Gadget Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Him

It's tough being a guy. All that hunting, protecting the cave from predators, defending your mate, being the alpha male.

Well, it's not exactly like that, or at least it hasn't been since the advent of fire or the wheel. But if you're looking for a gift for a father, or son, or brother, here are a few ideas that may appeal to his inner guy. Oh, and because tech knows no stereotyping - check out these gifts for her as well.

Nikon D3200 SLR Camera

The most popular camera on Flickr these days, by a long shot, is Apple's iPhone 4S - which makes sense because, as the old line goes, the best camera is the one you actually have with you when a magic moment happens. Some of the better camera phones do take very good pictures, but lovers of photography will complain that they want control over their shots.

From a plethora of possibilities, you may want to take a look at Nikon's D3200. To borrow an old line, SLRs are big and hefty, but they take better pictures with the lens cap on than most point-and-shoot cameras do on a sunny day. The D3200 has 24.2 megapixels, can shoot four frames per second, and its CMOS sensor is especially good in low light. It is sold with an 18-55mm zoom lens, though you can get dozens of wider or longer lenses. And it's rugged, which can't be said for many smaller cameras. ($699.95, Nikon)

Oakley Airwave Goggles

This is for the guy who just cannot leave the tech off the slopes. These Oakley goggles have a small display inside that can display lots of of helpful information when you're heading down the mountain, including altitude and speed. You can also pair the goggles with your phone via Bluetooth and see incoming calls and text messages pop-up. But the tech doesn't come at the sacrifice of comfort. Oakley lets you change the lens out and its O-Flow Arch reduces nasal pressure. But these ultimately do put some pressure on your wallet. ($599.95, Oakley)

Jawbone Up

We recommended the FitBit Zip for the ladies, and the Jawbone Up bracelet is our top choice for men. Like the FitBit, it tracks the number of steps you take and miles you've gone, but it also tracks your sleep patterns. The second generation of the product has been updated with some more durable features - it's water resistant and can withstand you opening and closing it many times. However, unlike the FitBit, the Up doesn't pair with your phone wirelessly. It has to be plugged into an iPhone (it doesn't work with other phones right now) to send your data to the app. ($129, Jawbone)

iCade 8-Bitty

We already told you about the bit about the iCade 8-Bitty in our gaming guide, but we liked it so much we're recommending it for the man in your life that was a big Nintendo fan and now can't put down the iPad. The 8-Bitty pairs with your iPad or iPhone via Bluetooth and can be used in a bunch of games, including classics like PacMan. It's easy to pair and it's easy to play. We can't say much more than that. ($29.99, ThinkGeek)

Roku

Okay, this is another repeat, but at least we are consistent? The Roku is one of the best gadget gifts under $100. It takes a non-connected TV and makes it oh-so connected. The small box, which you can hook up to your TV via an HDMI cable, connect to the Internet so you can stream YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon and more to the big screen in your living room. Some of the models even have some basic gaming features. (Starts at $49, Roku)

Beats Executive Headphones

Everyone just needs some quiet time. The Beats Executive noise-canceling headphones are as attractive as they are comfortable. Covered in brushed aluminum, the inside is lined with hand-stitched leather. Like other Beats headphones, the Executive requires AA batteries, and there is an on/off switch, but the noise cancelation is superb. ($299.95, Beats)

BookBook iPhone 5 Case

Classic on the outside, modern on the inside. No, we're not describing the guy you're shopping for, we're talking about TwelveSouth's BookBook iPhone 5 Case. The case looks like a small leather bound book from the outside, but flip it open and there is a place to house your new iPhone 5 on the right and then a place for your cash, credit cards, and license on the left. The case-turned-wallet comes in black and brown. ($59.99, TwelveSouth)

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