The 50 Coolest Gadgets and Gizmos for Sports Fans

This is a list of the most infamous "must-haves" in sports. Homemade inventions that are intimate signatures of your favorite pastime can be found here. 

Here it is folks. Fifty gadgets you need to complete your fan experience. Whether at home, driving to work, sitting at your cubicle or in the stands, you can't deny these gizmos will make you whole.

Without further ado...

Also check out: The 50 Greatest Football Catches of All Time

50. Golf Ball Radar System

This gizmo is for all the horrible golfers out there, and there are a lot. Business is a boomin'! This is a golf ball radar system to help PGA Tour wannabes find their ball in the cabbage. 

Apparently the thing beeps at a quicker pace the closer you get to the ball. The balls have a tracker inside, and you have to buy the special balls. Either way, it beats shining your Nikes after every round.

49. Ultimate Tail-Gating Chairs

Why not just set your chair on the ground like normal people? Because you hang them from the back of your truck. Duh.

The contraption folds into the back of your truck and evidently takes 30 seconds to set up. As if tailgating wasn't easy enough...

48. Lifevest For Your Keys

So you are sitting in your Kayak/Yacht in McCovey cove, waiting for a home run to fly over the wall and into the water. Here it comes, and you reach as far as you can. Your keys fall out of your vest and start dropping into the abyss. 

However, you're not worried. Suddenly the keys come floating back to the surface and await your return. This gizmo is actually pretty legit.

47. Unique Autosports Pool Table

This pool table is mounted on four chrome rims and features a rigid chromed steel frame. The table itself if adorned with black felt and black leather. There are glow tubes underneath, and the table is regulation size.

Overall estimated price: $25,000

46. Golf Club Tape Dispenser

Complete your ultimate cubicle with the gold club tape dispenser. Nothing says "accessorize" like this bad-ass way to hold tape.

Sure, some people may install turf, but who else has tape coming out of a club head? No one my friend, just you.

45. Garmin Forerunner 110 GPS Watch

Perhaps the best accessory under $200, this innovative watch comes with a GPS unit and allows runners to count calories, chart distance, check heat rate and know where they are going all at the same time. 

If you would rather combine it with beer and hot dogs, at least it will help you find a stadium.

44. Nike + Sportband

The Nike + Sport Band includes time, step, distance and calorie meters. It also has capability options for Apple iPod nano, iTouch or iPhone systems so you can listen to music while you run. 

The watches came out in July of last year and remain a highly sought-after accessory.

43. Laser For Your Putter

Practice? We're talking about practice? Who needs practice? If it wasn't for LAZY golfers, sports wouldn't be nearly as hilarious. 

There are over 200 types of putters available (believe me, I checked), but who needs those when you can laser the ball to the hole? Woooooowwwww.

42. Children's Sled Produced by Porsche

The Porsche Kinderbob features metal runners, a horn and the company's sleek signature body design. The price for being in bobsledding's elite club? About $115.

41. iPhone Skateboard

Apple has its products in everything these days, and this mobile advertising tool represents our technology age to a tee. 

If the skateboard doesn't have any practical use, it could certainly go under glass in a pop culture museum for the next 100 years.

40. Rapid Fire Tee Off

This gadget is actually pretty easy to find. When you tee off, just tap the arm and it drops another ball down to the tee. 

No more of that strenuous bending the two feet to the ground to pick up another ball. All those years of hard labor learning tricks with your nine iron to pick up balls without bending wasted. There's finally a product that does it for you! Phew, golfers almost had to perform manual labor, that was close!

39. Folding Briefcase-Holding Bicycle

This sweet gadget technically isn't available yet, as it is just a concept. However, the innovation behind it from Marcos Madia is noteworthy.

The briefcase fits snugly into the frame of the bike, and the bike folds down on top of the holder. The idea here is to store the bicycle in a closet, unfold it upon leaving for work, and have your briefcase already with you.

38. SKIGYM

"The patented SKIGYM is a technically sophisticated training instrument, made in Germany and developed in cooperation with skiing instructors, sports scientists and sports therapists. Like in real skiing, you’ll navigate by applying and releasing pressure and by turning and inclining so you can move from parallel tracks to a short jump to a downhill posture. Just connect the USB cable to a PC or laptop, climb on, start the software 'Alpine Ski Racing 2007' (included), and get going. A microchip will convey your movements simultaneously to the screen."

http://very-exclusive-gadgets.tp2p.com/content/skigym

37. Incase Ballistic Basketball Bag

The innovative basketball bag keeps your sweaty clothes away from your ball and sneakers. It's compact, lightweight and nylon. Made my UNDFTD and Incase, this bag has several pockets and compartments for storage and separation.

Retail price: $172

36. BMW Golf Cartbag

The bag is a collaboration of BMW and the OGIO, and features large storage space with 11 available pockets. Gloves can be attached by velcro, and the rain cover is 100 percent waterproof. 

35. Solar Light Cap

Lost your key in the parking lot at the game? Just turn on your hat and quickly relocate them in the bright lights on your hat. 

2CLight Company makes the hat in three styles; it is hand-washable and provides a light beam up to 22 meters (about 80 feet) ahead of you. 

34. Transcend Goggles

Check out your skiing or snowboarding stats while you board with Transcend Goggles. Recon instruments and Zeal optics designed these boarding specs to bring instant results to the user without having to slow down. The stat board appears on the right lens and is easy to read. 

Price Tag: $399

33. Blackeye 2, Sports Action Camera

The camera is affixed to the center of a pair of goggles and can be worn on top of a helmet or directly on your face. With an updated, smaller, more secure battery pack than the original Blackeye, the Blackeye 2 also comes with a microphone and necessary accessories.

The compatible batteries allow for 10-15 hours of continuous recording time. 

32. Gyro Swing

This little gizmo actually guides your swing so you can "feel" what it is to have a perfect swing. The Gyro Swing uses muscle memory to train your body to use flawless balance and mechanics, leading to a perfect swing and a long, accurate drive.

31. Radar Baseball

Ever wonder how fast you can throw a baseball? You may think you can throw 90 mph, but the radar baseball from Brookstone doesn't lie.

Simply turn the ball on, throw it as hard as you can at your partner or catcher and turn it over to read how fast the ball traveled. 

Either prove to your friends you have what it takes, or bring yourself back to earth with the Radar Baseball.

Price Tag: $24.95

30. Adidas Diamond Pack

Ice out while you ball with the Adidas Diamond pack. The pack is part of Adidas' 60th apparel launch anniversary. It features the classic Superstar model with a total of 1.2 karats in diamonds, and a t-shirt. Even the lace locks and tongue tops are lined with diamonds.

Price tag: $800

29. Balmoral Pool and Dining Table

This is the perfect table for pool sharks that want to look classy in front of guests. The elegant dining table would impress even the most distinguished guest, but turns into a pool table in seconds. Now don't get TOO excited, it isn't cheap: The Balmoral Pool and Dining Table sells for about $5,400 and isn't easy to find. 

However, it is a table made in heaven if you've got the cash.

28. Mini-Electronic Baseball Scoreboard

"The Scorecast from Ambient displays scores and standings from all of Major League Baseball. In-progress games are updated almost instantly, and the schedule even includes projected starting pitchers. Ambient promises that its wireless score and standing network is available in all 50 states, and there is no monthly charge for the data. The $129 price tag probably means that this is only for serious fans, but our test unit did all it was supposed to do, getting updated scores within minutes of the first powerup. The Scorecast measures five-by-eight inches, uses four AA batteries, and can be wall mounted or set upright on your desk."

Price Tag: $129.95

http://www.switched.com/2009/04/07/best-baseball-gadgets/

27. Three Point Detecting Basketball Shootout

Hammacher/Sportcraft presents the traditional arcade style game with a little twist. The game also has a pressure-sensative mat that allows competitors to receive points for a two-or three pointer. 

You can play head-to-head or against the clock while sharpening up your hoop skills.

Retail Price: $149.95 

26. Executive Batting Practice

Can't get away from the office? Jonesing for the batting cages? Well look no further, Executive Batting Practice is a pitching machine that tosses wiffle balls, and is comes complete with bat. 

Price Tag: $24.95

25. Pool To Pavement Basketball Hoop

The classic hoop is the perfect accent to any sports fan's backyard pool area. No diving board? No jacuzzi? No Pool To Pavement Basketball Hoop!? Boring! Hoop and ball sold together.

Price Tag: $199.95

24. Freeline Skates

One of the newest trends in skating is the skateboard slip in half to make two skates with platforms on the top, known as Freeline Skates.

Combining elements of skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding, Freeline Skates give you a total workout while you catch some big air. Invented by Ryan Farrelly, designed with skaters in mind, and delivered to kids and adults everywhere.

23. E-Ink Coaches' Game Clipboard

"From our friends at Yanko comes designer Gordon Yeh’s game clipboard that utilizes the newly developed technology known as “E-Ink” to create a digital clipboard for hi-tech coaching on the sidelines.

If you’ve ever seen sports caster John Madden draw on the video replay to show what he thinks a play can be, then you rather get the idea what could be in the future for coaches.

Called the E-ink Electronic Coaching Playboard, this clipboard can be used for drawing plays, sketching out strategies, even examining images and criticizing them with electronic writing straight on top.

The design would come with a choice of different pre-loaded sports templates including baseball, basketball, football, soccer, et al. And with the animation feature, directions can be replayed and rehearsed to perfection."

22. Alter-G Treadmill

"The Alter-G treadmill is a unique state of the art super-gadget, which recently got FDA approval to be called a medical device. The G-Trainer enables individuals to reduce their body weight easily by as much as 80 percent, while offering the benefit of unrestricted mobility. The G-Trainer has a funky space-age look of a treadmill enclosed in the pressure-bag and height harness, with a multifunction touch sensitive LCD control panel. Nearly everything about the G-Trainer is proprietary.

The bag is custom hand made with proprietary materials to Alter-G’s specifications. The blower enclosure is specially designed to operate at a high efficiency and low volume with no chance of blowing up or putting undue pressure on the body. The entire apparatus is surprisingly quiet. The base treadmill has the standard speed and incline variables. It is custom made to Alter-G’s specifications by Woodway USA. Alter-G has filed and been granted a number of patents that make the whole system pretty much exclusive to them."

http://very-exclusive-gadgets.tp2p.com/content/alterg

21. Virtual Distance Football: Measuring How Far You Throw

The concept is fairly simple: Throw the ball, catch it on the other end or let it hit the ground and then look at the meter on the ball to see how far it traveled. 

The sensors detect when the ball takes flight, and when the flight is obstructed, determining how far it traveled in the meantime.

The virtual distance football is available from Discovery for $19.95.

20. Ab Solo: Exercise and Ball at The Same Time

Mix in classic arcade basketball with exercise and you have a winner. The Ab Solo works out your arms while keeping track of your shooting accuracy. 

The Ab Solo helps to “develop abdominal strength, cardio endurance and muscle coordination." Find this one in the gym or at home for only the most hardcore athletes.

19. Remote Golf Caddy

Just when you think golfers can't get any lazier...now there's a cart that will carry the golf bag on its own by remote control. I wonder if golfers ever think about the time they are wasting inventing new ways to do nothing.

Remote Golf Caddy? Should be called "Anti-Calorie Burner Machine."

18. The NBA Cellphone

Show pride for your favorite league with these phones from the National Basketball Association. The phones will first be released in China and feature several colors and styles. 

The phone comes with several available games, the ability to sync with a NBA schedule service so you never miss your team's games, and the NBA theme song. 

17. SportsCast Wireless Scoreboard

This gizmo connects to satellite to get game stats about specific games, which are updated every 15 minutes.

The SportsCast Wireless Scoreboard shows game-by-game stats, as well as schedules, scores and standings. There is even a function to separate stats by regular season, playoffs or individual players.

16. HIT System Wireless Helmet

"Many coaches and team physicians have also seen these happen right in front of their eyes and are wondering how the players endure such punishment, leading to several college teams teaming up with Simbex to create the Head Impact Telemetry (HIT) System. This is the first and only commercially available system which is capable of measuring head accelerations (a more sophisticated word for impact) in real time during games and practices.

 The HIT system comes with a sensor/encoder which comprises of impact sensors, a processor and transmitter, turning any helmet or headgear into an instant head impact monitor. The data collector within receive impact data in a continuous flow from encoders which are located several hundred meters away and is capable of monitoring dozens of players simultaneously without blinking an eye. A pager warning will be sent if any impact has a potentially injurious profile, enabling coaches to prevent players from playing through the pain barrier – a move that could save lives.

All key signatures of impacts ranging from peak linear acceleration, rotational acceleration, duration, location, and time stamp are stored by the data collector for further analysis. Hopefully the study of such data will be able to shed new information on the biochemical causes of mild traumatic brain injuries, leading to better protective equipment and a less dangerous game on the field."

http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20070417/head-injuries-monitored-via-wireless-helmets/

15. Levitating Sports Basketball

This desk ornament is the perfect gadget for making your co-workers jealous while inspiring awe and amazement...OK, well it is still cool to look at for awhile.

The levitating balls come in multiple sports, and is electronic and computer-controlled. The ball actually floats in midair; it is not just an illusion. It is brought to you by Zero-G and can be found in most retail sporting goods outlets.

14. Football/Soccer Urinal Sieve

Even a drunk nerd can be a jock with this urinal decoration designed for sharp shooting while draining the lizard. Instead of aiming for the little bee in the urinal, aim for the goal to push the ball into the goal.

This genius idea brought to you by Kio Kicker.

13. World Cup Contact Lenses

The best part about being near-sighted is being able to accessorize with your favorite sports ball directly on your eye ball.

Stephanie Berndt, to celebrate the World Cup, created these soccer ball contacts with the style shown above and the German flag, an ode to her native country. 

Price Tag: $54 for two pairs.

12. Sunpentown Giddyup Core Exerciser

"Those core muscles are important to keep tight, but they can be tricky to keep in shape.  Thankfully there are workout machines that only require you to sit there and enjoy the ride.  No more do you actually have to work at your body, just sit on a machine and let it do the work for you.  Now if only your diet could be decided by some electronic device and keep you from messing things up when you get a little bit of a sweet tooth.

This Giddyup Core Exerciser is really a product.  It rocks back and forth to your specifications to make sure that your core gets a serious workout.  Of course it requires that you sit up straight and not lean back or forward.  By altering how you sit or hold your arms, you can work other areas as well.  If you’re feeling really adventurous, there’s evena video that shows exactly how to use this properly.  You can purchase one of them for $452.94 through Amazon."

http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20100921/sunpentown-giddyup-core-exerciser/

11. Power Laces

Blake Blevin is still working on her version of the "Back-To-The-Future II" concept, and recently added a version with the lace-pulling motor actually inside the shoe.

These gizmos aren't available for sale yet, but according to the host site, sending her a sizable donation gets you ahead of the game. 

Imagine switching from your Vans to your b-ball kicks with just two slips of the foot.

10. Vibram FiveFingers: Who Needs Shoes?

Apparently the new age aquasox help tone feet, calf and thigh muscles at record pace while improving balance. The form-fitting socks prevent blisters, sprains and shin splints by providing a more natural motion for the runner. A list of celebrities and athletes that have been spotted using these is out there on the web. Your turn to go surfing...

9. Electroluminescent Mountain Bike

No more need for embarrassing, dorky reflective vests while riding your bike at night. Take away the blinking red light too. The Electroluminescent Mountain Bike (Spelled that all on my own, without copy/paste) costs about $130 after all the parts are purchased to make the light work. Some serious wiring is needed as well, so before you get too excited, read "Electricity for Dummies."

8. SWiMP3 UnderWater MP3 Player

This gizmo uses bone conduction technology, transferring cheek bone vibrations directly to the inner ear. 

Batteries last up to four hours, and they claim it is like having the music inside your head.

Comes with goggles, USB cable and a carrying case.

Retail price: $250

7. NASCAR NEXTEL FanView

"NASCAR is better then fast it's now wireless!

Rednecks Fans of high-speed stock racing can now keep track of the action in ways never before possible, thanks to a handheld audio-video-data scanner from Sprint. The NASCAR NEXTEL FanView has a host of exciting features, including the following:

• the race telecast
• the race radio broadcast
• up to seven in-car camera channels
• direct audio feeds from pit and driver
• audio replay
• live feed from the official timing and scoring system.

'NASCAR NEXTEL FanView offers an authentic and unprecedented next level of access that has never before been made available at a sporting event,' said Dick Glover, vice president of broadcasting and new media for NASCAR Digital Entertainment.

FanView will be available for rent during the events of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Prices will be US$50 a day or US$70 a weekend. The nearly yearlong series starts at Daytona on February 19. Source Business Wire andMobileMag."

http://outhouserag.typepad.com/gizmos/2006/02/nascar_nextel_f.html

6. The Beer Butler

The Beer Butler features a base that slides across most surfaces, allowing a refill without leaving the Easy Chair.

The best part about the Butler is its ability to stop when it approaches the end of the countertop, bar or any other surface it is sliding across.

5. Furuno FCV1200BB Fish Finder

The features on this thing are re-dic-u-lous, and difficult to explain, so here's the link:

http://www.navshack.com/Furuno-FCV1200BB-Fish-Finder-p/nsfcv1200bb.htm

(And yes, I do know how to spell ridiculous, I spelled it that way above for emphasis you $#*%)

List Price: $8,795.00

4. The Two-Person 60 MPH Hovercraft

OK, I'm going to tie this one to boat racing in order to make it qualify for the list. This thing is just cool, and runs on 60-horsepower gasoline and a 12-volt battery.

The hovercraft features a 16" windshield, six-gallon fuel tank, and requires registration as a boat. 

The gizmo has a two-person, 400 lb. limit

Cost: $13,999.95

3. Mini Paintball Shooting Tank

"Tanks are remarkable machines, but boy do they take up space in the garage, and parking them is no small challenge. Help is at hand however with the creation of the Funtrak Mini Paintball Tank, a massively scaled down model that not only holds a single occupant in their own personal armoured division, but can also fire paintballs! These awesome tanks are made to measure by Funtrak Ltd, a committed (and they quite possibly should be) team of engineers, designers and enthusiasts who aim for realism in construction and operation.

Each tank takes about three months to make to your specifications, and comes with an integral roll cage - though you'd need to tip thing over 60 degrees to roll it - as well as an engine fire-wall. They're serious machines with a lot of fun packed into them. Their flagship product has to be The Paintball Panzer complete with a fire-while-driving paintball cannon. Ludicrous of course, but we can't think of any overgrown kids who wouldn't love one of these parked up at home."

http://outhouserag.typepad.com/gizmos/2007/10/mini-paintball-.html

2. The UroClub

"The UroClub™ is the discrete, sanitary way for your urgent relief. Created by a Board Certified Urologist, it looks like an ordinary golf club, but contains a reservoir built into the grip to relieve yourself. The UroClub™ is leak proof, easy to clean and no more embarrassing moments."

No more embarrassing moments? What about accidentally picking up your UroClub instead of your driver, hitting a hole-in-one and receiving a shower when celebrating while lifting the club over your head? Yuck!

http://www.uroclub.com/

1. Beer Belly

This one really didn't need much innovation. "I want a beer, but I'm too lazy to carry it around in my hands. Therefore, I'll strap it to my belly. This is awesome!" 

Do you think this guy actually came to the track to watch a race or did he stumble down the hill and catch himself on the rail? You be the judge.

In case your missed it the first time: The 50 Greatest Football Catches of All Time