Gadget | Evolving Consumer

Over Yonder

If you’re looking to head over yonder and see the world, then load up the iPhone with the free mobile Yonder App, which makes it easy to find great outdoor destinations. Users can further track their adventures with geo-tagged video and images, follow other users, and share experiences with the Yonder community and other social networks.

Yonder automatically identifies a user’s current location and displays a feed of nearby places to explore. Users can filter the feed by one of 18 different activities including hiking, biking, rock climbing, kayaking and more.

Yonder Official Website

Interbike Preview: Day Trader

A used bike doesn’t have to mean used and abused, but determining the value of a “previously owned bicycle” can be more challenging than buying a used car. However, the Bicycle Blue Book might make things a whole lot easier – for both buyers and sellers.

This service can take a lot of guess work out the pricing for used bikes, and it can even reduce some of the risk out buying via sites such as Craigslist – by involving a third party. As the company noted, “Bicycle Blue Book is a service that takes the wild west out of the used bike market.”

The Bicycle Blue Book will be at this month’s Interbike trade show in Las Vegas.

Bicycle Blue Book Official Website

Loaded With Buckshot

This Buckshot will blow you away – with big sound from its small package. This rugged, water-resistant speaker is built for cycling and other outdoor adventures. It features an IPX-5 water-resistance rating, and is both shock-resistant and dust-proof.

The Outdoor Tech Buckshot can connect wirelessly to a handset, tablet, laptop or any other Bluetooth-enabled device; and stream clear audio for a range of up to 32 feet for 10 hours. It features a built-in microphone for hands-free phone call functionality as well.

Outdoor Tech Buckshot Official Website

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

Tips and Tricks

Tablets are truly revolutionizing the way people work out, and Shane Schieffer of Gusto Technologies is looking to Kickstarter to develop the FitTrip App that merges games with fitness.

This is hardly the first time we’ve seen some “cross pollination” but the FitTrip app ties together an iPad, a heart rate monitor and can create a virtual experience. When used with an exercise bike, rowing machine or treadmill it will let users get engaged and push themselves by transforming the workout in a game, where effort actually works as the controls.

The idea is to transform each workout into an exciting trip, and the only downside we see is that users are limited to such a small screen to enjoy the journey. Video after the jump

Get INDO Yoga

The words safe and unstable don’t usually go together. But the makers of INDO Yoga Board describe it as “a safe and user-friendly unstable platform.” The INDO Yoga Board recreates the practice of stand-up paddleboard yoga on dry land. The board rests on top of several discs that give the board its instability. Users must concentrate on their yoga poses in order to stay in balance. This helps improve stability and works the core muscles. Video after the jump

Orbis Terrarum

The Orbis Terrarum was considered the first modern atlas and it no doubt helped people find their way. The Cyclops Orbis from GSM Outdoors will also allow people to find their way – but in this case in the dark. This heavy duty flashlight uses a 3-watt LED bulb that can cast a bright 140-lumen light.

It is made of durable ABS plastic housing, while the unit is equipped with a swivel handle for a comfortable grip. The Orbis is powered by a 4V rechargeable battery, and the kit also includes a home AC charger and 12V DC charger that can be used in an automobile, so you never have to worry about running out of power.

GSM Outdoors Official Website

Garmin Gets Going

Garmin has revolutionized the world of cycling computers with its GPS-enabled devices, and now the company could be looking to take on GoPro with two new full HD action cameras.

The VIRB and Wi-Fi-enabled/GPS-enabled VIRB Elite both feature a 1.4-inch display for watching those “dailies” while each unit can capture three hours of HD (1080p) footage on a single charge, and each can be used to capture 16megapixel still images as well.

The VIRB Elite adds the Wi-Fi and GPS functionality, allowing users to embed info on altitude, speed and location into their footage or connect wirelessly to an Android or iOS device. Both cameras will be ready to roll this fall.

Garmin VIRB Official Website

Weekend Reading List (08.24.2013): Upcycled Roof, Kobe Goes Anti-G, Cycle Cross

Upcycled Roof

From Gear Junkie: Metrodome Stadium Roof Material Made Into Luggage at Duluth Pack
In 2010, after a major accumulation of heavy snow in a storm, the roof of the massive Metrodome stadium in Minneapolis collapsed. More than three acres of the roof material, a Teflon-coated fiberglass fabric, had to be replaced. The material was headed to the landfill. But two people associated with the team made a deal to purchase the material for future use. Unveiled this past week, Minnesota brand Duluth Pack will construct a limited run of bags from the old Metrodome roof. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (08.24.2013): Upcycled Roof, Kobe Goes Anti-G, Cycle Cross

Won’t Fade Away

Some things just fade away, but that’s not what the designers of the FADER Boards hope will happen with their Kickstarter project, which is looking to help roll out a new line of skateboards. Part of the idea is to look cool with LED lights to allow skating at night.

However, this is only part of what Kramer Kitty is hoping to do with his FADER boards. He’s been creating a simple board that can be used to “cruise” as a means of transportation. In many cases he was recycling old decks to create new boards. He is now looking to provide free boards and even roller blades to struggling communities. All was going well, until he received a notice from the city calling for him to stop making boards in his garage.

Now he’s turning to crowd funding to help have the boards made in California and get his business rolling. Continue reading Won’t Fade Away

A Higher Power

The new TSL-T1000 headlight from Serfas is lightweight, made of CNC aluminum but with 1,000 lumens it is bright. Designed for off road riding the light features a Serfas Thunderbolt taillight that is integrated into its small battery pack, which can be strapped to a seatpost or top tube. The battery also features a USB outlet to charge accessories. The lightset comes with an included handlebar mount, helmet mount, wired remote switch, extension cable, wall charger and ballistic nylon storage case. It offers two hours of run time and can charge up in four hours. With this on a bike you might seem like a higher power.

Serfas TSL-T1000 Headlight Official Website

Capture Passes Goals

With just a couple days left in its Kickstarter campaign the Capture Camera Clip v2 has wildly surpassed its goals. There is still a little time – a day or two – to get in on this one, and capture one for yourself. Video after the jump

A Little Bit Gym

It has been a while since we heard from BitGym, a technology that can transform a typical cardio machine into an interactive experience. Now the company is looking to Kickstarter to offer ways of making workouts a bit more interesting.

The device works by using any monitor device – including tablet or mobile smartphone – that offers a front-facing camera. The software utilizes the built-in accelerometer that can sync with movement, so you can watch the screen but feel you’re a million miles away. Video after the jump