No Device Left Un-Oranged

Gear Patrol Custom ColorWare Xbox 360

I hope that I’m not being too presumptuous, but it’s likely that you, the Gear Patrol reader, take some measure of pride in having the latest and greatest bits of consumer technology. It goes without saying that we do, too. After all, why do you think that we dutifully craft these daily digital digests? Sadly, keeping up with the Joneses sometimes conflicts with one of our core Gear Patrol Values: Individuality. These days, camping out to get a new smart phone, personal media device, or video game console simply doesn’t ensure even a modicum of uniqueness or personal expression.

That’s where the good people at ColorWare come in. (See our custom Xbox 360 after the jump)

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Never Take A Knife To A Gun Fight

The last thing my leaves ever saw.

Leaves. In my yard. Everydamnwhere.

To make matters worse, rain was bearing down on my position from the West. Such a tempest was sure to whip the unruly fronds that littered my property into an unrecoverable mess. Thus, I made the fatal mistake of setting out with only my two bare hands and a rake that I’m pretty sure was manufactured sometime before I was born. As you can imagine, it took hours of arduous effort to bring that amorphous allergic amalgam under control. Even at that, the leaves were merely contained; they are corralled in the back corner of my yard into a mass of approximately 576 cubic feet (yes, I calculated it) and threatening a jailbreak at any moment.

After this traumatic episode, I equipped myself with the proper armament for this annual chore. One could do much worse than the Stihl SH 86 C-E Shredder Vacuum Blower. If you’ve never had the pleasure of wielding a Stihl power tool, let me tell you that Stihl is a purveyor of fine-tuned beastly contraptions.

Of course, they offer a full line of both handheld and backpack blowers, but I’d choose the SH 86 C-E for its ability to vacuum and destroy those airborne invaders that find residency on my lawn, roof, and driveway.

The Stihl SH 86 C-E boasts a 14 to 1 mulching ratio, perfect for significantly reducing the size of my leaf collection (repeat: 576 cubic feet). Throw in the fact that it easily converts to a handheld blower generating up to 190 mph of air velocity, and you’ve got yourself a very versatile wingman in the war on yard waste. Take it from me; you don’t want to go it alone.

Cost: $270

Also See: Leatherman Genuis Landscape Multi-Tool | Garlick Saw Company Lynx Rip Saw

There Are Fewer Better Ways To Celebrate Veterans Day

So, by now your gaming budget has probably been crushed to a bloody pulp by the relentless parade of A+ titles that have been released over the past few weeks. Prepare to part with another sixty bucks, as today marks D-Day for the latest in the highly revered Call of Duty series. This fifth iteration subtitled World at War takes players back into the fray of the WWII era previously featured in COD 2 and 3.

Expect more of what has delighted players and critics alike in the CODs of yesterday such as sublime battlefield graphics and sound, an engrossing single player campaign, and a robust multiplayer experience. You’ll be asked to survive missions from both the European and Pacific theaters, playing as troops from each Allied nation. Simply put, Call of Duty: World of War is the latest and greatest way to get your boots on the ground and slog through the much vaunted fog of war.

Just remember two things:

• The “Potato Masher” isn’t a kitchen utensil.
• This is Call of Duty, not Call of Dusty, as noted to my editors.

Cost: $60

A Splendid Way to Display Your Photography Skills or Lack Thereof

Your office desk is probably a place where little to no free space exists. Couple that with the few hundred pictures that need displaying (to remind you of life other than work), and you’ve got a universe crushing paradox of the space-time variety. Luckily, there is a solution to this dilemma. Get a digital photo frame.

We suggest one from the new line of Digital Foci frames, like the Image Moments 6. On the surface, the IM6 is a good looking piece styled in two-tone, mirror-polished chrome that takes up minimal surface space. More importantly though, it boasts some rich display chops for such a small frame. An ample LCD backlight and 140 PPI pixel density work to do your vacation pics proud.

Looking for something bigger? Scope out other larger frames in the lineup such as the Image Moments 8 which adds an interchangeable frame and mat design, and the Image Moment 15 which throws in 16.2 million colors and VESA wall mounting capabilities.

Size aside though, each frame offers a bevy of features such as: 450 MB internal memory, card slots for storage expansion, and the ability to play back a wide variety of multimedia files. For more details though check out the Digital Foci website.

What this means to you: I’m looking at the IM6 on my desk right now. It looks good. My pictures look good. Just don’t load it up and display a slide show with one second intervals. You wont get any real work done that way. Especially if that shot of Louise Glover you threw in keeps popping up. Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with us.

Cost $149 from Digital Foci

Also See: Sony S Frame | Philips Mothers Day Digital Photo Frame

The Cure for Wrap Rage

Here at Gear Patrol, we have embarked upon an endless mission to scour the Earth for ways that you, Man, may Advance Yourself. Oftentimes, advancement comes through the advent of simple solutions to life’s most insidious frustrations. It is in that spirit that we present the Open It!

If you believe, like I do, that some forms of packaging are so ill-designed as to be mortally dangerous to the average consumer, then the Open It! is the only suitable weapon with which to equip yourself for a post-shopping spree unboxing session. It features angular shears resembling the “Jaws of Life,” designed to tackle the most heinous of packaging materials: the clamshell. Additionally, the Open It! sports a box cutter utility blade and even a mini-screwdriver perfect for opening those completely inane battery compartments. Available in three colors, the Open It! gets the GP Seal of Approval for helping us get our mounds of swag out of the boxes with a high degree of alacrity.

What this means to you: It doesn’t cost much and it just might help you escape the holidays with all of your digits intact. Now that’s value.

Cost: $12.99

Editor’s Note: Interestingly, Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon) has posted an article on the home page of Amazon.com today with a solution to alleviate “wrap rage” as well. God bless him. We’re not sure how long it will be up so you can read a copy of his article after the jump.
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It’s Easier To Pick The Leader Of The Free World

The only choice able to rival the consternation facing undecided civic duty-doers today might be taking a stand for one of this week’s blockbuster new releases. Fear not, for unlike your singular opportunity to pull that hallowed lever, nothing but your budget can prevent you from taking both these bad boys home.

Some similarities exist between GOW 2 and Resistance 2, not the least of which is that they are unabashedly awesome. Both are exclusive to their consoles, both offer near endless multiplayer appeal to supplement the single player and co-op campaign modes, and both ask you to repel an inhuman scourge threatening the Earth’s very existence. Speaking of, did anyone ask the Presidential hopefuls where they stand on the issue of inhuman scourges?

My hope for you, dear reader, is that you needn’t make any more tough choices this week. Both of these gems look to fulfill their promises to the gaming public. If you were to press me on a choice though, I’d give the edge to Gears of War 2; after all, it’s still got a chainsaw rifle to help you reach across the aisle.

Gears of War 2 ($60) emerges Friday | Resistance 2 ($60) out today