Get some last-minute tech gifts for around $50

— -- Great technology gifts don't need to cost a fortune. You can find fantastic tech toys for everyone on your list for about $50. Here are some of my favorites.

Let's start with the kids. They love remote control helicopters. So, why not give the child on your list something even better? Wowwee's Bladestar ($40) flies and hovers like a helicopter. But it's designed for indoor use. Sensors prevent it from crashing into walls.

It can even be guided with your hands. Pair two Bladestars and you can have an in-air dogfight.

What do road warriors want more than anything else? Something to remind them of the comforts of home. HP's DF300A1 portable photo frame ($55) features a sharp 3.5-inch screen. It accepts a variety of memory cards and has a rechargeable battery.

Go the extra yard and include photos with the frame. Load the internal memory with up to 45 photos. Or, put the photos on a memory card.

Shopping for a true geek is never easy. So, get them something they'll use. A Mimobot flash drive combines fun and practicality. These designer flash drives are shaped like fictional characters. Many are limited editions.

I recommend a Star Wars Mimobot. For example, choose a 2-gigabyte Luke Skywalker or Boba Fett for $50. Nothing appeals to geeks like Star Wars.

Few things improve photographs like a tripod. Tripods prevent blurring associated with shaky hands and allow long exposures. Your favorite photographer probably has a full-sized tripod. But, you can give one that attaches to virtually anything.

Joby's Gorillapod has flexible legs that wrap around objects. There are several versions of the Gorillapod for different camera types. Buy one for a point and shoot for about $20. You'll spend $45 on one that works with an SLR and zoom lens.

Give your favorite runner the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit ($30). It connects to an Apple iPod Nano to track running time, calories burned and more. If your runner doesn't have a Nano, consider the Nike+ SportBand ($60). It offers the same features, but no iPod is required.

Nike+ only works with specially designed shoes. That is, unless you throw in Switcheasy's RunAway Anyshoe Adapter ($10). It works with any lace-up shoes.

Grandma may not use the computer much, but that will change when you buy her a webcam. A webcam will let her and Granddad video chat with the grandkids.

Logitech's QuickCam Communicate MP ($50) works with all major instant-messaging services. RightLight technology improves image quality. And there's also a built-in microphone.

Additionally, the Communicate MP's Fun Filters add fun effects to video chats.

Many music lovers have iPods. And there's one feature missing from all iPods: FM radio. Apple's iPod Radio Remote ($50) fixes this omission. It adds FM reception to the iPod Classic and Nano. It also doubles as a remote control.

For older iPods or the iPod Touch, consider Griffin's iFM ($50). It provides similar features.

Buying gamers new games is a bad idea unless you check to be sure you're not selecting games they already have or games that are incompatible with their game systems. But Jakks Atari Classics ($20) is perfect for gamers young and old. It looks like an old-school Atari joystick, but it contains 10 classic games like Centipede, Asteroids and Pong.

If in doubt about a gift, let the recipient decide. Gift cards are always welcome. Both traditional stores and online merchants offer gift certificates. You can also buy them at your local grocery or convenience store.

Exercise caution this year, though. Like the rest of us, retailers face tough times. Don't buy gift cards from retailers that are going out of business.

Kim Komando hosts the nation's largest talk radio show about computers and the Internet. To get the podcast or find the station nearest you, visit www.komando.com/listen. To subscribe to Kim's free e-mail newsletters, sign up at www.komando.com/newsletters. Contact her at gnstech@gns.gannett.com.