Something Fun for a Change.... Cheap Item contest.

[Howard_Casto]

I've been scrounging eBay and Amazon looking for project parts and I have come to the conclusion that there are a lot of inexplicably cheap things for sale out there on the net.  So why don't we have some fun.  Cheap stuff contest....

Rules: 

Item must be ~20 us dollars or less (preferably less)  yes shipping counts in the total because there are some 1 cent "deals" with 20 dollar shipping out there. 

If the item is from eBay or a similar Auction site, it must be the "buy it now" price. 

Up to 20 bonus points can be awarded for cheapness.... a 20 dollar item gets no points, a 19 dollar item gets 1, 18 dollar item gets 2, ect.....

5 Bonus points if the item can be used as a cart filler for amazon or similar sites

Up to 20 coolness points to be awarded by the peanut gallery.... each person can give one point

Prizes:

In accordance with the spirit of the contest, the prize will be of no monetary value.  First prize is the title of cheap king. 


This is just for fun, so I reserve the right to change the rules or completely ignore them according to the reaction.  Much like Who's Line... the rules are made up and the points don't matter. 

[Howard_Casto]

It's late so my search fu is a bit weak atm, but I'll start us off.

http://www.amazon.com/String-Waterproof-Flexible-Strip-Light/dp/B016B44V8A/ref=sr_1_85?s=car&ie=UTF8&qid=1446709550&sr=1-85&refinements=p_36%3A-100

Pretty bland on the cool factor, but a dollar for a small led strip is pretty good.  Yeah you need a power supply but those are ~ 5 bucks. 

[knave]

I'll take a shot.

http://www.amazon.com/Toddler-Rattle-Musical-Wooden-Hammer/dp/B0151071KU/ref=sr_1_5?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1446742006&sr=1-5&refinements=p_36%3A-100



$1.00 Free shipping

[Token]

N64 USB controller for less than ten bucks (including shipping).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321490857904?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[JDFan]

Latest Cheap Ebay order I placed -  And it even includes an adapter and USB Card reader for the $6

[Generic Eric]

I got this link in my email the other day:

http://dattwenty.com/



  $7.97

[Token]

91 cents including shipping to the U.S. for a T8 screwdriver.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Torx-T8-Security-Screw-Driver-Repair-Tool-For-Xbox-360-Controller-Cheap-Tool-/201363649472?hash=item2ee23573c0:g:D9sAAOSw~OdVbaVW#shpCntId

[Howard_Casto]

Nice finds gentlemen! 

So what do you think?  Do this for a month?  A week?

[pbj]

http://www.filleritem.com/

[Generic Eric]

5 Bonus points if the item can be used as a cart filler for amazon or similar sites

If you enjoy coffee, you should try this at least once:

[pbj]

This stuff is pretty good, too, and I can get it for $4 a can in Houston:

[Generic Eric]

It's late so my search fu is a bit weak atm, but I'll start us off.

http://www.amazon.com/String-Waterproof-Flexible-Strip-Light/dp/B016B44V8A/ref=sr_1_85?s=car&ie=UTF8&qid=1446709550&sr=1-85&refinements=p_36%3A-100

Pretty bland on the cool factor, but a dollar for a small led strip is pretty good.  Yeah you need a power supply but those are ~ 5 bucks.

You can get a nice package deal of 5050 RGB, remote and power for like $15?

[tomstewdevine]

Need extra usb slots? $3.40

http://www.amazon.com/Insten%C2%AE-7-Port-USB-Switch-Black/dp/B007S642BW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1446762908&sr=8-2&keywords=extra+usb+ports

[dkersten]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-RF-Remote-Control-Switch-Transmitter-Receiver-for-Access-Control-System-/121754991869?hash=item1c5929bcfd:g:nl8AAOSwgNRV79XA

I used one of these to set up an automatic door closer for my boss's office.  I added a 12v electromagnet to hold the door open, used the remote to interrupt power, and housed it all in a small project box.  Door is on spring hinges, so you open it and it latches open, and if a call comes in and you don't want the employees hearing you talk, you can push the remote instead of getting up to close the door.  Works like a champ.

I thought of it because there are so many cool little things you can do with it.. You can use it for both latching and momentary relay use (up to 240v, so both high and low voltage projects).

[adder]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221685991837

$1.50

[JDFan]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221685991837

$1.50

I went with the cheaper $0.99 5:1 units rather than 7:1 and they actually worked very well (had a MOBO that the built in connector had snapped off and these were plug and play replacements for $1 rather than having to buy an add in sound blaster card.

[Generic Eric]

Latest Cheap Ebay order I placed -  And it even includes an adapter and USB Card reader for the $6

Have you received this yet?  Anywhere near to the class 10 speeds?

[Howard_Casto]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221685991837

$1.50

I went with the cheaper $0.99 5:1 units rather than 7:1 and they actually worked very well (had a MOBO that the built in connector had snapped off and these were plug and play replacements for $1 rather than having to buy an add in sound blaster card.

Those would be good for mamehooker.  I allow the option of sending audio to a specific sound card for butt thumpers and the like. 

[JDFan]

Latest Cheap Ebay order I placed -  And it even includes an adapter and USB Card reader for the $6

Have you received this yet?  Anywhere near to the class 10 speeds?

No just ordered a couple days ago - and from reading a bit more after placing the order seems EBAY is having problems with fake ones right now (they are actually smaller capacity (something like 8GB. that have some tweaks so it shows the larger capacity - so I wouldn't count on it being correct but for the $6 had to try it when I saw it (plus need an adapter anyway for another card I already have and the USB reader can be used as well. Also came across an article here ( https://flashchiptech.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/fixing-fake-sd-sdhc-cards-is-it-possible-what-are-the-problems-and-challenges-what-software-to-use-to-test-for-flash-memory-fake-chips-is-there-a-free-download-to-check-flash-drives-and-memory-car/ ) on how to repair the card to actually show it's real size and be able to at least use that capacity that sounds interesting to test ! - so won't be a total loss if it is fake - plus will give me a chance to see how BAY's buyer protection works !

[ark_ader]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-CENT-CD-The-Best-Of-Dean-Martin-/201456220172?hash=item2ee7b9f80c:g:~awAAOSwiLdWBykh

I'd buy that for a penny.

[thomas_surles]

Latest Cheap Ebay order I placed -  And it even includes an adapter and USB Card reader for the $6

Have you received this yet?  Anywhere near to the class 10 speeds?

No just ordered a couple days ago - and from reading a bit more after placing the order seems EBAY is having problems with fake ones right now (they are actually smaller capacity (something like 8GB. that have some tweaks so it shows the larger capacity - so I wouldn't count on it being correct but for the $6 had to try it when I saw it (plus need an adapter anyway for another card I already have and the USB reader can be used as well. Also came across an article here ( https://flashchiptech.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/fixing-fake-sd-sdhc-cards-is-it-possible-what-are-the-problems-and-challenges-what-software-to-use-to-test-for-flash-memory-fake-chips-is-there-a-free-download-to-check-flash-drives-and-memory-car/ ) on how to repair the card to actually show it's real size and be able to at least use that capacity that sounds interesting to test ! - so won't be a total loss if it is fake - plus will give me a chance to see how BAY's buyer protection works !

it is fake I promise. even if it works at first, it will stop working all together.

[JDFan]

Figured this would fit in here, This week (Expires 11-14) at Target they have the Namco Pacman plug and plays for $19.95 buy 2 get a third free making them about $14 each and Free shipping. So a fairly cheap start to a small cab build with several Namco games.

http://www.target.com/p/pac-man-connect-and-play-classic-games/-/A-17276031#prodSlot=medium_1_5&term=pacman

[Vigo]

~15 dozen tactile dome switches in various sizes and shapes + 4gb USB flash drive. Free with free shipping.

http://www.snaptron.com/free-samples/



PS> Make up some small electronics business so they don't think you are some guy leeching freebies from the net. They will email you to confirm you are a human being. On your pre-shipment confirmation, make sure to request the flash drive again, they cheaped out on me, but my buddy got it when he asked.

[Howard_Casto]

Bonus points for free-ness.  Now who's going to post something where they send you money. 

[Locke141]

Figured this would fit in here, This week (Expires 11-14) at Target they have the Namco Pacman plug and plays for $19.95 buy 2 get a third free making them about $14 each and Free shipping. So a fairly cheap start to a small cab build with several Namco games.

http://www.target.com/p/pac-man-connect-and-play-classic-games/-/A-17276031#prodSlot=medium_1_5&term=pacman

I used one of them in my Vegolx hybrid. It was a great way to build a cab for under $100 in a single weekend. I would however use an R-PI next time.

[eds1275]

I get lots of stuff from ebay/china for my camera but the greatest being a no-name battery grip for $17 (cad) when the Canon brand one is $136 CAD

[Howard_Casto]

I thought this thread had died a quick death.....

Ok so  a got an Arduino Uno clone with a set of male pins and a Bluetooth receiver dongle for $1 via Newegg and a 10 dollar "please spend your money here again" pity coupon.  It's a special case so I'm not sure if we can count it, but I did technically only pay a dollar. 

[lilshawn]

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/231712005684?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

throw it on a couple old bookshelf speakers and you have yourself a sound system for your phone.

 

edit oopsie, i feex borked link

[pbj]

Link doesn't work. 

I bought my dad a Chromecast Audio so he can be the guinea pig.  My understanding is you'll be able to cluster multiples of them into playing the same thing across various rooms of the house.  Quite looking forward to thumping industrial 24/7 on those things.

[Howard_Casto]

Well I bought mine for the Camaro.  I've reverted back to the original factory head unit because, quite frankly, the amps and radios in those units were so good that they blow most entry level stereo systems out of the water.  You can add an aux input quite easily by unhooking the cable the goes to the cassette module and manipulating the audio lines and a couple of signal switches via a pair of double polled relays.  I've got mine running to a switching 3.5mm jack.... when nothing is plugged in it uses the Bluetooth module. 

Just finished it up this evening and the tests are promising.  I'll re-install it back into the car tomorrow hopefully. 

[dkersten]

I bought my dad a Chromecast Audio so he can be the guinea pig.  My understanding is you'll be able to cluster multiples of them into playing the same thing across various rooms of the house.  Quite looking forward to thumping industrial 24/7 on those things.

I'm waiting for the "party mode" to be enabled to see if it actually works.  Currently it isn't enabled and without it you can't run two or more devices at the same time with the same signal.  It was supposed to be out "in December", but I can't find anything other than the promises so far, no hard date and no other info on it (as of last week anyway).

I have my AV system, my whole house audio (5 rooms), and then several Bluetooth speakers and I want to be able to feed the same signal to each from a phone/tablet without having to leave the phone/tablet on and in range.  Previously my only real choice was to get Sonos components to do this, but at a cost of $350 per unit (would need 2 units) plus replacing all my BT speakers with Sonos speakers ($250-$750 each) it was too expensive of a solution.  Chromecast audio at $35 per unit is ideal, but without party mode (all units playing same source controlled by one device), it is worthless to me. 

I look forward to seeing if it works.  I got a Yamaha receiver for my home theater recently and it has MusicCast, which is REALLY slick, but I read the MusicCast devices outside the receivers lose sync too much and when using multiple devices simultaneously pretty much impossible to listen to.  Shame, I like the interface on the tablets for MusicCast. 

[pbj]

Updates were a little slow in coming for the Chromecast, but they came and it's a great device.  I'm reasonably confident they'll take care of me with the Chromecast Audio.  I'm hopeful it's got enough oomp to power a couple of speakers without an amp... If that's the case, I'm just going to permanently mount one outside with my backyard speakers.

EDIT - Yep, turns out the party mode update came out 6 days ago.  Sweet.

[dkersten]

EDIT - Yep, turns out the party mode update came out 6 days ago.  Sweet.

LOL, I googled the ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- out of it 7 days ago.. not a word, haha.. Good to hear, now I just need to see if there are tons of complaints of synch issues between devices, if not, 4 of them will be on the way shortly.  Finally be able to tie all the systems together with an independent audio source that doesn't break the bank.

[theinkdon]

~15 dozen tactile dome switches in various sizes and shapes + 4gb USB flash drive. Free with free shipping.

Thanks for posting this!  Just ordered one.