If you're looking for a gift for a techie but can't break the bank, there are plenty of affordable options out there.

Gift Ideas: What To Give

With a little bit of exploring, it's easy to find great gadget gifts for under $50.

Sansa Clip

Can't afford or don't want an iPod Shuffle? Never fear, Sansa is there for you.

Dan Tynan, of Tynan Wood Omnimedia and contributing editor and Gadget Freak columnist at PC World magazine, is a big fan of the little MP3 player.

It costs around $45, weighs less than 1 ounce, has a 2 gigabyte drive, LCD screen and FM radio and can clip to a shirt. It comes in pink, blue and red. There also is a black 1GB version available for around $35.

"My wife is totally sold on it," Tynan said.

Water-Powered Clock

Diana Forbes, Mainstreet.com's "Gadget Grrl," is a big fan of the water-powered clock.

At $16, all this clock needs to keep perfect time is a little bit of water and a dash of salt, the perfect green gift for that environmentally-inclined gadget fan on your shopping list.

"Being a real eco chick, I love finding products that are both functional and good for the environment" Forbes said. "The Bedol water-powered clock is both."

SwissFlash

You can find the 1GB version of this different take on the classic Swiss Army Knife for around $50. According to The Associated Press, the SwissFlash is the perfect gift for those who are just as comfortable building a campfire as they are reformatting a hard drive.

In addition to the usual blade, nail file with screwdriver, scissors and key ring, the SwissFlash comes with a removable flash drive and can also include a retractable pen and a mini LED light.

Tao Electronics photo key chain

The Associated Press also recommends this rechargeable key chain-sized digital photo frame that will cost you between $30 and $50, depending on the memory size. The key chain connects to your computer's USB drive and lets you load about 100 photos (56 on the cheaper version), which you can then scroll through either automatically or manually.

Sprint LG Lotus Phone

While this cell phone, which was the cheapest entry on National Public Radio's top five gadget gifts list, isn't exactly going to go head-to-head with the latest smartphone, it does offer quite at bit for a $50 price tag. The phone is especially intended for the text-savvy user, featuring a design that folds flat but opens to reveal a full keyboard.

HYmini universal charger

With all these gadgets, you've got to have an easy way to charge them all, and the HYmini offers just that while also helping to save the planet.

The HYmini sells for $49.99 and uses wind power, solar power and, in a pinch, power from a wall outlet to recharge all of your devices. The handheld universal charger/adapter device can recharge almost any 5-volt digital gadget.

iTrip Auto Universal

As the automotive Web site Edmunds.com noted in naming this one of the best gifts for auto fans this past holiday season, you really can't go wrong with the gift of an iPod or an MP3 accessory. One of the best is Griffin Technology's iTrip Auto Universal, which for $25 wirelessly transmits music from any portable media player to a car's FM radio.

iKaraoke

Griffin also makes this amazing little gadget, which zeroes in on the lead vocal tracks in your songs and muffles them so you can sing without having to share the spotlight. The $24.95 device also plugs into your stereo's line-in jack so you can truly perform, and the microphone lets you start, stop, skip and repeat songs, as well as control the volume.

Balanzza

Frequent travelers know how easy it is to end up paying for overweight luggage surcharges. Giving the gift of this digital luggage scale can help those globetrotters on your list avoid getting burned by such fees. You attach the Balanzza to your bag, lift it and wait for the beep to check the weight of your bag up to 100 pounds. At $24.95, you might just want to buy one of these for yourself to use on your next getaway.