Engineering Lifestyle
Mega-cool audio reality costume
Clive Maxfield
10/16/2012 1:49 PM EDT
I hate the people at Think Geek, because they keep on coming up with things I never knew I wanted (until I see them) and that I cannot afford.
I just received their monthly email newsletter (note to self: "Unsubscribe from that $%^# newsletter because it tempts you and you are a weak man…")
The very first thing I saw was something called the Mega Stomp Panic Audio Reality Costume. This is a sound effects unit controlled by an accelerometer gizmo so the effects are synchronized to your walking. There are a couple of cool robot-like effects (I must admit that I have a soft spot for the Steampunk Robot sound). However, the one I really liked is when it sounds like you are splashing through puddles.
I can so imagine myself walking around with this for Halloween. But "NO!" I must be strong…
But wait, there's more, because I next saw something called the Battle Mug. OMG! If you read the description you discover that this starts life as a 13.5 pound solid block of 6061 T6 billet aluminum before it enters a state of the art CNC facility in Huntsville, Alabama. (Hang on... I LIVE in Huntsville, Alabama... Hmmm, I wonder who is making these little scamps...)
Good grief. You have to admit that this is a beer mug to end all beer mugs. As they say on the Think Geek website: "Built to military specifications, Battle Mug features a M1913 rail interface system which allows you to mount a tactical light, laser device, holographic sight (AKA beer goggles) or even a bayonet for close quarters, high risk operations. A standard issue M4 carry handle is included."
At $223.99 this is something very few people are going to "splash the cash" for (and I'm certainly not one of their number). I agree with the person who commented on the Think Geek site: "I don't think I would spend my hard earned cash on one of these, but I would be thrilled to receive one as a gift."
I too would be thrilled to receive one of these little beauties as a gift (just on the off-chance you were wondering what to buy me for my next Birthday present :-)
If you found this article to be interest, visit Microcontroller / MCU Designline where – in addition to my Max's Cool Beans blogs on all sorts of "stuff" – you will find the latest and greatest design, technology, product, and news articles with regard to all aspects of designing and using microcontrollers.
Also, you can obtain a highlights update delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for my weekly newsletter – just Click Here to request this newsletter using the Manage Newsletters tab (if you aren't already a member you'll be asked to register, but it's free and painless so don't let that stop you [grin]).
Last but certainly not least, make sure you check out all of the discussions and other information resources at All Programmable Planet. For example, in addition to blogs by yours truly, microcontroller expert Duane Benson is learning how to use FPGAs to augment (sometimes replace) the MCUs in his robot (and other) projects.
I just received their monthly email newsletter (note to self: "Unsubscribe from that $%^# newsletter because it tempts you and you are a weak man…")
The very first thing I saw was something called the Mega Stomp Panic Audio Reality Costume. This is a sound effects unit controlled by an accelerometer gizmo so the effects are synchronized to your walking. There are a couple of cool robot-like effects (I must admit that I have a soft spot for the Steampunk Robot sound). However, the one I really liked is when it sounds like you are splashing through puddles.
I can so imagine myself walking around with this for Halloween. But "NO!" I must be strong…
But wait, there's more, because I next saw something called the Battle Mug. OMG! If you read the description you discover that this starts life as a 13.5 pound solid block of 6061 T6 billet aluminum before it enters a state of the art CNC facility in Huntsville, Alabama. (Hang on... I LIVE in Huntsville, Alabama... Hmmm, I wonder who is making these little scamps...)
Good grief. You have to admit that this is a beer mug to end all beer mugs. As they say on the Think Geek website: "Built to military specifications, Battle Mug features a M1913 rail interface system which allows you to mount a tactical light, laser device, holographic sight (AKA beer goggles) or even a bayonet for close quarters, high risk operations. A standard issue M4 carry handle is included."
At $223.99 this is something very few people are going to "splash the cash" for (and I'm certainly not one of their number). I agree with the person who commented on the Think Geek site: "I don't think I would spend my hard earned cash on one of these, but I would be thrilled to receive one as a gift."
I too would be thrilled to receive one of these little beauties as a gift (just on the off-chance you were wondering what to buy me for my next Birthday present :-)
If you found this article to be interest, visit Microcontroller / MCU Designline where – in addition to my Max's Cool Beans blogs on all sorts of "stuff" – you will find the latest and greatest design, technology, product, and news articles with regard to all aspects of designing and using microcontrollers.
Also, you can obtain a highlights update delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for my weekly newsletter – just Click Here to request this newsletter using the Manage Newsletters tab (if you aren't already a member you'll be asked to register, but it's free and painless so don't let that stop you [grin]).
Last but certainly not least, make sure you check out all of the discussions and other information resources at All Programmable Planet. For example, in addition to blogs by yours truly, microcontroller expert Duane Benson is learning how to use FPGAs to augment (sometimes replace) the MCUs in his robot (and other) projects.
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Brian @ BDH
10/17/2012 12:45 AM EDT
Hi Max,
Here's the creators and the story behind the mug. See links below.
They don't tell what mfg. company makes them. They just say:
"Battle Mug starts life as a 13.5 pound solid block of 6061 T6 billet aluminum before it enters a state of the art CNC facility in Huntsville, Alabama. This facility produces specialized parts and equipment for the U.S. Department of Defense, major weapons manufacturers, NASA, and a host of other companies working at the U.S. Rocket and Space Center."
http://www.battlemug.com/
http://www.battlemug.com/About_Us.html
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WKetel
10/25/2012 10:46 PM EDT
Many years ago I made a similarly durable coffee mug out of a section of 306SS pipe, and a disc cut from the same type of SS stock sheet, (actually, a hole punch-out). All of it was nominally .0625 thick stock, so it is still quite durable. The handle is a chunk of SS tubing pressed sort of flat, then bent into the handle shape a d silver-soldered on. Prior to creating this mug, several mugs had net their demise while camping with friends. This one survived.
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