Category: Equipment

Motorola New Music Plus Fitness Trainer For the MotoACTV Life

Last August we heard about the MotoACTV and now it has arrived. This is the new fitness device from Motorola that promises to help users burn calories while listening to some tunes. In truth this concept has been around pretty much since Sony developed the Walkman – listen to music and be active.

But Motorola is taking this a whole new level with the MotoACTV (hence the name), where the device not only plays the tunes but keeps track of the user’s performance in the process. The device relies on AccuSense technology and GPS to track vital stats by gauging time, distance, speed and heart rate; while providing this data, along with calories burned to the user. This data can further be uploaded to the MotoACTV website for post-workout performance analysis. In other words this device is pretty much like most other heart rate monitors and wearable fitness computers. Continue reading Motorola New Music Plus Fitness Trainer For the MotoACTV Life

Vapor Weight Golf Bag

Not everyone has a caddy to carry their golf bags, and for those looking to slim down, Nike has the answer with its lightest golf bag ever, the Nike Vapor X, which weighs in at less than four pounds. This sleek, sporty looking bag was created by using minimal materials to provide a lightweight design. With Nike’s new lightweight golf bag, golfers will experience more stamina and less fatigue during their round through the benefit of carrying less weight on their back.

Available at retail on November 1, 2011, the new Nike Vapor X golf bag features new, ergonomically designed strap system with therenowned Nike Max Air curved technology. This new strap system combined with several other innovative features promises to enhance the playing experience by elevating performance and maximizing functionality. Continue reading Vapor Weight Golf Bag

Medical ID Bracelet Goes High Tech

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Medical ID bracelets are an old brand of jewelry. For years bracelets existed for seniors or someone with a condition, to assist  first responders when they arrive on the scene of an emergency and find the victim unconscious. In recent years we’ve seen a push for ID bracelets designed for athletes – specifically designed for those people whose activity or training program often takes them hours and miles away from home. Now there is a new ID bracelet that not only provides your invaluable medical information for first responders, but also allows you to travel cash-free. Nathan Performance Gear and VITAband have teamed up in a long-term partnership to bring the Nathan VITAband to the masses. The Nathan VITAband is the first ID bracelet that combines the information needed by first responders and a debit card all electronically on your wrist.

Continue reading Medical ID Bracelet Goes High Tech

Cutting the Cord to Brake

In cycling technology we’ve seen numerous developments that have cut the cords and removed the wires. Cycling computers have gone wireless, and even the gear shifting has been made wireless (although it is still far from standard). The next big change could be wireless brakes, as Germany’s Saarland University has created a prototype wireless braking system, which could stop a bike in just 250 milliseconds. That equates to a rider traveling at about 18.5 miles an hour stopping in about 6.6 feet – not exactly the best, but researchers think they could do better with anti-lock and traction control functionality.

Professor Holger Hermanns, who is leading the research at the Saarbrücken Computer Science department, is already reportedly in contact with bike manufacturers about a commercial version. Currently the system utilizes multiple senders to transmit the same signal, and the whole system has 99.999999999997 percent reliability, which Hermanns notes isn’t perfect, “but acceptable.” We’ll be sure to watch this technology as it could give new meaning to stopping on a dime… or in the German’s case the 10 cent Euro.

[Via BikeRadar.com: World’s first wireless electronic bicycle brake]

Made in America: Iverson Snowshoes

With so many products now made of carbon fiber and plastics there is the concern on how these materials will eventually be recycled. Products should be made to last, but that doesn’t have to be last forever in a landfill. Fortunately, there are still items that are made to last from natural materials. These items allow you to think about which grandchild might be inheriting them instead of how will they be disposed. The people at Iverson Shoenows believe in making a product that will last – not one season or even a few seasons, but a lifetime. Since 1954, Iverson has been crafting some of the finest quality snowshoes and they are still making them in America.

Based in Shingleton, Michigan for over 50 years, Iverson has been making their snowshoes from premium Michigan White Ash, full grain rawhides and pure copper hardware. The consumer side of the business was started by Clarence Iverson after word got out about his design and construction of snowshoes for the State of Michigan. His design solution was simple – create a snowshoe to walk on top of the snow instead of through it, there by reducing the energy expended and provide maximum weight distribution for optimum flotation. All while making a product that would withstand the brutal backcountry of the Upper Peninsula. Continue reading Made in America: Iverson Snowshoes

Improved Pilates Platform That You Can Stick With

While Pilates can be done at home, this is a case where more equipment is always a good thing. The problem with this however is that it can take up space very quickly. For urban dwellers, those with limited space or just anyone who doesn’t want a “gym” in their home, there are fortunately a few alternatives.

The latest is the Wrist Saver Block from Stick-e, a multipurpose foam block with handle that is designed to provide a safer, more stable and more comfortable workout. The light weight block with an internal handle optimizes wrist positioning during upper body weight bearing exercises, yoga poses and pushups. As a result, it provides better comfort and strength.

(Videos after the jump) Continue reading Improved Pilates Platform That You Can Stick With

Louis Garneau Intros Carve Helmet

Each year helmets get lighter, but they also get stronger. Technology lends itself to a higher degree of protection using lighter-weight materials. However, even when you’re going to get down and dirty off road you’ll still want to look good doing so. For 2012 Louis Garneau will release the Carve helmet, which will offer that higher degree of protection without sacrificing style.  This new helmet promises to be lightweight, highly ventilated and totally geared toward mountain bikers.

Continue reading Louis Garneau Intros Carve Helmet

CTIA Honors Rugged Case With Hot for the Holidays Award

The idea of “life proofing” portable electronics is a good one, especially with mobile smartphones. These things get dropped, get spilled on and get put through conditions that frankly they weren’t designed for. After dropping an iPhone many users probably have a moment of fear and do a quick “proof of life” test to see if it still works. Instead of worrying whether that fall or spill “killed” the handset, LifeProof it instead.

(Video after the jump) Continue reading CTIA Honors Rugged Case With Hot for the Holidays Award

Football Mouth Guard Detects Injury

Mouth guards just got smarter. Those bite guards that protect teeth and impact for football players on the field may soon have some electronics built in. A team at Stanford University is testing a prototype mouth guard with sensors built inside to offer protection, but also to determine any brain injury during practice and games.

Sensors inside the mouth guard will detect movement and impact to provide insight into how different types of blows affect the brain. Even now, science is still learning about how the brain reacts to such trauma. Researchers hope to use this data to not only detect and diagnose injury, but to further research on brain trauma, and the threshold where impact becomes harmful.

Football players have used sensors imbedded in equipment such as helmets for several seasons. The Stanford University researchers and the Seattle-based X2 Impact, which made the bite guards, aim for this to be a less expensive (and possibly more effective) replacement to helmets wired with sensors. Helmets are said to be faulty because they can shift during a game.

The football team at Stanford University is currently testing the mouth guards. The researchers plan to deploy the new protective gear to the Stanford women’s field hockey and lacrosse teams.

X2Impact Official Website
[Via Stanford University School of Medicine: For study of concussions, Stanford athletes use high-tech mouthpiece to record head impact]

CEA Get on Health and Fitness Track

While it had already been announced that Health and Fitness will be a tech zone at January’s 2012 CES trade show in Las Vegas, the CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) announced that it will be getting on tech track to better health at the upcoming 2011 CEA Industry Forum. At the event, which is scheduled for October 23-26 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, California, will include the Health and Fitness Tech Track.

Highlights of the program after the jump: Continue reading CEA Get on Health and Fitness Track

Bottle Lock It

For many urban dwellers there is only one bike lock they trust, which is none, as in they never leave their bike and never lock it up. However, there are times when there is no choice and the bike has to be left unguarded. Few would dare leave a nice bike unlocked for even a few minutes, and in those occasions it means brining a lock and chain along for the ride. The problem is how to carry the lock and chain.

It is generally agreed that riders shouldn’t wear the chain as a sash or even as a belt. Messengers and commuters may do it, but this can be a problem should there be an accident as it can limit access, or even cause a rider to be pinned under a vehicle. On the flip side, many riders simple wouldn’t dream of putting a chain around the bike frame. In other words there has to be a better way, and thanks to the Küat Racks Bottle Lock there is one! Continue reading Bottle Lock It

Glamping Takes the Roughing It Out of Camping

There seems to be two kinds of people when the words “roughing it” come up. There are those who find everything great about the great outdoors, and there are those who consider anything but a suite in a boutique hotel to be downright Bohemian. And yet a growing industry is “eco-tourism,” where travelers want to experience the outdoors with all the hassles that come with it.

For those who like the idea of camping but don’t want to sleep on the ground in sleeping bags, and who prefer some level of comfort yet don’t want to check into a hotel, there is a middle ground. Welcome to the world of Glamping, which is basically “glamour” meets “camping.” This new trend makes use of eco-friendly domes that can be up to 24 feet in diameter, are fully wind and water resistant and feature a fan system that circulates the warm air at night so no one has to sleep on the cold ground. Continue reading Glamping Takes the Roughing It Out of Camping

Fitness Journal: FSA Warns – Buyer Beware

Anyone who knows me is aware of my bike obsession. Riding and building them with an occasional race in mind is what I like to do. As the seasons change and fall arrives, I begin my yearly bike audit. This includes assessing the bikes that I have, and then determining what major service needs to be performed on them, as well as which bike I would like to replace. This year is no different, or so it seemed. With plans in the works to build a new tandem for my wife and me, along with the consideration of a full-suspension cross country bike, the possibility of building a snow bike and the desire to replace my 26-inch wheeled single speed mountain bike with a 29er version, all of these bikes have left me considering quite a few options with regards to components. Additionally, when I assemble a new bike it is often from the frame up. Rarely do I ever buy a complete bike. While I have nothing against complete bikes, I am pretty particular about the components.

Thus, fall is also a good time for me to start gathering parts since this is also the time that others are shedding parts. I should add that it has been years since I have worked in a bike shop, which afforded me the privilege of deep discounts. As I’ve found sometimes buying outside of a retailer can be necessary if the budget is limited and deals are needed to complete a project. The VeloSwap and other bike shows are full of goodies,  as is the online world that includes eBay and Craiglist. However, a recent post on Full Speed Ahead’s (FSA) website might make me rethink my plans. The company isn’t cracking down on sale of used products, but instead is addressing a far more ominous menace.

It appears that an issue once thought to only plague large corporations including Apple, Oakley and Nike is now making its way to smaller brands as well – counterfeits. If you have bought anything through online auctions such as eBay, you are aware of how difficult it is to determine if a seller is legitimate. Along with the anxiety of waiting to see if a part for your bike even shows up, you might now have to worry if the item that you purchased is even authentic. Once an item is purchased from a non-retail sellers (meaning auctions, forums or even discount sites), there often is no warranty from the manufacturer. This is usually not an issue due to the substantial savings off of the suggested retail price; but if it is not even authentic, that can be a bigger issue – especially for your own safety. If a fake pair of Oakley glasses or Nike shoes fail, a major injury is not likely to occur; but if a fake FSA stem breaks while riding a downhill run at 30 miles per hour, death is possible. This is certainly not good.

(Video after the jump)

 

Continue reading Fitness Journal: FSA Warns – Buyer Beware