Geeked out gift ideas for Father's Day

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    If you're looking for geeky gift ideas for Father's Day, either to purchase for a dad or to drop hints for someone buying you a present, here are some of the geekier Father's Day items available online.

    If you really want to go over the top and feed your dad's Star Trek addiction, this Enterprise USB Webcam would be a sweet Father's Day gift.

    Photo credit: The Official Star Trek Store. (Disclaimer: The Official Star Trek Store is a CBS property.)

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Before you think that giving or receiving a book is a lame gift idea, this particular one promises "Awesomely Geeky Projects and Activities for Dads and Kids to Share."

    What better way for a dad to celebrate both his fatherhood and geekdom? Seriously.

    You can find out more about this book at http://geekdadbook.com/.

    Photo credit: http://geekdadbook.com/

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Ties are a more traditional Father's Day gift, but ThinkGeek has definitely made them more interesting by adding a geek twist.

    That means, yes, all of your TechRepublic peers will be envious if you receive one of these ties this year.

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    ThinkGeek also has an 8-bit tie that's worth checking out.

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Cuff links are another common gift idea for Father's Day, but these Starship Enterprise cuff links (available at the Official Star Trek Store) are quite unusual.

    Photo credit: The Official Star Trek Store. (Disclaimer: The Official Star Trek Store is a CBS property.)

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    For a more practical gift -- look good AND save your data -- check out these Silver USB Cufflinks from ThinkGeek.

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Everybody knows that being a father can be tiring, so why not help him recharge? The Powermat wireless charger was featured in TechRepublic's Geek Gift Guide 2009. Blogger Nicole Bremer Nash gave the Powermat an overall rating of three out of five stars.

    Photo credit: Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Dear old dad can now power up his gadgets with ThinkGeek's Universal Gadget Wrist Charger. This gift is ideal for the dad who is always on the go.

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Sticking with the wrist theme, you can wow just about any geeky father you know with this USB Memory Watch. According to ThinkGeek, the USB connector is stored in the watchband.

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Here's another unique watch that you might consider purchasing as a Father's Day gift this year. Once the Bluetooth Watch is paired with a cell phone, the caller's name and/or number will appear on the bright OLED display.

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Calm dad's fears of identity theft by hooking him up with this RFID Blocking Wallet.

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    If your dad is a world traveler, this Stainless Steel RFID Blocking Passport Sleeve would be a great geeky gift this Father's Day.

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    The Livescribe Pulse smartpen is another one of those practical yet very geeky gifts.

    Blogger Nicole Bremer Nash reviewed the Pulse in TechRepublic's Geek Gift Guide 2009, and she gave this geeky gadget an overall rating of four out of five stars.

    Photo credit: Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    If your dad is a Star Wars fan, and his friends are equally geeky, the Star Wars Poker Chip Set might rise to the top of his gift wish list.

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    ThinkGeek didn't bundle the Atari Arcade Pint 4-Pack and the Star Wars Poker Chip Set, but if you're going all out on Dad this year, this combo wouldn't be such a bad idea. After all, gambling is thirsty business!

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Back in 2007, TechRepublic Editor in Chief Jason Hiner reviewed the Force FX Lightsaber for the Geek Gifts series. Jason and his son had fun testing these out -- so much fun, in fact, that he gave it an overall score of five out of five stars.

    Photo credit: Jason Hiner for TechRepublic

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Imagine if Dad was really just a big, geeky kid... the WowWee Rovio Mobile Webcam would completely surpass all of his Father's Day gift expectations.

    Senior Editor Mark Kaelin took the Rovio for a spin and gave it an overall rating of four out of five stars in TechRepublic's Geek Gifts 2009 series.

    Photo credit: WowWee

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Why get your dad a Swiss Army Knife for Father's Day when you could completely geek out that idea by buying him the Star Wars Victorinox Pocket Knife?

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    If your dad likes gaming -- or if you're a dad and your kids like gaming -- you'll be able to either tune in or tune out with the Logitech G35 Surround Sound Headset.

    Tony Kaelin reviewed this headset for the 2009 Geek Gift series and gave it an overall score of four out of five stars.

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    For the dad who spends lots of hours on the road, the Coffee Cup Power Inverter may actually be a very practical and appreciated Father's Day gift.

    This is the first gadget in the gallery thus far that has me thinking about geeked out Mother's Day gift ideas for next year!

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    If your dad doesn't have one already, a GPS is a pretty nice Father's Day gift... that is, if he isn't too stubborn to think he can find every place in the world by himself! Motorola's MotoNav TN765t GPS navigation received an Excellent rating from CNET and isn't in the highest end of the price spectrum. Score!

    Photo credit: CBS Interactive

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Another geek gift for the traveling dad is the Digital WiFi Detector, compliments of ThinkGeek.

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    The Mini 300Mbps Wireless N Travel Router is another great gift for the dad on the go. Although, the next time he goes on a "remote business trip," he won't be able to use the excuse that he couldn't find an Internet connection. Hmmmmm...

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    This Father's Day, impress your dad with one of the geekiest gadgets possible - the Mvix Nubbin Tiny Wireless N Adapter.

    With the low price point ($39.99) of this gift, you might even consider picking up one for yourself!

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    The Universal Network Cable is the perfect gift for the IT pro dad.

    TechRepublic member tested, and TechRepublic member approved.

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Blogger Edmond Woychowsky reviewed the Ethernet Crossover Adapter for the 2009 Geek Gifts series, and with an overall score of four out of five stars, this is definitely a geeked out item worth considering for Father's Day.

    Photo credit: Edmond Woychowsky for TechRepublic

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Tell your dad to scrap the sticky notes, because the Mandylion Password Manager will help him generate and protect his passwords.

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Here's one of my other favorite Father's Day gift ideas -- the Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard.

    According to ThinkGeek, this gadget laser-projects a keyboard on any flat surface. How cool is that? You're welcome, Dad. (Note: Unfortunately, this is sold out, but it is so cool that I had to feature it.)

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    If your dad is a Trekkie, the Star Trek XI Warp Keyscaper Keyboard will give him a geeky sense of pride whenever he sits down at his computer.

    Photo credit: The Official Star Trek Store. (Disclaimer: The Official Star Trek Store is a CBS property.)

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Before you disregard this device as a girlie little photo frame, check out the specs. The iGala Wi-Fi Linux-Based Photo Frame does a whole lot more than display photos.

    According to ThinkGeek, "(You can) Use the touchscreen interface to configure the iGala to connect to your wi-fi network, then the iGala can do all kinds of smart things like login to a Gmail account and display any e-mailed photos on its hi-res 800x600 screen."

    See what I mean? This would actually be a really cool (but a bit more pricey -- it's $239.99) Father's Day gift.

    Photo credit: ThinkGeek

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    If your dad has been eyeing e-readers, the Amazon Kindle is one of the best currently on the market.

    Head Technology Editor Bill Detwiler reviewed the Amazon Kindle for the Geek Gifts series in 2008, and he gave it an overall score of four out of five stars. Editor in Chief Jason Hiner reviewed the Amazon Kindle 2 for the Geek Gifts series in 2009, and he gave it an overall score of four out of five stars. Bill reviewed the Amazon Kindle DX for the 2009 Geek Gifts series, but he only gave that model an overall score of three stars out of five.

    Photo credit: CBS Interactive

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Another e-reader option is the Barnes and Noble nook. TechRepublic contributor Derek Schauland rated the nook five stars out of five in his Geek Gifts 2010 review.

    Photo credit: CNET News.com

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    The Flip camcorder is my all-time favorite gadget EVER, and I highly recommend it as a gift for virtually every occasion, including Father's Day.

    Blogger Mandy Detwiler reviewed the Flip Mino for the Geek Gifts series in 2008, and she gave it an overall score of five out of five stars.

    Blogger Nicole Bremer Nash reviewed the Flip MinoHD camcorder for the 2009 Geek Gifts series, and she also gave it the highest score possible.

    The bottom line? This is one awesome gadget. If you love your dad, you'll buy him one.

    Photo credit: Nicole Bremer Nash for TechRepublic

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    With the Plextor Mini Digital HDTV Receiver, your dad will be able to watch HD television on his computer (Lazy Boy not included).

    Senior Editor Mark Kaelin reviewed this device for the Geek Gifts series in 2009, and he was so impressed with it that he gave it an overall score of four out of five stars.

    Photo credit: Plextor

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    When Senior Editor Mark Kaelin reviewed the Roku Netflix Player for the Geek Gifts series in 2008, he had a lot of good things to say. He wrote: "Roku has designed a set top box that does exactly what it says it does and it does it with an ease and competence that has to be experienced to be appreciated."

    If your dad subscribes to Netflix, this would be a wonderful Father's Day gift.

    Photo credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    The Apple iPod Touch is definitely one of the nicer gifts that you could get for your dad on Father's Day.

    Senior Editor Mark Kaelin reviewed the 8GB iPod Touch back in 2007 for the Geek Gifts series, and he gave it an overall score of four out of five stars.

    Photo credit: Apple

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    Your dad may be ready to get his game on, and if that's the case, the Xbox 360 is a popular gaming system.

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    For an even better gaming experience (can you say Blu-ray player?), you might consider the PlayStation 3 for your dad this Father's Day.

    Just keep in mind that this gaming console is very addictive, which means that once he plugs it in and starts playing, you might not see him for a while.

    Photo credit: Sony

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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    It's new, it's hot, and wouldn't your dad be completely floored if you bought him an iPad for Father's Day? Consider this... you can either pool your money together with your siblings or dish it out all by yourself and instantly become Daddy's favorite.

    Read why TechRepublic contributors Deb Shinder and Donovan Colbert have warmed up to the device.

    Photo credit: Apple

    Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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If you're looking for geeky gift ideas for Father's Day, either to purchase for a dad or to drop hints for someone buying you a present, we've assembled a gallery of some of the geekier Father's Day items available online.

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If you're looking for geeky gift ideas for Father's Day, either to purchase for a dad or to drop hints for someone buying you a present, here are some of the geekier Father's Day items available online.

If you really want to go over the top and feed your dad's Star Trek addiction, this Enterprise USB Webcam would be a sweet Father's Day gift.

Photo credit: The Official Star Trek Store. (Disclaimer: The Official Star Trek Store is a CBS property.)

Caption by: Sonja Thompson

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