Panasonic Introduces Pair of Rugged Cameras

Panasonic-LUMIX-TS4
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TS4

Whether you’re on a budget or want to go all out and the sky is the limit, Panasonic has a camera for you. This week the company introduced two new rugged outdoor digital cameras.

First up is the Lumix DMC-TS4, which includes GPS, compass, altimeter, barometer and truly lives up to the rugged moniker. A barometer log is even available to help users forecast the climate and log barometric trends, while the altitude measurements can be used in conjunction with GPS data. And speaking of GPS, the camera more than a million landmarks and 82 countries/regions cover in the maps available on the bundled DVD, allowing Geo-tagged images to be automatically sorted and played back along a map! Continue reading Panasonic Introduces Pair of Rugged Cameras

Blow Up Boat

httpv://youtu.be/bgc_Vq_XeIc

When things blow up they often go “ka-bomb,” but when the BoatsToGo gets blown up (as in inflated) it becomes a KaBoat. We’re not sure if we’re the only ones that appreciate that joke, but it does describe this crossover that is somewhere between a full-fledged boat and a kayak.

It features a slim hull design that was reportedly modeled after narrow Asian Dragon boats, and this sleek profile allows the KaBoat to glide effortlessly over water at speeds faster than traditional boats, while still providing space for an outboard motor and supplies. As a result the boat travels at faster speeds due to less water resistance, and uses less energy to be propelled in the water as well. But what really turns our heads is that this boat is a lot easier to get in and out of the water.

The KaBoats is available in 12-foot, 14-foot, 16-foot and even an oversized 16-foot version, with prices ranging from $499 to $849. So whether it is half-kayak or half-boat we don’t think this one blows in any way!

BoatsToGo Official Website

Bauer RE-visits Hockey Helmet Design

Bauer RE-AKT
(Click Image for closer view)

Head injuries have become a serious concern in numerous sports, and Bauer Hockey is taking the issue head on so speak by revisiting the way helmets take hits. While most helmets are designed to address linear impacts a bigger risk says a Bauer study is the rotational forces that can contribute to head injuries.

Bauer’s RE-AKT helmet is the first hockey-specific helmet designed to manage the multiple type of hits that players take including rotational-force impacts, which have been scientifically proven to cause significant head injuries. To address this issue the Bauer RE-AKT takes on the problem with the SUSPEND-TECH liner, a unique patent-pending rotational impact protection system to protect the head from excessive rotational acceleration when the helmet is impacted. Continue reading Bauer RE-visits Hockey Helmet Design

Reel Ice Brings Year Round Skating to Delhi

The bustling city of Delhi in India is now experiencing an Ice Age – but it isn’t affecting the weather outside, nor is it the Pixar movie. Instead this is a new year round ice skating center in the Moments Mall. This might not sound that big a deal, as even cities such as Houston have had year round skating in shopping malls for decades.

And this certainly isn’t as big of news as bringing a ski slope to Dubai. But there is an interesting twist on this one. The ice is actually flown in to Delhi in panels. And it technically isn’t real ice. Ice Age is using “Reel Ice,” which offers all the ice properties such as gliding and sliding of real ice but is far less expensive. It is as ecological and non-toxic, while still being recyclable and for novices better as well. It is far more impact-absorbing than actual real ice, which can help reduce injuries.

Reel Ice is used in the United States in Disneyland and even in the NHL training centers in Florida. But now it is on the subcontinent too.

Ice Age Skating Café Official Website

Nike Fuels Up

Feel the burn, that’s one way to know you’re doing it right. But Nike has another idea – the company has introduced the FuelBand, a wristband device that is designed to measure daily movements of the wearer, tracking steps taken and calories burned. But the device also features the NikeFuel, a fitness metric that utilizes the rate of oxygen consumption and motion.

The device is meant to be something that most people wouldn’t even notice most of the time – much like a Livestrong wrist band or similar decorative wear. But this one actually tracks what you do, and can provide data to the wearer in the way of LED lights that go from red to yellow to green based on your activity goals. Red doesn’t mean stop however, but is there to tell the wearer to step it up while green indicates an active day. And not all the movement can be tracked, notably for use on a bike – or even mowing the lawn – where the hands aren’t in motion, but it still could be a good device to track those “background activities.” Continue reading Nike Fuels Up

Miveu Provides Personal View

Sometimes even we get confused between persons – as in first person or third person, and don’t get us started on second person. But the same can be said of video cameras – either you are the subject or else you’re providing the perspective. There are numerous helmet and handlebar mounted cameras out there, but a big problem with these is that one’s head tends to move a lot, creating a very jarring video when played back.

Now Miveu has provided something a little different – a chest strap system for use with an iPhone. This not only provides the best location for a camera as the body is a bit more stable than the head, but it also means the device is better provided. It can also be used in activities that don’t require a helmet, but one downside is that the Miveu provides very limited protection and isn’t waterproof.

But for those who like to record the action with a first person perspective (see we do know the different persons), the Miveu will provide YOUR view! Check out the CES promo video after the jump

A New Republic for Bikers

Cycling isn’t exactly the sport of kings – and on a bicycle most riders are fairly equal. The concept of Republic Bikes is to let riders do their own thing. And while we’ve seen custom jersey makers, this company offers custom bicycles that riders can even design themselves.

The company, which promises designs as unique as its customers, outfitted Google with a fleet of bikes for its Googleplex in Mountain View, California.

For everyone else Republic offers a 3D bike Shop that allows users to visualize the design in 3D. From the website users can create their own custom bike, decide on color and components and then have it build. Turnaround time varies depending on the complexity of the design, but bikes are assembled in the USA at the Republic distribution center in South Florida and then shipped out.

While not as easy as going to the shop and buying a bike off the rack, this ensure that your bike is very much a bike about you.

Republic Bikes Official Website

Outdoor Retailer Show: Sherpa and Yeti Bring Power

We know that Sherpas can carry a lot of stuff, and we expect a Yeti (that would be the Abominable Snowman) would certainly be seriously tough too – but now the Sherpa 50 and Yeti 1250 will bring portable power as well. We missed Goal Zero at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month unfortunately, but the company also hit the Outdoor Retailer Show and showed off its new products that bring portable power.

The Sherpa 50, which won a CES Innovation Honoree for Portable Power, can charge consumer devices including phones and laptops. It weighs just 14 oz., and can provide DC and AC (with inverter) outputs, as well as USB ports that output 1A of power. It can fully charge via a solar panel in 5-10 hours or within 2-3 hours via a wall outlet, and in turn, can power a smart phone for 10 hours, and can ensure that writers (like us) can keep typing even when there is no power in sight. At about $249.99 that’s not a bad price to pay to have power on the go. The Sherpa will be ready to pick up the load in June 2012. Continue reading Outdoor Retailer Show: Sherpa and Yeti Bring Power

Outdoor Retailer Show: High Tech Low Tech Cup

In Finnish a Kuppi is ac cup, and for centuries Finns would warm their hands by using a “little cup” or “Kuppilka,” which held a warm beverage. It was typically low tech such as wooden cup. But now Kupilka is a new high tech twist on the low tech that is designed for hikers and campers, or just anyone who wants a cup with the look that is straight out of the wilderness.

The drinking cups (they make utensils too) are made of natural fiber composites mixed with thermoplastic – basically 50 percent pine fiber wood mixed with 50 percent plastic. The result is one that doesn’t absorb smells, are insensitive to humidity and are dishwasher safe. But they are also recyclable, so if it should crack or break it can be ground down and casted again. Plus they offer a rugged look for those who would like to endure the great outdoors, just like the Finns!

Kupilka Official Website

Hydraulic Brakin’ Into the Road

Hydraulic brakes have long been a staple on mountain bikes for years, but now Magura has introduced the world’s first hydraulic braking system for use on the road. The RT8 TT is a hydraulic rim brake system that can work with lightweight time trial and triathlon bikes. Continue reading Hydraulic Brakin’ Into the Road

SHOT Show 2012: Writing in the Rain

In this high-tech era with texting, email and video chat sometimes the older technology gets left behind. But there are still times when you might need to write something down on actual real paper. But try taking that paper out in the rain, or even on a run or bike ride where sweat will get it wet, and you end up with soaked pulp. Water and paper don’t mix – at least most of the time. We’ve seen waterproof cameras, waterproof headphones so why not waterproof paper?

At SHOT Show in Las Vegas this week we were shown Rite in the Rain, a new type of waterproof paper that can survive rain, sweat and spills. The company has introduced a variety of paper products, including a nifty Outdoor Journal that can allow hunters, hikers, and just about anyone else who still take handwritten notes to have a notepad that can survive the elements. Video after the Jump

SHOT Show: Zombie Kit

While the notion of a zombie apocalypse is likely (and hopefully) just a thing for movies and TVs, the popularity of it clearly is having an impact in the real world. At this week’s SHOT Show in Las Vegas Otis Technology, is introducing the Zombie Gun Cleaning System, which is designed to clean all 5.56MM rifles, 9MM and 45 caliber pistols, and 12 gauge shotguns.

There isn’t anything here that will actually stop the walking dead – for that a good firearm will of course do, at least if movies and TV are to be believed. But the kit does pack everything you’d need to keep your firearms ready just in case you do need to take on a zombie. Continue reading SHOT Show: Zombie Kit

Kryptek Camouflage

Camouflage is something that many people probably don’t think much about, except to note that it is used by military forces around the world to help the wearer blend in. It also has used for hunters, and anyone who doesn’t want to be so easily seen. The first true “camouflage” was arguably just sand colored clothing used by the British military in India in the 1840s and 1850s – and this took its name from the Persian word for sand, which just happens to be “khaki.” Today we think of khakis as a comfortable type of pants, or a color. Likewise, camouflage clothing has become a bit of a fashion statement, while still serving a purpose.

And camouflage has also gone digital, with the current U.S. military utilizing patterns that are more random and thus blend in more with the environment. Rather than just stopping with what it has, the U.S. military is reportedly evaluating this, and Krypek Outdoor apparel has been named a finalist in the process to select new U.S. military camouflage patterns. While we won’t likely see this in army/navy stores for a while, these patterns could be the next fashion wave in a few years – and will likely be embraced by hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Press Release after the jump