Outdoors | Evolving Consumer

No Menace to This Phantom

There are plenty of methods for putting lights on bikes to help younger riders be seen at night, but instead of trying to add lights to the frame, the designers of Phantom Frames are looking to light up the bike. The concept, which is being developed via a Kickstarter project that ends today, looks to have a frame that is normal looking during the day – but at night it can’t be missed.

The concept came to light when Ken Spaulding in Santa Ana, California needed to replace his son’s rear bike light. When his son suggested why couldn’t the whole bike light up instead Ken decided to build one. The result was a series of designs including a polycarbonate frame filled with LEDs that resulted in the first prototype. Now Ken and his boy Jack are looking to bring their bright idea to the masses. Video after the jump

SHOT Show Preview: Intelligent Shooting

Inteliscope can help anyone become a better shot and at the SHOT Show the company will announce the launch of its latest products that extend its line of weapon-mounted digital multi-tool adapters and smartphone sighting apps.

With a smartphone mounted to a firearm, designer Jason Giddings will live video stream from the weapon point of view to a large screen TV to demonstrate the digital multi-tool capability the following new Inteliscope products including the InteliscopePRO – Universal mounting system of durable metal construction, overlaid in rubberized coating to mount smartphones and protective cases; the new Android version Inteliscope Multi-Function App; a new video record function and Reticle Packs.

This will be one we won’t want to miss, and don’t expect Giddings to miss the mark either!

WHEN: January 14, 2014, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: SHOT Show 2014 Press Conference Room (Venetian Room Murano 3201).

SHOT Show Preview: SAG Bag

If you’re headed to DisneyWorld you can pick up a camera bag at Target or WalMart, but if you’re the kind of person who goes to spots that are a little off the beaten path than the SAG Tactical Photo Gear Bags might be more your speed.

This Polish company specializes in making tactical bags for the military and law enforcement, and it just launched a new line of photo gear bags that is built to withstand extreme conditions and abuse. This includes a line of camera bags that are designed to fit full-size DSLR’s with an attached lens or full frame sensor up to 11cm long. These are versatile and customizable, and can also be used with their lens, flash, and other accessory pouches.

International Supplies will be importing and distributing the bags in the U.S. market in 2014. We’ll be sure to check out what they have to show us at the upcoming SHOT Show.

International Supplies Official Website
SAG Tactical Official Website

Pole Position

Many of us hate the thought about going out for a bike ride in the winter, but British adventurer Maria Leijerstam took a long ride last week in the snow. While technically summer in the southern hemisphere it surely felt like the dead of winter as she was the first person to ride a bicycle to the South Pole from the edge of Antarctica.

It took Maria nine days to travel the 400 miles, and she arrived at the South Pole on December 27 at 1am GMT. She rode the distance on a specifically-designed recumbent trike build by Inspired Cycle Engineering (ICE).

Congrats to Maria for being the first to ride to the South Pole.

ICE Blog: World record cycle to the South Pole

Show Your Compatriotism

California snowboarder Rick Hansen is the man behind Compatroit snowboards, and he’s now looking to Kickstarter to get the next line of boards off the ground. Designed for the core rider and mountain enthusiast, the new boards feature new graphics that will help this indie start-up standout on the slopes. Video after the jump

SHOT Show Preview: Morakniv is Fixed for Blades

The Industrial Revolution changed the world and the company Industrial Revolution will introduce their game changing Morakniv brand at the 2014 SHOT Show in just two weeks. Manufactured in Sweden, these specialty knives offer 400 years of craftsmanship.

Made of the sharpest steel available, Morakniv blades are fashioned for accuracy. The handles are designed to fit the contours of the palm, becoming, in effect, an extension of the hand.

The Bushcraft Orange (left above) keeps you from losing your knife while the .125” thick stainless steel blade is heavier and more robust. You can use the back of the blade with a fire starter as the spine of the blade is sharp and ground especially for that purpose. The plastic sheath comes with two interchangeable belt clips.

The Companion Serrated (center) in orange is a knife with a patterned high-friction grip and serrated blade that has been developed for cutting rope, nylon, and fiber. Blade of Swedish-rolled special stainless steel. Plastic sheath with a belt clip.

The Fishing Comfort Fillet 155 (right) is a classic filleting knife with a blade of Swedish cold-rolled special stainless steel. Patterned high-friction grip handle and “Easy-Clean” sheath with two interchangeable belt clips. MSRP: $24.99

Industrial Revolution Morakniv Official Website

SIGGI Lights It Up

Sigma USA looks to cast some light with the SIGGI, a half watt USB rechargeable bike light that features an integrated silicone strap for quick mounting to the handlebars. It offers three modes of operation and has a claimed burn time of up to 10 hours on standard mode. Unlike other lights it provides side visibility panels that emit enough light for increased safety for the rider, but without blinding other riders or drivers. Yet another bright idea.

Sigma USA Official Website

Storm Trooper

Spring isn’t exactly around the corner but when it gets here you won’t want a little rain to spoil your day on the fairway. The Antigua Storm Suit will have you covered. This 100 percent polyester, waterproof and seam-sealed suit promised to be packable, and can fit even in a small golf bag. While lightweight and made to travel, it also includes a number of hidden features that make it comfortable to wear.

It includes pass-through pockets, an elastic draw cord waistband, an adjustable bungee toggle bottom hem, and hidden zipper pocket on the inside left chest. With this you’ll be a storm trooper and ready to take on those rainy days.

Antigua Official Website

Blast in the New Year

Rudy Project has released the Airblast, the first sunglasses aimed at precision sports. These performance sunglasses incorporate a number of new and classic technologies from the Italian crafters of high-quality eyewear. These advances allow the Airblast to provide the upmost in ergonomics, protection and high-definition optics.

The Airblast offers fully adjustable temple tips, which ensure a custom, precise fit for any face and won’t budge during recoil. The newly designed ErgoVI nosepiece further eliminates visual interference by maintaining a low profile and optimal position, while the Vented Brow Bar helps avoid heat buildup and fogging. The rimless mask design also allows the optics to provide for total peripheral vision and a completely unobstructed view of any target.

Most importantly these feature ImpactX technology, which is essential for sporting sports. These technology is used in Apache helicopter windshields and is guaranteed unbreakable for life.

Ruby Project Airblast Official Website

Power it Up

New Trent has introduced its PowerPak Ultra, which allows users to keep their USB-based devices juiced up even in the most extreme environments. It features a rugged exterior, and has an IP-67 rating, which means it can survive most drops and can even be temporarily submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. It packs 14,000 mAh of power or enough to store 700 percent of the average smartphone’s battery. With two USB ports it can simultaneously juice up almost any combination of smartphones, tablets and other USB-based devices.

New Trent PowerPak Ultra Official Website

CES Preview: Striker Strikes Again

Whether lightning strikes twice in the same spot is still open to debate, but Striker will strike again at next month’s CES in Las Vegas. The company looks to introduce for 2014 the Capsule Task Light, a four-in-one light that can work as a headlamp, flashlight and more. It promises to offer all illumination you could use while out on the go! We’ll be sure to check out all of Striker’s offerings at CES.

Striker Official Website

Louis Garneau’s Holiday Gift: A $100,000 Christmas present for the Little Brothers- Friends of the Eldery

Press Release: Louis Garneau and Pierre Dion presented a cheque for $101,223 to the Little Brothers- Friends of the Elderly organization. Thanks to the record participation of the public to the Granfondo Garneau-Cascades presented by Quebecor, the amount raised represents $40,000 more than last year!

For Pascal Fournier, Director of the Little Brothers- Friends of the Eldery organization in Québec, this amount will greatly improve the help for the elderly: “The money raised will go towards the maintenance of the vacation home at St-Joseph Lake and to the development of the Little Brothers- Friends of the Elderly in the greater Quebec region. This will allow us to welcome more lonely elderly from Quebec City and surrounding area who will never again be alone.”

For Louis Garneau, organizer of the event, the funds collected are synonymous with both victory and promise kept: “Last year, I promised that we would surpass ourselves and reach greater objectives, and that’s exactly what we did! It was possible thanks to the 3,000 participants of the Granfondo and the help of our valued sponsors. I would like to express a very particular thank you to Pierre Dion, Honorary President of the 2013 edition, for his generosity and indispensable help in making this event a success. I am proud that together, we contributed to improving the life of the elderly suffering from loneliness, while practicing a sport we love.”

2014 Granfondo Garneau-Quebecor

Louis Garneau Sports and Quebecor are proud to sponsor the sixth edition of the Granfondo Garneau-Quebecor presented by Cascades, which will take place on August 10, 2014. In addition to the cycling portion, a 10 km foot race is added to the event, making even more people move.

Granfondo Garneau-Quebecor

Change of Color

The military has long looked to develop superior camouflage, but typically the only method of changing the color was to have it be two sided – thus summer green on one side with the browns and oranges on the other. This year Cabela’s worked to develop ColorPhase, which the company noted is the world’s first camouflage clothing to be printed with rapid-change, temperature-activated dye.

What this means is that when it is warm outside the fabric remains mostly green, but as the temperature drops below about 65ºF (18ºC) it starts to change to brown. ColorPhase isn’t limited to just the jacket and also includes caps, gloves, pants and shirts. Continue reading Change of Color