June 08, 2012
By Aaron Decker
Looking for a great gift that won't break the bank and have dad smiling? We've got you covered.
Authentic 50 Caliber Bottle Opener Not only can your dad have the absolute coolest bottle opener on the block, you'll be helping support America's veterans with the purchase.
Bullets2Bandages is a San Diego-based company founded by two former Navy Bomb Technicians who offer a variety of products including the 50 Caliber Bottle Opener. It's a real deal .50 CAL BMG Bullet that'll turn heads at the rowdiest of BBQs and 15 percent of Bullets2Bandage's profits go back to veterans and organizations that help them. It's a win/win for all. MSRP $19.99
Brunton Brew Coffee Mug Yes, this is a traveling-style coffee mug, but it'll be the best thing for Pop's morning commute to either work or the blind since the advent of satellite radio. The
Brunton Brew is essentially a 14-ounce thermos doubling as a coffee mug. It'll keep liquids hot or cold for hours and its double steel stainless wall makes the vessel darn near indestructible. You can forget about annoying leaks too as the one-click open and close lid features a silicone seal keeping your morning brew nice and cozy. MSRP is a stiff $28, but it'll be his favorite on-the-road coffee mug for years.
Brite-Strike Self-Defense Flashlight EPLI Whether you wear a suit to work or a pair of overalls, the
Brite-Strike Self-Defense Flashlight EPLI is a nifty tool to keep on your person. The EPLI (Executive Precision Lighting Instrument) looks more like an ink pen then a pocket light that's capable of pushing out a 160-lumen color-tuned beam that resembles daylight. It measures a tiny 5.125 inches, is made of high-grade aircraft aluminum and the best part...runs on two inexpensive (and easy to find) AAA batteries. The EPLI features three settings: high (1.5 hr. run time), low (10 lumens, 8+ hr. run time) and a strobe to disorient an attacker or get the party started (2 hr. run time). On sale now for $69.99.
Classic Realtree V2 Croc Clogs Before you shut the laptop down with a giggle at the thought of your old man pulling on a pair of
Crocs , you might want to check a pair out, especially if you know Dad appreciates comfortable shoes. Crocs are that...think pillows for your feet. The easy slip-on/slip-off nature of the shoes make them handy for cruising around the yard, boat dock, or even a trip to the local sporting good store where you won't draw nary an eye as Crocs offers several different shoe styles in multiple camo patters, like the Classic Realtree V2 pictured above. Do your dad's feet a favor and get him a pair!
Cabela's Compact Waterproof Porro Binoculars Does your dad have an old pair of truck binoculars that weigh more than a brick and dangle around his neck from a hard plastic strap that looks like it could double as bailing wire? Consider
Cabela's Compact Waterproof Porro Binoculars that feature Bak-4 prisms and multicoated lenses for increased brightness. The 8x30s weigh a pound and can be had for $49.99!
Cigar Caddy in Camo The Cigar Caddy is a must for any dad that likes to take his tobacco on the road, especially if he spends any kind of money on his cigars. You'd think with all the protective features the Cigar Caddy offers, it would be something used for transporting donor organs, but no, it's there to ensure your fine tobacco makes it to deer camp unscathed and ready for you when you punch the tag on the 160-inch buck. Available in
several sizes and configurations. Product featured has a MSRP of $49.95.
Van Winkle Special Reserve After you've polished off the expertly grilled ribeyes and you and old man are out on the front porch or backyard enjoying the evening, pull out your favorite whiskey glasses and pour him two fingers of 12-year-old
Van Winkle Special Reserve. Rated a 98 by the Beverage Institute,
Lot "B" is the perfect sipping whiskey for either quiet moments or candid conversation. Sweet, velvety smooth and well crafted -- it's a great choice for the dad that appreciates Kentucky bourbon. Prices vary, but generally can be found in the $40-$50 range.
BLACKHAWK! Gift Certificates Gift certificates are generally "cheating" when it comes to gift giving, but when the certificates are from
BLACKHAWK! , the family "Warrior" that you call dad will be grinning ear to ear. Everything BLACKHAWK! offers is built to last and dad will have a hard time deciding how to spend his loot. From tactical clothing, flashlights, holsters or packs€¦BLACKHAWK! offers a wide array of useful products and tools. Each gift certificate purchases comes with a BLACKHAWK! catalog to help dad with his decision and are available in $25, $50, $100, $150, and $200 increments.
Real Avid Revelation From the, "Why didn't someone think of this sooner" file is the
Real Avid Revelation knife that features two high-intensity LED lights in the handle, illuminating the way for the field dress job that's dipped into dark. The blade is made of durable 440 stainless steel and is available with a wide gap gut hook or fixed blade. You'll have a sure grip with the soft touch rubber handle and the knife fits perfectly in a ballistic nylon sheath. Waterproof. MSRP $69.00. (Also...be on the look out for a
folder version of this in 2012!)
Berkley Floating Pliers If you're teaching your kids how to fish, a pair of
Berkley Floating Pliers will keep you from pulling your hair out when they eventually plunk into the drink. Berkley has a number of variations, from their Needlenose Hybrid version for $19.99 to their Pliers-Cutters for $14.99 and Braid Cutters for $9.99. Cutter jaws on all three are tungsten carbide. Handles are a comfortable, grippy foam. Comes with adjustable lanyard to make it easier to keep at hand or to grab after it falls in the water.
--John Geiger Moreau Baits Topwater Bluegill While your old man might not spend $38.00 on a fishing lure for himself, I bet he'd gladly take one as a gift!
Kevin Moreau is an award-winning taxidermist that's designed a series of high-quality/highly-effective lures that are extremely realistic. Having made and fished with his own lures for most of his adult life, Moreau finally broke down and started crafting them for any angler to enjoy. Yeah, you're spending $38.00 on a fishing lure, but it's a masterpiece that works and will have dad smiling as he pulls out multiple bucketmouths from his favorite fishing hole.
Underwater Video Camera Mask The Explorer Series Camera Mask from
Liquid Image is perfect for the young dad that wants to capture underwater swimming or snorkeling moments with his children without having to tote along an underwater camera. Available in 3.1MP ($49.99) or 8MP ($99.00), the mask takes both still images and video that can easily be downloaded to your laptop with the provided USB cable. Available to operate to a depth of 15ft, you simply have to push a shutter button to take photos as you enjoy the water with your family. The camera features a built in 16MB memory, but will accept up to a 32GB microSD card. Runs on two AAA batteries.
Gerber Steady Tool Imagine you and dad at your favorite fishing hole, all by your lonesome, solving the world's problems when he suddenly lands the catch of a lifetime. He's a die-hard "catch and release" guy and boy, wouldn't it be great to capture the moment with a photo, the two of you, just like old times. You only have your smart phone handy, but no one to take the photo for you! Then you remember you have your Gerber Steady Tool, a multi-tool that features two foldable legs offering the functionality of a tri-pod. Before setting up the photo, you used the needlenose pliers to remove the hook, all the while smiling at the brilliance of having a tool like this on hand. Snap...memory captured. MSRP $64. Details on specs
HERE. Quantum Antix Spinning Reel It's (probably) dad that got you into fishing and made you a farm-pond-slayer, so what better way to show your appreciation for his efforts than a new reel for the master angler you call "pops." At $59.99, the
Quantum Antix is a solid value choice that features continuous anti-reverse, an aluminum long stroke spool design, corrosion-resistant stainless steel bail wire and a double-anodized aluminum spool.
Lure Package from Lurenet.com If you're looking for an "oh wow!" response from the old man without busting the bank and saving you time, you might want to set the browser to
Lurenet.com and put together a collection of lures that'll keep him busy all summer long. You'll be able to choose from some of top lure manufacturers in the business--all at affordable prices.
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