Category: Gadget

The Fish Can Swim, But They Can’t Hide

Fishing can be a tranquil sport, just you with a pole and all the time in the world. Sometimes you don’t even care if the fish are biting. But the rest of the time you probably want to catch something, and for that there is a nifty little device called a fishfinder. Sure, these devices have been around for more than a decade, but Garmin International has announced its new echo series line of standalone fishfinders that raises the standard for finding the fish.

This line includes devices for all pricepoints as well, from the economical 8-level grayscale unit to the full array models that do everything but cast off for you. The top-of-the-line models include Garmin HD-ID target tracking technology.

The premier high resolution echo 550C offers state-of-the-art technology that almost makes it unsporting (and we mean that in a good way). This unit features an ultra-sharp video-quality 640×480 pixel 5-inch VGA screen, a powerful 500-watt sonar transmitter, and offers excellent fish arch display and bottom tracking as deep as 1,900 feet. The echo 550c is dual beam (200/77 kHz) capable and gives optimum deep or shallow water performance with up to 120 degrees of effective fish scanning area. The step down model echo 500C boasts the same aforementioned premium features, and offers a crisp 256-color QVGA display which gives 320×234-pixel resolution for extra-sharp detail on fish returns, structure and bottom soundings. Continue reading The Fish Can Swim, But They Can’t Hide

Swimsense Tracks Performance in Pool

We’ve seen no shortage of devices for tracking your progress whilst running or cycling, but what about those in the pool? In fact, we’ve often heard from various heart rate makers that it is actually difficult to track an athlete while they’re in the water. But someone has had the sense to find a way around that, and now FINIS has introduced the Swinsense (powered by SportsSense).

This groundbreaking training tool can actually capture critical performance data. It is worn much like a wrist watch and it uses an accelerometer, magnetometers and proprietary algorithms to help users identify how they swim. Out of the pool users can analyze their performance on the dive with pace times, distance (calculated in meters/yards or even laps), stroke count, stroke rate, distance-per-stroke and of course calories burned across all four major strokes.

User cans further take the performance data and have it uploaded to the FINIS Swimsense training log for additional analysis, and keep a running log with historical review. The Swimsense Performance Monitor will be available this holiday (MSRP: $199.99). Think of it as your sixth sense for your swim training.

FINIS Swimsense Performance Monitor

You Call That a Knife, Yes That is a Knife

The Swiss Army Knife manufacturer, Wenger, is producing a knife with so many functions that is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. This knife has a staggering 141 functions utilizing 87 implements including a bicycle chain tool, adjustable pliers, screwdrivers, compass and of course, a knife. This knife is amply named ‘Giant Knife’. The Giant Knife is 8.75″ long and weighs over two pounds – that weight is the equivalent of carrying a quart of water in our pocket! Not only will you need a deep pocket to carry this knife, you will need a deep pocket to afford this knife. The Giant Knife, item number 16999, retails for $1400 and is available in only the trademark Swiss Army Knife color – red. Continue reading You Call That a Knife, Yes That is a Knife

Get the Stress Out, Instead of Being Stressed Out

Ever feel a little – no know – stressed out. I think I can relate, or at least so I’m told. For those who have a hard time coping with stress there is hope. The emWave PSR (Personal Stress Reliever) is a little device that might just be the next best thing to having a full-blown meltdown.

The device actually (and according to its makers effectively) measures stress levels, and thus teaches users hot to shift out of stressful states. It works by measuring the variations between heart beats (heart coherence), which is reflective of real-time changes that occur in our mental and emotional state. Users are provided with real-time feedback via colored lights and sounds, so that they can known when they’re reached a stressful situation and can use methods to cope with it. With practice users can build new internal responses to stress and how to get out of the stressful situations.

The product, which has won numerous awards including the Last Gadget Standing People’s Choice Award at the International Consumer Electronics Show, as well as an innovation award from the American Institute of Stress, is about the size of a small mobile phone and is currently available through major online retailers as well as the developer’s own site.

HeartMath Official Website

Get Moving with Kinect

Today Microsoft released the Kinect for Xbox 360 in stores. This is the device that uses motion capture to maneuver within games, replacing the controller. This means you pretty much have to play games standing up and in many cases pull off full body movements to play.

Here are a group of games that are also now in stores in conjunction with the release of Kinect.

  • Your Shape: Fitness Evolved (Ubisoft)
  • MotionSports (Ubisoft)
  • Dance Central (MTV Games)
  • Adrenalin Misfits (Konami)
  • Game Party: In Motion (Warner Home Video Games)
  • Zumba Fitness: Join the Party (Majesco)
  • Sonic Free Riders (Sega)
  • Michael Jackson The Experience (Ubisoft)
  • Kinect Sports (Microsoft)
  • Deca Sports Freedom (Hudson Soft)
  • EA Sports Active 2.0 (EA)
  • The Biggest Loser (THQ)
  • Dance Masters (Konami)
  • Michael Phelps: Push Limit (505 Games)
  • Get Fit with Mel B (Deep Silver)
  • Kinect Joy Ride (Microsoft)

Garmin Approaches the Golf Course with GPS

GPS has tackled just about every major sport that takes place on any area larger than a standard court of field. Cycling, running, swimming, skiing, and yes: Golf. Garmin just released the Approach S1, a wristwatch with built in GPS set up for time on the green. The new watch is sibling to touchscreen models Approach G5 and Approach G3 already out by the GPS manufacturer.

The Approach S1 comes pre-loaded with over 14,000 U.S. and Canadian golf courses. When you set it into golf mode it identifies the three closest courses and lets you select the one where you have tee time. It then gives you stats including distance and par for each hole. A GPS-enabled odometer tracks the total ground covered on foot during each round and in total.

While it doesn’t have quite as much information as the handheld units, the Approach G5 and G3, the Approach S1 is streamlined to the essential information needed on the course. Your opponents will appreciate the discreet device, and that you’re not fumbling with — or showing off — a handheld device to tell them how many strokes above average they’re swinging.

Garmin Approach S1

Single Cell Lightform

This year at the 2010 Veloswap, Amoeba was showcasing their newest LED light, the 2x Cree XP-G R5. The name makes this system sound complicated, but it really is not. The company’s name is derived from the amoeba, the simplest life form on Earth. They follow their name and design their lights to simply have one mode – on and off.

The 2x Cree XP-G R5 is a dual spot beam, 600 lumens lighting kit that features an anodized aluminum housing offered in matte silver, bright silver or dark bronze; and the lens is made from optical grade Lexan. The battery pack is a 7.4 volt 2400mAh Li-Ion that is capable of a 3-1/2 hour runtime with only a 3 hour charge time. With a total weight of less than 6oz., this kit easily mounts to your helmet with industrial strength Velcro, Amoeba is a very small operation and each lighting kit is hand built at their facility in Colorado. Continue reading Single Cell Lightform

Pedometer Builds in Security Alarm

Pedometers are now much more accurate than yesterday, and now they pack in extra features. The egg-shaped ila Sport is a pedometer, milometer, and a personal safety alarm. The form factor fits in most hands comfortably, even at a decent run. It also has a belt clip for hands-free tracking of your walk or run. The ila Sport tracks steps, mileage and calories burned. The alarm is triggered with the push of a button.

A personal alarm is useful for running in semi-populated areas and in the dark. It’s only useful if someone is within earshot that is likely to call for help or venture toward the alarm to check on you. Of course many people often don’t react to an alarm if they don’t know what the alarm is. It is also surprising that the alarm trigger is a button, which may be easily pressed. Ila Security says the button is not one that will be depressed casually, even in the heat of a vigorous workout.

You can use the backlit display to check your progress in the dark. The handheld also stores information from past workouts so you can compare with last week’s run. It sells for about $35.

ila Sport

BodyMedia to Add App

There has been no shortage of devices, gizmos and gadgets to help you lose weight. A lot of these devices, gizmos and gadgets require you to wear something, where the data can be synced to a computer. That’s good, because it lets you see detailed results of your activity and of course helps you set goals, but it’s bad because it requires people to be very proactive. Stop syncing the device one day, and you might not bother wearing it the next. There has to be an easier way to see the results. Continue reading BodyMedia to Add App

Bicycle Briefcase

There have been a lot of folding bicycles, including several that are small enough to fit in a suitcase, so when we heard that there was a briefcase bicycle we quite expectedly got a little excited. But in fact the bike doesn’t fold up to a size small enough to actually fit inside a briefcase, and instead the carbon fiber bike comes with a carbon fiber briefcase that helps maintain the rigidness of the frame while riding. The bike was designed by Marcos Madia, a finalist in the Seoul Cycle Design competition.

It is an interesting concept, and it is just in the concept stage at this point. The biggest downsides we see to the bike is that it is still likely to be too big to bring into most offices (those building managers have something against bicycles), and the briefcase is too small to transport much. Likewise, there is the fact that this could be a tricky bike to lock up too – and it has “steal me” practically written on the side, even if it isn’t quite stable enough to ride without the briefcase. Now if only there was a way to get a folding bike that could actually fit inside a briefcase. George Jetson had his aircar that folded up, so a bike should be a no brainer.

Gates Takes CenterTrack

We’ve heard about the Gates Carbon Drive Systems and their new centralist position. And no, we’re not talking politics but something far more important, namely bicycle technology. This is specifically the CenterTrack System, which was invented by cycling innovator Wayne Lumpkin.

The new drive train technology has the promise of being the lightest, strongest and cleanest – not to mention best performing belt-drive system – yet created for a bicycle. So what does this mean? For one the CenterTrack should offer up 20 percent greater tensile strength while still offering a slimmer profile. The whole belt-drive thing is pretty innovative and CenterTrack could be a major leap forward, offering a clean, quite ride and now with a greater level of performance. The CenterTrack utilized front and rear pulleys that feature a narrow track that runs around the center of their circumference, rather than the raised flange that we traditionally see with belt-drive bikes. Continue reading Gates Takes CenterTrack

Withings Goes from TMI to Weight Game

The scale that tweets your weight and BMI now has a game on Facebook. “GuessMyWeight” is a Facebook app created by Withings. When you do your weigh-in, your friends can guess your weight on Facebook. Really? What are the two things you don’t ask a woman? Age and weight. And now my friends can laugh when I gain a pound?

It’s helpful that Withings can send your latest stats to pages such as Google Health, RunKeeper and DailyBurn so you can chart progress. But tread lightly when a friend on Facebook challenges you to guess his weight. Withings co-founder Cedric Hutchings said the idea of GuessMyWeight “started as a joke amongst our team.” He says it’s a “playful and an entirely new way to take the drama out of your weight.” Though we think it has potential to add some drama.

Withings

Glow You On Your Way

As any cyclist knows you can’t count on the guy in the car to see you. While reflectors and even blinky lights can help provide some illumination, it isn’t always enough, especially for those who commute. As the sun begins to set earlier, and dusk comes by rush hour, getting a little more light can help make the ride home all the safer. Bike Glow Safety Lights are a new way to light up the way, whether it is low light or even complete darkness. The waterproof, battery operated light system can be completely wrapped around the frame of a bike, and unlike pedal reflections or blinky lights, the Glow lights can be seen from multiple directions and angles and at much greater distances.

“Cyclists have been in need of a product that makes them visible from the side for years,” said Bike Glow CEO Chris Cobb. “Our Bike Glow safety light provides riders with a lightweight and inexpensive solution. Cyclists who use Bike Glow can ride without fearing they will be struck by a vehicle on early morning or late evening rides.”

The Bike Glow Safety Light system utilizes a ten-foot flexible light tube. The system’s electroluminescent technology provides bright colors for increased visibility from all angles, while the flexible tube can be used in any weather condition. It is powered by just 2 AA batteries, with up to 120 hours in flashing mode or 50 hours in constant illumination. And if you ride in a pack you can guide the way and be a point of light for others on their night ride home.

Bike Glow Safety Light