Category: Gadget

Sonic Boom

SonicSportTime to get out there and take the music with you. Audio-Technica’s new SonicSport headphones, which are designed for active use will bring the music to any workout. Three new SonicSport models are out now, and include the back cord-style ATH-CP700, which offers a microphone and controls for smartphones and other devices; the C-top-design ATH-CKP500 and the ear hook version ATH-CKP200.

All three models feature an IPX5-certified waterproof rating and are sweat-proof and washable. There’s a great big world out there but when that doesn’t mean you have to hear it when working out.

Audio-Technica Official Website

Hands On: Eton FRX3

FRX3-EtonAs super storm Sandy and other natural disasters have shown us, you never know when the power might go out. To that end it is good to have a flashlight, at least three days of food and water, but a radio or other communication device is a good idea too.

We’d recommend taking it a step further with something like Eton’s FRX3 – a multi-powered, multi-functon smartphone-charging, weather alert radio that can help light the way. We didn’t get to test the FRX3 in an actual emergency – for which we can be grateful – but we found that it does power up quickly by cranking the hand turbine for just about a minute. That is just enough to get a good 15 or so minutes of news, weather and even music – because in a disaster nothing beats some music. As a radio the unit provides a way to hear AM/FM and even NOAA weather band digital radio.

If that was all the Eton FRX3 did we’d still appreciate having it for those times when can’t simply turn on the TV or radio. But this unit, which can also be powered by the sun via a solar panel, can be used as an LED flashlight or beacon, and most importantly can charge a mobile phone.

There are certain devices you shouldn’t head out without, but this is one device that should be in the home as well as the campsite.

Eton FRX3 Official Website

Fire Point

Point-Source-PowerThere is a legend that during the Second Punic War a large Roman fleet under the command of Claudius Marcellus was burned by Archimedes using nothing more than mirrors to reflect the rays of the sun. Whether this is true or not has been left open to debate.

Not Point Source Power has introduced the VOTO, a low-cost biomass-fueled cellphone charger and LED light. This won’t start a fire exactly, but it will use the heat from a cooking stove at a camp site to charge the battery and in turn juice up the phone. We think Archimedes would approve! Video after the jump

Goggles to (Insta)Beat

InstabeatSwimmers don’t get a lot of sensory data while in the pool. There have been efforts to provide ways to train with music and many heart rate monitors are now swimming compatible. But unlike with running and cycling, it isn’t so easy to see the watch while engaged even in long distance activities.

This is where the Instabeat could come in. The device is now being developed via an Indiegogo campaign.

The device provides a heart rate reading from the temporal artery so no heart rate strap is required across the chest, while a head strap to the goggles provides the read out via a colored LED that is projected directly to the eyes. This helps swimmers track their heart rate while actually swimming to determine if they are at their own specific fat burning, fitness or maximum performance heart rate. The device even tracks calories burned, while a motion sensor tracks laps, flip turns and breathing patterns for a post-workout analysis. Video after the jump

Rising Suunto

Suunto-Ambit-2-GPSSmartwatch maker Suunto has introduced its new Ambt2 GPS watches. The Ambit2 S is designed for fitness buffs and offers functionality for cycling, running, swimming and training. The Ambit2 S can track pace, route navigation and track heart rate. The Ambit 2 is for those who take to wilds and it features fiberglass-reinforced case and offers info on altitude, vertical speed, barometric pressure and temperature – plus all the functions of the 2S.

Suunto Ambit GPS Watches Official Website

Handy Indeed

HDR-GW66VESony is on a roll. Last week the company introduced a new digital binocular that can record still and video – so yeah it sounded a lot like a stereoscopic camera. But the company also unveiled the new sport-ready Handycam HDR-GW66VE.

It is waterproof to 10 meters, plus resists dust, dirt, is freezeproof and shockproof. It can record full HD video in high-quality AVCHD format, as well as web-friendly MP4. It can also shoot 20megapixel stills. For those who hear adventure calling this is one handy camera to have.

Sony Press Release: Ready for that holiday of a lifetime: the waterproof new Handycam HDR-GW66VE

Range Viewer

Bushnell-V3Bushnell makes range finders for a variety of outdoor activities and the Bushnell Tour V3 Rangerfinder is just for golf. It features a one-hand-friendly design with 5x magnification, and it utilizes the company’s Pin Seeker and Jolt technologies so it be used for those up close shots and down the green. It is rainproof and offers an ergonomic design to provide a stable grip.

Bushnell Golf Tour V3 Rangerfinder Official Website

Light Gloves

LED-GlovesThe Doppleganger gloves aren’t lightweight and in fact these probably weigh more than most cycling gloves. But these aren’t even gloves at all. The Doppleganger LED Turn Signal accessory actually attaches to your current gloves and provides a little light on the hands. These provide an indicator that can help cars see your arm movements at night when you signal you are stopping or turning.

The Japanese made glove accessories are powered by a watch batter that can provide up to 120 hours of light in the flashing mode. Light on!

Doppleganger LED Turn Signal Official Website

Dog Gone Camera Mount

AKA-DM1On the British science fiction series Doctor Who the robotic dog K-9 had a laser and could talk, but even in the future K-9 couldn’t take video for some reason. Sony hasn’t invented a way to make dogs talk or even shoot a laser, but the AKA-DM1 harness could allow you to mount an action camera on the dog. Whether the footage will be any good is the question.

Let’s just hope it doesn’t capture footage of your dog licking itself!

Sony Japan AKA-DM1 Official Website

Stereo Vision

DEV-50-Digital-Recording-BiA digital camera with a telephoto lens is great for taking photos from a distance, but Sony has another way to see nature. Last week it unveiled its DEV-50V binoculars. These digitally powered binoculars don’t just let you view the action, but you can record it as well, and these capture still and video images. Since these use stereoscopic lenses these are in essence a 3D camera as well.

The Sony DEV-50V is still a binocular with camera functionality and to that end it features twin Exmor R image sensors, which offer 5.4megapixel resolution. This is a far cry from what many point-and-shoot digital cameras offer and about a third of the resolution of a Digital-SLR.

The binoculars also offers built-in GPS for geotagging of photos and video, which could certainly appeal to the users who are more about seeing wildlife and nature up close. The device is also waterproof – at least to the point that it can be used in the rain. Continue reading Stereo Vision

Fiber Vest

NoxgearEveryone needs their daily fiber, but Noxgear thinks it isn’t the fiber you ingest but rather the fiber optics you wear. The Dayton, Ohio start up is looking to roll with its Fiber Optic Athletic Gear, which can help runners, cyclists or just anyone else heading out at night be seen.

The company is now wrapping up a Kickstarter campaign to bring out the Torch model for team-based activities, while the Tracer is aimed at running, walking and riding. Both models will provide 360 degree coverage and can be worn over t-shirts or even coats. Video after the jump

Water Pod

Underwater-AudioThe iPod Shuffle can let you take your favorite tunes a lot of places, and now Underwater Audio is letting that include the pool. The company has provided a waterproofing process to the sleek portable music player, which allows it get wet without stopping the music.

The unit can be pair with the company’s Swimbuds, which are 100 percent waterproof headphones, so these durable headphones can handle water and more. These extra-short cord ensures you won’t get tangled while swimming. With this winning combo you’ll never have to miss a beat.

Underwater Audio Official Website