August 30, 2012, 8:00 AM —
You know that great feeling you get when you buy something and it blows away your expectations? That's the tingle of value--and sometimes you can get it from products that carry a modest price tag. From streaming set-top boxes to augmented reality laser tag to smartphone solar chargers, here are 25 cool gadgets priced no more than $50 each--every one of them sure to be useful, fun, entertaining, or all of the above.
[Geek Culture Fall Season Preview and Wild and crazy patents]
