Father's Day Gift Guide 2014: 25 Awesome Tech Gift Ideas For Dad

Father's Day Gift Guide

It's time to celebrate the dads in your life.

Father's Day is right around the corner, landing on Sunday, June 15. Whether it's his birthday, Christmas or Father's day, it's always tough to come up with a great, affordable gift for dad, but CRN has you covered.

We've got some great gift ideas ranging from fitness bands, Bluetooth speakers, grilling gadgets, fishing tools and golfing gizmos.

Here are 25 gadgets dads will love.

Big Blue Party Indoor-Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

This is a great gift for a dad who likes to host backyard parties.

This water-resistant Bluetooth 360º speaker packs a powerful sound and connects to any Bluetooth device from 33 feet away. Its rechargeable battery lasts longer than 4.5 hours, and with an easy-grip handle, it can be used almost anywhere. Take it to the beach, the pool, the patio or the living room. With four speaker drivers and a subwoofer, the Big Blue Party can get as loud as dad wants it.

Price: $299.99

The Tablet Lawn Chair

If your dad likes using his tablet and hanging outside on the lawn, by the pool, at the beach, or anywhere, really, he will like the Tablet Lawn Chair.

The chair packs a foot-long flexible steel neck that securely fastens most 7-inch to 10-inch tablets.

There's also a pocket flap under the right armrest to store tablets and accessories. The chair has a mesh cup holder, is easy to fold and unfold, can support up to 250 pounds, and comes with the Hammacher Schlemmer Lifetime Guarantee.

Price: $59.95

BBQ Grill Light And Fan

For the grill master in your life, shed a little light on the subject.

Let dad take advantage of late night summer hangouts by allowing him to grill for his friends and family with this clamp-on light and fan system. This is convenient for patio parties as well as camp sites. This product features four ultra-bright LED lights and dual fans to pull smoke up and away from the chef. The lights can rotate up to 300 degrees and have separate switches from the fans. This grill light runs on 8 AA batteries.

Price: $89.99

Beats By Dre Solo 2 Headphones

This popular headphone brand is a great gift for dads who like music or even podcasts. Maybe your dad travels a lot for business or for pleasure. Great headphones are a clutch accessory for any plane or bus ride. The lightweight and foldable design make these headphones convenient for travel and the sound quality will make those journeys more enjoyable.

Price: $199.99

Basis Watch

Is your dad active? Or at least trying to get in shape?

The Basis Watch is a great motivator as it tracks the user's activity, and charts their progress in the free Basis app. Users can set goals for themselves and use the app to attain goals and make new ones. The water-resistant health tracker also monitors calories, steps, heart rate and gives a sleep score to help users see what they can do to improve their sleep.

Price: $199

Google Chromecast

This an affordable and fun gift for dads who love movies, TV shows or music.

This small device plugs into the HDMI port of a TV and allows users to send shows, movies and music from a smartphone, tablet or laptop. This is definitely a great gift for dads who use Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus or Google Play Movies and Music, and Chrome. Play HBO GO, MLB TV, Pandora apps and more from a mobile device to a television. Chromecast is easy to set up and easy to use.

Price: $35

GoPro HERO3

This waterproof camera is a top-of-the-line device, capturing images and video in professional HD quality. Strap the camera to your chest, waist or head and capture outdoor adventures on hikes, kayaking, white-water rafting and more. The active dad in your life will love this gift. The built-in Wi-Fi feature allows users to control the camera from an iPhone or iPad. This compact camera weighs in at just 2.6 ounces and is functional from 197 feet under water.

Price: $199.99

SensoGlove

If dad is a golfer, get him a gift that will help improve his game.

The SensoGlove helps the wearer grip clubs better, giving realtime feedback for a better swing. Its built-in sensors constantly read the pressure of the wearer's grip and give feedback, leading to a better swing for greater distance, better precision and lower scores. Your dad will be thanking you after he beats his golf buddies on Sundays.

Price: $89

Canon PowerShot SX51

This is a great gift for the photographer father in your life.

The Canon PowerShot packs 30x optical zoom and 1080p HD video in stereo sound. The 3-inch color LCD screen on the rear of the camera allows users to easily view what they capture. The camera's 24mm wide-angle lens captures group shots and landscape images easily. The built-in Wi-Fi features allow users to share their work instantly over email, social media or YouTube.

Price: $199

Chef's Choice 2-Stage Model 320 Electric Knife Sharpener

Here's an appliance that will come in handy in the kitchen.

The Chef's Choice electric knife sharpener makes knives durable, longer-lasting and "better than razor-sharp." This product sharpens knives quickly and polishes blades after they are sharpened. The affordable device comes with a two-year warranty and will be a great appliance for any dedicated chef.

Price: $99.95

Verizon Wireless Network Extender

Does your dad love his mobile devices but have a bad Verizon signal? Then this is exactly what he needs. The network extender is compatible with all Verizon phones and is easy to install. It does exactly what the name says. It makes Wi-Fi signals strong throughout areas that may typically have weak signals. Few things are more frustrating than waiting for items to load on a mobile device with a weak signal. Show your dad you love him by ending his torment.

Price: $154.97

Polaroid XS80 HD Sports Action Camera

If your dad enjoys biking, hiking, water sports or other similar activities, this new toy is for him.

This waterproof HD camera can be mounted on a variety of different surfaces, including helmets and handlebars. It has a waterproof casing and is easy to control. The Polaroid HD Sports Action Camera can be switched from 1080p or 180p resolution with a flip of a switch, and takes both still shots and videos in HD. It has three photo modes, including single shots, burst and time lapse. The camera has a high-impact and shockproof case and can operate up to 30 feet below the water's surface.

Price: $89.96

Wood Golf Club iPhone 5 Dock

Here's another gift for the golf lover.

This vintage, polished maple laminate wood golf club will dock both your iPhone 5 and iPod. Each golf club dock sold is one of a kind and may differ slightly in look from each other. If your dad is a golf enthusiast, he will appreciate the old-style wood club, and he'll remember your great gesture every time he charges his phone or iPod.

Price: $150

Nike+ FuelBand SE

Fitness bands are great gifts for fathers who are active, and a great motivator for those who are working to get in shape.

The comfortable and light Nike+ FuelBand SE measures a wearer's movements and activity. It will track the intensity of the user's workout and track sleep to let users know if they are sleeping better as they are more active. The band counts steps, tells time and displays progress. It will even compare stats with friends who are in Nike+ Groups. The water-resistant band can connect to a mobile device via Bluetooth to better display the data.

Price: $149

Sun Joe Mow Joe Electric Lawn Mower

If your dad loves his lawn, he'll love this just as much.

This electric lawn mower is a cleaner and more environmentally friendly tool to cut grass. You don't need to buy gas for it, and no more repeatedly tugging on a cord to get the motor going. Just plug it in with the extension cord and press the on-button to start. The mower weighs just 29 pounds and can fit through tight spaces with its all-terrain wheels. Its small design and collapsible handles make for easy storage. Finally, the Sun Joe Mow Joe Electric Lawn Mower comes with a two-year warranty.

Price: $149.99

Mosquito Repelling Lantern

Does your dad like to hang out on the back porch in the summer months? Of course he does.

Nothing ruins a summer backyard party, BBQ or time by the pool like a few annoying mosquitoes. Make dad's summer mosquito-free by getting him the mosquito repelling lantern that fights off the bugs with a plant-based mist. This powerful, natural mosquito-repeller will ward off the insects in an area of up to 300 square feet. There is no need for bug spray or any unpleasant bug scents as the lantern uses nontoxic floral scents. It also comes with The Hammacher Schlemmer Lifetime Guarantee.

Price: $79.95

Looftlighter Electric Lighter And Firestarter

For dads who like to host BBQs, or own a backyard firepit, this fits the bill. It's not just for summertime either, as the lighter can easily and safely start the fire in a fireplace as well. The Looftlighter doesn't use any chemicals and starts fires in seconds. The lighter does not throw a flame but instead blows a hot airstream at 1,256º. It comes with a safety casing and cools itself in seconds after use. This 4-pound, 1.5-foot long fire starter comes with a two-year warranty.

Price: $79.95

Cordless Patio Lantern

Another ideal gift for the dad who enjoys his time on the patio out back or even at camp sites is this lantern.

This rechargeable lantern has up to 16 hours of battery life and a high-powered LED casts 160 lumens of white light. It has three different settings of brightness, and can be turned on and adjusted just by pressing the top of the lantern. Its design allows for 360º of illumination and its sealed casing keeps out rain, wind and dirt. This 14-inch-tall lantern weighs just 3 pounds and with its easy-grip handle makes it easily transferable. The lantern also comes with a lifetime guarantee from Hammacher Schlemmer.

Price: $49.95

Leupold Laser Rangefinder

This waterproof Laser Rangefinder would be a welcome gift for a golfer or hunter.

This device provides the range of a target in less than a second, and will be accurate to within a half yard out to 125 yards. The Rangefinder will give measurements in yards or meters, and features 6x magnification. This handy device comes with a limited 1-year warranty.

Price: $196.99

Makita Max Lithium-Ion Cordless Three-Piece Combo Kit

If dad is a handyman, he'll appreciate this kit of cordless power tools with an LED rechargeable flashlight.

This kit includes a two-speed, 3/8-inch driver-drill and an impact driver that delivers 800 inch-pound max torque. This kit is convenient for drilling, driving and fastening, and comes with two 12V max lithium-ion batteries for the power tools and a charger for the LED flashlight. The drill and driver weighs about 2 pounds each, and the flashlight will run for up to nine hours per charge.

Price: $158.59

TDK Wireless Weatherproof Speaker

This compact, high quality speaker is perfect for either indoors or outdoors, and dad will love it.

It is weatherized to withstand the elements, and can connect to a mobile device via Bluetooth to play favorite playlists or even answer calls. Plug a phone in to charge it. It has ports for auxiliary cables and USB. The speaker features a rechargeable battery and a casing that protects against water and dust. It is certified by Apple and works with iPad, iPhone and iPod. This portable wireless device weighs just 2.8 pounds and is 9.5 inches wide.

Price: $129.99

Slingbox PRO-HD

What dad doesn't like to watch TV? Maybe he's looking forward to the World Cup this summer but is worried he can't catch all the matches. Get him this, and he'll be happy.

The Slingbox by Sling Media turns a desktop computer or mobile devices into a TV. Users can change channels, browse through the guide and even set their DVR right from their mobile device or desktop. The Slingbox will "sling" your home TV to up to three devices in 1080i HD. It's easy to set up and allows users to watch their favorite programs over the Internet in HD from anywhere.

Price: $172.99

Nest Thermostat

Dad will appreciate this gift once he realizes how much money it will save him on the heating bill.

This device remembers your habits, including what time you like to turn the thermostat up or down, what temperatures you like to set it at and recommends temps that are energy-efficient. It will recognize your routine after about a week and automatically change temperatures itself, so you don't have to worry about forgetting. It adapts to any changes you make and can sense when you aren't home to automatically stop heating or cooling an empty house. You can even adjust the Nest Thermostat from your mobile devices.

Price: $249

Military Grade Portable Smartphone Fish Finder

This gift will make dad a master fisherman.

The device floats on water surfaces and displays fish under the water via Bluetooth on the Fish Hunter app, which is compatible with iOS and Android. Log your best fishing spots on the GPS coordinates in the app and share them with other fishermen who use the app, or see other fishermen's best spots. The compact device weighs just 16 ounces and comes with a charging station, car and boat charger, and USB cord.

Price: $199

iPad Mini

It's high time you get your dad a high-end tablet.

The iPad mini's 7.9-inch display has a 1,024-x-768 resolution. It has HD cameras on both sides of the device for iSigh and FaceTime, or just to record 1080p HD videos. As an iOS 7 device, the iPad mini has access to Apple's App Store and extensive app ecosystem of more than 500,000 apps. The tablet weighs just 0.68 pounds and has 16 GB of storage. It runs on Apple's dual-core A5 chip and offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology. The iPad mini also offers up to 10 hours of battery life.

Price: $299