Author: Enid Burns

VEA Sport Watch Does More

We’ve seen a lot of watches, and it isn’t that uncommon to have a device strapped to your wrists that can tell time, include alarms and even have a calculator (how 1980s is that). Much of this technology can now be included in mobile phones, so many people have stopped wearing high-tech watches altogether. That is until you want to work out, then the phone becomes the hassle and the watch is more useful – especially with the calorie counting and heart rate monitor functionality.

But now French-based VEA is rolling out a fitness watch that could make you want to ditch the mobile phone when you workout. The VEA Sportive Mobile Watch actually features a built-in MP3 player, pulse rate monitor, camera and even basic phone functionality. It is Bluetooth compatible, offers 8GB of storage and has an SOS button should you need to call for help.

However, you’ll have to run to Europe to get one. It will be released later this month for €399, but that price will reportedly run up to €499 in September, so if you’re a gadget connoisseur you might want to act now.

VEA Digital Official Website
[Via Engadget: VEA’s Sportive mobile watch is for those with money, calories to burn]

BBC Profile on Brompton Bikes

In contrast with today’s Made in America feature on Genuine Innovations, we wanted to share a BBC Made in Britain video on Brompton, fold-up commuter bikes. It’s interesting to hear Brompton speak of the importance of handcrafted parts that go into the bikes, and how being made in Britain actually helps the manufacturer in the Chinese market.

[Via EcoVelo]

First Impressions: NightWave Nightlight Puts You to Sleep

All my life I’ve had trouble sleeping. By now most nights are better, but there are nights I’m up to see the sunrise, and not because I slept like a baby all night. The problem is that my mind races the second I turn out the light, and I can’t stop it. At some point I learned to concentrate on breathing, using a relaxing breath that ends just about every Yoga class.

That’s the concept behind NightWave. Thought at first you have to wonder, how is a light going to help me get to sleep? NightWave is a device that projects a blue light on the ceiling or wall of your bedroom. Set for sleep mode, it runs for seven or 25 minutes. A blue light brightens and dims at a regular pace that suggests a rate for you to breathe. In addition to the light being suspect, you keep your eyes open to watch the light for this time interval.

Last night I turned it on the normal sleep mode, which runs for seven minutes. I kept my breathing in time with the light, though I found that a little faster than I might time my breaths. I also tend to close my eyes to breathe, and kept wanting to do so. For the first night I found my mind a bit distracted by the device. I think it will be easier to focus tonight. I also plan to try the 25-minute mode, which has slower light intervals for longer breathing. Continue reading First Impressions: NightWave Nightlight Puts You to Sleep

E3 2011: Nintendo Says Wii U

Nintendo announced its Wii U at this week’s Electronic Entertainment Expo. While the game console won’t actually arrive until 2012, Nintendo did provide a look at the innovative console system, which could be as much of a gamer changer as the Nintendo Wii was when it arrived in 2006.

The Wii U is built around a new tablet-esque controller that allows for users to switch gameplay from the TV screen to the tablet’s 6.2-inch touchscreen.

“It is infinitely complex, but simple at the same time,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, President of Nintendo America. “You want what you always wanted, but you wanted something new. You want comfortable and you want surprise. Contradictions, no problem? They come with the territory.”

The Wii U can be used as a controller or as a gaming device, offering both motion control while also having the promise to work with the current Wii-mote. We’ll be very interested in seeing how this could be utilized with Nintendo’s fitness related titles.

GPS Meets Two-Way Radios

It was only a matter of time before two-way radios became location aware. Garmin just released the Rino series, a line of three two-way radios with integrated GPS. The Rino 610, 650, 655t have different levels of features, and all three models operate with up to a 20-mile communication range.

With each of the three models you can send your exact location coordinates. Other Rino users will see the location pop up on their map page. Once two radios are paired, you’ll be able to see your friend, or at least the radio, on the map. This helps when someone is in a location where the radio can’t get a signal for voice communication. You can also send unit-to-unit text messages between radios. This feature is ideal for windy conditions where it’s hard to hear, or if you need to be quiet and not disturb wildlife. While you don’t get the benefits of viewable location, the Rino radios are compatible with conventional FRS/GMRS radios, so you can use them to communicate with park rangers or other two-way radio users in the area.

The Rino 650 and 655t include a built-in NOAA weather radio to warn you of hazardous weather approaching. The radio supports Specific Area Message Encoding, which lets you access National Weather Service warnings and watches displayed county-by-county on the map. The Rino 655t has a built-in 5-megapixel autofocus camera so you can take and store pictures of your outing.

All three Rino models have high-sensitivity GPS receiver with HotFix, a feature that automatically calculates and stores critical satellite information and can use that to calculate a position for you. The devices have multiple profiles such as marine, recreational and automotive so the Rino radio can be customized to your activity.

Expect to see the Rino devices at retail in Q3. The 610 will retail for $349; the 650 for $499.99 and the 655t for $599.99.

 

Garmin blog

Garmin Rino

Hands On: Bike Repair App Gives Your Ride a Tune Up

You might be able to change a flat tire. But do you know how to clean your rear cassette? Bike Repair App for the iPhone ($2.99), and Android ($3.07) from Atomic Softwares gives you a pre-ride checklist plus step-by-step maintenance instructions to keep your ride on the road without running to the shop every time you hear a clicking sound.

Photos with instructions help walk you through basic repairs for bike components such as wheels, rear derailleur, front derailleur, chain, handlebar/headset, crankset/pedals, brakes, disk brakes, shifter, suspension, helmet and even your body with an “aches and pains” category.

Atomic organized the app well, including a section for problems and another for parts. The app includes messages, sort of a Q&A where the developer posts answers to user emails. Throughout the app typos appear. Maybe it’s just my editor instinct. However if you’re publishing an app — especially if you’re charging for it — you should probably have someone read through the copy before putting it up there. I’d rather concentrate on identifying why my pedals click than become distracted by miss-worded  instructions.

Bike Repair doesn’t replace a visit to the shop for a tune-up or major repair, but it does help you fine-tune your bike. The bike inspection information is helpful. It walks you through what to do before every ride, and a second section gives you a checklist of things to check your bike for monthly. The monthly checklist tells you to look for structural damage, looseness, and gives you tips on cleaning and other simple maintenance issues.

You probably need some knowledge of bikes to make use of the app. If you don’t know what a derailleur is you might be able to identify it from the picture, but it helps to know your way around the bike since the pictures are confined to the size of a phone or tablet. It’s a lot of instruction if you don’t know a tube from a tire.

Bike Repair App

Bike Repair App on iTunes

Bike Repair App on Android

Finish Line Crosses the Line Into Recyclable Bottles

When you’re done with that bottle of bike lube, do you wonder if you can recycle? Finish Line Technologies just made the switch to polyetheline terephthalate plastic, or PET, for its bottles. That includes Finish Line’s Ceramic WET Lube; Ceramic WAX Lube; Dry Lube made with Teflon Flouropolymer; WET Lubricant; 1-Step Cleaner and Lubricant and Ceramic Grease products.

The company used PET for its stability. The material provides improved barrier permeability, preventing paneling and the loss of product due to evaporation through the bottle walls. The barrier protection protects the stability of the formulations inside, and increases shelf life. Continue reading Finish Line Crosses the Line Into Recyclable Bottles

The Tough Touchscreen GPS

GPS is popular in the car, but it really likes the outdoors. The new Montana, a GPS handheld from Garmin, gives you a ruggedized device with touchscreen functionality. The Montana goes far beyond the state it was named after. It supports a wide range of Garmin cartography with its dual orientation and screen layout options. It has a barometric altimeter for elevation profiling and the ability to profile the route ahead using a worldwide elevation model. The device has a 3-axis compass that provides a heading while standing still, on the move or even when the Montana isn’t held level.

The ruggedized device has a 4-inch touchscreen and a 5-megapixel autofocus camera. Several features make the Montana useful for more than just directions. Two battery options keep your device powered during remote, outdoor adventures. The rechargeable, lithium ion battery pack is said to last up to 16 hours. You can substitute three AA batteries for an additional six hours of battery life when you can’t plug in your handheld.

The Montana supports geocaching GPX files for downloading geocaches and details straight to the unit. It stores key information including location, terrain, difficulty, hints and descriptions.

Official Garmin website

New Titanium Bike Lock Design

 

We’ve seen some new designs for bike locks. One new design from TiGr uses a flexible strip of titanium with a lock mechanism. Titanium is a strong metal composite and will likely stand up to the needs of any cyclist. A video on the TiGr web site shows the inventor using a hacksaw to cut through a typical U-Lock, and then the same with a strip of titanium. It took 1:26 to cut through the U-lock, compared to 2:36 and more huffing and puffing to cut through the titanium strip. Continue reading New Titanium Bike Lock Design

Go Geocaching on the iPhone or Android Phone

Geocaching, a modern day treasure hunt complete with GPS device, can be a fun activity. Seek out containers and other goodies left for you to find. Maybe place your own geocache for others to find.

Garmin just made it easier to take part in geocaching. It’s now offering an OpenCaching app for iPhone and Android devices. The app is an extension of Garmin’s geocaching web site OpenCaching, which went live in December. The app is currently free, though that could change. Continue reading Go Geocaching on the iPhone or Android Phone

Helmet Mohawks Cool, But Cautionary

There’s a new trend in modding bike helmets to give the headgear a Mohawk. Craftzine has a great post on this activity. We applaud the individuality. We don’t mean to be nervous nellies either, but before you attach a ridge of spikes to your helmet, you should think about a few guidelines.

A few bodies including the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and SNELL regulate helmets. Manufacturers follow these guidelines for safety. Modifications can potentially change a helmet so it won’t perform its function of protecting your head in the unfortunate event of a crash.

If you attach fabric or materials without changing the structure of the helmet, then go for it. We’re certainly not one to stand in the way of individuality and creativity. But don’t do anything that could reduce the effectiveness of the helmet.

Continue reading Helmet Mohawks Cool, But Cautionary

Custom Bikes Built to Fit Rider Like a Glove

Most bikes are bought off the shelf. You may special order a bike, but you order it to your size just like clothes on store racks. Then there’s couture, or custom orders that are built to the rider’s specifications. They’re built to height and body proportions, and custom designed for the type of riding planned for the bikes.

One company, KGS Bikes based in San Antonio, TX, uses a custom trainer to determine the rider’s exact requirements. The trainer is called BalancePoint. It looks like a trainer with a seat, handlebars, a rear wheel, but it has cranks and dials to adjust the bike while riding. KGS then takes measurements to build the bike.

“Our clients fly to Texas for the experience of creating the ride of their lives. We invented our BalancePoint positioning system with the custom bicycle owner in mind, so there is no reference to any existing bike. It takes a few hours and is a hard workout, but the data we get in the process allows us to work remotely from then on,” said company president Kevin Saunders.

KGS takes measurements, and typically works with high-end bike manufacturers to build the actual bike. The company offers frames from Parlee, Passoni, Cyfac, Co-Motion and Eriksen. It then builds the frame with components to further adjust the custom ride.

Many will suffer from sticker shock. While prices vary for custom bike orders among different shops, four bikes recently sold by KGS for roughly $27,000 each. In addition to measurements fit to each rider, the bikes were designed with steering and balance for climbing and descending mountain passes since they will mostly be ridden in and around Vail, CO.

For more information check out KGS Bikes

Texas Power Company to Pretty Up Trails

Richardson, Texas is about to get some new hiking and biking trails, courtesy of Oncor Electric Delivery Company. The Oncor Texas Trails program will turn the company’s transmission rights-of-way into hike and bike trails.

Oncor worked with la terra studio, a Dallas-based landscape architectural firm to develop a design template for the Oncor Texas Trails project. Oncor employees will volunteer their time to support this program and follow the landscaping template to beautify the trails.

“We are in our communities listening to our customers and they tell us that community trails are important to them,” said Oncor Chief Customer Officer Brenda Jackson. “The Oncor Texas Trails program is a way we can truly give back to our customers throughout our communities. It will also give our employees another opportunity to support community needs.”

The power company already has a number of hike and bike trails in its transmission rights-of-way. New templates for the trails include recreational use of transmission rights-of-way, including native and low maintenance landscape designs.

The Oncor Texas Trails program is a part of Oncor’s commitment to supporting health and fitness initiatives.

Oncor Electric Delivery Company