Holiday Gift Guide

Celestron SkyScout
Here’s a gift for amateur stargazers. Celestron, a designer and manufacturer of telescopes, microscopes and binoculars, used GPS technology, sensors, and a celestial database to create what it calls a personal planetarium, the SkyScout. Just point the handheld SkyScout at the night sky, press a button and you’ll hear a commentary that explains what you are seeing.

The SkyScout, which is about the size of a camcorder and weighs less than 16 ounces, is equipped to identify more than 6,000 celestial objects. The device automatically knows how it is being held and what it is aligned with.

In addition, a “locate” feature on the SkyScout enables the user to find celestial objects. For example, you can select Mars on the device’s menu and then follow the illuminated arrows in the viewfinder to find Mars in the sky. The device can also detect where to find the best objects to look at from the user’s location. And the SkyScout also can be used in conjunction with a telescope.

Besides scientific and historic information, SkyScout contains stories about 200 of the most spectacular celestial objects, such as planets and galaxies. The SkyScout was named “Best of Innovations” in the personal electronics category when it debuted early this year at the International Consumer Electronics Show. Suggested retail price is $399.

For more information, contact Celestron, 2835 Columbia St., Torrance, CA 90503. Phone (310) 328-9560 or visit www.celestron.com/skyscout.

Mobile Mansions DVD
Douglas Keister, whose stories and photographs of vintage RVs are regularly featured in this magazine, has produced a Mobile Mansions DVD that is a companion to his book Mobile Mansions: Taking “Home Sweet Home” on the Road.

The one-hour DVD, called Douglas Keister’s Mobile Mansions, contains material not only from Mobile Mansions but also from his two other books on vintage RVs, Silver Palaces and Ready to Roll. The DVD puts the whole history of recreational vehicles in perspective from the covered wagons that came west in the 1800s to the luxury diesel motor coaches that roam the U.S. today.

Keister has combined his own photographs of rare and amazing RVs with archival film footage that helps explain the evolution of RVing. You’ll see Henry Ford and Thomas Edison on an auto camping vacation nearly 100 years ago and see how camp cars and house car of the 1920s and 1930s led to luxury trailers and motorhomes.

The book Mobile Mansions contains more than 200 photographs in 160 pages and was published by Gibbs Smith, Publisher. It is $24.95. The Mobile Mansions DVD is $18.95. Both are available through Douglas Keister Photography, 633 Orange St., Suite 5, Chico, CA 95928 and can be ordered through his Web site at www.douglaskeister.com/id13.html.

Grillslinger
For the barbecue aficionado who wants to be outfitted with more than an apron and a mitt, West Marine has the answer in a belt that carries barbecue tools. Called the Grill-slinger, the belt comes with a grill knife, tongs and a flipper (spatula).

The belt keeps the tools handy while freeing up space around the barbecue. The tools, which are all precision made, are held in place on the belt by washable “lock and load” inserts. The Grillslinger is priced at $99.99.

For information, see West Marine’s Web site at www.westmarine.com or phone (800) 685-4838. West Marine, which is based in Watsonville, California, has 400 retail stores in the U.S. and Canada.

Fargason Lounge Chair
The Fargason lounge chair has a canopy that provides protection from the sun and wind. It comes in a carrying bag with a shoulder strap for easy portability. To set up the chair, remove it from the bag, unfold it, and pull the attached tent canopy over the chair.

The canopy adjusts to three positions to provide varying amounts of shade. Two zippered side windows also control the amount of light and wind that are allowed in.

For added convenience, the chair has two armrest magazine/accessory pouches and a cup holder. A built-in headrest pillow adds to the chair’s comfort. The chair is priced at $100.

For information, contact Fargason Outdoor Technologies, P. O. Box 36635, Dept. P, Birmingham, AL 35236. Phone (800) 828-1554 or visit www.scentite.com.

RCA Small Wonder camcorder
The RCA Small Wonder EZ101 is a video recorder that doesn’t require tapes, discs or battery chargers, but can record up to 30 minutes of video with its own built-in memory.

The digital camcorder, which is powered by standard AA batteries, is as easy to use as pointing at a subject and clicking a red button, according to the manufacturer. Suggested retail price is $130.

The recorded video can be viewed on Small Wonder’s 1.5-inch LCD screen, and unwanted clips can be deleted. The camcorder can be connected to a TV set to view the recorded video and it also can be plugged into a PC with a built-in USB connector to compress, archive and e-mail the video to friends. The unit comes with a TV/AV output cable for connection to a TV.

The camcorder uses Pure Digital technology so that it can be taken to Pure Digital retail partners, such as CVS/Pharmacy, Rite Aid or Ritz Camera, for DVD processing. For information about the Small Wonder, visit www.mysmallwonder.com

Ruff Wear Boots for Dogs
If you have a dog that deserves a holiday gift, Ruff Wear suggest Bark’n Boots Grip Trex to protect your canine’s paws whether walking on hot pavement or icy trails.

Why do dogs need boots? Ruff Wear, which bills itself as the creators of Gear for Dogs on the Go, says dogs can collect rocks, glass and trail debris between paw pads, causing discomfort, irritation, and even infection. Boots can give them protection from injury.

The Bark’n Boots Grip Trex uses a Vibram sole with omni-directional treads and traction zones customized for dogs. (Vibram specializes in high-performance soles for outdoor, recreational and work use by brands such as Timberland and Wolverine.) The upper part of the boot is built on an anatomical mold, just like human shoes, so that the boots are easy to put on and stay on. They are priced at $59.95.

Ruff Wear, which is headquartered in Bend, Oregon, sells its products through pet stores and outdoor retailers. For information, call (888) 783-3932 or visit www.ruffwear.com.

Creek Company Pontoon Boat
The Creek Company calls its new Flats Raider 9 Saltwater Pontoon Boat the toughest, most saltwater-resistant pontoon boat every built. The boat has a powder-coated aluminum frame with stainless steel hardware that pins together without any need of tools.

The boat has a casting deck that offers a large stand-up fishing area. The pontoons are nine feet long and 10 inches in diameter with four separate chambers. The boat comes complete with 7-foot, three-piece oars, heavy-duty brass oarlocks, a motor mount for an electric trolling motor, an anchor system, rod holder and pump. It also has two large storage pockets. Suggested retail price is $899.99.

For information, contact The Creek Company, P. O. Box 773892, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477. Phone (800) 843-8454 or visit www.creekcompany.com.

Freedom Grill FG-50
The Freedom Grill FG-50 attaches to the back of any vehicle with a standard two-inch receiver hitch. The mounting system keeps the grill locked closed during travel and swings away from the vehicle during use.

The grill has 352 square inches of cooking space, which the manufacturer says is enough room to cook 20 hamburgers or four chickens. The removable grill head has built-in legs, and foldout side tables so it can be used either attached to the vehicle or away from it on a picnic table or elsewhere.

The grill accepts a one-pound or 20-pound propane tank and includes a 12,000-BTU stainless steel burner and an electronic igniter

Freedom Grills are sold through barbecue retailers, sporting goods stores and hardware stores. The approximate price is $299. For information, contact Freedom Grill, 13771 Danielson St., Suite G. Poway, CA 92064. Phone (866) 964-7455 or visit www.freedomgrill.com.

Sudoku Pro electronic puzzle
Sudoku, a Japanese puzzle game involving numbers, has been growing in popularity internationally for several years, and has recently become a regular feature in newspapers and magazines. Now, Abcron Corporation has introduced an electronic hand-held version called the Sudoku Pro.

The electronic device has a 3-inch LCD screen with a blue backlight for easy viewing. Below the screen are numerical keypads, directional buttons and game buttons that have functions such as “hint” and “submit.”

The electronic version is designed to accommodate multiple skill levels so there are three levels of game play, an auto-solve function, and nine hints per game. The suggested retail price is $19.99.

For information, contact Abcron Corporation, 17800 Castleton St., Suite 363, City of Industry, CA 91748. Phone (877) ABCRON-5 or visit www.abcron.com. The Sudoku Pro is available at www.wonderfulbuys.com.

Java Wand
Do you want a fresh cup of coffee without using a coffeemaker or going to Starbucks? The Java Wand may be the answer.

The Java Wand is a durable glass straw with a French press tip that brews and filters hot coffee in a cup. You just put coffee grounds in the cup, add hot water, sweetener, milk or any flavoring and sip coffee through the heatproof straw.

The wand is made for travelers since it comes with a carrying case and a special compartment for storing coffee. It uses medium ground coffee and is dishwasher safe. Wisdom Wands, the creators of the Java Wand, also manufactures the Health Tea Wand, which brews and filters tea in a cup.

The Java Wand is priced at $19.95. For information, contact Wisdom Wands, 651 NE 203 Lane, Miami, FL 33179. Phone (305) 653-8833 or visit www.wisdomwands.com.

Happy Camper wine
The logo for Happy Camper wine is a streamlined trailer, and the name and logo are part of a strategy to appeal to a new generation of wine lovers who enjoy camping and adventure.

Happy Camper proprietor Jeffrey Dye said drinking wine should not just be an indoor activity. His wine, he said, “celebrates the freedom of the great outdoors. I want everyone to be able to toast their trusty companions while the landscape spreads out before them. I want people to be able to relish and savor the sunset, seek out new adventures, and bring along a Happy Camper.”

Three varietal wines—merlot, chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon—are offered under the Happy Camper label. All are produced predominantly from fruit grown on the central California coast. Suggested retail price per bottle is $8.99.

The company was founded just last year but has already achieved national distribution. For information, contact Happy Camper wines of San Martin, California, at (925) 997-8535 or visit www.happycamperwines.com

ExOfficio Buzz Off Shirt
ExOfficio, which outfits travelers with innovative clothing, was created in 1987 to serve fly-fishermen who wanted a ventilated shirt that had lots of pockets but looked good enough to wear in a restaurant. The result was the ExOfficio Baja shirt.

ExOfficio still makes the Baja today along with other shirts, pants, hats and accessories for men, women and children, including clothes that offer protection from insects and the sun. The pictured Buzz Off Baja shirt has been treated with Buzz Off insect repellent that lasts through 25 washings. The shirt also has built-in UV protection, a climate-control ventilation system, reinforced bellows pockets, an action back pleat, security zip chest pocket and roll-up sleeve tabs. Suggested retail price is $84.

ExOfficio, which is based in Tukwila, Washington, is opening its third retail store in Washington this month at Lincoln Square in Bellevue. It also has stores in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood and at Sea-Tac Airport. It distributes its products worldwide through specialty outdoor, fly-fishing, travel and luggage stores. For information, visit www.exofficio.com or call (800) 644-7303.

Jensen Stereo
ASA, an international manufacturer and suppliers of mobile audio and video equipment, has introduced a new Jensen AM/FM/CD stereo unit for RVs and vans. The new unit comes with an in-front auxiliary input to connect with iPods or MP3 players to play downloaded tunes.

The new unit, the JCD 3006, has 18 FM and 12 AM station presets and 10-second CD electronic skip protection to guard against music interruption. It also offers auto-store, preset scan and audio mute and is controlled by a wireless remote. The unit has a detachable faceplate for security, blue LED illumination for enhanced visibility, and a rotary volume for ease of mobile use.

The company has designed the unit to withstand vibration and resist humidity so that it is suitable for RVs and vans. Suggested retail price is $149.

For more information, contact ASA Electronics, 53200 Marina Dr., Elkhart, IN 46514. Phone (574) 266-1533 or visit www.asaelectronics.com.

Mustek Paragon
The Mustek Paragon DT260 is a mini-boombox that acts as a stereo speaker system for an iPod so that iPod users can share their music with friends. The audio system is designed to produce audiophile-quality sound in a compact unit that is less than 10 inches wide and just over eight inches high.

A wireless remote control lets users navigate their iPod music library, advance and rewind tracks, mute the sound, and control volume and power. The system has a docking and recharging cradle for all iPods except the iPod Shuffle, and also has an audio input for use with other MP3 players or audio sources. The unit is priced at $129.99.

Mustek, which is headquartered in Taiwan, produces scanners, digital cameras, DVD players and other consumer electronics. Its North American office is at 15271 Barranca Parkway, Irvine CA 92618. The company sells its products through retailers and its own online store at www.mustekdirect.com.