Gadget | Evolving Consumer

Gadgets Get a Showers Pass

It can rain on your parade but with the Showers Pass new line of waterproof cases for the tablets and smartphones it won’t matter. These cases are designed for year-round all-weather use for cyclists and other outdoor activities, as each case offers a slim profile with welded edges to keep out rain, snow, dirt and water but retain touchscreen, phone call and camera functionality in all conditions. These cases offer a dual zip-lock feature keeps every device safe from an accidental splash in the water.

The Cloudcover include a pull-tab for easy opening on-the-go, a side tab to attach to a keychain or mini-carabiner as well as a dual zip-lock for ultra waterproof protection, plus reflective elements for easy location in the dark and welded edges that also help to cushion any falls or blows on the trail. The Cloudcover line includes cases for iPads for $49.99; iPad Minis for $37.50; Kindles for $37.50; smartphones (Samsung Glaxy, etc.) for $24.99; iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 for $24.99; as well as a dry wallet for $19.99.

Showers Pass Official Website

Water Power

Power meters are the new thing in cycling – well, maybe not the new thing but certainly the hot thing in tracking effort and energy spent. Now One Giant Leap is looking to do for kayakers what various companies have done for cyclists.

The company is introducing the world’s first Kayak Power Meter. This carbon fiber, adjustable, split-shaft can track power output, power balance (including left stroke vs. right stroke) and even stroke-rate. This unique paddle can sync – but hopefully not sink – via ANT+ and can used to record power, power balance, stroke-rate and even boat speed and heart rate. The Kayak Power Meter can be used with various software including Garmin Connect and TrainingPeaks.

Kayak Power Meter Official Website

Add Some Juice and Go

There are times when an electric bike can come in handy, but for those who prefer simple pedal power buying an electric bike might seem a waste. Not only is there the added cost, but also the weight. However, the Rubbee could be just the thing.

This add on gizmo is being developed through a Kickstarter project, can turn (almost) any regular bike into an electric bike. This unique conversion kit features an integrated clamp mechanism that can be mounted on a bike in just a few seconds, while the innovative drive motor with an internal battery can help propel the bike for more than 25 miles without pedaling. Unlike other kits that can add as much as 15kg to the bike, this one weighs just 6.5kg (14 pounds), and it can fully recharge in just two hours. Video after the jump

California Riding

Scosche has added some new colors to its line of boomBOTTLE wireless speakers. Why leave the music at home when riding a bike, camping or just on the go when music can be streamed via via Bluetooth from a mobile or other device to this durable non-slip, shock absorbing speaker. Dual 40mm drivers deliver music while the omnidirectional diffuser channels music in all directions creating a 360 degree soundscape. Continue reading California Riding

Weekend Reading List (07.27.2013): Pure Cycling, Speed Thrills, Fat Breath, EVO-lution, ING Out

Pure Cycling

From Bicycle Retailer: LeMond Revolution sponsors Bike Pure team
LeMond Revolution is becoming a supplier and co-title sponsor of the Australia-based anti-doping organization Bike Pure and its road racing team. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (07.27.2013): Pure Cycling, Speed Thrills, Fat Breath, EVO-lution, ING Out

(Tre)Lock and Ride

Riding off road at night requires a good headlamp and fortunately the days of massive battery packs are a thing of the past. The new Trelock LS950 from Cantitoe Road offers six hours of full brightness of 70 lumens, but also features five power levels for those times when a little less light will still do the trick. This means up to 45 hours of run time in between charges.

It has a somewhat sinister look that kind of resembles the Alien from those Alien movies, but perhaps that will just creep out the competition. More importantly, the rechargeable light attaches tool free to a handlebar offering an easy set up and plenty of time. You do need time to sleep after all.

Cantitoe Road Official Website

Rand McNally Maps the Way

While the Rand McNally name likely evokes atlases and books, the company knows a thing or two about GPS as well. The Rand McNally Foris 850 is designed not to be read at a desk, but out on a trail or while on a bike. Out of the box it features more than five million miles of roads and trails preloaded onto the device.

These include trails in National and State parks and forests, rails-to-trails routes, and of course US street and contour maps. The rugged and waterproof Foris 850 features a three-inch anti-glare touchscreen, compass and altimeter. It runs on two AA batteries and it can go where the road or trail takes you. Video after the jump

Stake Some Light

We’ve seen UCO’s line of LED lights for camping and have been impressed, but this is one company that continues to innovate. The company has introduced its new StakeLight, a tent stake that as the name suggests features a built-in light.

With a 17-lumen LED light encased in the water-resistant housing the light can help users avoid tripping over a tent rope while getting up in the night to answer nature’s call. The StakeLight features both strobe and steady modes and can can for up to 24 hours from a single AAA on strobe setting. Dare we say this is a bright idea?

UCO Official Website

OGIO’s New Gambit

Lifestyle bag maker OGIO is betting big on the Gambit, a go-anywhere backpack that features a crush proof “Tech Vault” pocket, along with utility pockets and additional storage for virtually any gadget or gizmo you’d need to take on your next adventure. There are even dual side water bottle and accessory holders so everything is within reach. It also offers a HUB (Hybrid Unibody Backpanel), which includes increased shoulder strap foam padding for daily use or those long treks.

OGIO Official Website

Back in the Shell

Mobile devices can keep you connected, but for those with an “active” lifestyle that can also mean a broken or damaged phone or tablet. Armor-X has created a line of waterproof and rugged cases for cycling, running, rowing and even jet skiing.

The company’s new ActionShell series will have your device covered. The European brand has helped athletes take their handsets and tablets on the go, and is now coming out of its shell in America. It might be the next best thing to leaving the phone at home to ensure it is protected.

Armor-X Official Website

Sea Drone Camera

We’ve seen a number of attempts to put GoPro and other action cameras in the air to capture a bird’s eye view, but the creators of the Ziphius had another idea. They are looking to Kickstarter to see if their “Aquatic Drone” would hold water – or more accurately not sink.

The Ziphius can take pictures and videos of a user’s aquatic experiences, and as it can be controlled via an app on a mobile device is also part remote controlled watercraft as well. As a camera platform it features a 160-degree titling angle HD camera that can capture images above and below the water level, while an LED flash light can enhance the image.

Pictures and videos can uploaded directly to social media sites including YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. So for those who want to chronicle their underwater adventures – and have some fun with a controllable water craft – this might just be the thing. Video after the jump

JVC Adds to Adixxion

Last year JVC rolled out the Adixxion action camera, and now the company has updated it. The new version, the JVC GC-XA2, reportedly offers improved image quality along with more versatility. As with the original model this one requires no external housing as it is waterproof to five meters, can handle a drop to nearly six feet, while also being dust proof and freeze proof. It features built-in Wi-Fi and an LCD screen for previewing footage.

The new model can now record at 1,920×1,080 60p/50p Progressive Full HD, or at 1,280×720 high-speed recording at 120fps/100fps. The lens has also been updated and this new models features an F2.4 wide angle version that can better handle those fast shots. Full specs after the jump

Strava Gets Real

When out and about it is important to keep it real, and Strava announced this week that it is doing just that with its Real-Time Segments, which provider runners and cyclists live performance updates during their segment effort. This adds another layer of motivation to Strava Premium, where athletes can see exactly where they stack up on a certain segment the instant they complete it.

These instant segment times can be sent right to the phone, so instead of waiting until the activity is finished, runners and cyclists can see the results as they happen. Continue reading Strava Gets Real