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Nick Dimbleby
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Words by Budd Stanley, photos courtesy of featured brand
Picking gifts for Gear-heads is a tough challenge, let us help you out.
Christmas is right around the corner, and we’re sure that you might be having trouble trying to decipher the enigma that is the Gear-head you live with. Well, hopefully we can help, and hopefully he has strategically left this magazine out in the open, and just happened to leave it open to this page for your ease. Ideally, the perfect present for a Gear-head is parts or tools, however these are highly specialized items, and unless you know the actual part number of the certain piece your Gear-head is looking for, I’d stay away from that strategy.
However, there are a great many things that not only make a Gear-heads life easier, but also make great gift ideas. Here is our list of safe gifts that a Gear-head will not only appreciate, but will also find useful.
Tuning App – www.itunes.apple.com/ca
Lets start with the best gifts of all – free ones. Gear-heads always want to know what’s going on with their rigs. Better yet, they want to see what improvements have been gained with all that hard work they put into making their pride and joy more capable. Is it more powerful, what are its limitations, does he know where he’s going? Well, chances are there is an app for it. Dynolicious uses the hardware built in to your iPhone to measure the performance characteristics of a vehicle, GasBuddy finds you the cheapest fuel in a given area, FYI Mileage lets you know how much fuel you are burning and Vehicle Clinometer lets your Gear-head know when he’s about to be dropped on his head. No external wires or equipment is necessary; simply slip the phone into a cradle or cupholder and go! Retail prices start for free.
Glow in the Dark Tire Gauge – Longacre - www.summitracing.com
Flat tires and punctures never occur at opportune times, such as the middle of a sunny summer day. No, they are usually in the middle of the night, pouring rain, in the middle of nowhere. A tire gauge is the first tool in an in-car tool kit list, however, Longacre, has one that will make life a little easier during these times. Their glow in the dark tire pressure gauges have an easy to read, two-inch dial face that… well glows in the dark. It features an internal gauge damper to provide accurate readings and longer life, and includes an ultra-flexible 14-in hose. Retail priced at $26.80 USD.
Smittybilt TASC Knife – www.smittybilt.com
A good multi-purpose knife is always a good tool to have when you are in the wild. Smittybilt have one directly aimed for those who venture into the wilderness at the wheel of a 4WD. The T.A.S.C., or The All-purpose Smittybilt Combo knife, is a multi-function blade capable of handling just about any situation where something needs to be cut in two. It features a 420C stainless steel blade with four different cutting surfaces; a serrated blade, straight blade, as well as stabbing and hook blades. It sits in a polymer resin handle and comes with a 600 Deneir material sheath. Retail priced at $29.99 USD
In addition to the Tasc knife, Smittybilt offers the Tru Knife, Trail Axe and the Smittybilt Multi Pliers, all trail tried and tested by 4WDrive staff.
M-pact Work Gloves – Mechanix Wear – www.mechanixwear.ca
Anything that helps your Gear-head work on their vehicles is a big plus. One of the most affordable yet useful gifts you could give is a good set of quality work gloves. The M-Pact Glove, from Mechanix Wear offers full coverage hand protection with a new rubberized grip on the thumb, index finger and palm, with anatomically engineered molded rubber covering knuckles and fingertips. PORON XRD palm pads absorb more shock and vibration. Tapered finger stretch side panels and a Spandex stretch panel at the thumb offer a great fit, while the wrap-around rubber molded wrist closure gives additional protection. Machine Washable. Retail price $34.99
Phone/tablet mounts – Ram Mounts - www.rammount.com
Smart phones and tablets are quickly becoming a major part of our lives today, and that includes Gear-heads. More and more, we mount iPones and iPads to our rigs to help us see what’s going on with the vehicle or where we are going. Of course, our particular situation means we need some heavy-duty mounts that can stand up to the abuse we give them. RAM has you covered with a full complement of holders for the most popular iPhone, iPad and iPhone models. With an assortment of docking, locking, weather resistant and spring-loaded holders, they guarantee the perfect mounting solution for your mobile environment. Retail priced starting at $32.00 USD
GoPro Hero3 - www.gopro.com
GoPro has revolutionized the amateur videographer scene with the HERO3. This miniature camera is 20% smaller and 15% lighter, and captures professional-quality video up to 1080p and 5MP photos at up to three frames per second. Built-in Wi-Fi allows you to control the camera remotely using the Wi-Fi Remote (sold separately), and enables full camera control plus content preview, playback and sharing with the GoPro App. Wearable, gear-mountable, waterproof to 131'/40m and compatible with all GoPro mounts and accessories. Retail pricing starts at 279.99 CAD.
Garage Lift – Lift King – www.liftking.ca
It might be a tool, but it’s something that the majority of us Gear-heads wish we had. Crawling around under a vehicle on the cold concrete floor starts to loose its charm when the leaves start to fall, and if there was one thing the home mechanic wish they had, it’s their own shop lift. Lift King is a supplier of heavy-duty lifts that can handle anything from a scooter to a full-size heavy-duty truck. Whether it’s a four-post, two post or a fully mobile lift, not only will this make you a Gear-head’s best friend, it will also provide an extra parking space in the garage for cars that don’t usually get such luxuries. Retail prices start at $3095.00 CAD.
Off-Road Driving School – Land Rover Experience – www.landrover.ca
There is no gift better than that of education. Whether your special someone is a first timer or veteran looking to hone their off-road skills, the all day Land Rover Experience is not just for Land Rover owners, anyone looking to learn some new skills can apply. This course provides the most flexible and individualized attention to your adventure needs. Full days begin with lessons on set terrain that cover ditch crossings, log crossings, side-tilts, and vehicle controls while gradually moving into more advanced trails such as steep hill climbs, rocky descents and rugged traverses. Each Full Day Experience includes a picnic lunch and two Land Rover Experience Driving School Gifts, along with your framed certification of completion. Retail prices start at $1,200.00 CAD
TMR Customs Fluid Carrier - www.tmrcustoms.com
Help your gearhead secure their spare fluid bottles from rolling around in the rig or trailer with the Fluid Carrier from TMR Customs. CNC laser cut to be bomb proof from 1/8” and 3/16” high strength steel and zinc coated for corrosion resistance. The top handle is held in place using TMR’s “SAFE-T” spring loaded pull pin. The handle also acts as a portable bottle opener for enjoying your favourite beverage at the campsite after a day on the trails. $119.95