Category: Gadgets and Tech

Is there a more 70s pastime than metal detecting? Memories of kids in fields and on beaches in green snorkel parkas trying to find hidden treasure – but going home with four bottle tops and an empty Coke can.

It’s now long gone and confined to the nerdy few. Or is it? Well, according to an ex-Rolling Stone, it’s very much a happening hobby again – and he’s just released the Bill Wyman Signature metal detector to get us out and about treasure hunting.

“Metal-detecting is not just for anoraks or eccentrics; it’s probably
the best and the most enjoyable way of learning about our history,”
says Wyman. “On any garden, country field, footpath, woodlands, beach
or moor land you can find a huge variety of historical objects, all
easily located with this high quality metal detector.”

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I’m guessing I’m not the only person reading this site who has dabbled with 8-track players. Very much of their era and often very stylish. But there’s a downside – 8-track cartridges are clumsy, clunky and not often found in great condition.

But it’s worth hunting some down if you can pick up a player as stylish as this Panasonic space age 1970s 8-track player. Whether it works or not, this will look the part in any retro home. But this actually does work – with only minimal wear from its years of use.

You can buy it from the excellent Dutch site Original Design, which has a pile of 70s items at very reasonable prices. If you want this 8-track, it will set you back 42 Euros, which is just over £28. Sounds like good value to me.

Find out more at the Original Design website

Call me shallow, but I can’t resist a gadget with a nice wood finish. They always sit so well on the Merrow Associates furniture – far better than the white plastic stuff.

The latest candidate for the cash is this Vita Audio R2 DAB radio system. The stylish exterior packs in a DAB (digital) and FM radio, and it can be attached to an MP3 player, CD player or other related gadget for playback through the 20w amplifier. Except of course, that wouldn’t be in wood, so would no longer look hip.

Add to that a clock alarm with sleep and snooze functions and that just about covers it. You can pick one up for around £220.

Find out more at the Vita Audio website