Gaijin: Tools of the Trade - Guns and Gadgets

IC-M34 or Hey, It Floats.

Features
- Powerful 5W output power
- Dual/Tri-watch functions
- 4-step battery life indicator
- Weather channel with weather alert
- 2-step power saver
- Auto scan function
- Instant access to Ch 16 or Ch 9
- Optional battery case for using with alkaline cells
(The IC-M34 may sink when the battery case is attached, depending on the installed batteries)

Other Features

SWAT's New Gun

Now, SIGARMS® has undertaken development and production of a U.S. made version. SIGARMS introduces the new SIG 556. The SIG 556 features the same high-performance two position adjustable gas piston operating rod system engineered by SIG’s sister company Swiss Arms and marries it to a trigger housing that not only cuts the rifle’s weight by a pound but is designed to accept standard AR magazines. The SIG 556 features a 16” military grade cold hammer forged barrel, chambered in 5.56mm NATO, with a twist rate of 1 in 7”.

Vectrix Electric Maxi-Scooter three-wheeler prototype

December 17, 2006 While the established players in the scooter game have shown concept machinery in the fuel cell, electric and hybrid genres, there’s one European company that has been quietly going about the business of designing and building a viable electric maxi-scooter with performance roughly equivalent to a 400cc conventional internal combustion engined mount – Vectrix. The Vectrix maxi-scooter is 100% emission free, has a top speed of 62 mph and runs for up to 68 miles on a single 2-hour charge from a standard electricity socket. Combined with low running costs, minimal maintenance, ease of operation, and generous storage, the Vectrix maxi-scooter is the world’s first practical zero-emission two-wheel vehicle. The scooter will be available within months and the great news is that Vectrix recently purchased the EV rights to the innovative Vespa three wheeled carving scooter and a prototype was displayed at last month’s Milan motorcycle show. The variable front suspension provides stability at low speeds and excellent handling at higher speeds. The 3-wheel scooter is extremely versatile and will be popular with local businesses and with consumers with limited riding experience as well as being ideal as a delivery vehicle and council/police mount.

The Vectrix electric maxi-scooter will be introduced first into the rapidly growing Italian and UK motorcycle markets.

Erector Spyke Stands Out from Crowd

Spyke stands tall amongst its robotic brethren, and drives home the point that performance is more important than size. This unique robot is controlled from a computer via a local WiFi connection or through the Internet. It features some interesting functions such as: -

• Video Camera
• Microphone
• Loudspeaker
• VoIP capability
• Digital Music Player

Spyke remains a prototype and won't see a release until the end of June as there are still some bugs to be ironed out. It will retail for approximately $270 (250 Euros) when launched. The American company Erector, is currently looking for distributors. For more details, head on after the jump.

Spyke doubles up as a watchdog for your home, enabling you to view what is going around in your absence. Of course, it does lack the speed and mobility of advanced robots as it cannot traverse stairs and uneven terrain, limiting its use to the living room or bedroom only. Its built-in camera can also send you e-mails of snapshots whenever it detects a motion, and works great as a VoIP phone (compatible with MSN, Skype, Google Talk) when you want to hold a conversation with your loved and closed ones from a different continent.

Spyke failed to perform in returning to its recharging dock automatically as it is currently just a prototype, but we can safely assume that Erector weeds out any bugs to increase the potency of such a toy when it hits the market.