I've got 3 on my list.

  1. BT-PAN Access Point - Kinda ridiculous, but I'd like to have one. I've also found a few BT-PAN-enabled dial-up modems, but I'd have no way to connect those up. Some of those could even be connected to USB printers for wireless printing. Not particularly useful anymore, I just find those devices interesting.
  2. Dot matrix printer - This one isn't even as ridiculous. I really love that sound and how the text they print looks. Sadly, if I am looking for new ones, a basic 9-pin Epson dot matrix is around €200. But the ribbons are cheap as chips. In fact, often even cheaper. Just imagine casually handing out a document printed on dot matrix to someone nowdays.
  3. Nano pocket drone - Something like FQ777-124. Maybe a toy like that is a bit childish, but it still can be fun. In fact I already tried to order this one. From 4 different sellers, twice on AliExpress, twice on Amazon. I never got it :(
    • golli@lemm.ee
      ·
      1 year ago

      I like the idea, but I fear that I would quickly run out of things to print that I actually need. After then I'd start looking for applications. And the one thing I don't need in my life are more small (or large) plastic things.

    • 👍Maximum Derek👍@discuss.tchncs.de
      ·
      1 year ago

      Fixing and adapting things around the house is what I like most about having a 3d printer.

      I'm pretty sure the first printer is now paid for itself by doing that. Just because of things I haven't had to pay to replace. As of this summer I'm up to 3 printers and I can't claim I've paid for all 3.

    • neal33@lemm.ee
      ·
      1 year ago

      Do it! I recently purchased one and love it. Feel free to ask questions if you have any.

        • Rockslide0482@discuss.tchncs.de
          ·
          1 year ago

          Check your library. Mine has one available to use at many of the branches in my area. If I ever come up with something to print instead of buying one I'm going to try that out. Then if I decide to get really into it, I'll have practical knowledge to know what I'd actually want to buy.

          Instead, I've just never done any 3D printing, which is also fine.

            • Rockslide0482@discuss.tchncs.de
              ·
              1 year ago

              I don't think it's necessarily universal in US libraries either. I'm not in a big city, but overall our library system is pretty good. They have a number of branches with "maker labs" so there are things like Cricuts, sewing machines, laser cutters, audio recording/production equipment and 3D printers you can rent. I'd recommend at least checking around.

    • limeaide@lemmy.ml
      ·
      1 year ago

      I want one too but I'm scared I won't use it. I'm holding off until I meet someone with one and see it in person

  • 👍Maximum Derek👍@discuss.tchncs.de
    ·
    1 year ago

    A Flipper Zero. I probably have the components to make something functionally equivalent, but that form factor, all-in-one nature, and simple UI look nice.

    I have no need for it, I just want to tinker.

  • Dubious_Fart@lemmy.ml
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    An electric bike.

    Always wanted one. Will never, ever happen though. The thousands of dollars they cost will always be better spent on bills/food/meds/doctors appointments.

      • Dubious_Fart@lemmy.ml
        ·
        edit-2
        1 year ago

        every decent conversion kit I've seen has been around a grand, and still requires you to buy a decent bike to put it on, plus puts the onus on me to not fuck everything up.

        • boogetyboo@aussie.zone
          ·
          1 year ago

          Ah fair enough. I had second hand info from my partner who was looking into it. He already had a spare bike to convert and he didn't think it was too expensive to do - favoured the option over buying an actual E bike that he wasn't positive he'd use much.

  • AstronautOnEverest@mander.xyz
    ·
    1 year ago
    1. Vintage typewriter - still looking into brands and such as there are so many up for sale on the market. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
    2. Reed diffusers - a not-too-expensive splurge. Lavender would be nice.
    3. A pretty suncatcher to hang on my window and take advantage of all the sunny days we’ve been having
  • I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.ml
    ·
    1 year ago

    Thermal Camera.

    They're just so cool. Super useful for checking the effectiveness of stuff like insulation or heat sinks, and can be used to find hot spots you didn't know existed.

    I just have trouble justifying dropping $300 on something I would only get maybe an hour max of usefulness from before it sits in a box for years.

    • Poogona [he/him]
      ·
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      I got to use a thermal cam for research out in the desert for a summer photographing rattlesnake ambush sites, it was awesome.

      (From what we could tell the snakes in fact did not use thermal cues for their ambush sites, just their eyes. But I got to play with a thermal cam)

    • stoicshrubbery@lemm.ee
      ·
      1 year ago

      I did this but with an infrared thermometer gun. As far as everyday use goes, it's super helpful for cooking.

  • circuitfarmer@lemmy.sdf.org
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    As a retro computing enthusiast, I have a lot of systems with little practical value.

    Fun level through the roof though.

  • megane-kun@lemm.ee
    ·
    1 year ago

    A (mechanical) typewriter. I have a cork board next to my desk and I've fancied replacing my handwritten cheat sheets and notes with typewritten ones. There's just something about typewritten stuff that makes it "official" to me.

    A scooter/bike (electric would be fine). Never learned how to ride one, but I'd love to just take it for a ride up/down quiet mountain roads. Sure, I'd need to ride for a long time to reach somewhere quiet, but I feel that it'd be worth it.

  • datendefekt@lemmy.ml
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    Ever since my father passed I've got his old motorcycle standing around. So first thing would be a driver's license for motorcycling. But I'm already taking classes so that's that. And the biggest lesson is what a money sink this hobby can be.

    Then I'll need a motorcycle - either get the old thing working again or get a new one. Or why not both? Because the old one's 30 years old and doesn't have ABS.

    And the third thing would be a Bambu Lab P1 3d printer. I don't need the speed but damn do they look good.

  • 👁️👄👁️@lemm.ee
    ·
    1 year ago

    Right now, probably a Google tablet with a keyboard cover, but I'm broke and can't justify it when I have a perfectly good laptop.

  • ℕ𝕖𝕞𝕠@midwest.social
    ·
    1 year ago

    A tattoo on the inside of each forearm: On my left wrist, a wine key, all tools fanned out. On the right, a pocketknife, all tools fanned out. I'd specifically want my wine key and my (official BSA) pocketknife.

  • PeepinGoodArgs@reddthat.com
    ·
    1 year ago

    An electric maxi-scooter, like the BMW CE 04. I don't want the BMW specifically, but the US market is extremely limited. It's really annoying, actually.

    And the hardcore computer j4k3@lemmy.world also wants. But I'm not a developer (at least not yet...maybe later). I think it'd be cool to have a super powerful computer just 'cause.

  • Random Dent@lemmy.ml
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    Yeah one of those little drones is definitely on my list. Also one of those big wide curvy computer monitors. I don't even know what I'd do with it, I just think they're neat lol

    Edit: Oh yeah, also one of those giant Wacom tablets.

  • aaaaaaadjsf [he/him, comrade/them]
    ·
    1 year ago

    A bunch of raspberry Pis to do cool stuff with. Like putting pihole/adguard home on one to set up a custom DNS server to block all ads, another one with some cool sensors, etc.

  • LongPigFlavor@lemmy.ml
    ·
    1 year ago
    1. A custom gaming pc built by Digital Storm to replace my HP Omen laptop. I've done quite a bit of research. I looked at Digital Storm, AVA Direct, Maingear, Falcon Northwest, and System 76. For a while I was eyeing Maingear, then Falcon Northwest, but Digital Storm has most of the options that I'd want.

    2. An 85 inch 8k tv for enthusiast purposes.

    3. A three set bookcase for my room so that I can replace my old bookcase and to better store the books that I have and more.

    4. A Purple queen-sized mattress with an adjustable base to replace my old bed and twin-sized mattress and also my incline pillow.