Our pal Joerg Sprave has a new slingshot that will do the deed called the pump action slingshot. The last time he offered a new slingshot to check out was when he invented the crossbow slingshot. The title says that is special about this unit, it has a pump cocking and loading mechanism. The pump action slingshot is designed to hold 20 big metal ball bearings. It will cock the flinging mechanism and load the weapon each time you pump the handle.

The pump locks the rubber bands in place and when the trigger is pulled, it flings the metal balls out quickly. It also reloads fast when you run out of the 20 shots the thing holds. Joerg says it’s reasonably powerful and one of the fastest loading slingshots he has ever created. Check out the video to see the thing in action.

The remote controlled platform is called the Blackfish and it is a cut down commercial jet ski that has sensors packed on top. The Blackfish will be able to see underwater and will have sensors to see above water too. The craft is intended to help the Navy detect and defend harbors from attacks like the one that killed 17 Navy personnel aboard the USS Cole in 2000 while it was docked at the Port of Aden in Yemen.

The Blackfish is a 10-foot long craft that can cruise at up to 40mph. The company that builds it is a British defense firm called QinetiQ and the company said the big challenge was getting the craft to go slow enough. Jet skis are very fast and the company had to add bow thrusters that could be used for low speed patrolling. The craft can be remotely controlled by an operator at a distance of up to 1km and can run in automated mode using GPS waypoints. The craft could also be fitted with weapons.

[via Discovery News]

The slingshot has a custom pouch that holds smartphone with some all important tweaks to keep the thing from backfiring. It would really suck to be bashed in the face by an iPhone. The iPhone really flies, the hang time when shot nearly vertically into the air is 4.5 seconds. Sprave also shoots the iPhone into a block of ballistic gel to see what it would do to a person that was shot by the thing. The results look very painful.

My favorite part of the video though has nothing to do with the iPhone chunking slingshot. The part I like is at the end of the iPhone video and shows Sprave shooting his vampire stake slingshot into the ballistic gel. That thing looks like it would kill a vampire for sure and if you hit a zombie eye you could take out its brain too.

Raytheon has a very interesting new missile warhead that it is talking about that would not explode and therefore would not be able to cause any collateral damage of buildings or people near the site of the attack. The new microwave uses a warhead that emits high power microwaves. These microwaves are able to fry the electronics in weapon systems and render the hardware just as useless as if it exploded.

The warhead would be hooked to a Tomahawk missile and would be able to fly over enemy territory, analyze the target, and then tailor a beam of radio frequency or microwaves to upset or destroy the electronics that the enemy relies on. A smaller version of the warhead could even be placed on a missile launched from an aircraft. The new warhead appears to be in the concept stage at this point, but it is being developed.

[via Wired]

The maker of the horn says that the fireball created goes about 25-feet, though there is some debate on if that is an accurate measurement or not. The flame throwing kit on the horn appears to be a small tank of butane, a bunch of brass tubing, and compressed air to make the flame shoot out. I wonder if these things are legal? It seems the police would take issue with someone building a flamethrower at home.

The builder says that they took safety steps using all copper piping and other stuff. I don’t see much safety there; one failure with compressed gas an inch from your head and things will get very bad for the player very quickly. The kid in the video looks to be about high school age, I wonder if the parents knew what he was up to. This would bring a completely new dimension to battle of the bands though.

[via The Awesomer]

I will say that the machete slingshot gave me a general sense of malaise and this new saw blade flinging device makes me worry more for Sprave’s fingers. Look at the vid and tell me the guy wouldn’t be minus a few digits with one slightly improper holding technique of this thing. Sprave uses smaller circular saw blades with a wooden dowel in the middle. The surgical style tubing flings the blade down the slingshot and a piece of rubber mounted in a guide rail on top makes the blades spin for stability.

I can just imagine the kind of damage that weapon would do to someone’s cranium when he shoots that watermelon with it. The slingshot actually has a lot more range than I thought it would. Each video I see I expect to hear the guy has had some tragic accident afterwards. Check out the video below to see his latest creation in action.

Taser is always working on new non-lethal weapon systems and one of the latest is a new Taser grenade. The grenade looks like something Arnold would cram into a massive gun to fight hunting aliens. The grenade has 50,000-volts inside to incapacitate the person shot with it.

The reporter for The Daily allows the folks from Taser to zap him with the grenade and he says the 50K volts of power is “extremely unpleasant.” You think!? I won’t be getting shot with a Taser or anything else for that matter just for a story.

[via CrunchGear]

If real bullets were coming my way, I would be too busy screaming like a little girl to count my shots. I would need something like this sweet bullet counter. It attaches to a weapon and counts the bullets as they are fired.

It is able to count the bullets using an integrated microcontroller and an accelerometer. The accelerometer registers a single bullet when it recognizes recoil in excess of 22.5g. It has time out so rounds fired aren’t messed up by vibrations after the shot. It’s apparently accurate enough that it could count automatic fire better than the people shooting and filming could.

Via Kotaku

This 5th Marine Regiment has been using a program by the name of Experimental Forward Operating Base, aka ExFOB. This program uses an array of panels that can absorb solar power, then they’ve got equipment that can transmit that power to the equipment they use daily, this process saving them a MINIMUM of 8 gallons of diesel fuel a day. That’s a lot considering the tinyness of a single regiment. Think of this program applied on a large scale.

Staff Sargent David Doty notes, “Our generators typically use more than 20 gallons of fuel a day. We are down to 2.5 gallons a day. The system works amazing. By saving fuel for generators, it has cut back on the number of convoys, meaning less opportunity for one of our vehicles to hit an IED.” The array consists of flexible/portable panels that are both carried by troops and placed over tents during the day, each of them efficient enough to power four computers at once.

[Via Good Clean Tech]

The threshold for making a laser into a weapon is the 100 kilowatt of power mark. The prototype FEL has so far been able to muster a paltry 14 kilowatts worth of power. The Navy has that power issue licked, or at least it thinks it does. The use of a new injector has put the prototype laser into the megawatt class of lasers.

The Navy admits that a test of the laser aboard a ship is still years away with the shipboard test not expected until at least 2018. Perhaps the Navy can fit the laser about the same time it starts outfitting ships with that awesome rail gun it tested a while back that fired a 33 megajoule shot sending a bullet at mach 8.

The Zap Cane does indeed have two secrets in store for those who purchase it (or find themselves on the receiving end of a good strike). The first is a flashlight that’s positioned in front of the cane’s handle. A good place for it, surely, as it should mean it will be a bit easier for those using it to find what they’re looking for, without having to put the cane in awkward positions. But, it’s the second secret that actually means the Zap Cane is illegal in several states.

Finding yourself in a precarious situation, the Zap Cane will give you a quick and easy way to get out of it. Just lift the case, put the end of it against an attacker’s body, and fire. The result? A million-volt charge sent through the attacker’s body. As we mentioned above, the Zap Cane is illegal for someone to own in 8 states: HA, MI, MA, NJ, NY, RI, WI, and PA. However, if you’re not in one of those states, then the Zap Cane will cost about $103.

[via Gadget Lab]

“In all seriousness, we decided that we didn’t have a monopoly on inspiration, and if we saw something in a film that we thought might be a good idea, why not take a look at it and see if there’s something practical we can develop?” Hisham Awad, BAE Systems

The Raider design is one of seven new concepts BAE has developed, culling suggestions and ideas from suppliers, academics and schools. While none have yet spawned a physical version, BAE reckons they could help make fuel efficiency savings of up to 60-percent; some, such as Predator-style active camouflaging, are obviously not quite ready for production, but other technologies like economy-boosting nano additives for fuel and an oil filtering system that extends the time between engine servicing are supposedly ready for the battlefield.

The seven concepts rely heavily on automated systems, either pulling human soldiers back from the frontline or augmenting their efficiency. The Pointer robot, for instance, can be used as a scout or a mobile bodyguard, and has tracks that can be used to climb terrain or, when extended, to walk over obstacles.

Lockheed Martin Aviation Systems vice president Dan Spoor says of this helicopter project: “The K-MAX UAS was specifically designed for the battlefield cargo resupply mission. K-MAX’s capabilities directly answer the Marine Corps’ requirement to augment ground and air logistics operations, supplement rotary-wing assets and keep warfighters supplied and out of harm’s way.” Of course, I and we, our first question should be – what’s the point of war if noone’s lives are put at risk?

The contract given to Lockheed Martin is set to have them create TWO K-MAX vehicles and three remote control ground stations for the Marine Corps to do a “Quick Reaction Assessment.” Think Tony Stark showing the troops that scatter bomb and giving them drinks. Similar thing.

This aircraft is capable of carrying more than 4000 pounds of cargo at 10,000 feet and 6000 pounds at sea level. An intermeshed rotor system is employed to get rid of the need for a traditional tail rotor. No more rockets to the rear end for these flyers! This system also improves lift and reduces maintenance costs. A four-hook carousel is used to allow multiple supply drops as well. Features and features.

Terry Fogarty, Kaman Aerospace Unmanned Aircraft Systems general manager notes: “K-MAX is the optimal choice for an affordable unmanned cargo delivery capability. With reduced operational and logistics costs, increased fuel savings and less manpower required compared to a ground vehicle convoy or manned helicopter, the K-MAX is the lowest-risk solution for the mission.”

[Via i4U]

The Pentagon plans on purchasing a total of at least 12,500 of these guns at around $25,000 to $30,000 a piece, enough for one per Infrantry squad and Special Forces team in Afghanistan. According to GearDiary, each round fired from the gun costs around $25. Is it worth it? Very possibly. What this weapon is capable of is firing a 25mm High Explosive round at a target, knowing how far it has to be away from the target before it should explode. This ability to explode before or after a target (such as a covered position) allows much more accuracy for the troop and much less collateral damage for the area surrounding the target.

At the moment, troops are only able to basically blast through targets should their enemy high behind them. This weapon has a laser range finder that automatically finds “distance to target” and tells the warhead it launches when to blow. This weapon will be carried in addition to a soldier’s assault rifle, weighing in at around 14lbs in addition to ammunition. GearDiary reports additional features to be a 2X optical sight as well as a 4X thermal sight that’ll allow troops to view heat signatures. God help us if these become mainstream enough to find their way to both sides of these forever wars.

Death shall rain down upon us all.

[Via GearDiary]

The weapon weighs 20 pounds, and it’s made of CNC machined parts. And with your purchase, you not only get the gatling gun itself, but you also get two pounds worth of rubber bands to let fly. That’s a good thing, considering the gun can fire up to 100 rounds/rubber bands at a time.

It gets better with the inclusion of a mounted flashlight at the top of the weapon. You can order yourself one right now from Gadgets & Gear — the running total is $499, and you’ll have to wait two weeks while they make it.. The creators say that the gun was manufactured to hold size 64 rubber bands, so that even if you point-blank shoot someone, it won’t hurt. We don’t necessarily say you should try that at home. And if you want them to make a longer barrel, which will shoot “more powerful rubber bands,” they can make that happen. Check out the video below to watch the gun in action.

[via GearDiary]

The project is intended to design a high-tech scope to be attached to a rifle and improve the soldier’s marksmanship. The goal of the project is to develop a scope that will allow the solider to hit targets at ranges from three to 600 meters.

The cool tech to be used in the scope is called Dynamic Image Gunsight Optic or DInGO. DInGO uses a low power laser range finder that can digitally zoom in on targets and automatically accounts for environmental factors in the shot. That means the sensors will detect wind speed and direction using integrated sensors and automatically calculate where the aim is needed to hit the target.

When we say “working” we obviously don’t mean it fires real bullets and kills people. Instead bright blue sticks are fed from a hidden magazine and shot out thanks to the magic of rubber bands. The visible magazine is fake, as is the muzzle.

Instructions for this one aren’t quite as comprehensive as for the back-mounted weapon, with phrases like “build the walrus leg” and “Add the honkeybonk and oolapaloo together. This creates the Oolabonk.” Of course, these could be perfectly respectable, well-known terms among K’nex builders, in which case I’m quite prepared to apologize upon correction.

[Thanks Tim!]

Since you generally don’t want to kill the person, just incapacitate them, Taser have incorporated some new safety features which can automatically adjust the electrical output to avoid permanent damage.  The Pulse Calibration System and Charge Diffusion Probe design are both tied into the X3′s Trilogy Log record, which tracks usage and then can upload those stats wirelessly for review.  Alternatively, if more than one X3 is being used – and you invest in the TACOM Digital Power Magazine – you can synchronize each weapon to shoot simultaneously.

There’s also a dual laser sight system and a full color screen for status updates.  None of this comes cheap, though; the full Taser X3 system, including a holster and data download kit, amounts to $1,799.95, though you can also trade in your old Tasers for a discount.

Press Release:

TASER International Launches Revolutionary New Multi-Shot TASER Device With Precision Shaped Pulse Technology

Next Generation TASER X3 Unveiled At Annual TASER Conference

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), a leading provider of technology solutions and the market leader in electronic control devices (ECDs), today launched its new TASER(r) X3(tm), the next generation product line of its proprietary ECDs, at its annual TASER Conference in Fountain Hills, AZ.

The X3, which is capable of firing three cartridges without reloading, is the first new handheld ECD by TASER International since the introduction of the TASER(r) X26(tm) ECD in 2003.

The X3 uses a revolutionary Pulse Calibration System(tm) to constantly monitor and calibrate electrical output to provide more consistent effects on the target and to provide enhanced safety over the current proven and widely accepted TASER(r) technology.

“The TASER X3 is the most sophisticated handheld weapon ever developed,” said Rick Smith, CEO of TASER International. “The X3 will improve effectiveness and safety over the previous generations of TASER(r) devices while also providing the ability to store and retrieve more information and diagnostic analysis on the use and performance of the device than the X26. While our flagship TASER X26 is recognized as the leading law enforcement tool to deliver a less-lethal response to resistance, it is limited by being only a single-shot system. Developing a multiple-shot capability makes sense to increase officer safety through the ability to recover from a missed shot or even simultaneously stop up to three separate targets. The remarkable technology advances of the X3 will provide more safety for officers and the communities they protect as well as more transparency in reporting and analyzing dynamic confrontations with law enforcement.”

Since July 1, TASER International has provided daily reveals of the new features and technology of the X3 at www.TASERX3.com. Several of the key technology breakthroughs noted in more detail at today’s X3 unveiling include:

1. The world’s first multiple-shot ECD using new Rotational-Pulse(tm)
Drive provides for enhanced officer safety by enabling the user to
recover from missed shots and/or engage up to three targets.

2. Warning Arc — the ability to arc display even while cartridges
are loaded. Previously, a warning arc has been shown to gain
voluntary compliance in more than over 80% of incidents without
resorting to the deployment of probes. However, this has
previously required the removal of the TASER(r) cartridge to
demonstrate the electrical arcs, which can expose an officer to
danger with a temporarily unloaded TASER device. Now, officers
can readily use the Warning Arc while the cartridges are loaded
resulting in both improved officer safety and suspect safety.

3. Pulse Calibration System (PCS) and Charge Diffusion(tm) Probe –
the PCS constantly monitors and calibrates electrical output to
deliver a Precision Shaped Pulse(tm) that provides more consistent
effects on the target. The Charge Diffusion Probe allows most of
the charge energy to diffuse into the outermost layers of the skin
with much less energy penetrating deep into the body. The
combination of the PCS and new Charge Diffusion Probe design in
the X3 yields improved safety characteristics.(1)

4. Environmentally Hardened system withstands sea spray, rain, dust,
electrostatic discharge, even short-term water submersion.

5. Trilogy(tm) Log system with improved sensors inside the X3 –
greatly enhances the usage data analytics over prior generation
dataports with a variety of sensors that record three data logs:

Event Log records common event data such as safety on/off,
trigger presses, Warning Arcs, cartridge deployments as well
as firmware updates, and time updates;

Pulse Log stores the electric characteristics of every pulse
emitted from the X3 and can determine if the charge was
delivered to a subject, arced into the air as a warning, if
probes missed the target, or even if the wires broke or some
other factor interrupted charge delivery to the subject;

Engineering Log monitors the performance of every key
electrical sub-system within the X3 during events and at
rest and provides alerts to the user if any sub-system is
not performing properly and if maintenance is advisable.

6. Range Adjusted Dual Laser System — increases officer accuracy
and effectiveness with improved dual laser system which detects
the types of cartridges loaded and automatically adjusts the
related dual laser targeting system for the appropriate trajectory
of the probes.

———————–
(1) The output pulse of the TASER X3 is tuned to 63 uC
(microcoulombs) +/- 10% regardless of output conditions compared to
approximately 110 uC in the TASER X26 with both probes penetrated.
Hence, the X3 delivers approximately 1.3 mA of average current
whereas the X26 can deliver from 0.8 to 2.5 mA of average current
depending on whether the probes are penetrated or arcing to the
target.
More information is available at: http://www.taser.com/COMPANY/PRESSROOM/Pages/default.aspx and www.TASERX3.com.

The U.S. end user price of the full X3 system, which includes the Magnesium Holster and data download kit, is $1,799.95. The company will offer generous trade-in programs for both the X26 and ADVANCED TASER(r) M26(tm) through December 31, 2009 to help our existing customers’ transition to this groundbreaking new capability suite.

About TASER International, Inc.

TASER International’s products protect life. TASER provides advanced Electronic Control Devices (ECDs) for use in the law enforcement, medical, military, corrections, professional security, and personal protection markets. TASER devices use proprietary technology to incapacitate dangerous, combative, or high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens, or themselves in a manner that is generally recognized as a safer alternative to other uses of force. For more information please call TASER International at (800) 978-2737 or visit our website at www.TASER.com.

The TASER International logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/

Video demo after the cut

Taser are coy with the full details of the X3 right now, but they’ve confirmed that it works at equal or less voltage than the current X26.  That outputs up to 50,000 volts at its peak, which is scaled down to the 400-1,200 range when it reaches the target.  Handily, the X3 also has a report feature that tells you if you managed “good”, “partial” or “no connection” with your target’s body; it would be even better if it printed that out on a little cash register receipt, but we doubt it will.  What you can do, though, is connect the X3 wirelessly to a computer and pull up stats and other discharge details.

The multi-shot system is something Taser call “rotational pulse drive”, and basically allows you to fire three darts in quick succession and then charge them all at the same time.  The X3 will be officially unveiled on July 27th; until then, enjoy the video of what we hope are three volunteers being shocked to the sound of jubilant cheers.

[via Hacked Gadgets]

The Absa bank told reporters that “during a routine maintenance check at an Absa ATM in Fish Hoek, the pepper spray device was accidentally activated.  At the time there were no customers using the ATM. However, the spray spread into the shopping center where the ATMs are situated.”  One of the three engineers working on the machine inhaled the spray, and required treatment from paramedics.

Right now there are only eleven sites fitted with pepper-spray, but if these high-risk areas prove safer with the non-lethal weapon then the system is likely to spread.  Given the number of times I accidentally mash in the wrong PIN, I’m hoping it doesn’t make it out of South Africa.

[via Neatorama]

There’s also a laser guide and a working scope, and the whole thing measures 37 inches long and tips the scales at 2.02lbs.  Hyokenseisou estimates materials – which include a 21-inch blue PVC tube, bottle caps, various pieces of yarn and a fair amount of craft foam – came in at around $100-$150, which seems pretty reasonable considering the end result.

Of course, the Marksman B rifle doesn’t actually fire, but that isn’t to say it hasn’t caused some “battle wounds”.  A couple of second-degree burns and a cut thumb list among the injuries incurred in its making; that’s perhaps a side-effect of spending most of your time for five solid days with a hot glue gun.

[via Kotaku]

Video demo after the cut

Images snapped by the webcam are also uploaded to the sentry’s own website, together with details of date and time plus if they got past or were shot by sponge bullets.  There’s also a manual mode, which allows you to position the gun with the arrow keys on the controlling computer and then fire with the space bar, together with a freefire mode that tracks and shoots anything that moves.  Finally, a panic mode plays a siren and flicks the gun barrel around semi-randomly whenever movement is detected.

Blum and Wright have made the source code available under a Creative Commons license, and there are also schematics if you’d like to recreate your own Nerf Sentry Gun.  I’m not quite so DIY-capable as that, so I’ll just enjoy the video below.

[via _zero and via Hack a Day]

Four capacitors give a total of 8,800uF with a maximum 400V, and it can be ready to fire from a mains connection in just 8 seconds.  Things get a little slower when you’re running off the internal batteries, however, taking around 90 seconds.  After 14 shots (at 300v) the whole thing overheats, and you have to wait for it to cool down.

Still, these are just minor points when you have something that looks so damn cool.  Incidentally, the bulb at the front isn’t for occasional lighting but acts as a charging resistor for the capacitor bank whenever you’re juicing up from the mains.

[via Hacked Gadgets]

Video demos after the cut

An IObridge acts as the intermediary between servos that aim the airsoft gun and pull its trigger, with the Wiimote linked by Bluetooth to Jay’s MacBook.  The chassis is built from Construx.

“I’m hoping I can stash this in a friends office maybe for a surprise ambush! However, in practice it might be hard to convince someone to put on a face shield before heading to work” Jay

Right now, Jay has it set up to take pot-shots at some oversized Space Invaders.  Personally I’d switch out the airsoft gun for something more face-friendly and get to work ambushing people.

[via MAKE]

Video demo of the net-firing T-34 robot after the cut

As well as the video camera, there are also microphones and body heat sensors.  The T-34 can travel at up to 10kph, tracking intruders, felons and general perverts, upon which time it can fire a net at them and bring them to the ground.  After that, well, you’ll probably need a standard, human security guard (or a scary dog) to bundle them into the nearest police car.

Businesses will be able to pick up the Tmsuk T-34 in around two years time, when it’s expected to cost around $9,000.  Meanwhile the company is also apparently developing a home security version; think Rovio but angrier.

[via BotJunkie; video via Impress]

Check out the demo video after the cut

The ioBridge acts as the gateway between the targets and the iPod touch, while the Arduinos control the three independent rotating targets.  The actual physical construction is from Construx snap-together building components, making prototyping simple, into which the three micro-servos (more usually found in remote-control planes and other toys) sit.

Room has been left for expansion, so the whole setup could be enlarged for multiple shooters or different shape or size targets.  Alternatively there’s talk of making an archery version.  Check it all out in action in the video below.

[via nowhereelse.fr]

In use, the barrel of the gun lights up blue and orange, while red LEDs light up the three prongs.  Rather than leaving it immaculate, they’ve then artificially aged and added a few blood splatters to the casing, so that it looks as though it’s been around the testing facility a few times already.

There are plenty more photos to be seen – from a lot of different angles – at the Cosplay.com forum page here.  There’s also plenty of background into the construction, together with a gallery of in-progress shots.

[via OhGizmo!]

Check out the video demos after the cut

The build is relatively straightforward, requiring a pressure chamber, trigger assembly and carefully-bent launcher arms.  The projectiles – or tractors – are soda bottles, which fit neatly over the 1/2-inch piping and drag the net behind them from its storage chute. 

In fact the hardest, trickiest part (aside from pumping 100psi of compressed air into piping intended to handle nice, safe water) looks to be preparing the net for loading.  It’s reusable afterwards, but unless your target is particularly slow-moving you’re unlikely to be ready for a second shot. 

Demo Video 1:

Demo Video 2:

[via Hacked Gadgets]

I’m wondering if it’s just me that sounds bizarre to, or if everyone is having the same “bwuh?!” moment.  I understand that the US second amendment gives everybody the right to bear arms, but is it their right to claim back the cost of said-arms under health insurance?

Next step before prescriptions can be made is an application – already submitted by manufacturer Constitution Arms – to CMS contractor Noridian “for a DME (Durable Medical Equipment) Coding Verification in order to be assigned an HCPCS code”.  No comment as yet from health insurers themselves.

[via Slashdot]

Video demo of the PepperBall FlashLauncher after the cut

PepperBall also sell water projectiles (in normal and anti-freeze versions) that, while not causing irritation, still hurt on impact.  There’s also a variety of holsters and pouches, guaranteed to make you the most intimidating dog walker on the block.

A starter kit is available for $399.99, that includes the FlashLauncher itself, eight CO2 cartridges, a rechargeable battery (that powers the torch and laser), thirty rounds of inert purple dye balls and ten rounds of pepper-powder balls. 

[via OhGizmo!]

Designed by certified NRA instructor Matthew Carmel, the Palm Pistol is classified as a “standard pistol” by the ATF and can be used with a laser targeting sight. It all seems a little bizarre to me; I know it’s not only the elderly who have trouble with hand mobility, but I’m imagining rest-homes full of gun-toting pensioners and some serious arguments over what TV channel is on.

Estimated price is around $300, with a $25 deposit if you want one of the initial production run. I think Core77 said it best: “Just because bystanders are screaming doesn’t mean your joints should be.”

[via Core77]

This umbrella can slice a watermelon in two, won’t break in half and would be great to pummel someone with. In the video Thomas Kurtz demonstrates all of this, who is apparently the world’s foremost expert on flexibility training.   Although, to be perfectly honest I’m not entirely sure what that means, for all I know he’s just great at turning himself into a human pretzel.

In the Philippines the secret service has started carrying these and several other agencies are picking up on the product as well. You can pick up one of these umbrellas for $180.

[via gizmodo]

It’s up for auction on eBay and it’s a life-sized replica of the Halo weapon. It’s 36”x14” and has a mirror finish stainless steel blade.

If you happen to be the lucky winner of the auction you’ll get a collector’s card, a walnut wall plaque and a Certificate of Originality from, Lionheartsrealm, the creator of this masterpiece. Also if you happen to win this auction, I envy you completely.

[via technabob]

They’re also showing off the MPH – Music Player Holster – which is a combination 1GB PMP and holster for your trusty TASER.  Just make sure you don’t confuse the two, and accidentally stick the probes into your ear.

Both are available now, the C2 priced at $379.99 and the MPH at $72.99.

TASER

If you love weapons and Halo 3 just isn’t enough of a fix for you, you might stop buy ThinkGeek and pick up one or both of these miniature weapons sets. The bazooka sets are a 1/6th scale replicas of a Panzer Faust3, RPG-7, FIM-43, M20A1, and SA-18. Each set ($8.99) only lets you pick out two, so you may end up with doubles of one when you buy the complete series. Each bazooka comes with its own stand for maximum display-ability.

Maybe bazookas aren’t your thing, though. Maybe you’re more of an ancient samurai type of guy/girl. If so, worry not, there is also set for you. The samurai set include 15 different real metal weapons and battery powered lanterns. Each one is about 5’’ high which makes them the perfect size for arming your work area. These sets retail for just 7.99.

Mini Bazooka Weapons [via Coolest Gadgets]

Regardless, another one of them was willing to hop in front of the Army’s latest, a ray gun not of death, just intense pain. Its called Silent Guardian, and they hate it when you call their ray gun a ray gun. It has a range of half a mile, which means you should be able to see it just before it brings you to your knees with so much pain some Excedrin just won’t cut it.

It only goes one sixty-fourth of an inch deep, but what it does at that depth cause an immense amount of pain. It works kind of like a micro wave sending beams of radiation that penetrate your skin and literally get on your nerves. The journalist said it hurt his finger, I say, if the Army says it will hurt, I believe them, I don’t need to find out first hand, because personally I have no intention of being on the business end of any of the Army’s weapons. As a journalist, if I wanted to find out how much this hurt, I would wait till they implemented it, and then go to the jail and ask someone.

Journalist Test Drives The Pain Ray Gun [via Slashdot]