A camera can often help save memories of those trips you made, and the Pentax WG-3 is a rugged camera that will be available in both non-GPS and GPS version. If features a f/2.0 aperture wide-angle lens with 4x optical zoom, a back-illuminated 16MP CMOS sensor, and Pentax’s sensor-shift Shake Reduction, which should help provide great photos with little noise. This camera is waterproof and can withstand 220 foot pounds of force, so it is ready for the adventure.
Category: Gadget
The Iron Age is Here
While GoPro continues to dominate the rugged camera market the makers of the IronX HD camera could give it a run for the money. This camera can stream live video to mobile devices, and it features app functionality for both iOS and Android. The camera features a 170-degree wide-angle lens and 2GB of built-in Flash memory. It can be controlled via a smartphone or from a 2.4 GHz RF wrist remote.
Rino Radio
Getting off the grid and away from it all is good in theory, but perhaps a little communication isn’t such a bad idea. This is where the Garmin RINO 655t GPS/2-way radio comes in quite well. It can put TOPO maps, FRS/GMRS radio, altimeter, compass and weather radio right in the palm of your hand.
The NOAA weather can alert you to incoming storms, while the waterproof design is up to IPX7 standards so it can endure a storm or two. There is even a built-in 5-megapixel autofocus camera with automatic geotagging functionality.
There are times to leave the iPhone and other handsets at home, but this is one radio you shouldn’t go into the wilds without.
X-1 Has Serious Momentum
X-1 Audio can’t be slowed down, as the company has some serious momentum with its new headsphones. These sport-specific earbuds are designed so that cyclists and runners (or anyone else) can still hear ambient noise while enjoying the tunes. The open ear design allows for that ambient noise from cars and other people to get through, and while maybe not ideal for those looking to escape the world it could be the difference between hearing the approaching car or getting run down.
The Momentum earbuds aren’t exactly rugged designs but do feature an Ingress Protection Rating of IP4 so these can endure sweat and rain without worry.
Soul to Soleus
The “soul” of a cycling computer these days could just be the GPS functionality that connects with a higher plane. The Soleus Draft , which is the sport watch maker’s first foray into cycling, can track current/average/max speed, calories burned and distance. It isn’t compatible with heart rate monitors so we could say this one is lacking “heart” but with its ability to provide the data via GPS in a $99 device who needs heart?
Can’t Break Polar’s Stride
Polar looks to track every step you make with the Polar Strike Sensor Bluetooth Smart, the first sensor that allows runners to track speed, distance and capture intelligent training data. This small, lightweight device clips onto the user’s shoe and can record a range of data including stride length, cadence, running speed and distance.
This is good for urban areas where GPS doesn’t always work so well, and the data can be analyzed and shared wirelessly via mobile training applications for smartphones, tablets or any Bluetooth Smart ready device. It is also compatible with the latest version of Polar Beat, the training app for iOS. Continue reading Can’t Break Polar’s Stride
One Tough Galaxy
Smartphones can do a lot of things, but most are rather delicate devices. You can rely on special cases and try your best to protect the handset, or you could look to the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, a ruggedized version of the Galaxy S4. This Android-powered smartphone can survive a bit water as well as dust and dirt, or even a drop on the ground.
It features a 5-inch Full HD display – TFT LCD rather than AMOLED in order to provide that ruggedness – and if offers an 8megapixel rear camera, as well as a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, plus a water-resistant earphone jack. For those who want to take their smartphone on the go the S4 Active might be the smart move to make.
eLECT(ric) Fork
While an electric fork might be something that Homer Simpson would use for dinner, Magura has introduced something entirely different. The bicycle component maker has followed RockShox and Fox by introducing a fork for mountain bikes that provides an electronic auto-lockout technology called eLECT.
This new fork system replaces the top-mounted adjustment cap/knob that is typically found on suspension forks. Instead eLECT offers a lightweight module that contains a microprocessor, servo motor, 3D accelerometer and it all runs on a lithium-ion battery that can be juiced up via a micro USB port.
The accelerometer is there to detect when the tire hits a rough patch – and it registers the size of the bump and just as fast the module alternates the suspension accordingly. It can also determine whether the bike is going uphill, down or rolling on flats. When on flats or downhill the suspension will remain opened to soften the ride; while on the uphill can be automatically locked to the most rigid setting to make it easier for the rider to climb. This system can reportedly even detect if the bike has “caught” some air and will respond to help soften the landing.
With this new technology we say put a “fork” in it – it’s done and ready to ride.
Jet Powered Glasses
Recon Instruments have introduced a range of heads-up displays that can be used for skiing and snowboarding as well as skydiving. These can provide speed, distance and other useful information. However, the goggles for skiing aren’t exactly going to work while running on the beach.
To this end Recon has gotten Jet powered, and has introduced a stylish pair of sun glasses that provide the same heads-up display but in a much smaller package. These were revealed at the Google I/O event last month.
The Jet features a dual-core processor, dedicated graphics, GPS, HD camera, speaker and microphone. The glasses offer wireless connectivity to compatible devices via Wi-Fi, Ant+ and Bluetooth 4.0. The Glasses are ready to give the display for runners and cyclists and could change the way athletes are presented with real-time fitness data. Video after the jump
Adidas Blows It Up With Nitrocharge
The soccer pitch won’t know what hit it. Adidas has introduced the new Nitrocharge soccer cleat/football boot, which offers a high-elastic upper element called the ENERGYSling to provide extra agility, while the ENERGYPULSE on the sole provides improved push-off and gives greater energy return to let the wearer go the distance.
The Sprintframe outsole offers TRAXION 2.0 stud placement to provide greater balance traction, stability and all in a lightweight shoe. The Nitrocharge also offers a miCoach speed cell fitness-tracking chip that allows the wearer to monitor speed, distance and even number of sprints. This can connect with an iOS device for a post game recap of the shoe’s explosive moments.
Music Player Fit for a King of the Sea
Neptune was king of the sea according to Greek mythology, and the Finis Neptune waterproof audio player is thus fittingly named. It utilizes bone conduction to deliver sound to the audio canal so swimmers can get in tune with their strokes.
It offers 4GB of memory, an integrated OLED display, improved file transfer compatibility with iTunes and is waterproof to 3 meters (10 ft). Video after the jump
First Person Shooter
We do love our first person shooter video games, but these don’t really provide much of a workout. While we’ve worked up a sweat from playing these it isn’t the kind of “good sweat” that you get from actually running around. Tek Recon could be the new ultimate first person shooter.
It isn’t as messy as paintball and doesn’t really require a special place to play like laser tag. This game has players use special “blasters” that shoot soft projectiles up to 75 feet, while these can be integrated with an iOS or Android device that provides a heads up display, radar tracking and even in-game chat. The result is an action game that is very much like a video game but one that requires real world activity.
The developers are now engaged in a Kickstarter campaign. We think of this as their way of doing a little recon for Tek Recon. Video after the jump
BrakeIT
What is better than a bike light to be seen? How about multiple bike lights that react to motion? LucidBRAKE is a stop sign-shaped brake light that mounts practically anywhere and is waterproof and lightweight. It features a three axis accelerometer that is able to detect braking forces relative to gravity and lights up much like a brake light on a car.
It offers two different braking speeds but also can be set to random blinking mode to help ensure it is seen at night or adverse weather conditions. LucidBRAKE is now looking to Kickstarter to get this thing rolling. Video after the jump