It seemed like a good idea at the time. What is the most useless thing you have bought?
Mike Harding said
02:33 PM May 18, 2022
I think the top of my list would have to go to the infrared imitation frog which croaked when you walked in front of it.
High on the chart too is an Aldi (special) infrared sensing floodlight which I never use and don't know what to do with.
The camping toaster which holds, and allegedly toasts, four slices of bread over a stove is also a front runner.
And, at almost A$600, the night vision gear I purchased scores well.
I suspect I am not alone in this area of instant gratification stupidity...?
:)
DMaxer said
03:11 PM May 18, 2022
Top of my list is that interlocking type of matting that fits together in squares. All it needs is a bit of wind and you can amuse yourself chasing squares around the camping area. Running a close second are cheap camping chairs and those tables that you have to pull the legs down and lock on different holes.
These three items should be loaded into a cannon and shot into the sun.
Bicyclecamper said
06:14 PM May 18, 2022
I like the matting, currently using it inside my tent, which is where we always use it if out in the big tent, no cold floor that way. Also am about to fit similar Aldi solar infra red lights on my house. Have had them for 6 months, so hopefully the batteries are still okay. I think the most stupid thing I bought was a $2500 6ft long reflective auto movement( by computer) telescope with 6inch diameter lense, that I have no place to set it up, in the dry, must spend 2 hours doing that , then viewing in the cold night air, initially , until you come inside and keep watching from the computer, then spending another 2 hours taking it apart, to put it away. I did enjoy it for the first 3 weeks, but dismantling it and putting it together every time got old fast.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Wednesday 18th of May 2022 07:05:27 PM
iana said
06:39 PM May 18, 2022
Ball weight scales, just a big con.
Bicyclecamper said
07:07 PM May 18, 2022
iana I thought they worked. I actually use a set of bathroom scales, because max of my camper BW weight is about 100kg.
yobarr said
07:13 PM May 18, 2022
Bicyclecamper wrote:
iana I thought they worked. I actually use a set of bathroom scales, because max of my camper BW weight is about 100kg.
As Ian says, Ball weight scales are just a BIG con, with HUGE variances between the different brands that I purchased and tested. And not one within cooee of the actual ball weight that I was testing. Ric, you no doubt are aware that it also is easy to weigh up to 350kg towball weight on standard bathroom scales? Cheers
Whenarewethere said
11:07 PM May 18, 2022
A few things from the "centre trough" of a certain shop only to throw the rubbish in the bin.
deverall11 said
03:30 PM May 19, 2022
Most of what comes from China. Works great for a short while, breaks down and no way to fix it.
Peter1059 said
07:30 PM May 20, 2022
Fishing lures etc. How many have said. This will bring us a feed!!
I have one or two
landy said
09:10 PM May 20, 2022
I believe most fishing lures are specially designed to catch anglers instead of fish, I've been caught by them on many occasions.
markf said
12:33 PM May 21, 2022
I reckon Mike will get this. A Buddipole. After years and years of successfully using a squid pole and some wire as an antenna I figured a Buddipole would be the go. Wrong. Most expensive dummy load I ever had.
-- Edited by markf on Saturday 21st of May 2022 12:34:16 PM
A few days ago I was trying to remember who I knew who had bought a Buddipole; it was a few years past, maybe five, and I struggled with my memory but eventually recalled it was a very good friend with who I have about twice weekly contact and who visits every year or so. It also occurred to me that I have not heard mention from him of said Buddipole since - I don't think I'll ask, I like him too much :)
The zapper had two horizontal metal plates. The bottom surface was energised by a high voltage charge, and the top surface completed the circuit. The idea was that the roach would be attracted to a bait which was placed in a receptacle on the bottom surface, and it would then be roasted when its antennae touched the top surface. What attracted me to this gadget was that it used no chemicals. I don't know why, but I caught almost no roaches with it.
-- Edited by dorian on Saturday 21st of May 2022 03:43:24 PM
peter67 said
05:40 PM May 21, 2022
Wedding ring.
yobarr said
08:44 PM May 21, 2022
peter67 wrote:
Wedding ring.
Reminds me of an advert I once saw. "For sale. Wedding dress. Used once by mistake"! Cheers
dorian said
03:15 AM May 22, 2022
Whenarewethere wrote:
A Rubik's cube.
You need this accessory:
Aus-Kiwi said
01:04 PM May 22, 2022
I warm my my ball scales first ! Cold this time of the year !!
Plain Truth said
04:35 PM May 22, 2022
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
I warm my my ball scales first ! Cold this time of the year !!
Me ( with a high pitched voice ) How ?
peter67 said
05:08 PM May 22, 2022
You get the missus to stick the cold parts between her legs first.
Whenarewethere said
02:46 PM May 23, 2022
The 'No Junk Mail & No Advertising Material Accepted' stickers I put on the letter box.
Wannabe nomad said
07:56 AM May 30, 2022
Sat Nav
Gave me wrong directions in Adelaide and Alice Springs 1st trip I used it; very frustrating to put destination in as well. So I learned to used goggle maps and read a real map and sat nav has sat in the glovebox eversince. But it might come in handy one day or not
Wannabe nomad said
08:03 AM May 30, 2022
Oh an let's not forget the car awning.
As I injured my wrist PERMANENTLY the 1st time I put it up and can't used it anymore so have to tie a tarp to it
I think the top of my list would have to go to the infrared imitation frog which croaked when you walked in front of it.
High on the chart too is an Aldi (special) infrared sensing floodlight which I never use and don't know what to do with.
The camping toaster which holds, and allegedly toasts, four slices of bread over a stove is also a front runner.
And, at almost A$600, the night vision gear I purchased scores well.
I suspect I am not alone in this area of instant gratification stupidity...?
:)
Top of my list is that interlocking type of matting that fits together in squares. All it needs is a bit of wind and you can amuse yourself chasing squares around the camping area. Running a close second are cheap camping chairs and those tables that you have to pull the legs down and lock on different holes.
These three items should be loaded into a cannon and shot into the sun.
I like the matting, currently using it inside my tent, which is where we always use it if out in the big tent, no cold floor that way. Also am about to fit similar Aldi solar infra red lights on my house. Have had them for 6 months, so hopefully the batteries are still okay. I think the most stupid thing I bought was a $2500 6ft long reflective auto movement( by computer) telescope with 6inch diameter lense, that I have no place to set it up, in the dry, must spend 2 hours doing that , then viewing in the cold night air, initially , until you come inside and keep watching from the computer, then spending another 2 hours taking it apart, to put it away. I did enjoy it for the first 3 weeks, but dismantling it and putting it together every time got old fast.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Wednesday 18th of May 2022 07:05:27 PM
As Ian says, Ball weight scales are just a BIG con, with HUGE variances between the different brands that I purchased and tested. And not one within cooee of the actual ball weight that I was testing. Ric, you no doubt are aware that it also is easy to weigh up to 350kg towball weight on standard bathroom scales? Cheers
A few things from the "centre trough" of a certain shop only to throw the rubbish in the bin.
Fishing lures etc. How many have said. This will bring us a feed!!
I have one or two
I reckon Mike will get this. A Buddipole. After years and years of successfully using a squid pole and some wire as an antenna I figured a Buddipole would be the go. Wrong. Most expensive dummy load I ever had.
-- Edited by markf on Saturday 21st of May 2022 12:34:16 PM
That's coincidental.
A few days ago I was trying to remember who I knew who had bought a Buddipole; it was a few years past, maybe five, and I struggled with my memory but eventually recalled it was a very good friend with who I have about twice weekly contact and who visits every year or so. It also occurred to me that I have not heard mention from him of said Buddipole since - I don't think I'll ask, I like him too much :)
Home made antennas I reckon.
A Rubik's cube.
C0ckroach zapper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naNpzv3h5fA
https://collection.maas.museum/object/132097
The zapper had two horizontal metal plates. The bottom surface was energised by a high voltage charge, and the top surface completed the circuit. The idea was that the roach would be attracted to a bait which was placed in a receptacle on the bottom surface, and it would then be roasted when its antennae touched the top surface. What attracted me to this gadget was that it used no chemicals. I don't know why, but I caught almost no roaches with it.
-- Edited by dorian on Saturday 21st of May 2022 03:43:24 PM
Reminds me of an advert I once saw. "For sale. Wedding dress. Used once by mistake"! Cheers
You need this accessory:
Me ( with a high pitched voice ) How ?
The 'No Junk Mail & No Advertising Material Accepted' stickers I put on the letter box.
Gave me wrong directions in Adelaide and Alice Springs 1st trip I used it; very frustrating to put destination in as well. So I learned to used goggle maps and read a real map and sat nav has sat in the glovebox eversince. But it might come in handy one day or not
As I injured my wrist PERMANENTLY the 1st time I put it up and can't used it anymore so have to tie a tarp to it
This works better than a satnav.