Category: Equipment

Panasonic Gets Tough With New Tablet

Tablet PCs maybe great for taking on the go, you can do some web browsing, snap and view pictures and even use it as a GPS device. But the iPad and other tablets are so delicate that taking out in the backyard is roughing it. For real adventures you need something that can stand up to a bit of dirt, dust and all the other things the great outdoors has to offer.

Panasonic has introduced such a device in the Toughbook H2 tablet, which runs Windows and has an Intel Core i5-2557M vPro processor running at 1.7GHz. It weighs in at 3.5 pounds so it isn’t feather light, but it is still compact enough for those long treks. More importantly it offers 6.5 hours of battery life and has a fast charging hot swap battery option. Panasonic puts 4GB of RAM inside by default and it has a 320GB HDD for storage. The machine can also be fitted with a 128GB SSD. Best of all, the machine features aTransReflective Plus 10.1 inch screen that can be seen even in backlit, and it supports dual touch with a digitizer and works as a touchscreen.

This is more of a business machine for field workers, but we could see it making its way to the “civilian” market too. It offers GPS, 2MP camera and even an RFID reader. The biggest downside now, besides the hefty price of $3,559, is that the H2 is only available with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as Gobi 200 3G, but 4G will be available later this year. But this very much could be the beginning of truly rugged tablets.

[Via Geeky Gadgets: Panasonic Toughbook H2 Rugged Tablet Computer Debuts]

Magellan Adds DigitalGlobe to Help eXplore the World

Adventure travelers and those who like to get off the beaten path and see the world will now know where they’re going, even when doing exploring in distant lands. Magellen GPS has announced a new series of worldwide satellite and aerial imagery-enhanced maps for its Magellan eXplorist and Magellan Triton handheld GPS units. These new maps provide Magellan handheld GPS users with high-resolution satellite and aerial imagery from DigitalGlobe, a leading provider of earth imagery solutions.

Globe trekking travelers can now get detailed and precise overhead pictures of their surroundings while on the go, and this is meant to help users discover nearby environmental features during outdoor activities. This can be used for hunters for pre-season scouting, and for identifying game funnels, while anglers can use to locate new fishing holes. Geocachers can spot obstacles before encountering them, while hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can get a preview of surroundings to make sure they don’t miss something truly special.

The DigitalGlobe images are available to Magellan users for virtually any area on the planet, from well-traveled parks and sites to more remote and rarely visited locations. The new DigitalGlobe-enhanced maps are compatible with the following Magellan handheld GPS units: eXplorist 310, eXplorist 510, eXplorist 610, and eXplorist 710; and Triton 400, Triton 500, Triton 1500 and Triton 2000. Continue reading Magellan Adds DigitalGlobe to Help eXplore the World

Speedo Counts Laps With AquaCoach

Cyclists rely on cycling computers to track speed, distance and even cadence, while heart rate monitors can track calories and workout intensity. Now Speedo and Pool-Mate swimming computer Swimovate are partnering to develop the AquaCoarch watch, which can provide swimmers automatically detect not only laps, but also the strokes used, along with distance, speed and number of strokes, as well as calories burned during a workout.

This watch is water-resistant (but of course) to 100 meters or 328 feet, and can work in any pool over 15 meters (49 feet) long. It can remember up to 50 swim sessions too, so users can compare their latest workouts. The key to this device is that it features an accelerometer along with custom algorithms that can count individual strokes while keeping track of laps by detecting the pauses that occur when swims do the flip thing to change direction.

(Video after the jump) Continue reading Speedo Counts Laps With AquaCoach

Wood Makes a Return to Youth Baseball

We reported earlier this year that the NCCA had introduced new rules regarding what constitutes a “legal” bat, as some alloy metals were banned, because they gave an unfair advantage to players. But now Rhode Island has stepped up to the plate to ban all metal bats in its American Legion Baseball league for youth players.

This is just one of three states where the American Legion has reportedly mandated this switch from metal to wooden bats, citing safety as the main reason. While tradition has been cited, and thus the use of wooden bats is in line with those Major League Baseball, it has been argued that wood bats are in fact safer. Research has shown that balls tend to leave wooden bats less quickly, and this gives players on the field more time to react to line drives.

As we noted last year, the National Federation of State High School Associations adopted new guidelines that will come into effect in 2012 on the performance of non-wooden bats as well.

[Via Rockdale Citizen: Youth leagues mull different bat standards]

Made in America: Cages Fit for a King

Not much consideration is given to a water bottle cage purchase by the average cyclist, the greatest importance is that there is at least one mounted to their new bike. It is not until they hit the trails and lose a bottle or have to wrestle with the bottle just to pull it out of the cage to get a drink does the thought of a well made water bottle cage come to mind. King Cage, based in Durango, Colorado, has been making water bottle cages the right way since 1991 and making them in America.

Ron Andrews has worked for a unique list of manufacturers in the bicycle industry including Fat City Cycles, One Off Titanium, Joe Breeze Cycles, Ted Wojack Cycles and Yeti Cycles. It was at One Off Titanium that Ran was asked by a customer if they could have a water bottle cage made from titanium. After he successfully made the titanium cage, he continued to produce them ever since Continue reading Made in America: Cages Fit for a King

Is Motorola Going to Give Nike+ a Run?

Motorola has seen many bumps in the road. Once a dominant player in the mobile phone space (and a title sponsor in the world of professional cycling), the company has many times seemed down for the count, but now it appears it could be up and running again and ready to sprint against Nike.

Rumor has it that Motorola is looking to take on the Nike+ SportWatch. Online images suggest a “tricked out nano watch,” one which has been described as an “all-in-one fitness and music personal fitness device” along with GPS for “accurate performance tracking.” So far the device hasn’t actually been made public, and has no actual name (MotoActive is one rumor). The word is also that this watch can sync to a PC for post workout analysis. All this is based on an apparent online survey to help name the name – which is where MotoActive seems to have come from.

What is interesting is that this seems to be a multi-use monitor and music player, with some interesting music features. We are hearing that the “smart music player” can compile a list of songs based on the tunes that help you sweat your best. Let’s hope that doesn’t mean that it downloads “Let’s Get Physical” and “Eye of the Tiger” for you!

[Via Engadget: Motorola considering Nike+ SportWatch contender?]

A New Mountain Bike Standard?

Mondraker, a ten year old bicycle company based in Spain, has announced the upcoming release of what they are claiming will be a new mountain bike standard. The 2012 Podium has features that we have seen before – a carbon fiber frame, internal cable routing and a BB30 bottom bracket; but the feature that they are touting as the new standard is an integrated stem.

The new Podium is a front suspension, hard tail design specifically designed for cross country racing and riding. By integrating the stem as a virtual extension of the top tube, the rider’s weight and center of gravity is lowered on the bike. This increases stability and provides for better pedaling efficiency. Continue reading A New Mountain Bike Standard?

For the Dearly Departed Surfboard

We all bemoan when a favorite workout item reaches the end of the line, and in many ways whether it is a bike or surfboard, it can feel like a friend passing. But what happens next we ask? While new products often get a lot of attention, less is given to what happens when the new new becomes old? The truth is that much of our new materials aren’t so easy to recycle, and many products that are made from recycled materials can’t be further reused.

Designer/surfer/artist Christopher Anderson is drawing attention to this fact with a new project he’s calling “1000 Surfboard Graveyard,” which aims to provoke new ideas and generate a conversation about the sustainability of high performance surfboards, while looking at their carbon emissions and non-renewable resource consumption and finally their eventual disposal into a landfill

The artist is currently trying to collect and install 1,000 broken surfboards on Garie Beach in New South Wales, Australia as part of a project with Surfrider Foundation Australia. We’ll be sure to follow this story and look for the results.

1000 Surfboard Graveyard Blog

Carbon Fiber – Not Just for Aircraft and Bikes

What’s not to love about carbon fiber? The truly space age material that made big waves in aerospace and of course racecars, and has become the standard material for many high-end bicycle frames, as well as seeing use in surfboards, golf clubs and countless other fitness products. Now the same material is starting to head to the world of fashion, and because it looks good and is quite rigid and durable, the material is ideal for protecting those high-tech toys in a high-tech way. This is the idea behind Smartt Mate, a new back cover for the iPad 2 from monCarbone. Unlike leather or even plastic covers, the carbon fiber Smartt Mate is light-weight and will help protect the case from scratches, and as a carbon fiber is UV resistant, can help from discoloration from sunlight.

“It’s rare that you see a new material like carbon fiber transforming categories and claiming new ground in the competitive world of design and fashion,” said Ming Chen, Managing Director of monCarbone. “We’re watching the hallmark of good design as it happens – discovery of something truly new and trend-setting andd its adoption by discerning people as a way to express themselves through fashion that stands out for all the right reasons.”

The Smartt Mate covers the rear and sides of the iPad 2 with no unnecessary cutouts. It is just 0.35mm (less than 0.023 inches) thick, and weights just 40g, while there are still 690,000 carbon fiber strands with each cover. It is available in classic colors including Mystery Black and Mystery Black – with special edition colors including Luminous Silver and Parisian Champagne – to be announced soon. Sounds “smartt” to us.

monCarbone Official Website

Spots on your glasses?

Are you annoyed the spots that are left behind on your glasses after getting caught in a rain shower or being forced to remove your glasses completely just when you need them the most so you can see where you are going on your bike in a storm? For $20, Oakley may have a solution for you. The Oakley NanoClear Lens Cleaner + Hydrophobic Kit is a liquid product which is applied directly to the lenses of your glasses and repels water similar to the RainX product for your car’s windshield.

The Oakley NanoClear Lens Cleaner + Hydrophobic Kit is easy to apply using the applicator marker and is formulated to work with almost any type of eyewear and frames, including prescription glasses. To apply, simply run the marker tip across the entire lens surface, wait 30 seconds then buff it lightly with the included MICROCLEAR cloth. The formula can be applied to both sides of the lenses – especially useful for those who sweat a lot. The coating prevents water from leaving streaks and sheens that can corrupt your vision, and it creates a smudge-resistant barrier that repels skin oils and lotions, so keeping your lenses clean will be a whole lot easier. Continue reading Spots on your glasses?

The Shoe of the Tiger

Everyone always talks about “the eye of the tiger,” but this month the talk could turn to the “shoe of the Tiger,” as in the new Nike prototype shoe for Tiger Woods, who has been working with one of the directors of Nike’s Innovation Kitchen. Tiger Woods and Tobie Hatfield, along with Nike Golf, have created a Nike Free prototype shoe that the golfer will wear during this week’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational (August 3-7, 2011).

Developed in 2004 by a group led by Hatfield, the Nike Free provided “natural motion” technology that mimics and conforms to the natural motion of the wearer’s foot, while providing the protection and traction of a lightweight performance shoe. The Free-inspired elements in the new prototype model allow for greater movement for the front of the foot, while increasing stability with mobility.

“This will help give Tiger greater stability as he addresses the ball,” says Hatfield. “The freedom of movement that natural motion technology delivers will also allow more power to be released through the swing rather than through the body, which can happen when your feet are too static.” Continue reading The Shoe of the Tiger

Catch the Drift HD-170 Actioncam

In the past couple of years the helmet-mountable GoPro HERO HD camera has caught a lot of attention, but now Drift Innovation is looking to turn heads with a smaller version of its HD-170, making for the former model’s shortcomings.

The new Drift HD features a swiveling 170-degree lens, and is actually sleeker than the previous models, and it already seems less bulky than the GoPro. The Drift HD features a color LCD screen, wireless start/stop remote control, manual iris option and offers full HD 1080p resolution. In addition there is an external 2.5mm mic port.

The new Drift HD also goes a step further than the GoPro offering replaceable lenses, which could come in very handy for those who like to risk life and limb getting the perfect shot. This camera can also do double duty and take 9megapixel still images, supports microSD cards up to 32GB, and is compatible with PCs and Macs. The Drift HD will be available at the end of the month (MSRP $369). This is a drift that those looking to chronicle their activities will want to catch.

Drift HD Official Website
[Via Gizmag: Drift Innovation releasing smaller HD actioncam]

Lace-up Brace Does Prevent Injuries

As far back as the early 1900s, basketball specific footwear was being made by A.G. Spalding and Converse. These high-top shoes were fairly flimsy compared to the shoes of today like the newer company, Ekito; but did offer more support than other low cut athletic footwear. Basketball specific footwear continually evolves, and yet the ankle injuries still occur. Amateur players have been encouraged to wear ankles braces in recent years to reduce injuries and now there is a scientific study to prove the benefits.

McDavid USA, the Chicago based provider of sports medical products, protective performance apparel and recovery gear, is touting the study that was recently published by a pair of researchers at the University of Wisconsin Sports Medicine – Tim McGuine, PhD, ATC, and Dr. Alison Brooks. The controlled study involved 1460 male and female (ages 13-18) basketball players from 46 high school schools across the country.

“[The researchers] started by soliciting ankle braces from all manufacturers who were willing to participate,” Rey Corpuz, director of Marketing for McDavid said. “A sample group of players were given several brands of ankle braces to try on, and were then asked: ‘If you were to purchase one of these braces, which would you choose?’ According to McGuine, the choice was determined on fit, comfort, effectiveness and whether or not the athletes would actually buy the brace on their own. It came down to two brands, including ours, and in the end, the decision was made to proceed with McDavid exclusively.” The model the was chosen was the lace-up McDavid 195 Ultralight Ankle Brace. Continue reading Lace-up Brace Does Prevent Injuries