Have you ever had a "Doh!" moment, when you felt like slapping yourself in the forehead because you missed something that should  have been obvious?  I had one of those recently when a friend started talking about how he could find just about anything using "search strings" in Google.  To keep a long story short, basically, if you know how to build a good query, Google can pinpoint a lot of cool stuff.  So why am I talking about this here?  Simply because you can use this method to find some great discounted prices.

Finding Popular Items at Discount Prices

I realized that with some practice, I could probably dig up discounts on popular items being sold online.  I was right.  This is a very cool trick, but I'm not going to bore you with the details.  Instead, I'm going to show you the results (which you will love)!

Below you will find a collection of items that I compiled.  It consists of VERY popular items selling on Amazon that meet the following requirements:

1.  They are popular.  Each item has at least 20 reviews.

2.  People like them.  To make my list, the item has to have an average of 4 out of a possible 5 stars.

3.  They are discounted at least 25%.  Many items shown here are discounted much more than that, but I had to have a cut-off point and 1/4 off seemed pretty reasonable.

It has taken me a while to build this list, and I'll do my best to keep it updated.  If you happen to find that a discount has ended when you check it out, drop me a line, please, and I'll fix it.  Whatever price is showing on the actual Amazon site is the price that counts.  By the way, I generally choose to show Amazon because they are well established and provide outstanding customer service.  When you order something from them, you don't have to wonder if it will arrive.

CLICK HERE to see the current discount prices and to read the reviews.  You can search out these items yourself too, but it will probably take you hours to put the list together, trust me.  If you like this list, please feel free to tell some friends about it!

Now that our leaders in Washington have forced the legal drinking age in all the states up to 21, a young man's 18th birthday is no longer the rite of passage that it once was. Gone are the days of taking a ceremonial first legal drink on the big day. 18th birthday gift ideas now require a little bit more creativity than they used to.

So, since you can't legally provide the newly minted adult with a case of beer or a bottle of liquor, what options are there for a uniquely grown-up gift?

For many young men, vehicles are a central point of interest in their lives. At the age of 18 they are legally allowed to actually own a car, with all the rights and responsibilities that go with that status. It's a rare young man who doesn't dream of owning his own car. Obviously, if one's budget allows for such a thing, a shiny new car makes a wonderful 18th birthday present.

Of course, it's a rare family or individual who has the resources for such extravagance, but that doesn't mean there's no prospect of feeding that special young man's car dreams. If he's shown an interest and aptitude for things mechanical, how about a car or truck that needs some work for him to make of a project?

A friend of my daughter got just such a 'clunker' of a Subaru for his 18th birthday. It was driveable, but over the several years since he got it he's turned it into quite a showpiece. An added benefit has been that he's spent a lot of time working on it, time that some other young men of our acquaintance have spent getting into trouble. He's also joined a Subaru club, and he and his friends have had a lot of good, clean fun attending rallies and shows and helping each other work on their cars.


He's learned a lot about finding and buying parts at junk yards and swap meets and over the internet, so he's got a leg up on dealing with other people and managing his money. An unexpected bonus is that he sometimes enlists his father for help or advice with the car, and although his dad is no mechanic, they've spent time together in a period of his life when most young men want as little as possible to do with their fathers.

Having put so much effort and time into his car, you can be sure that he doesn't abuse it. It seems that nothing generates a sense of appreciation and caution in driving around in his very own car than the investment of himself into it. An important element of maturity is learning that things aren't going to be taken care of by mom and dad anymore, and the experience of fixing up a car and making it truly his own goes a long way in that direction.

All in all, a car offers a number of positive possibilities as an 18th birthday present. If you think that the young man in your life is up to dealing with such a gift maturely, it's a good option to consider.

Escort Passport 9500ix Radar/Laser Detector Review

Men love cars and the accessories that go with them. So, if you are trying to find a nice gift for a man, then it is a safe choice to go with car accessories. The latest craze today is all about installing a state-of-the-art radar or laser detector in your car. There are dozens of laser detectors available in the market, but of course you should give him a good quality radar/ laser detector. Try the Escort Passport 9500ix Laser Detector.

Product Description

The Escort Passport 95001x detects different bands of speed radar from both its front and rear. This intelligent radar detector has programmable circuitry ensuring you won’t get caught off-guard by those hidden speed traps and cameras. The Passport has a GPS system that takes advantage of satellites to help alert you as you approach a threat.

This GPS system pinpoints your car’s exact location and compares your location with the speed detector’s database of red light as well as the speed camera locations. The Passport then alerts you by giving out a visual and audible alarm. With each band of radar, laser and traffic safety warnings, the Escort Passport 9500ix lets out separate warnings using visual and voice alerts. Aside from these features, the Escort Passport 9500ix is equipped with a glare-free LED display that features alpha-numeric characters.

Escort Passport 95001x Specifications

• High-resolution display

• Clear voice display

• Different speed radar performance

• User-customizable preferences

• Auto-learn intelligence

• LED monitor with brightness control

• Safety warning system

• Quick-release windshield mount

• Coiled SmartCord

Escort Passport 95001x Features

• GPS-Powered TrueLock Filter. Minimizes future false alerts by recording false alerts with the use of the 9500ix GPS memory. This also enables the Passport to recognize new radar frequencies.

• AutoLearn Artificial Intelligence Protection. This is an artificial intelligence that helps recognize false alerts. By scanning for radar threats and associating those specific frequencies to GPS locations, the detector picks up frequencies from false location three times, and will lock the false frequency bands. However, once a particular false frequency is no longer present or is moved to a new location, the Passport unlocks the signal and alerts you about it again. The AutoLearn menu is an optional feature and can be toggled off.

• Mark Location of Speed Cameras, Traps; Red Light Cameras and more. The Passport’s comprehensive database alerts you of all these. The database is updated frequently and has three months of free downloadable updates available.

• Changeable Speed Sensitivity. Measures your speed by using the GPS, and then automatically changes the radar strength for utmost protection. The Escort Passport changes to maximum radar sensitivity while on highway speeds; and while on city speeds, the Escort Passport tunes down key radar band sensitivity to minimize false alerts. This feature can be turned off and switched to Highway Mode for 24/7 maximum radar protection. Your speed flashes on the radar display whenever the Passport detects a radar threat. This allows you to check on your speed quickly without looking down at the speedometer.

• Visual and Audio Alerts. The Passport 9500ix alerts you with a distinctive audio alert and visual alert on the LED display as you approach a frequency source. There is also a voice alert for radar or laser warning, which can also be toggled on and off. For the visual alerts, the LED display shows the band of radar hitting you. It will then display a bar graph meter to indicate the strength of signal. This visual alert is also customizable.

• Variable Audible Alerts. The Passport 9500ix has mute, automute and autovolume options. These options allow you to choose to turn up, turn down or turn off the detector’s alert volume. The Passport 9500ix also has a 3.5 mm earphone jack, allowing it to pipe audio signals to an external speaker or a headphone, thus making it ideal even for motorcycles.

• Windshield Mount. This adjustable mount allows you to easily mount, un-mount and adjust the Passport 9500ix. By simply pressing a button, the Passport can be easily locked and unlocked from the mounting base, allowing you to use the Passport in more than one vehicle.

• Smart Power Cord. This power adapter acts as a secondary control center for the Passport. The SmartCord is equipped with a yellow LED, offering a visual alert to indicate a detected signal threat. This is useful when using the Dark Mode, or when there is no alert displayed on the main LED monitor. The SmartCord’s LED alerts visually without drawing attention from outside eyes. The SmartCord also comes with a handy MUTE button, allowing you to conveniently turn the detector on mute.

More About The Escort Passport 95001x

The Escort 9500ix is reliable in terms of detecting speed radars. It can detect all radar frequency bands. The glitch here is that it can also detect automatic doors, which is really common in radars such as this. The Passport is very sensitive with all radar signals (X, K, Ka, and Ku).

The display reads well, especially at night; but it puts out a little glare during daytime because of the blue glow around the characters. There is an option to use the Dark Mode, where your monitor goes completely black. This is very useful during night travel. This is where the SmartCord comes handy. It glows inconspicuously, so other drivers won’t notice anything from outside your car.

One of the best things about the Passport (aside from it efficient detection) is that it can lock out false signals. Plus, it has the Auto-Learn feature that locks out a false signal automatically after passing through the location three times.

The Bottom Line?

All in all, the Passport 9500ix is a superb radar detector and comes highly recommended. It can be a great addition to any vehicle, and surely, any man will appreciate this if given as a gift. The Escort Passport 95001x is not a cheap radar detector.  One of the best prices you will find for it though, is on Amazon.com.

Click HERE to see the current Amazon price.

or

Click HERE to read other reviews of the Escort Passport 9500ix Radar Detector.

I recently put a post up about collapsible chairs. They are some pretty handy things. Usually, a plain collapsible chair if fine for the places I go. I take them to my kids ball games and other outdoor events, but they can be tough when you have some terrain to move across. I started doing a little digging and found that there is something even better for those times when you have other things, besides a chair to carry with you. I'm talking about the ultra-practical fishing chair!

As the name suggests, fishing chairs are made for taking with you on fishing trips. As anyone who has done much fishing knows, you can end up carrying quite a bit of gear with you when you go fishing. Tackle boxes, fishing rods, nets, waders, bait...the list goes on and the more advanced you are in your fishing, the more stuff you probably want to haul along with you. The point is, unless you want to make multiple trips back to the car or truck to get everything you brought, it is important to lighten your load wherever you can. This is where fishing chairs really show their stuff!

Someone really gave some thought to the design of these things. Check out what is available with these things! There are backpack fishing chairs which solve the problem of freeing up your hands for carrying other, more important equipment. These chairs not only fold, they fold into the form of a backpack. If that wasn't enough, some also come with built in coolers for keeping your drinks or lunch cold as well as having built in rod holders that you can use while you recline on the shore. Balance a battery operated TV on your belly, and you could be fishing in your living room!

Seriously, these are a great idea and they would make wonderful hunting, hiking or camping chairs as well. They are for any time you want to be able to sit, but don't want to tie your hands up carrying 5 different items. I wish I had thought of them and put them into production first. The final really great thing about them is the fact that they don't even cost that much. I poked around and found some of these top rated chairs at prices that are not bad at all.  If you are looking to buy a gift for a special guy that will actually get put to use, one of these fishing chairs might be a good choice.

DADDY-GONE-FISHING-Deluxe Folding Fishing Chair w/ Side Table,Rod Holder & Big Umbrella -3 YEARS WARRANTY...A BONUS SOLAR RECHARGEABLE LED LIGHT INCLUDED WITH YOUR PURCHASE..

Click to View Product Details

$89.99

If you are struggling with the issue of what to get the man in your life for a present, why not try something a little bit out of the ordinary? You should always do your best to ensure that presents for men in your life fit what they enjoy doing. If you've got a camper or a fisherman in the house, think about getting them one of these very roomy tents to take along with them when they go off with their buddies. Even the most rugged outdoorsman wouldn't mind having a safe haven to protect them from elements when they head off to the woods.

Some people like to get away and go camping with one special person. Other people travel in groups. If you are part of this latter group, this is the tent for you. If you have a man in your life who loves to camp, this is for him! If you have checked around at all, you have probably already realized that it can be hard to find a 10 person tent. Most top out around eight. Well, this one will handle up to twelve in luxury! If you all get along so well that you want to be bunched together, that's fine, but this huge tent actually comes with dividers that will allow you to move things around according to your needs. The dividers can be used to make the tent into 2 or 3 separate sections for those who would like a little privacy. When the tent is set for three rooms, the center is meant to be used as a private changing area. Take out the dividers, and you can have one big reunion (or meal) protected from the elements. There is plenty of airflow. This tent has multiple windows and doors.

The tent itself is made of heavy duty, weather resistant material that will keep you well protected and resist wear due to exposure.

If you or the guy you are shopping for likes to camp and they are just no good without a morning cup of coffee or two, how about checking out a camping coffee pot?

If you are anything like me, it takes a little bit longer to get up and moving if there isn't some java available first thing in the morning.  Of course these could be used to make coffee  anywhere, but I think camping coffee pots are an essential piece of camping equipment.  If you are very particular, you could even follow up this present with a camping coffee press.  Outdoor loving guys will appreciate this practical present if they have a bit of a java habit.

Just as a tip, you might want to consider bringing along some potable water for making your coffee.  The last thing you would want to do is brew up a case of gastrointestinal problems for yourself and your camping partners.  If animals (and their droppings) have access to the water where you go camping, it might be best to avoid that source.

Also keep in mind that you will need to provide heat for brewing your coffee.  How you go about doing this will depend  a lot on your level of experience with camping.  If you are not particularly skilled with campfires and their workings, you might want to consider bringing along some alternate source "just in case" things don't work out with the Grizzly Adams approach to brewing coffee or cooking.

It might be a little bit of a cheat for people who insist on "roughing it" but you've got to draw the line somewhere, right?

There are quite a few different stlyes of camping coffee pots available. Choose one to meet your needs and your level of experience in the wilderness.

There are some people who it is just very difficult to buy for because you don't know them all that well personally.  Many people who have kids playing organized sports sometimes feel as though they should get their child's coach some type of gift.  I was searching around for football coach gifts and I think this is a pretty good list of ideas.

There are a bunch of great items if you follow that link above, but there are many football themed items that you can buy as gifts for coaches without breaking the bank.  This book, The Football Coaching Bible might do nicely.

Some other ideas include books written by well respected, professional coaches who have spent years climbing their way to the top of the coaching profession.  You can never have enough words of inspiration I suppose.

If you think the coach might enjoy a little bit of everything, you could find a very nice football themed basket that would actually be great for any guy who enjoys football. You'd figure that the coach has some interest in the sport, so it might make for a nice gift that probably won't be duplicated by anybody. Even if it is, the stuff in the basket probably won't go to waste!

If you don't like either of those gift ideas, just check out this more thorough list of football coach presents

Of course, don't forget that just because he coaches football, he might still have some other outside interests.  If you happen to know what they are, you can base the present you choose on that.  If you ever talk to the people he coaches with, or his family, they might be able to give you a different perspective of what he might enjoy receiving as a gift.

As a lover of 8 ball and 9 ball, I've come to appreciate a good excuse for missing a shot. Just sticking with the standard idea of stinking at the game isn't always enough. Sometimes you need something to blame...like the LIGHTING! Yes, the lighting. That will work! OK, so maybe the world's best pool shooters can make shots in a cave at midnight, but if you are a bit rusty, blame the shadows that threw off your depth perception. I'm kidding of course, but if you know someone with a pool table, and have been looking for a good gift idea that is just a little out of the ordinary, a quality billiard table light might be a good solution.

Owning your own billiard table light brings a lot to your game room aesthetically and can even improve your skills on the pool table. Many people think that regular ceiling lights for the room is adequate lighting for playing pool, but it’s really not. The recessed lighting in your game room is too high and will cause cast shadows that will make it hard for you to accurately shoot those hard angle shots. Billiard pool table lights helps bring in that bar tavern atmosphere, but not too many people understand that it also improves people’s game as well. With the proper lighting that billiard lights give you, you’ll be able to see visually see all the balls clearly.

Your billiard light should be hung from the ceiling where it is directly above the pool table. The distance between the billiards table light and your pool table surface should be around 3 feet apart. This means that if someone who is 6 feet tall stands straight up, the billiard table light should hang right at the person’s bridge of his or her nose.

As for the styles of light available, that is strictly your preference. There are billiard lights that you can get containing rows of lights, and then there are single bulb lights that are made of elegant stained glass. Depending on your budget and style preference, you can ultimately decide which type or lighting works best with your game room home décor.

You can go online and do a little pool lighting shopping, which is the best way to see a wider selection. Often times when you purchase lighting online, their prices are very low. Online stores can get away with lower prices is because they have less overhead expense than regular lighting retail stores. Whichever way you choose to get your new billiard table light, you can rest assures that you’re purchase is a great investment for your home and personal skill advancement.

I've been inviting some friends to post their ideas for presents recently. I love hearing other people's ideas about what they think the best gifts would be. This one made me smile because I was just looking around at 3D TVs the other day when I was reading a bit about Blu-ray technology. The advances that have come about in television and technology in general are simply amazing.

The truth is, I don't watch all that much television on a regular basis. I know there are people who love keeping up with the latest and greatest technology in home entertainment though. My neighbor is like that actually, so I get to see a lot of the cool new gadgets as they appear. I was very surprised to see just how MANY 3D TVs there are to choose from already. That got me really curious, so I started reading some of the customer reviews. If you are interested, here are the best customer rated 3D TVs.

They might not be cheap but if you can afford it, then a 3D TV will be the type of gift that will make any man the happiest man in the world. As you may well know, men in general just love electronic hardware. Computers, Phones, Games Consoles, TVs, Laptop and all other devices. Women do like them too but its not like we could tell you the exact specifications of every model ever made, but somehow men are able to do that and then they will look at you weird if you don’t know it! Well there are plenty of 3D TVs for sale right now to choose from that will make his birthday or Christmas extra special.

The best thing about buying him the 3D TV is that it’s a gift for him that you can also use too. If you live together then you get to experience all the cool 3D films too. Just don’t tell him that!

You will love it too. I got a big bonus in the summer and wanted to buy one. Once I realised my hubbies birthday was coming up I realised I could kill two birds with one stone! So I bought one as a gift “for him”, bit sneaky but we all do it!

I have had some time off recently to spend some time watching some 3D movies and I have loved every minute of it. I got the film avatar in 3D and sat down to watch. The experience really was amazing. It’s actually hard to describe in words the feeling you get when you first see it in action. It’s almost as if you feel you have stepped into the future. Take it from me, save up the pennies and invest in a 3D TV for him, (and yourself of course!)

I am currently writing a lot of articles about gifts for men, check out my other work on Keen Men’s Shoes too!

Talk about an unconventional gift idea for a guy! But really, although there are a lot of men who enjoy cooking, if you know a guy who lives on his own or is away from home at college, something like a decent microwave oven could turn out to be one of the most used presents he ever receives. Prices for small microwaves start out under $100, and honestly, how many single guys go out and buy something like this for themselves? This is one of those practical things that they probably would not want to buy on their own, but really WILL love using. Here is a link to the highest rated microwaves on Amazon.

If you are moving out of your house for the first time, it is probable that you are wondering what items you will be buying for your new apartment. If you are in this position, you need to choose items that are useful and help you to take advantage of the space that you have. A microwave oven fits the profile for all of these needs, some apartments lack a kitchen and this means that you will always need to eat out. This will cost you a lot of money if you are not able to start making your own meals and maintaining a budget. Living alone is expensive enough, a microwave oven can help you to save money on food that you need to buy. In addition to microwaveable food that you can find at any grocery store, you can also make food during the week and use the oven to heat it up.

Instead of spending twenty minutes a day making food, you will be able to accomplish the same thing by storing your leftovers and then heating them with a microwave oven. These are available in very small sizes and this would make them ideal for anyone from a college student to a house wife, but you should keep in mind that smaller sizes are not fit for heating up items like a large ham. These ovens are very easy to use, all you need to do is set the timer for the correct amount of time and push start. The microwave will heat all of your food and this will give you the hot and ready food. The microwave ovens that are available here can be found in different colors and sizes, you need to choose the oven that is within your price range and buy it now.