FuncFash » portable

Smoke and Go: Bone Portable Ashtray Keychain

Armanstein — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:30:22 +0000

Granted smoking isn’t as cool as it used to be there are still at least an estimated 1 billion smokers world wide (or 1 in 3 who smoke). More and more cities and governments are cracking down where a person can smoke often making the only places to smoke outdoors or in random locations that might not have ashtrays. So rather than be a polluting citizen and spreading your cigarette ashes wherever you stand we present that bone portable ashtray keychain.

Why is this ashtray in the shape of a bone? I’m not sure, but it works. It’s pretty simple to use. Whenever you are smoking you take out your keys, slide out your bone ashtray, place the ashtray on the a flat surface, and then smoke away to your heart’s content (taking extra care to deposit your ashes inside the bone).

Of course if you don’t smoke I’m sure there are numerous other ways you can use this. Rather than using it as an ashes disposal container I’m sure you could use it to store your favorite white powder substance that when inhaled through your nose makes you “feel good.” The limits of its use is only limited by one’s imagination.

Learn More >>

FuncFash-ness: 6/10

Functional: 3/5 (helps you be a good citizen and keep your ashes off the streets, or store illegal substances in it)
Fashionable: 3/5 (it’s in the shape of a bone, so if you like bones than this is right down your alley)

Where to buy:

Japan Trend Shop: Bone portable ashtray keychain $20 (last updated 8-9-09)

If you like this kind of stuff subscribe to the RSS feed or get it delivered through email Or follow us on Twitter.

Solar Focus Solar Duo

Armanstein — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:30:38 +0000

Flexible Solar Charger for Your E-Goods

The coolest thing about the Solar Focus Solar Duo is that it is thin. Like Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen thin. Thanks to Solar Focus’s design and use of “triple junction amorphous silicon photovoltaic technology” which is different from standard solar panels they are able to get the size down to just 1mm (millimeter) thick. However, thinness is not all that it has…

The Benefits of Solar Focus’s Technology:

Don’t lose charging performance at high temperatures. Did you know that typical solar panels lose charging effectiveness at temperatures over 77 degrees fahrenheit? This means that above this temperature even if it is really sunny, you won’t be able to charge as fast.
Light and Flexible. Not only is it 1mm thick, but it’s also flexible at the same time. Instead of using glass to protect the panels it uses a DuPont Fluoropolymer film which helps reduce the weight meaning less weight to carry on those extended hikes.
Charges in the shadows. Compared to conventional solar panels, Solar Focus panels charge 3 times better in “shadowy” low light conditions . This means if you happen to live in gloomy places like London, you still can get your charge on.

How Solar Duo Works:

It’s pretty simple how it works. Each Solar Duo comes with a solar panel array which unfolds and you can attach to whatever you like. For example this bicycle.

This array is plugged into a battery pack that accepts rechargable NiMH (nickel metal hydride) batteries. As the you leave the the solar array out in the sun it recharges the batteries.

When you need to recharge one of your devices you simply plug it into the battery pack and PRESTO! You are well on your way to charging your cell phone or iPod Touch.

Common Questions:

How long does it take to charge? In full sun 5 hours. On a cloudy day 10 hours. This translates to a 30 minutes charge giving you 10 hours standby time or 20 minutes talk time on a typical cell phone. However, just like notebook computer battery times, they probably are not as great as stated.
What kind of devices can I charge? 5 to 6 volt electronics. This includes iPod/iPhone, Sony PSP’s, bluetooth headsets, mp3 players, etc…
What kind of cell phones does it charge? In the Solar Duo user manual they list all the compatible phone manufacturers they support via the included adapters. The companies included are Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, LG, and Sony Ericsson.
How do I charge different devices? The Solar Duo comes with 10 different attachments to connect the battery pack to your electronic gizmos and gadgets. The battery pack also accepts regular usb or mini usb cords.

FuncFash-ness: 6/10

Functional: 4.5/5 (Flexible, light, and durable…can you ask for more?)
Fashionable: 1.5/5 (Definitely not as good looking as the Solio Magnesium, but it still gets the job done)

Where to Buy:

REI: Solar Duo $99.95 (last updated 7-24-09)
Eastern Mountain Sports: Solar Duo $100 (last updated 7-24-09)
Solar Focus Webstore (solarmio.com): Solar Duo £70 (last updated 7-24-09)

Features:

Solar panel and battery pack weigh 140g which is less than half a pound (.31 lbs to be exact)
Charges 5 volt or 6 volt electronic devices (mp3 players, iphones/ipods, cell phones, gps’s, etc..)
5 hour typical charging time
30 minute charge gives 10 hour standby and 20 minutes talk on typical cell phone
1mm thick, flexible, durable and uses no glass
Bendable, scratch proof, extreme temperature tolerant panels

If you like this kind of stuff subscribe to the RSS feed or get it delivered through email Or follow us on Twitter.

FFPI #1: Sweatshirt that Folds to Napkin Size

Armanstein — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:06:57 +0000

I might be the only one that has this problem, but it bothered me enough to come up with a solution. Here’s how it started.

As I was about to the head to the movie theater my girlfriend reminded me to bring a sweatshirt or long sleeve shirt since they keep the theaters at freezer-like temperatures. While I knew it was a good idea to bring something extra to wear it was 90 degrees outside and I didn’t want to walk around holding a sweatshirt or long sleeve shirt. I said “screw it” and ended up not bringing anything with me. It was great walking around the outdoor mall without the extra baggage of carrying a sweatshirt, but I paid for it by freezing my ass off in the theater.

You would think I’d learn my lesson by now, but in the end I find it too inconvenient carrying extra clothes. While I could throw a shirt in a backpack and carry that around, who wants to carry a backpack everywhere they go (I’m not in school anymore). So what are my options?

Wear a fanny pack – fanny pack is too small to hold anything that could potentially keep me warm
Wear a long sleeve shirt and just roll up the sleeves – this could work, but bunched up sleeves do get annoying
Wear a shirt with detachable sleeves – do they make shirts like that? if not that might be another good product idea
Carry a shirt that folds down to the size of a napkin

Here’s what I envision, similar to the hidden backpack, the shirt folds down to a small rectangular shape that’s no thicker than a handkerchief or napkin. Then benefit being I could just stuff this in my pocket and when I get cold break it out and wear it. There are many challenges to this, the biggest being finding a material that folds that thin…and then if it is that thin if it could keep you warm…but let’s say we could overcome these challenges, would this be something you would buy or use?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

FFPI, or FuncFash Product Ideas, is a feature where we share either our idea or your idea for an innovative FuncFash idea. Learn more about it or submit your idea by emailing us at submit@funcfash.com.

Solio Magnesium Solar Charger

The Man — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:15:07 +0000

Smart, durable, useful and sexy.

If you’re always on the move, love hiking, and relaxing in the sun but need to stay connected, let me introduce you to the Solio Magnesium Edition Universal Solar Hybrid Charger. This device is great for the outdoors or for anybody that uses portable devices such as GPS systems, MP3 Players, cell phones and digital cameras and just don’t have time to look for outlets and wait around while they charge. Do you really want to hang around that outlet hub in the airport where lurkers constantly come up to you asking you if they can borrow your outlet? Do you want to be that lurker?

If you’re a homebody, the Solio Magnesium Edition Universal Solar Hybrid Charger is probably not for you. A couple potential Solar Magnesium users who may appreciate a product like this:

The Beach Bums

If you’re riding your bike from Manhattan Beach to Santa Monica and back in your hipster helmet on your fixie, you’ll know you’ll have enough battery power in your cell phone to coordinate with your friends about the evening bonfire and enough battery power for your digital camera. You can even toss it in your hip beer cooler while you bake in the sun.

The Outdoorsman

Knowing that your GPS is attached to your Solio Charger during the day and you have an extra pair of batteries for the GPS at night during a long camping and hiking trip can give you peace of mind. The durability of the product is also amazing. Attach this to your backpack on those hours of trail time without fear of it losing power or malfunctioning because of the harsh cold, wet, or dry weather.

The Jetsetter

You’re out most of the day when you travel, and you’re in and out of airports. Sometimes there are outlets, sometimes there’s not. Either way you don’t want to be standing around the outlet, waiting for your cell phone to charge. And lets face it, the temporary cell phone battery extensions are pretty weak, and expensive. The last thing you want to think about during a day of sightseeing is where the next outlet is going to be. With Solio, running out of power will become a non-issue.

Solio Magnesium Edition Universal Solar Hybrid Charger also has the capability to charge using an outlet for speed. A good way to make sure you’re prepared before heading out the door.

Overall this product is solid. It’s sleek and really useful for people always on the move. It’s also durable as hell. It can withstand either sitting in the rain all day and baking outdoors and still be fully functional!

FuncFash-ness: 6/10

Functional: 4/5 (Reliable and durable, a good combination for people on the move)
Fashionable: 2/5 (It’s a nice looking product, but nothing eye popping)

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Where to Buy:

Amazon: 119.00 (Updated: 07-23-2009)
Solio Online: 179.00 (Updated: 07-23-2009)

Features:

Elegant magnesium alloy shell
Comes with “tips” for most popular cell phones
Comes with USB adapter for iphone/ipod touch
Capable of charging typical cell phone’s twice
Durable, rough and waterproof
Compatible with most small electronic devices

Other Solar Chargers to Consider:

Solio Hybrid Solar Charger ($99.95 @ Eastern Mountain Sports)

If you like this kind of stuff subscribe to the RSS feed or get it delivered through email Or follow us on Twitter.

WaveBox Portable 12 Volt Microwave

Armanstein — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:36:51 +0000

No Woman, No Pride, No Hungry

“Well, how do you explain this?” Sharon asked as she waved around the red lacy thong in front of John’s face.

“Surprise! It’s a gift for you!”

“I found this crumpled in your sport jacket pocket, there’s no tag, it’s not my size, and it’s stained! What kind of fucking gift do you think this is?”

“Well you see…”

“STOP! I don’t want to hear it. I can’t believe it. I am so FURIOUS! You are a scum bag. Get out of this house.”

“Sharon, wait you…”

“I said GET OUT” Sharon tossed the stained thong in John’s face. “GET OUT! GET OUT!” Sharon then continued to hurl whatever objects she could find in John’s direction.

It was pointless. John knew that. He was caught. He had to get out quick before Sharon really got mad. He quickly snatched up the thong and stuffed into his pocket. Just as Sharon was picking up the antique vase to toss at John, John made a swift exit out of the master bedroom.

With no time to pack John quickly descended the stairs. He grabbed his jacket, picked up the Midnight WaveBox, threw some frozen TV dinners into a plastic bag, and then dashed for the car.

As he pulled out of the garage Sharon yelled one last piece of encouragement, “It’s OVER! Don’t you ever come back! You piece of shit!”

After driving a few miles and feeling that it was safe, John pulled over and just stared blankly through the windshield. “Man, did I mess up,” he thought to himself, “I should have just left the panties at Michelle’s apartment!” He was also upset because in the heat of the argument he didn’t get a chance to eat dinner, but at least he came prepared. He plugged in the WaveBox and popped in Swedish Meatballs. 2 minutes later he was dining on meatballs. John reflected on the evening and all that had transpired, “Man, these are some good meatballs.”

FuncFash-ness: 8.5/10

Functional: 4.5/5 (tv-dinners while driving? 3 ways to plug it in? Does it get any better)
Fashionable: 4/5 (slick looking and integrated handles…brings sexy back)

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Where to Buy

Cabela’s: Pearl $199

Features:

Sure grip luggage style handle so no dropped waveboxes
3 Power options: AC Adaapter, 12 Volt Battery, or 12 Volt Vehicle
3 Preset cook buttons for one touch food cooking
Weighs: 14lbs
Comes in 4 stylish colors: Pearl, Cherry, Cobalt, and Midnight

If you like this kind of stuff subscribe to the RSS feed or get it delivered through email Or follow us on Twitter.