Father’s Day is right around the corner but don’t worry, you still have time to get your dad a gift in time! Check out my gift guide for ideas at any one of these ABC stations website: Los Angeles/KABC, San Francisco/KGO, Houston/KTRK, Fresno/KFSN, New York/WABC, Chicago/WLS, Philadelphia/WPVI and Raleigh-Durham/WTVD.
This is also my first video rendition of a gift guide as well:
Logitech Harmony Ultimate Home Remote with Hub – ($245)
Someday we won’t need remotes but until then we need a really good one to manage all our devices. The Logitech Harmony Ultimate is that solution and works with over 270,000 devices ranging from TV’s, Set-top boxes like Apple TV, Roku, Sonos and Gaming Consoles. It can even control home automation devices like Philips hue lights and even the Nest Learning Thermostat. But make sure you get your dad the one bundled with the Harmony Home Hub because it will allow control of devices that are tucked away in cabinets. And by downloading the Harmony mobile app, he will have control of those devices from an iOS, Android tablet or smartphone. This is my favorite feature — If your dad already has an Amazon Echo ($180), he’ll be able to connect it together using IFTTT and control his devices by voice. Finally, we’re living in the future!
Lexar JumpDrive for iOS – (Starting at $29.99)
Transferring and backing up files seems to always be an issue in today’s world, especially if your dad loves to take photos and videos on his iPhone or iPad. The Lexar JumpDrive makes it much easier to move files around and free up space without needing to connect to a computer. It’s great when traveling! Don’t let its weird looks fool you, the lightening connector on the one end simply plugs into the lightening port on the iOS device. Then, using the free Lexar Mobile Manager, simply select the files you want to move or copy onto the built in Flash Drive. It’s really that simple! I use it as a way to move files from my iPhone to my computer. I simply copy the files I want to the JumpDrive, then plug it into my computer via USB and access the files like I would using a flash drive.
Tile Tracker – (Starting at $24.99)
Does your dad have a knack for “misplacing” things? If so, the Tile Bluetooth Tracker is the perfect gift for him! It’s also one of those techy gifts that isn’t terribly hard to setup – he simply attaches the tile to anything he wants to keep track of and then by using the Tile app, he can locate the item by sound, by seeing the tiles last known location on a map, or by marking it as “lost” and getting an alert when it’s back in range. There’s also a built-in bonus – each tile acts like a “homing beacon” for the smartphone the tile is associated with. So if your dad has the tile attached to his key ring, by pressing the tile, he can trigger the smartphone to ring – even if it’s on silent.
Joby GorillaPod SLR Zoom Tripod with Ball Head Bundle – ($50)
I love my Joby Gorillapod. It’s the perfect tripod for on the go and its flexible legs make it easy to attach to tree limbs, poles, posts or anything else it can be wrapped around. The GorillaPod comes in many different sizes but this one is perfectly sized for a point-and-shoot, DSLR and even a GoPro (with this adaptor). It’s really stable, the ballhead is simple to use and also has a quick release button that makes it easy to capture the moment instead of futzing around.
Omron 10 Series Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor – ($65)
You’re never too old to stay healthy and this Omron blood pressure monitor makes it easy for your dad to track his blood pressure at home. What I like about this unit is that it’s compatible with both Android and iOS and can wirelessly sync an unlimited number of readings to those platforms using Omron’s free Wellness App. If your dad uses iOS, this blood pressure monitor can integrate with HealthKit as well. Besides being an accurate blood pressure monitor, it also provides heart rate reading and irregular heartbeat feedback while checking blood pressure.
Ghostbusters Pinball Machine – ($8,795 Limited Model)
If your dad has everything and you’re trying to find that ultimate gift that will top all other gifts, then look no further and get him the Stern’s Ghostsbuster Limited Edition Pinball Machine. This game encapsulates the movie franchise very well and is executed in such a way that it’s fun and easy to play, but difficult to master. The pinball machine features a moving interactive Slimer and Marshmallow man but springing for the limited edition model also features an interactive ghost hologram target with animations. If this gift is too far outside your budget, you could always just give your dad a roll of quarters and spend the day with him at the local pinball arcade instead – what dad wouldn’t enjoy that?