Pat PilcherWhat to get for Father’s Day needn’t be a chore, writes PAT PILCHER, who’s come up with some nifty gift ideas for the occasion.
Mophie Powerstation Go Rugged with Air Compressor
$299.95
Mophie has a long history of crafting brilliant gear and their latest could be a lifesaver. The Powerstation Go Rugged with Air Compressor is a bit of a do-all piece of kit. Not only can your dad hook it to a dead battery and jump-start his car, but it also has USB-A Ports so he can top up his phone and other USB-powered gadgets when he’s on the go. If that wasn’t enough, it also has a built-in compressor which can inflate tyres, air mattresses and so on. It even has a super bright LED light.
NextBase Dashcam
$219
With 1080p FHD recording and a 6-layer glass lens, the NextBase dashcam has a 140 Degree field of view, so every detail is captured. Its super 2.5-inch touch screen also gives your dad clear and easy video playback. A magnetic mount that sports an integrated magnetic power connection makes it a doddle to install while a gyro means that if your car is bumped while it is parked, a recording of the offending vehicle is made and saved. Should an accident happen, the NextBase cam detects you’ve had an accident, and it’ll fire up a paired mobile app to call emergency services, giving them your GPS coordinates.
Samsung Galaxy Flip 4
$1699 – $2049
If your dad’s smartphone is a bit of an ancient brick, Samsung’s Galaxy Flip 4 is a complete no-brainer. Not only does it have all the good bits of Sammy’s flagship Galaxy phones baked right in, but it folds down from a full-sized phone into a small and highly pocketable form factor. If your dad likes gee-wiz, he’ll love the Flip 4.
Suunto 9 Peak
$899.99
If your old man is a fitness fanatic, Suunto 9 Peak might be the perfect Father’s Day gift. It’s the thinnest, the most accurate and the most durable watch Suunto says they’ve ever made. As well as heart rate and Spo2 monitoring, the 9 Peak has a “snap to route” feature for GPS navigation of tracks on pre-planned routes. That’ll give your dad turn-by-turn directions, so he doesn’t get lost when out on a run.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
$449 – $849
Is your dad a Samsung fanboy? If the answer to this is yes, then Samsung’s latest smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 5, might be just the thing. It’s built like a brick shit-house and waterproof, with nifty features such as being able to take and make calls, track exercise and make use of the bazillions of apps and watch faces on the Google Wear store. Battery life has been given a shot in the arm too.
Arlo 4G camera
$489
Give dad the gift of security this Father’s Day with the Arlo Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi Security Camera. Because it uses Wi-Fi or 4G, it’s a doddle to install and can be used where there is no Wi-Fi coverage. A super easy magnetic mount makes getting set up dead easy. 720P video and night vision allow the Arlo Go 2 camera to keep your property safe without your dad having to break a sweat.
Breville Barista Express Impress
$1299
Every dad needs a decent cup of coffee and that shouldn’t mean trudging out to a café for your caffeine fix. Breville’s Barista Express Impress has a built-in grinder and enough smarts to see your old man cranking out flat whites like a pro in no time.
Meater+
$239
With summer only 14 weeks away, your dad is looking longingly at the BBQ, pondering a cold beer with some scorched Bambi. Cooking cuts to perfection need not involve guesswork though. The Meater+ uses a wireless temperature probe and a clever mobile app to tell you when your cut of meat is BBQ’d to perfection. With the Meater, you can transform your dad into a BBQ god.
Masport BBQ
$1499
Speaking of BBQs, if your BBQ is looking a bit tired, check out Masport’s RBW Supreme+ 6-burner BBQ. With built-in LED lighting, a timer, smoker and bottle opener, the RBW Supreme+ is loaded with features. Because it’s made locally, the RBW Supreme+ is also miles more affordable than an imported brand, allowing dad to get more bang for his BBQ buck.
Mono Portable Spa
$1899
Post BBQ soaks in a bubbling spa can be both incredibly relaxing and refreshing. Portable Spa’s Mono 6-person spa costs a quarter of what you’d typically pay for a Tupperware pool but offers UV and ozone filtration allowing you to use a fraction of the chemicals you’d normally find in spa pools. Because the Mono is inflatable, setting it up is a snap too.
