8. The Crankerator ($60)
If your dad frequently finds himself in remote locations with a dying smartphone, the Crankerator could quickly become his favorite gift ever. This simple device contains a 2000 mAh battery that you charge up initially at home, and connects to your smartphone or tablet via USB. When the Crankerator runs out of juice during a fishing trip or unexpected blackout, you can power it back up by rapidly turning the built-in handle.
It takes a lot of cranking to fully charge an iPhone, so you won’t want to use this device every day, but a few minutes of work can easily generate enough power to make an emergency phone call or check GPS coordinates, making this gift something that might one day save your father’s (or you own, if it’s a father-son wilderness expedition) life.
