Grab these tech gadgets at the dollar store

If you're in search of a high-tech bargain, look no farther than your local dollar store.

Granted, you're not going to find a digital camera or touchscreen tablet, but you might be surprised by what you can scoop up for a buck or two.

As long as you have reasonable expectations when it comes to quality and longevity, you won't be disappointed with most of what's available on the shelves.

Yours truly spent some time rummaging through various dollar stores — including Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar General, 99¢ Depot and Dollarama (in Canada) — and the following are a few of the best tech bargoons. Be aware, however, not all stores have the same products, plus you might find a very similar one under a different brand name.

Got some loose change? Here are seven great buys:

Electra Clamp-On Book Light

Unless you're using a tablet with a backlit screen, reading an e-book or paper book in dimly-lit environments can be problematic — unless you turn on a lamp or use a book light. If you prefer the latter, you can pick up the Electra Clamp-On Book Light for just $1, which clips onto your e-reader, paperback or hardcover. Simply twist the small ring to turn it on and then swivel the small but bright LED light (up to 360 degrees) to find the right spot. Three small batteries are required — and included.

Philips Kick Back

Stands that prop up a tablet can cost upwards of $30, so you might be pleasantly surprised to see the Philips-branded Kick Back folding stand available for only $2. This black or white hard-shell stand with rubberized sides fits the iPad or other comparable 10-inch tablets, and lets you stand up it up vertically for, say, video calling, or horizontally for widescreen video viewing. If traveling, the durable kickstand folds down to pack it away.

BYO Neoprene Sleeve

On a related note, you've probably spent $400 to $500 on your iPad, so just how are you protecting your investment? While "no name" neoprene sleeves were found for just $1 apiece, better-quality BYO ("Bring Your Own")-branded sleeves were just under $3, and available for both tablets and laptops (up to 16 inches). With multiple colors and designs to choose from (including polkadots!), this sleeve protects a tablet or laptop from the bumps of everyday life thanks to a soft inner lining and stretchy outer "wetsuit" skin.

Mattel Apptivity

Sold for up to $15 elsewhere, Mattel's Apptivity action figures are placed on a flat iPad screen and used with supported apps. We found Batman: Riot Cannon for under $2, which works with the free Apptivity Batman app. Inspired by The Dark Knight film, you'll place Batman on the screen and move through the combat-heavy Story Mode (or opt for a Quick Play game). In some cases, you're quickly twisting Batman counterclockwise to punch an enemy, pressing down slightly to descend off a building.

RCA 4-in-1 Universal Remote

While this $2 universal remote doesn't have any bells and whistles, it can let you control up to four home-theater components, or replace a broken remote for your TV, cable box or DVR. Requiring two AA batteries (not included), the silver wireless remote is easy to program and offers backlit buttons for TV, CBL/SAT, DVD, VCR, Auxiliary and more. Plus, along with media control buttons (e.g. Play, Pause, Fwd and Bck), there's also volume, mute, channel up and down, picture-in-picture, swap, sleep, guide and more.

Intrud Alert

The "As Seen on TV" Intrud Alert house alarm system ($1) is a two-part gadget you can affix to the opening of a door, window or cabinet. When activated (meaning the two pieces of this magnetic off-white device become separated), a piercing 90-decibel alarm will sound. Alternatively, you can set it for a less hostile chime, notifying the homeowner the door was opened (good for hearing if kids ran into the backyard). Three AG13 watch batteries are included, but they didn't last more than a few days in our testing.

8-Pack Sunbeam Batteries

We found not one but two great battery deals, each for $1 apiece. One is an 8-pack of Sunbeam AA batteries, labeled as "Super Heavy Duty" performance. Tested in a RC car and video game controller, the batteries have so far lasted for a week with heavy use. The second battery deal worth noting is a set of 12 Chateau-branded alkaline watch batteries, in various sizes (three each for AG1, AG3, AG4 and AG13). Given many people have different watches, key fobs and the like in the house, each requiring different size batteries, you just can't beat the $1 price tag.

Follow Marc on Twitter: @marc_saltzman. E-mail him at techcomments@usatoday.com.