The Big Ticket: High-End Gear to Make You Drool
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}<b>Robot Boxing Machines</b> Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots has nothing on these. Arriving in a package weighing 850 lbs. (!), these Robot Boxing Machines ($17,000) take recreational robot warfare to a new level. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/11/21/17000-boxing-robots-climb-into/">Read more</a>. (Hammacher Schlemmer)
<b>Epson Moverio Glasses XL</b> These Epson Moverio Video Glasses ($TBA) should provide as good of a portable viewing experience as you'll find. Powered by Android 2.2, the Moverio offers 1GB of built-in memory, Wi-Fi, built-in Dolby Mobile 2 stereo earphones, transparent lenses for see-through viewing, and support for side-by-side 3D content. (Epson)
<b>iVictrola</b> We've seen our fair share of non-electronic sound amplifiers, but never one this... grand. The iVictrola ($985) merges an antique Magnavox phonograph horn with two pieces of American walnut along with your <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/topics/apple-computer#r_src=ramp" class="r_lapi">iPad</a> to create what's basically a giant megaphone for its normally not-that-loud speaker, filling your space with sound without using a drop of electricity. Simple and elegant, the amplifier is concepted by New York City designer Matt Richmond Available this November in limited numbers from <a href="http://www.dwr.com/">Design Within Reach</a>. (Design Within Reach)
<b>Olive O6HD Music Server</b> If you really, really care about the quality of your digital music collection -- and its playback -- then perhaps you'd be interested in the $5,000 <a href="http://www.olive.us/products/music_servers/olive6hd/overview.html" target="_blank">Olive O6HD Music Server</a>. This hand-built high-end hi-fi addition features a 2TB AV hard drive, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and twin TI 192khz/24-bit Burr- Brown PCM1792 DACs running in mono mode. (Olive)
<b>A Pinball Machine for Your Living Room</b> The pinball machine -- an arcade staple for over a hundred years -- will soon be available at your local Best Buy. Stern Pinball, a legendary manufacturer of pinball machines, will have five of its most popular releases for sale at both brick and mortar stores as well as BestBuy.com. Prices range from $3,799 to $5,999. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/08/17/do-not-have-pinball-machine-in-your-living-room/">Read more</a> (Stern Pinball)
<b>The Must-Have $350,000 Animatronic Triceratops</b> There isn't really a good way to describe a $350,000 <a href="http://www.hammacher.com/Product/11907">Animatronic Triceratops</a>. So, instead, we'll tell you that it's 20 feet long, weighs over 1,300 pounds, tracks your movements with its camera-eyes, and probably won't grow cognizant of its surroundings and tear through your home like a bull in a china shop. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/07/20/must-have-350000-animatronic-triceratops/">Read more</a> (Hammacher Schlemmer)
<b>The titanium iPhone 4 case</b> With all the complaints we heard after the iPhone 4 launched with its signal-squeezing metal frame, it's surprising that anyone would think of wrapping it in yet another layer of metal. Yet here we are, staring at a precision-machined case made from a single piece of titanium — fit so tight that minor assembly is required. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/06/27/titanium-case-that-costs-as-much-as-iphone/">Read more</a> (Case-Mate)
<b>The Highest Resolution Camera</b> Enthusiasts and amateurs alike are drooling over the recently announced Hasselblad H4D-200MS, which boasts an amazing 200-megapixel resolution and a heart-attack inducing $45,000 price tag. (Hasselblad)
<b>The Murderbox: A $6,000 PC</b> No, it isn't a dangerous device meant to assail the local Best Buy employees until they hand over a new rig. Instead, it's a sinister speed machine, custom-built to provide the ultimate in performance thanks to high-end, overclocked CPUs, liquid cooling systems, beastly GPUs, and multiple drives, all assembled in a display-worthy case. (Harwood Studios, Inc.)
<b>Your Very Own Aircraft Carrier</b> Aficionados of the big blue sea, prepare yourselves because super-huge yachts are so 2010. Britain's Ministry of Defense (MoD) has put the Royal Navy's former flagship aircraft carrier -- the HMS Ark Royal -- up for sale on an official used equipment website, eDisposals. Indeed, ruling the waves just took on a whole new meaning. (Reuters)
<b>The Beer-Fueled Arcade Machine</b> Not only does the <a href="http://www.dreamarcades.com/octane120.shtml" target="_blank">Octane 120 Beer Arcade Machine</a> ($6,000) support it, it even includes a kegerator behind the rear seat — with a secondary tap in the dash — so you don't have to pull over to get a refill. (Dream Arcades)
<b>The Custom Arcade Table</b> Filling your man cave with retro arcade games is all well and good, but they take up a lot of space for something that only plays one game, and tend not to blend in so well. Both of these issues are resolved in these <a href="http://arcadetables.com.au/">Arcade Game Tables</a> ($3,000-$3,400). (Arcade Tables)
<b>The Mauro Lecci Lamborghini Yacht</b> File this one in the "if you have to ask..." category. The <a href="http://www.coroflot.com/maurolecchi/lamborghini-yacht-concept">Mauro Lecci Lamborghini Yacht</a> ($TBA) began as a dream but has become a ridiculously rich reality. Powered by dual high-performance engines and employing Kevlar/carbon construction to keep the weight low, the design is inspired by Lamborghini's legendary rides, offering large windows that recall the air vents of the <a href="http://pvw.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/02/15/boat-mauro-lecci-lamborghini-yacht/#">cars</a>, a pair of rear decks, a large forward deck, a double sofa bed, bar, and entertainment center in the cockpit, a bed and bath with separate shower for the owner, and another for guests. (Mauro Lecchi)
How cutting edge can you get? If you've got the bucks, there's a world of awe-inspiring gadgets and goodies out there for you. From hundred thousand dollar watches to speakers that sound so good they'll make an audiophile weak in the knees, The Big Ticket is your weekly peek into the best goods gobs of money can buy. Muggers of the world, beware: the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dunhill.com/en-us/shoponline/leather/wallets/biometric-wallet-qgk0169">Dunhill Biometroc Wallet</a> ($825) will soon make your profession a thing of the past. Using a biometric reader, this carbon fiber credit card fortress will only open at the touch of your finger, and can even be linked to your phone using Bluetooth, causing an alarm to sound on your phone if it and the wallet drift more than five meters apart. Other features include a stainless steel money clip and a leather card holder -- neither of which can be accessed by said mugger. Unless, of course, they chop off your finger. (Dunhill)
If you're a true Star Wars fan, you can probably close your eyes and picture some of the series' most iconic moments: Han Solo as he's lowered into the carbon freezing chamber, or the bittersweet look of redemption on the face of Anakin Skywalker as Luke removes his mask. Star Wars: Frames ($3,000) is a high-end celebration of 1,416 moments like these, hand-picked by George Lucas from over one million frames of film, and reproduced across six hardcover, leather-bound volumes -- one for each film -- measuring 11" x 22" each. Limited to just 1,138 copies, each set arrives in a handsome wood-inlaid box, with embossed medallions of Yoda and Vader on either side, and comes with a portfolio case with a bookplate signed by George Lucas himself.
Decorating a new motor-themed coffee bar? Use the Speedster Espresso Machine (just $7,000!) as your centerpiece. Made from stainless steel, this advanced machine features a double boiler system, electronic temperature controllers, a steam boiler with heat exchanger to pre-heat the water, a commercial grade rotation pump, two water temperature settings, a four-hole steam tip, and the ability to trick guests into thinking you're brewing their drinks in an engine block. (Kees Van Der Westen)
If you've already bought in to the B&O lifestyle, you might as well complete your system (and your descent into insanity) with the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bang-olufsen.com/beo6-remote-control">Bang & Olufsen Beo6 Remote</a>. This crazy-looking wireless remote automatically knows what B&O gear you own, and presents the relevant menus and controls on its glass screen, leaving your TV free to play whatever's already on, while you control the action via a rounded tactile button pod that gives the remote a sturdy base and comfortable feel while also giving you the impression that it could simply roll away at any time. It's also selling for around $725, reports indicate. Money well spent, right? (Bang and Olufsen)
<b>Eddie Bauer Airstream</b> Airstream continues its trend of partnering with outside companies — like <a href="http://www.uncrate.com/men/gear/transportation/design-within-reach-airstream/">Design Within Reach</a>, <a href="http://www.uncrate.com/men/gear/transportation/victorinox-special-edition-airstream/">Victorinox</a>, and <a href="http://www.uncrate.com/men/gear/outdoor/2008-airstream-basecamp-trailer/">Nissan</a> — with the <a href="http://www.campinglife.com/output.cfm?id=2709595">Eddie Bauer Airstream</a> ($74,000). The 25-foot trailer features classic Airstream outer styling, a queen-size bed with an Eddie Bauer Goose Down duvet, pillows, and throw, maple and soapstone laminates, quilted fabrics, and stain-resistant Sunbrella upholstery on the interior, an oversized hatch for loading and unloading gear like bikes and kayaks, and a generous side awning. Just the thing you need to escape from the ordinary this spring. (Airstream)
Normally we wouldn't recommend carrying around fire in a suitcase, but we'll make an exception for the <a href="http://www.unicahome.com/p42914/travelmate-portable-fireplace-by-conmoto.html">Conmoto Travelmate Portable Fireplace</a> ($3,200). Made from black powder-coated steel, with glass partitions and a steel fuel holder, this briefcase-sized firebox burns bio-ethanol liquid fuel, is light enough to be carried anywhere, and looks so good that it'll demand attention no matter what room you're in. (Conmoto)
Most modern watch phones try to cram a phone's worth of features into a wrist-friendly package. But not this one. Instead, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.celsius-x-vi-ii.com/en/le-dix/">the Celsius X VI II Watch Phone</a> ($300,000) features an elaborate watch that's completely visible from the front face, opening up to show a more pedestrian flip phone interior. In addition to the high-end timepiece, the Celsius also features a patented mechanical hinge that harnesses and stores the kinetic energy created by the user, GSM network compatibility, and a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus and flash. Only 18 are being made, but something tells us that the price is enough to keep all but the most megalomaniacal from buying in. (Celsius)
Found in the desert after a night of strange activity in the skies, the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.avantgarde-acoustic.de/hornlautsprecher_einleitung.php?produkt=trioc&t=einleitung&produkt_id=5?lang=en">Avantgarde Trio Classico</a> ($190,000) are finally available for sale. Apart from their brainwashing-capable looks, the Trio Classico deliver otherworldly audio thanks to three horn drivers -- a low-midrange, midrange, and tweeter -- and four dedicated subwoofers, all of which combine to pump out sound literally capable of transporting you anywhere in the universe. And if you believe all of that, you might actually be crazy enough to pay for them. (Avantgarde)
Got a high-end 3D TV on your shopping list? Take a peek at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sharpusa.com/ForHome/HomeEntertainment/LCDTVs/LC60LE925UN.aspx">the Sharp Aquos Quattron 3D LE925 3D TV</a> ($4,200-$5,300). The LE925 employs Quattron quad pixel technology, which adds the color yellow to the standard red, green, and blue found on other TVs, allowing for more accurate color reproduction and brighter 3D images. Other features include a 3D/2D conversion mode on the included glasses that lets one person watch in 2D while the other watches in 3D, Spacious Sound 3D audio processing, dual USB ports and an included USB Wi-Fi adapter, and a dynamic contrast ratio of 8,000,000:1, or way more than you'll ever be able to discern. (Sharp)
Serious about your music? Then grab yourself a pair of equally serious cans, like the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00076VEG6/uncrate-20">Grado RS1i Reference Series Headphones</a> ($700). These high-end personal speakers features handcrafted Mahogany earpieces, upgraded dynamic transducers and a new 8 conductor cable design that offers more lively sound than the RS1, an open-backed cup configuration, and an astronomical price. (Grado)