One of the new Kickstarter programs we’ve seen recently that got our attention was the light-weight camping hammock called Kammok. Designed to comfortably sleep one person, this hammock is made of incredibly strong yet very breathable diamond rip-stop nylon fabric called LunarWave. It is super soft, water resistant and only weighs around one pound, making it easy to bring along. Sleeping while hanging from the trees certainly could beat trying to sleep on the hard, cold ground. Video after the jump
Category: Equipment
Camera Clip Captured
Carrying a digital SLR camera for long periods of time can be a pain in neck – literally if you wear around your neck. And trying to change lenses on the go while moving can often result in a dropped camera. The Capture Camera Clip from Peak Design solves both problems with a clip that secures to a backpack strap or belt.
This is made of sleek and light, yet sturdy aluminum hardware that screws into a tripod mount. It makes the camera accessible when you need it. This looks like a good solution, and we’ll say that they’ve captured our attention on this one. The Capture Camera Clip is available now for $79.99.
A Kayak to Stand On
Kayaks may just be one of the most maneuverable and quiet water crafts on the market today. They are fairly easy to transport, very low maintenance and are fairly inexpensive to purchase when compared to other watercraft options. Recreational paddling of open and whitewater has been the primary use of modern kayaks for decades, but there are more kayaks being designed and produced for the anglers out there. Just recently, Jackson Kayak of Spartan, Tennessee has brought to market the Cuda, a boat specifically designed for the open fresh and salt water fisherman in mind. Video after the jump
Rugged Crate for Your Camera
There are plenty of rugged point and shoot digital cameras on the market, and these can survive in very harsh environments, but what if you need to bring along your digital SLR camera? These tend to need a little more protection. Fortunately a new Kickstarter project is working on the Cam Crate, a hardened case that will protect just about any full sized DSLR along with its lens.
The case is made out of a hard, molded plastic, while the inside features soft foam to ensure that the camera can survive those bumps in the roads and even a toss or two. The container features a water seal and latch, and reportedly floats. The Cam Crate is still in the development stage but it could be ideal for adventure travelers and those who want to bring their SLR into the wilds. Video after the jump
Convertible Durabook Ready to Go
GammaTech has rolled out its latest fully rugged convertible computer, the Durabook R13C, which is an upgraded version of the R13S. This new version passes Military Standard 810G certification for drop, shock and spill protection, plus explosive atmosphere, salt, fog and freeze/thaw standards, so if you’re able to find a way to break it – you probably shouldn’t be there! While it is designed for law enforcement, military and mobile workers, the convertible laptop to tablet PC is also ideal for anyone who takes part in truly globetrotting adventures.
Other rugged features of the R13C include an IP65 rating for dust and water protection of the enclosed portions, water-resistant backlit keyboard and a truly sturdy magnesium alloy case. And while the average user may never need it, this one offers security features worthy of an action movie with fingerprint scanner, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 and Kensington lock. Continue reading Convertible Durabook Ready to Go
Made in America: SHUT Skateboards
Certainly you have heard someone say, “as American as baseball and apple pie;” but neither of those had their true origins in America. In reality, the saying could be “as American as skateboarding and Moon Pies”, both of which originated in the U.S.A., just on opposite ends of the country. Since we cover health and fitness, we’ll stick to the skateboarding and leave the Moon Pies for another day.
Even though skateboarding started in California in the 1950s, much of the production of parts and decks has been moved overseas. SHUT Skateboards of New York City has bucked this tread and continues to produce skateboard decks in the United States from American lumber.
Video after the jump
Metal Grip Solid
The GoPro camera maybe ready to go anywhere – and for those who really push things that could be straight off the bike should the plastic handlebar mount fail. Stepping up to this concern is K-Edge of Boise, Idaho. We’ve seen some of the company’s other products and its line of GO BIG Mount mounts, designed specifically for the GoPro cameras are what we’d call the real deal.
The company offers both handle bar and seat mounts, with prices ranging from $20 to $60. K-Edge even offers a warranty that offers to replace a mount should a rider crash and break one – company founder has reportedly said he’d love to see the video in which said accident occurred! Continue reading Metal Grip Solid
New Fitness Monitoring for the Classroom
This week Austin-based Interactive Health Technologies announced that it was partnering with Sony to provide the NFC Dynamic Tag (FeliCa Plug) in the Spirit System, which is now available to schools across America.
This system, which was developed by IHT, engages students and supporters including parents, teachers and administrators as well as others in the community, in a comprehensive fitness system to get inspired to increase their physical activity. The IHT Spirit System works with the Sony NFC Dynamic Tag to make it easy to track results. Continue reading New Fitness Monitoring for the Classroom
Detroit Bicycle Company Does Madison
Madison Avenue is a long ways from Detroit, and that might be the first thought that comes to mind as the Detroit Bicycle Company has released the very posh Madison Street Bike. Starting at $3,200 and up for a complete bike, this single-speed/fixie is something you’d pretty much expect to be found on Madison Avenue in NYC.
But the bike, which included frame and fork that are copper plated, and offers Campagnolo Record components including bottom bracket, head set and seat post, isn’t about Madison Avenue. Rather it seems inspired by the now-largely forgotten “Madison” style track bikes used in the endurance races at Madison Square Garden in the 1920s and 1930s. Today Madison races, which involve multiple riders on a team taking part in multi-hour races, are competed in with state-of-the-art carbon fiber track bikes, but this bike is more than an old style race machine. It is truly a work of art. And it proves they can still make them like they used to in the Motor City.
Detroit Bicycle Company
[Via BeSportier: Detroit Bicycle Company’s Madison Street Bike Is A Jewel]
Kettler Knows When to Fold ‘Em
One of our pet peeves about home fitness is that it shouldn’t overtake the home. But Kettler USA offers a solution with its new foldable treadmills that have arrived in time for the holiday. The Verso TX1 and TX3 treadmills both feature advanced electronics with heart-rate-control programming using a Polar heart rate (HR) chest strap to provide efficient, effective, and beneficial workouts.
These further offer options for goal-oriented routines of distance, time and calories burned, while a heart rate monitor can help users track their cardio rhythm, which takes the guesswork out of balancing fitness and healthy exercise. Once the initial programming controls are set, a one-touch button allows the user to start the next workout at the same preferences, saving time and creates a well-balanced workout regimen. Continue reading Kettler Knows When to Fold ‘Em
Excel Throw Teaches the Proper Way to Throw a Ball
The saying may go “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, but Nimura Sports of Granada Hills, CA is betting that they can teach or re-teach baseball and softball players how to throw a ball correctly. The Excel Throw is a simple, yet seemly effective training device that not only properly positions the fingers during the throwing of a ball, but also through its continued use, aids in instilling this proper position by way of ’muscle memory’.
The Excel Throw is a Z-shaped device with two finger holes that the index and middle finger are inserted through before the player even grabs a baseball or softball. Once the fingers are properly positioned, the Excel Throw will only allow the ball to be thrown straight to the intended target. Along with controlling the direction of the ball, this device only allows the player to throw with a certain amount of force – this is a training aid to teach players the proper way to throw, not a device to aid them in throwing the ball faster. When used properly, not only does the Excel Throw allow the ball to be thrown straight, but it also helps break the habit of the wrist twisting left or right upon release of the ball. To aid with this proper position that is being guided through finger placement while using the Excel Throw, there are arrows that are molded in both to give the player a visual cue that they are throwing the ball accurately. Continue reading Excel Throw Teaches the Proper Way to Throw a Ball
Power Up While You Hike
Taking your gadgets on the go is easy enough, but keeping them juiced up when far from the grid can be another thing. Then this week we saw the Piggyback Solar Powered Gadgetbag, which as the name suggests can recharge your digital devices while you hike – provided you have sun shining down on you.
It offers two zippered pouches, including one large (8-inch x 12-inch), which is big enough for an iPad, and one small (8-inch x 5-inch) for compact devices including an Amazon Kindle. There are built-in channels for running USB cables between pouches, so devices can get the juice while safely tucked inside.
The solar panels are worn outside the backpack, which features an 800mAh Lithium ion battery pack to soak up excess power, while the device can output about 100mA along the way to devices inside the bag via USB. While the Piggyback Solar Powered Gadgetbag does add weight, and doesn’t exactly come cheap at almost $120, it is a good way to let the sun recharge your devices while you’re on the move.
[Via Ubergizmo: Piggyback Solar Powered Gadgetbag lets you charge your gadgets on the go]
Bern Rolls Out Winter Commuter Helmet
Winter is coming, and for bicycle commuters that means either having cold ears or trying to fit a cap under a typical cycling helmet. But Bern has another solution, as noted by our friends at BikeRadar. At Interbike, while it was still warm and mostly sunny, the helmet maker showed off its line of winter-friendly brain buckets, which are now available.
The men’s G2 and women’s Cougar 2 feature Bern’s Zip Mold in-mould construction process that includes a detachable soft-peaked liner. The helmet features three-position air vent slider on top as well, so on a warm day the vents can be left open so the wearer doesn’t get too heated, but on the colder/wetter days the vents can be closed up. These weren’t actually developed with cyclists in mind, and were actually first used on the slopes – so whether it is for snowboarding or cycling through the winter these will keep the head warm! And while we’d like to think that this could prevent brain freeze but that’s not something effected by weather! Continue reading Bern Rolls Out Winter Commuter Helmet