Peter Suciu | Evolving Consumer

Interbike 2013: Head Above

POC has been a company that has turned heads with its unique head protection, and at last week’s Interbike trade show the company introduced its Octal helmet that weights just 200 grams while offering a precise fit. The helmet is designed to be minimal but still provides ample protection. It includes a shell that extends lower around the head and thus offers greater protection to the temples in a crash.

It is also available in red, which the company claims will stand out in traffic and help riders be visible on the road.

POC Official Website

Nikon Changes it Up

There is no shortage of rugged cameras on the market, and while most of these can endure an adventure these often leave something to be desired when it comes to photos. Fortunately Nikon has realized that a point-and-shoot camera in a rugged body simply won’t do.

The company has introduced the Nikon 1 AW1, the world’s first waterproof and shockproof interchangeable lens camera. This is the latest addition to the camera maker’s popular Nikon 1 system that offers versatility with functionality. It is waterproof to 49 feet, shockproof to about six and a half feet and freezeproof to 14 degrees. In other words you might give up before the camera does! Continue reading Nikon Changes it Up

Study Finds that Mobile Fitness to Reach 100 Million

As the saying goes 100 million can’t be wrong. According to new study conducted by Juniper Research the next five years will see a major shift towards smartphone- based mHealth, where hardware attachments link to companion app on the smartphone. The Mobile Health & Fitness: Monitoring, App-enabled Devices & Cost Savings 2013-2013 report forecasts that y 2018 there will be 96 million users of app-enabled mHealth and mobile-fitness hardware devices, up from 15 million this year.

Moreover, the report noted that it will be the mFitness sector that will experience strongest growth in the short and medium term, and that this growth will be driven by a motivated target market, as well as an increasing demand for lifestyle consumer applications and a diversifying array of attachments.

“As mobile fitness devices become more widespread, they will pave the way for more critical mHealth services delivered through the smartphone,” said the report’s author Anthony Cox. “While mHealth and mobile fitness are two discrete markets – with divergent audiences – increased usage of the former will stimulate wider awareness of the latter.”

Juniper Research Official Website

Made in America: Bow It Up

While a bow can bend that doesn’t mean it should have to be forced to fit a case. Plano’s new Parallel Limb Bow Case (Model 1144) is a case the offers plenty of room for storage for a bow, and adjusts to its shape as well. The plastic injection molded case is American made, and features cam-action type latches that secure the lid for a tight fit. An O-ring seal around the full perimeter insures that water and dust won’t get in.

The interior is seven inches deep and can accommodate multiple bows and quivers, and can hold six arrows. The black construction with yellow latches also has a serious look for those who take their archery seriously.

Plano Parallel Limb Bow Case

Just Glow With It

There are many ways to make a bike stand out at night, but Pure Fix Glow Bikes cut right to the chase and offer up – as the name suggests – bikes that glow in the dark. These minimalist, fixed-gear road bikes offer an almost ghost-like white appearance in the day, but at night cast a glow that can’t be missed.

These are feature a paint that is solar-activated and needs just an hour in the sun for each hour at night, and after the lights go down these will offer a neon green glow.

Pure Fix Glow Bikes Official Website

Hoop Dreams

Wearable sports technology firm Wireless Sports has announced that the Hoop Tracker is on the court. This is the world’s first basketball watch – and it can deliver in-depth analysis of shooting percentages as data that is obtained from each shooting session can be uploaded to Hoop Tracker’s software to analyze and improve shooting performance.

This system features a lightweight watch worn on your non-shooting wrist, while the shot detector is attached to the rim using the mounting pole, and together this can identify the make or miss of every shot taken.

Data recorded includes where the shot was taken and if the basketball hit the backboard, rim, or activates the internal lever. The only shot not automatically detected is an air ball – but In this case, the player can push the air ball button located on the side of the watch, and record the attempt as a missed shot. All statistics are later uploaded to the Hoop Tracker software for further analysis. Continue reading Hoop Dreams

Survival Cover

Griffin Technology has partnered with Mossy Oak to create a new line of covers for the iPad and iPhone. These are the latest editions to the ultra-rugged Survivor line from Griffin and feature Mossy Oak’s camouflage. The cases are built to military standards, protecting devices from drops, wind-blown rain, vibration, and more, and the camo patterns include Mossy Oak Treestand, Pink Break-Up, Shadow Glass, Winter Break-Up and Obsession.

The Survivor cases for iPhone are designed to meet or exceed US Department of Defense Standards and come standard with a belt clip.

Chances are these will help the devices blend in when out in the woods, but might just stand out when buried on your desk.

Griffin Technology Survivor Official Website

Swing and Tilt

Getting a bike to the trails shouldn’t be a headache, and the new Yakima 2014 line of hitch-mast bike racks make it a bit less of a headache. This includes the FullSwing and the FullTilt.

Available beginning in the New Year these models feature a function that puts all controls for the arm, fold, and mast tilt on top of the unit, eliminating the need for the user to bend down. The hitch pin also automatically engages when inserting the mast into the vehicle hitch, eliminating the need to reach under the vehicle.These also include ratcheting ZipStrips to attach the bikes, instead of the more common rubber straps. The FullSwing and FullTilt come pre-assembled and include a full SKS (“Same Key System”) lock package that locks the bikes to the rack and the rack to the vehicle.

The FullSwing, which carries four bikes and swings away from the vehicle laterally, will retail for $499, while the FullTilt tilts back (hence the name), away from the vehicle, and it offers four- or five-bike capacity. The four-bike FullTilt will retail for $399; while the five-bike model retails for $429.

Both models even have integrated bottle openers so you can enjoy a beverage at the end of the ride – but before you drive home.

Yakima Car Racks Official Website

Get You Zipp On

Zipp is offering up two new bottle cage designs, one made of aluminum and the other made of carbon fiber. The Alumina aluminum cage weighs 27 grams and has the same design as the SLSpeed cage. It has an anodized black finish and an MSRP of $35.

The SLSpeed carbon cage weighs 18 grams and is designed for side or direct bottle entry. The side entry is useful on smaller frames and those with tight frame angles. It has a gloss finish and an MSRP of $75.

Both cages will be available this month.

Zipp Official Website

OTG Brinno

We recently heard that Contour has shuttered its doors and that could leave an opening for other rugged camera makers that look to take on GoPro. The Brinno might be just the one to take on the ‘pro. It features a wide 180 degree angle lens as well as an aspherical lens, and sensors that can adapt to low light situations.

It offers a 1.44 LCD preview screen, while the On-the-Go Brinno Reader Accessory makes for quick uploading and playback to any smartphone.

Brinno Official Website

Cyber Army Knife

The Victorinox CyberTool Lite Swiss Army Knife takes the versatile blade into the 21st century and beyond. It expands on the original Cyber Tool, and offers knives, hex, Torx and Philips bits, wire cutters and pliers and now adds an 8x magnifying glass and LED light.

Designed for the IT pros and the like we think this could still be a good all around pocket knife for the tech savvy adventurer as well.

Victorinox CyberTool Lite Swiss Army Knife Official Website

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Paper Boy Game

We like the idea of technology that combines video games and fitness, and we’ve heard about a few efforts that are under way, but the PaperDude VR has us scratching our heads. Yes, it is a game combined with a bicycle and it even utilizes virtual reality.

But it is sort of the like an old episode of The Simpsons where Bart plays a virtual yard work simulation after doing everything he could to get out of actual yard work. What’s the point in other words? Aren’t video games about saving the world or at least the princess, and with all due respect to those who wake up early to deliver the paper – is this really that compelling of an “adventure?”

So perhaps this isn’t really a full-blown Kinetic(Mis)Shift but we somehow think this technology could be used for so much more. Video after the jump

The Real MC

This MC doesn’t need a DJ. The MC-X ski boot from Apex will let skiers move to their own beat, and these are designed to let you head anywhere on the mountain you want to go. These 2014 books feature high performance nano fiber modular open chassis designed for the most aggressive freeride and all mountain skier and a support boot for natural foot positioning and walkability.

The boots offer a heat moldable inner liner, tunable A-Flex suspension, Boa Focus speed lacing closure system, cuff alignment and micro adjustable buckles for optimal customization With the addition of a Vibram sole these will let you hit the slopes and even head to the back country. Continue reading The Real MC