Geeky Gifts For Dads and Grads

Tech Gifts for Fathers and Grads

Here's an alternative to encrypting the data on your flash drive. The Cryptex-Steampunk USB Drive is a Victorian-looking combination lock with five rotating, numbered rings. Line up the preset numbers and the cryptex opens, just like in the Da Vinci Code novel. Inside is a 16 GB USB flash drive. The Cryptex comes on a leather fob for $49.99

Why carry a wallet AND a smartphone? Toss the wallet and get an “Everything You Need” smartphone case with compartments for cash and cards. $14.99 to $29.99 depending on phone model.

Headphones in an elastic, terry cloth headband keep your speakers snug, your ears warm and you brow dry while filling your brain with your favorite sounds. AcousticSheep SleepPhones can also be worn to bed, even pulled over your eyes. Around $35 for the corded models, $100 for wireless.

Just add black sunglasses... An audiologist designed the EarHero earphones; the FBI and CIA use them. These very discreet earphones allow you hear music or phone calls clearly without becoming deaf to the world around you. Perfect for people who like to jog through construction sites or along train tracks. $149.

Beware of Flux Capacitor USB Car Chargers that are just ordinary chargers with a picture of a flux capacitor glued on. This one, created by ThinkGeek Labs, actually flashes the famous flux capacitor light pulses as it charges up to two USB devices simultaneously. $24.99

But Wait... There's More!

The Apple Watch ($349 and up) is cool, but it requires the wearer to also carry an iPhone. For Android aficionados, there are the Samsung Gear Live ($269), the LG Watch Urbane ($349) and several others to choose from.

The SanDisk Ultra Fit 64 GB USB drive is tiny, about the size of a wireless mouse’s USB controller. You can leave it plugged in until you need to transfer data to another device. Only $26.99 at Amazon.

The Wagan Tech Smart AC 12-Volt Inverter Power Strip plugs into a car’s cigarette lighter socket and delivers both 120v AC and 12v power to 3-prong AC plugs or USB connectors; two of each are included on the power strip. The AC plugs won't run your hair dryer or vacuum cleaner, but the 120 watts will charge your laptop. $39.00 at Wal Mart.

Conventional power strips have outlets spaced for narrow plugs, which don't work well for the bulky plugs that power laptops and other peripherals. A Power Squid gives you more room for those power bricks. Models range from a compact 4-outlet travel size to the surge-protected, 6-port “Calamari” model.

Campers will love the PowerPot 10, a backpack cooking pot that sits on a camp stove, boiling beans while it generates thermoelectric power for phones and other USB devices. $150

Cyber Clean is a pliable, sticky putty that pulls gunk out of keyboards, dashboards, smartphone keypads and ports, and other hard-to-clean surfaces. $13.66 on Amazon.

Make your Dad feel like a teenager again with this retro flip-down style clock. $36.28 on Amazon and that means free shipping!

The Leap Motion Controller is a surprisingly inexpensive ($79) and easy to install hands-off input device for computers. Plug the controller into a USB port and aim its sensor at the user. Now command your computer by gestures without touching it.

Your thoughts on this topic are welcome. Feel free to post your own tech gift ideas that any Dad or Grad will love!