Gadget | Evolving Consumer

Swing Right With the Swingbyte

Golf has been around for a long time, and while the game has evolved over the years with new equipment the last decade has seen the game on the green really go high-tech. Among the newest advances are apps, and the Swingbyte is one that works with Android and iOS and features a simple device that attaches to any club including driver or putter. It is paired with a mobile device via Bluetooth and automatically records details on swings including club head speed, acceleration and club face angle.

With this users can analyze each swing and see what they were doing right and wrong.

Swingbyte Official Website

BULT in Camera

There is a serious debate whether a rugged camera should be mounted to a cycling and skating helmet. Some content that this could actually cause injury as the object could affect the way a wearer’s head hits the ground. C-Preme saw this concern and has addressed it with the fittingly named BULT, which offers a built-in 1,280×720 resolution video camera that can shoot at 30 frames per second with a 120-degree angle lens. It can even snap 5MP still photos.

The “Videohead Technology” is reportedly CPSC and ASTM certified and will be released later this year.

BULT Digital Helmets Official Website

Weekend Reading List (08.17.2013): Wall to Water, Electric Charged Up, miWay

Wall to Water

From Gear Junkie: Climbing Comp: A 50-ft Wall, Only Water Below to Catch Your Fall…
Last weekend in Park City, Utah, some of the best climbers in the world competed in an event unlike anything else in the sport.

The Psicobloc Masters Series was the first major deep-water soloing competition held in the U.S. Climbers competed head-to-head on identical routes up a 50-foot wall, no ropes or harnesses, just a massive swimming pool below to catch their fall. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (08.17.2013): Wall to Water, Electric Charged Up, miWay

OTG Brinno

We recently heard that Contour has shuttered its doors and that could leave an opening for other rugged camera makers that look to take on GoPro. The Brinno might be just the one to take on the ‘pro. It features a wide 180 degree angle lens as well as an aspherical lens, and sensors that can adapt to low light situations.

It offers a 1.44 LCD preview screen, while the On-the-Go Brinno Reader Accessory makes for quick uploading and playback to any smartphone.

Brinno Official Website

Kickstarted: Atom Generator

An atomic generator is typically massive, but the Siva Cycle’s Atom isn’t. It actually is small enough to attach to bike’s rear hub where it can juice up mobile phones, cameras and GPS units via its USB port.

The Atom weighs just 300 grams, and is truly compact at just 7.5 inches tall, 3 inches wide, and 1.2 inches deep, including all component parts. Integrated into the body is a 1300mAh battery pack that the generator charges. The generator puts out 5V at up to 500mA, and has a charge rate that is the same as the USB output from most computers. From the battery it an return an iPhone from flat to a 75 percent charge

This project was born out of a Kickstarter project and now Siva Cycle is looking to start filling orders in November.

Siva Cycle Official Website

Same Old SAEM Old

Taking a smartphone on the go can be a good idea given the apps that can track distance, heart rate and even GPS information. Protecting the smartphone in the right case is an smarter idea, and the Veho SAEM waterproof case seems clever indeed. It offers a patented “pinnagrip” technology to security house the handset, while the water resistant body still allows for full operation through the x-touch screen.

There is even a karabiner for outdoor and marine use while a handlebar mount is available for use with a bicycle. The case will be ready to protect your handset this fall.

Veho Official Website

Garmin Power

A number of companies are doing power meters but the new Garmin Vector might just power away from the competition. This pedal-based power meter delivers readings from each pod to a head unit (not included) via ANT+, and one notable advantage over other systems is that the pedals can be easily transfer from bike to bike.

The Garmin Vector won’t come cheap – it is available now in the United States for about $1,700. But for those who want to know how much power they generate this could be the system to beat. Official specs after the jump

Solar Tent

A tent is great for keeping you out of the elements, but the Eddie Bauer Katabatic 2 Solar Tent can also be paired with the Sherpa 50 Solar Recharging Kit from Ground Zero. This means you can let your gizmos and gadgets get juiced up and remain safely inside the three-person, four-season tent.

This backcountry-ready tent will be able to keep you covered, and power up those electronics you just can’t leave at home next spring.

Eddie Bauer Official Website

Stower Not Thrower

The Flamethrower was actually a somewhat “ancient” invention used during the Byzantine Empire to shoot fire, and reinvented more recently for the same nefarious purpose. However, the FlameStower is something less menacing and actually could be considered a way to make camping downright civilized. It can charge the batteries of a USB-connected device via a camping or cook fire by conducting the heat to a thermoelectric generator.

The generator is in contact with a water reservoir and the combination of hot and cold produces the energy to juice up a device in a few hours.

FlameStower Official Website

Go Pro at Night

There are plenty of bicycle lights that will get you home even when street lights are far and few between, but for those who hit the trails after dark something a little more powerful is required. For those times there is the new NiteRider Pro 3600 DIY, which might just be one of the brightest bike lights we’ve seen or even heard about.

It features 3600 lumens, produced from six high performing Cree LEDs. The system includes an LED headlamp, helmet mount, handlebar mount, docking station and of course Li-Ion battery. It can run for an hour and a half at full power, or be race ready with 450 lumens for up to 16 hours. Riding the trails with this could be like the difference of night and day.

NiteRider Pro 3600 DIY Official Website

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Paper Boy Game

We like the idea of technology that combines video games and fitness, and we’ve heard about a few efforts that are under way, but the PaperDude VR has us scratching our heads. Yes, it is a game combined with a bicycle and it even utilizes virtual reality.

But it is sort of the like an old episode of The Simpsons where Bart plays a virtual yard work simulation after doing everything he could to get out of actual yard work. What’s the point in other words? Aren’t video games about saving the world or at least the princess, and with all due respect to those who wake up early to deliver the paper – is this really that compelling of an “adventure?”

So perhaps this isn’t really a full-blown Kinetic(Mis)Shift but we somehow think this technology could be used for so much more. Video after the jump

GoPro Goes With Added App Functionality

GoPro has introduced a new revised app that will boost the functionality of its Hero2 and Hero3 action cameras. These new tweaks will enable users to take full remote control of a camera’s functionality, and make it easier to take stills or start recording. The apps further allow the transfer of content wirelessly from a mobile handset or tablet and even share with social media. the new app is available for Android and iOS.

With this new app there is no reason to miss on the action. Video after the jump

Track it to You

We’ve seen some smart looking socks, but the Sensoria Fitness Smart Socks are downright brilliant. These were developed by Washington-based Heapsylon and feature electronic magnetic anklet that tracks activity and communicates data to external devices such as a smart phone. The app meanwhile works as a virtual coach, whilst the activity tracker analyzes where runners land on their feet, how they stride, and can even help them reach their goals while lessening injuries.

The makers of the socks are looking to get off and running through and Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign – which as of this week they’ve already met. Apparently a lot of people think Smart Socks are a “smart” idea. Video after the jump