Why You Can Trust CNET Father's Day deal: Get a Geek Fuel mystery box for $17.90
From the Cheapskate: That's $6 off the regular price for this box of geek goodies valued at $50 or more. Plus sport headphones for under $10 and a dual-USB wall plug for $7!
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Is your dad one of us? You know, a guy who loves comics, toys, sci-fi, gaming, geek culture and all that fun stuff? Then stand back, because I've got the perfect Father's Day gift lined up.
For a limited time, Cheapskate readers can get a single Geek Fuel mystery box for just $11.90, plus $6 for shipping. Regular price: $23.90. (To get the deal, click the Join Today button, then choose the Monthly Plan option. The pricing shown there is a bit confusing, but ultimately you'll get out the door for $17.90. And you can pause/cancel that plan at any time.)
Each package of geeky goodness -- worth at least $50, according to the Fuel folks -- includes a mixture of cool stuff: mugs, bobbleheads, T-shirts, collectibles, books, comics -- who knows? And that's precisely the fun of it.
As an added bonus, anyone who signs up via that link will also get a download code for Fallen: A2P Protocol, an XCOM-like "post-apocalyptic, turn-based, tactical combat and strategy game." It normally sells for $19.99 on Steam, which is where you'll redeem the code.
If you're eyeballing this as a gift, you also have the option of signing up for a 3-, 6- or 12-month subscription, with bigger discounts and more bonuses the longer you go. The $11.90 price is good for only that first box, but overall it's a good deal on some fun (and mysterious!) gear.
So why buy Dad just one gift when a Geek Fuel box will bring him lots of them? Food for thought.
Bonus deal: Speaking of killer gifts, you know I'm all about the sport headphones these days. Like these: For a limited time, and while supplies last, Vafee (you can't make these names up) on Amazon has the J&L Real Bluetooth sport earphones for $9.99 when you apply the coupon code 735INZZA at checkout. These sweat-proof in-ear 'phones come with three sets of tips and three sets of "stabilizers" to help keep them from falling out.
I did a quick test and found the fit and sound quality surprisingly good. I also liked the inclusion of a substantial drawstring carrying case. Also, although there's no mention of it on the product page, there's a microphone you can use to take calls. But the tiny volume and play/pause buttons are hard to manipulate and the warranty lasts just 60 days. Will these go the distance? I have no idea, but for under $10, it's a gamble I'm willing to take.
Bonus deal 2: While you're knocking around Amazon, here's another sub-$10 item worth grabbing: the iClever BoostCube dual-USB travel wall charger for $6.99 when you apply coupon code PWFALWTA at checkout. It features folding prongs, two 2.4A USB outlets and an 18-month warranty. Oh, and seriously stellar user reviews.
Bonus deal 3: Okay, not so much a deal as a cheap plug (though it is for something free...). If you're a fan of "Battlestar Galactica", the reboot series that aired from 2003-2008, I hope you'll check out Battlestar Recaptica. It's a weekly recap podcast starring yours truly. This is a great time to re-watch the show, and now you can follow each episode with a lively, entertaining recap!