Lighting fires or cigarettes in the wind is at best difficult and at worst impossible. Or maybe I’ve just had really crappy lighters…

It might just be my lack of skills in the end, but a bad lighter doesn’t help. And something you get at the corner store for $1 is definitely not high quality. Now, a Zippo… The Zippo “Outdoor Utility” OUL Lighter, with a wind-resistant dual flame and water-resistant cap, sounds like the perfect tool for the job. It’s also got a LED light (which can be useful if you’re trying to get a fire going at night), a lanyard and it’s child proof.

It’s got pretty much everything covered, you only need a camping trip to test it out.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $24.95 on Amazon.com.

Via uncrate

Do you feel your computer is a little boring? You could add some stickers or get a new case or mod your old one… but shiny lights are easier to get.

Called USB Office Fairy Lights for some reason (do fairies usually fly around computers?), they’re basically stars on a string that can go around your monitor, case or even serve as home decoration (hopefully only for Christmas).

They’re not useful, and I don’t think they really make your desk any better. But if you’ve got a teen niece and you’re out of ideas…

How much under $29.99?
Some: $12.99 on Amazon.com.

Via Coolest Gadgets

I’m tired of all these USB hub something-or-others that keep popping up, but sometimes, among all the crap, there’s something that makes me think “Ohh, I could really use that!”.

Case in point: USB 4-Port Hub With Notebook Light. A notebook light is very important for me, since I tend to work at night and I find normal lamps annoying (light in my eyes, not on the keys, ugh), and this particular light is placed just great on the laptop lid. And I figure, as long as you have free space, why not stick some USB ports on it? Might come in useful sooner than you think.

How much under $29.99?
Exactly $29.90 on Gadget4All.com.

Via Coolest Gadgets

If you’ve got a teen or preteen girl in your house, you might have found your space invaded by purple, pink, flower- or heart-shaped glittery things. It’s rare for a girl not to go through a pink phase (I sure know I had mine).

So, while I think the Heart Shape USB Lamp, Speaker and Pen Holder is particularly ugly, my 12-year old self might disagree. And, since teens get bored easily, a cheap n-in-1 gizmo is a great idea to make a young girl happy without breaking the bank and feeling sorry 2 weeks later when she wants something new and just as silly.

It’s no use repeating what this device features, since the name is descriptive enough, but I’ll say that the speaker is probably bad, the light looks useful and it can also be powered with 3 AAA batteries. If your girl is not quite pink obsessed, but you think she’d like the thing, rest assured there’s also a white version.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $13.99 on GizFever.com.

Via TechieDiva

If you want to make your bicycle more exciting (and make sure all drivers see you at night), the Hokey Spokes seem a great idea.

What’s a Hokey Spoke? Basically, it’s a sort of blade that attaches to your bike spokes and displays computer-generated images and text when the wheels spin (see all available designs here). You can attach up to 6 spokes to each wheel (the more, the merrier, of course), they work on any mountain or road bike with a wheel diameter of 24″ or greater and you can choose from several different colors.

My only niggle: too expensive. $30 or more for one, and you need at least 3 to get the best results… Not many people love their bike so much. But if you’re willing to invest, the results are bound to be impressive.

How much under $29.99?
Exactly $29.95 on HokeySpokes.com.

Via bookofjoe

What is the last thing your desk needs? Ok, week-old food, but I’m talking about gadgets. I think the laptop-humping dog wins the competition for useless computer gizmo ever, but the Little Mouse LED Lamp is somewhere in the top 5 for sure.

I don’t have anything against desk decoration, as long as they are either very pretty or serve some purpose. These mice aren’t either. A plastic pink or white mouse is not my idea of art, and a LED lamp that doesn’t give enough light for anything isn’t my idea of useful. Plus, don’t you think they look creepy when lit-up?

You can find dozens of better uses for your $15. Go to McDonald’s or something.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $15 on Gadget4All.com.

Via ChipChick

I won’t repeat my story about grandpa and his dynamo flashlight, you can read it here. The bottom line is that I have a soft spot for hand cranked flashlights. And when you add a cat…

The Kitty Hand Pressing Torch is nothing special, I have to say. But it has the cute cat design and the big advantage that it doesn’t require baterries. Although you won’t probably use it on a regular basis, it’s one of those objects that come extremely handy in a tough spot. Have you ever noticed how power outages only happen when it’s dark?

How much under $29.99?
Some: $11 on Gadget4All.com.

Once again, I gave an item a quick glance and decided it was not worth my time… but when I came back, I realized it could actually be very useful.

The 4-in-1 LED Light sounds like any other LED device: just a light on a stick, what’s the big deal? The important thing here is the magnetic base. I remember the last time I tried to poke inside my computer, hold the flashlight with one hand, the screwdriver with the other hand, pull the card out with the third… oops. And there’s probably a dozen other places you can find an use for this. And when you’re not in need of light, you can use the laser pointer.

I don’t get which are the 4 functions this can fulfill, but I think the main one alone is worth the $6.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $5.99 on GizFever.com.

Via OhGizmo!

I agree it’s a bit hypocritical to encourage shopping on and because of Earth Day, but I think saying “shopping is not sustainable” is oversimplifying the issue. I don’t remember where I read this, but it stuck with me: most people are not going to do something eco-friendly unless they benefit from it. Unless you’re an activist or at least concerned about the environment, you are not going to give up something you like just because it’s bad for the planet. So companies who are trying to sell sustainable products should keep this in mind…

This diatribe is just and introduction for the next product: Recycled Bottle Lantern. When I saw the name, I admit I thought it would be ugly. What can you make out of a bottle, after all? Well… something that looks better than most lanterns I’ve seen, actually. It comes in amber and green and has a fleur-de-lys model, and it will definitely draw attention.

In this case, I think the designers nailed it: it’s eco-friendly, looks good and is not too expensive. I’d buy it (if I had a porch to hang it above).

How much under $29.99?
Some: $18.00 on Anthropologie.com.

Via Outblush

My grandpa had all sorts of old stuff which were intriguing for a 10-year old me, but most of them didn’t really do anything. I wasn’t allowed to play with his chemical substances, for example (he was a chemistry teacher), but the same closet housed a device that seemed like magic to me at that time: a dynamo flashlight. It doesn’t make much sense, but it was obvious to me that batteries could power things, while a lightbulb lighting up because of my hand movements was very weird.

The Mini Dynamo Crank was a blast from the past. It’s the kind of dynamo flashlight I would’ve loved when I was a kid – small enough and easy to work (I had to use two hands to press the lever…). Because it’s so small, it can fit in your purse or any drawer. If you’re the kind of person who always forget to replace batteries, you know you’ll need some light during a power outage or when a tire blows in the middle of the night… a dynamo flashlight gives you light regardless of circumstances (and availabily of batteries). Plus you can wow your children or grandchildren with it.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $14.95 on AJPrindle.com.

Via bookofjoe