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Breakfast's gadget geek Ben Gracewood puts some laser-based gadgets to the test to see which ones Dr Evil would love, and which you should give a miss. (He does however mention that these gadgets are best designed for adults and not for kids.)
Laser distance measuring device
Price: $30
It's a measuring device that measures distance using ultra-sonic sound. Sounds like a great idea, except for the fact that it doesn't really work, according to Gracewood.
"It's a bit crap, unfortunately. There are professional ones that do work, but this one, for the price, is not that great."
Gracewood said the device only worked 1/9 or 1/10 times when he tried it, and is easily put off by angles, reflections, and just about anything else.
"I guess you get what you pay for here."
Rating: 2 / 5
Price: $119
If you need to know the temperature of any surface, this device is for you. All you need to do is point the device, pull the trigger, and it will tell you the temperature of a surface.
"Basically, it uses the lasers to work out the size of the spot you're measuring, and when you measure it, instantly tells you the temperature of anything."
Gracewood said it would be particlarly useful if you have a pizza oven or if you're operating machinery.
But it can also be a lot of fun.
"My son ran around the house measuring everything."
Rating: 5 / 5
Solar powered "laser" alarm clock
Price: $29.90
Gracewood said this device is perfect if you're too lazy to lift your head and check the time in the morning. If you hit the button on the top of the alarm clock, it projects the time onto the ceiling where you can see it.
"Why can't you just lift your head and look at the clock?" Gracewood said.
"It's a cheap solar alarm clock."
Rating: 2/5
Price: $60 ($US40 free shipping)
Info:
It can pop black balloons, light dark matches, and cut through black plastic, but other than providing hours of fun, it's mostly useless.
"It's a laser pointer which is probably a little bit gruntier than your average laser pointer," Gracewood said.
"It's not actually useful for anything but it's bloody good fun."
Rating: 4 / 5
You can find out more details about all these items by visiting Ben's website.
