We know Pioneer Electronics for producing what was one of the best plasma TVs on the market. Sadly those days are in the past but the company is rolling forward with other exciting products including a new bicycle power meter system that includes an updated SGX-CA500 Cycle Computer that displays power data. It features built-in Wi-Fi as well as ANT+ and as it is black and white instead of color has fallen in price from $900 to a down to earth $300. Continue reading Pioneer Powers Up
Category: Gadget
Blue Logic Cadence
BioLogic has introduced a new wireless speed and cadence sensor that can transmit directly to a mobile device via Bluetooth 4.0 and is thus capable with Android and iOS. The sensor is powered by a single CR2032 battery that is said to provide up to 700 hours of riding data. The Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence sensor (MSRP: $45.95) will be available in the second quarter of 2014.
Alarmed and Ready
You can’t always keep your eyes on your bike, but the RFID Bikealarm is the next best thing to having someone watch your bike. Designed by Dennis Siegal, this device attaches to a bike saddle and emits a 120dB alarm when moved. This isn’t meant to replace a physical lock but rather to provide a low-cost second line of defense.
The alarm is activated by holding an RFID tag close to the device until an audio acknowledgement is sounded, and deactivated the same way when the owner returns. Siegel opted to use RFID technology as opposed to Bluetooth as a way to keep the costs down. Siegal designed the RFID Bikealarm as part of his university studies at University of the Arts Bremen in Germany.
Fly6 Has Your Back
Cyclists need to keep their eyes on the road, but there are times many wish they had eyes in the back of their head to watch for oncoming traffic. The Fly6 Camera and Tail-Light Combo is a bike light and more. It provides a light to alert drivers to a rider’s position, but also features a camera that can record how a driver may have responded.
The design came about after one of the inventors was shot by a slingshot by a passenger in a passing car. The designers, which are now looking to a Kickstarter campaign to help the Fly6 get off the ground so to speak, are hoping that drivers who know they are being filmed will behave more responsibly. Video after the jump
Camo Cooler
Last year Nikon introduced the AW110 Camo Camera, which we dubbed Cool Camo. Now the company has introduced the follow-up – the Nikon Coolpix AW120 Camo Camera, which features a 16-megapixel sensor, built-in Wi-Fi, GPS and can shoot video at Full HD 1080p.
It is waterproof, shock-proof and freeze-proof and once again features a camo pattern to blend in the surroundings. It might go with some of the latest camouflage products we’ve seen.
Mobile World Congress: Samsung Gets in Gear
At this week’s Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona Spain, Samsung introduced the Gear Fit, the first curved, Super AMOLED wearable device. Aimed at active consumers, this device features a pedometer, stop watch and can monitor heart rate.
It is IP67 rated to be water and dust-resistant, and features an accelerometer and gyroscope. The Gear Fit can connect to Samsung Android-powered mobile devices via Bluetooth 4.0. We hope to hear more about the Gear Fit leading up to its launch in April.
Press Release: Samsung Expands Industry-Leading Wearable Line with Samsung Gear Fit
Fishing Sonar
While many people will simply head to the old fishing hole and cast off and hope for the best, hardcore anglers might take notice of the FishHunter Sonar, which is powered by military-grade sonar technology that can truly find the spot where they’re biting. This device floats o the water and pairs with a smartphone app that allows users to see if school (as in school of fish) is in session.
Fly Away
Bar Fly once again lets cyclists put their Garmin computer out front. The Spoon can be integrated to most bar/stem combinations while a special version is designed specially with fi’zi:k R1 and R3 stems in mind.
[Via BikeRadar: Bar Fly releases two new Garmin computer mounts]
Cavalry Charge
Call out the cavalry! Or at least head out with the Celestron Cavalry 7×50 Binoculars with GPS, which feature (as the name implies) integrated GPS, as well as a digital compass and reticle. This can help you determine the direction and distance of objects.
These would be ready for a cavalry charge thanks to the rubber armored exterior and waterproof construction. Nitrogen purging prevents lens got, while the olive drab color just has that cool military look. These provide a wide view of view, and there is even a built-in LCD screen that provides data on coordinates, altitude, and a compass readout.
Celestron Cavalry 7×50 Binocular with GPS, Digital Compass & Reticle
Avalanche App
Last October the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) warned against relying on a smartphone as an avalanche transceiver. As we noted in our reports one of the problems with apps is that these tended to rely too much on the phones power to transmit. However, the Galileo-LawinenFon system that was developed by researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML) appears to have resolved some of those issues. This could provide greater accuracy for rescuers as users don’t rely just on the wireless technology of a handset. Instead the researchers have created a piece of hardware called the Galileo-SmartLVS, which connects to the phone via USB, and could better turn a handset into an avalanche transceiver.
“Like commonly available avalanche transceivers, the Galileo-LawinenFon has a transmit and search mode,” said Holger Schulz, a scientist at Fraunhofer IML. “Unlike previous transceivers however, when looking for victims the system is not restricted to the electromagnetic field formed by a transmitted signal but makes use of satellite signals as well. Since our solution draws on numerous available sensors and satellite systems, the signals transmitted by victims can be located with a great deal of precision. Magnetic field signals are processed in 3D so that we can pinpoint accident victims in a matter of seconds and improve their chances of survival.”
While still in prototype this could be welcome news for those who head out in ski country and worry about avalanches.
CamelBak Releases High-Flow Chute
Refillable water bottles have become quite the accessory whether you’re taking one on a workout, a hike or even just a long shopping expedition. CamelBak makes a number of rigid bottles, but one recurring complaint is that to get the water, you have to bite down on a nozzle and then draw the water from a straw. CamelBak has just released Chute, a high-flow bottle that is made with the same durable, rugged body of the existing line, but with a high-flow opening that pours water. Continue reading CamelBak Releases High-Flow Chute
Audio Gets in Focus
Music and working out just go so well together, but having earbuds that can go the distance has often been the problem. Earbuds that fall out of the ears are worse than no headphones at all. The Yurbud Focus will still in place thanks to Twist Lock silicone ear plugs while the over-the-ear mount will let you run, jump and more without fear. These also provide freedom as they can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth to portable music players, meaning you need to worry about let cable.
These are also resistant to sweat and light rain, and have about eight-hours of battery life, while the fabric cord will help ensure they don’t get all tangled up.
Heel Spur
A heel spur is something most runners fear but the LightSpur designed by Nathan Sport could be something no runner will want to be without after dark. It clips around the heel of a shoe and grips against it while providing an LED light that can help drivers and even cyclists see you at night. The LightSpurs are fully waterproof and powered by a replaceable CR2031 watch battery that should provide more than 100 hours in flashing mode.
These spurs won’t make you run faster but they’ll help ensure you aren’t run down after dark.