is around $13 – well worth every penny.
2. Motorola v70 Wireless Phone $449 http://www.motorola.com
Slim, Sleek and Silver. Its keypad cover rotates a full 360-degrees around a central inverse display (black background with white letters/digits) – does it get any cooler? Features include a 500-name phonebook, a calculator, voice activated dialing, wireless web access, two-way SMS, three games (Blackjack, Mindblaster and Paddleball), and 64 ring-tones. Itís GSM 1900 and GPRS compatible, so it may not be available in your market. If someone on your list is in dire need of a new cell phone, you might consider stuffing a v70 in his or her stocking.
3. Apple iPod from $299 http://www.apple.com
Apple recently unveiled a Windows compatible version of the iPod, along with three storage options, all of which should accommodate even the largest mp3 collections. You can take your pick of a 5GB version (1,000 song capacity), 10GB version (2,000-song capacity) or 20GB version (4,000-song capacity) of the iPod. Thanks to a blazing Firewire connection, you can move gigabytes of data efficiently and without much trauma. Apple’s renowned menus and great sound quality make this gift a no-brainer for any mp3 fanatic.
4. Canon PowerShot G3 $799 http://www.canon.com
You wouldn’t think that Canon could improve their incredible PowerShot G2, but oddly, they have. With 4.0 megapixels of resolution and a high-speed 35-140mm f2.0 lens with 14x combined zoom range, you’re sure to take stunning photos each and every time. Capable of shooting mini-movies (up to 3 minutes each) complete with sound, and boasting a direct print mode (if you have a Canon printer), the PowerShot G3 just might be the best thing since sliced bread. Stop by your local camera store and have a look at this incredible camera from Canon.
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5. ViewSonic VX2000 20″ LCD HDTV Ready Monitor $1,689 http://www.viewsonic.com
With a full 20.1″ of glorious LCD landscape and ViewSonic’s SuperMVA technology, the ViewSonic VX2000 may just be the gift of all gifts. Capable of displaying almost 17 million colors at a maximum 1600×1200 resolution, VX2000 continues to raise the standard for LCD technology. Boasting one of the highest contrast ratios (600:1) and native support for HDTV (1280×720 format), the ViewSonic has us all hoping we’re on someone’s “good” list. ViewSonic thoughtfully made the monitor compatible with both digital and analog video connections (HD15 and DVI-I) and they made it multi-computer compatible. We don’t know how you could go wrong by purchasing this beautiful piece of equipment; we’d sure like to see one under our tree this year.
6. Snap On General Service 3/8″ drive Socket Set (92 pieces) $1,760 http://www.snapon.com
Get the #1 person on your list some tools from the #1 tool manufacturer. Snap On’s chrome-plated sockets, ratchets, extensions and adapters are truly second to none – ask any mechanic at any shop and they’re sure to tell you that it doesn’t get any better than Snap On. This 92-piece service set includes everything from short sockets to swivel sockets (with your choice of six or twelve point sockets). It includes various extensions, adapters, T-handles and hex drivers – perfect for any do-it-yourselfer, and sure to put a smile on the face of your favorite mechanic.
7. Custom Nike Running Shoes (from around $80 to $175) http://www.nikeid.com
Thanks to NikeID you don’t have to be a professional athlete to take advantage of having your very own, custom made shoes from Nike. Browse over to Nike’s incredible website and order up a pair of customized shoes – you choose the style, the color configurations and you can even add a personalized logo (up to 8 characters). Better hurry though, as it takes between 3 and 4 weeks for Nike to build your shoes. A thoughtful gift, as everyone loves getting new shoes (I wear a size 13, if anyone’s reading this).
8. Breitling Aeromarine Chrono Avenger M1 $2700 http://www.breitling.com
Breitling bills this gorgeous timepiece as “The World’s Most Extreme Chronograph”. We think itís an extremely handsome watch that would look wonderful on any mans wrist. Breitling’s been building incredible timepieces since 1884 and the Avenger M1 is no exception to their long line of brilliant masterpieces. The M1 is water resistant to an unprecedented 3,300ft and features a titanium case with a brilliant sapphire crystal glass face. Boasting numerous technological feats the Breitling Aeromarine Chrono Avenger M1 is sure to please any man on your shopping list. What better way to say “enjoy” than with a Breitling?
9. Riedel Vinum Extreme Cabernet/Merlot Stemware (around $99/4) http://www.riedelcrystal.com
Wine always tastes better when it’s served in Riedel’s 24% lead crystal stemware. Even those who don’t appreciate a fine red wine agree that Riedel’s glasses make the wine taste “special” and “extraordinary”. The Vinum Extreme features an oversized bowl with a slightly angular look and an extra-tall stem; a glass that is as beautiful to look at as it is to drink from. Include a Riedel Vinum Bottle Decanter ($130) for an extra special gift.