Kayaks may just be one of the most maneuverable and quiet water crafts on the market today. They are fairly easy to transport, very low maintenance and are fairly inexpensive to purchase when compared to other watercraft options. Recreational paddling of open and whitewater has been the primary use of modern kayaks for decades, but there are more kayaks being designed and produced for the anglers out there. Just recently, Jackson Kayak of Spartan, Tennessee has brought to market the Cuda, a boat specifically designed for the open fresh and salt water fisherman in mind. Video after the jump
Category: Outdoors
Sun Cleaned Clothing
Years ago, before the advent of clothes dryers, people would use clothesline to hang their laundry. No doubt in cities the clothing didn’t get all that clean considering the smoke and pollution in the air, and yet in China there seems to be new development that could bring back the clotheslines.
Chinese developers Mingce Long and Deyong Wu have created a new coating, one that combines titanium dioxide and nitrogen, which is applied to cotton clothing and when exposed to the sun can actually clean the clothes. The treatment can even stay intact after traditional washing and drying. Continue reading Sun Cleaned Clothing
Android-based GPS Uses Wi-Fi, Not Cell
While Android-based phones and tablets commonly have 3G or 4G service so the device, and all its apps, stay connected even when out of Wi-Fi range. There are numerous Android-based tablets, however, that rely on Wi-Fi to stay connected. Now the All Sports GPS, which will be released in the future through a collaboration between Holux and app developer Satski, will rely on Wi-Fi to keep its apps up-to-date.
All Sports GPS is a ruggedized handheld GPS that will serve multiple sports including hiking, camping, skiing, golf, cycling, and any other sport that ventures beyond the field. In the field, the device will get satellite GPS data. But the handheld also runs the Android OS, so it can be loaded with any number of apps that take advantage of GPS positioning. Those apps will need to be loaded when the All Sports GPS is connected to the internet via Wi-Fi. Any apps that require connection in order to operate will be limited.
To create the All Sports GPS, Taiwan-based GPS manufacturer Holux teamed up with Canadian app developer Satski to bundle a range of apps on the device. It will come pre-loaded with a handful of Satski apps including All Sports Maps so users can download live maps from Google, Nokia OVI, Open Street, Open Cycle and other sources. The maps will then be accessible in the field for “offline” use. Other apps will include a new version of Satski, MyRide, and Pocket Caddy.
The All Sports GPS is not yet available.
Rugged Crate for Your Camera
There are plenty of rugged point and shoot digital cameras on the market, and these can survive in very harsh environments, but what if you need to bring along your digital SLR camera? These tend to need a little more protection. Fortunately a new Kickstarter project is working on the Cam Crate, a hardened case that will protect just about any full sized DSLR along with its lens.
The case is made out of a hard, molded plastic, while the inside features soft foam to ensure that the camera can survive those bumps in the roads and even a toss or two. The container features a water seal and latch, and reportedly floats. The Cam Crate is still in the development stage but it could be ideal for adventure travelers and those who want to bring their SLR into the wilds. Video after the jump
Convertible Durabook Ready to Go
GammaTech has rolled out its latest fully rugged convertible computer, the Durabook R13C, which is an upgraded version of the R13S. This new version passes Military Standard 810G certification for drop, shock and spill protection, plus explosive atmosphere, salt, fog and freeze/thaw standards, so if you’re able to find a way to break it – you probably shouldn’t be there! While it is designed for law enforcement, military and mobile workers, the convertible laptop to tablet PC is also ideal for anyone who takes part in truly globetrotting adventures.
Other rugged features of the R13C include an IP65 rating for dust and water protection of the enclosed portions, water-resistant backlit keyboard and a truly sturdy magnesium alloy case. And while the average user may never need it, this one offers security features worthy of an action movie with fingerprint scanner, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 and Kensington lock. Continue reading Convertible Durabook Ready to Go
SHOT Show: COAST Preview
COAST has announced a new products that it will be showing at the upcoming SHOT Show next month in Las Vegas, including the High Performance HP7 flash light, which is durable for just about any adventure. It packs 251 lumens of light into a sleek 5.5-inch aluminum body, and requires just four AAA batteries (included), while delivering a runtime of five hours and 45 minutes. This mighty light has a beam distance of 196 meters – that’s 643 feet – while offering high and low beam modes as well. This handheld flashlight also features a Cyclone heat sink system to decrease heat buildup to maximize light output and LED lifespan. Continue reading SHOT Show: COAST Preview
Radler Unzip and Go
There are times when having a good extra pair of shoes can come in real handy, and the Timberland Radler Trail Camp hikers could be just the thing. At just 9 ounces (255g) each these are plenty light, but weight is just part of the issue. The problem for many of us is that shoes – even when they weigh next to nothing – are still big and bulky. Video after the jump
Long Boards for Bored Surfers
There is no denying that the skateboard came about when surfers put wheels on short boards to ride on land when the surf wasn’t up, and now some surfers from Huntington Beach, California are essentially reinventing it all over again with the Hamboard. What makes this one different is that it basically combines modern skateboards with a surfboard, resulting in what the creators called “a really big skateboard” or “basically an uber longboard or longboards.”
And the word from the creators is these boards, despite the length or possibly because of it, can carve and flow quite well. The surfers behind Hamboard have also noted that opinion has changed from those who simply to dismiss it to those who want to try it. So it could be the reinvention of sidewalk surfing all over again.
Hamboard Official Website
[Via BeSportier: Extra Long Skateboard – Hamboard]
Tent City – Or Maybe It Just Seems That Way
The tent is one of the oldest structures around, and pretty much from the time man ventured out of caves was creating semi-permanent tent-like structures that used concepts that have been in place for eons. And despite our high-tech age, or perhaps because of it, the tent remains around.
In fact, today’s tents have taken on new high-tech qualities. In the past week we’ve also heard about some innovative changes in materials, design and technology with tents. Here is a quick recap. Continue reading Tent City – Or Maybe It Just Seems That Way
Turning Optrix For the iPhone
There have been a lot of sports specific digital camcorders come onto the market, but Optrix HD Sport Mount (MSRP: $79.99) is doing a bit of hocus pocus. For its next trix, its transforming the iPhone or iPod Touch into an HD Action sports camera, complete with rugged waterproof case and mount. The iPhone already allows for uploading of Full HD 1080p resolution videos from the handset, making it an ideal action sports camera. The only missing link in using it was a case that could protect the rather fragile handset.
But according to reports the Optrix mount is durable enough for “military life” while providing easy access to the interface for playback, video editing and uploading. Talk about truly Optrix!
Optrix Official Website
[Via Ubergizmo: Optrix HD Sport targets extreme sports enthusiasts]
Stroller Fit For an Ironman
Taking part in an Ironman Triathlon requires an intense level of endurance, which comes from an intense amount of training, and that means not letting something like taking the baby out for a walk get in the way. With this in mind BOB brand of strollers has rolled out its Ironman branded stroller. It reportedly offers easy handling and a smooth ride (important for the little ones who get to ride while mom or dad trains), with three-inches of travel, while a fixed front wheel remains stable on uneven terrain.
The lightweight alloy material and pneumatic tires and tubes also make for easy pushing for those doing the training, while the Low Boy Cargo Basket offers undercarriage storage so there is plenty of room for snacks and toys for those long runs. BOB even offers a double stroller as well! Continue reading Stroller Fit For an Ironman
Bern Rolls Out Winter Commuter Helmet
Winter is coming, and for bicycle commuters that means either having cold ears or trying to fit a cap under a typical cycling helmet. But Bern has another solution, as noted by our friends at BikeRadar. At Interbike, while it was still warm and mostly sunny, the helmet maker showed off its line of winter-friendly brain buckets, which are now available.
The men’s G2 and women’s Cougar 2 feature Bern’s Zip Mold in-mould construction process that includes a detachable soft-peaked liner. The helmet features three-position air vent slider on top as well, so on a warm day the vents can be left open so the wearer doesn’t get too heated, but on the colder/wetter days the vents can be closed up. These weren’t actually developed with cyclists in mind, and were actually first used on the slopes – so whether it is for snowboarding or cycling through the winter these will keep the head warm! And while we’d like to think that this could prevent brain freeze but that’s not something effected by weather! Continue reading Bern Rolls Out Winter Commuter Helmet
Fuzzy Balls In ThermoBall Jacket
Those who go hiking, skiing or take part in other winter activities know that keeping warm requires a good coat, but it is also a matter of having a coat the provides warmth without feeling like its made of lead. So what is the secret to The North Face’s new coats that offer the promise of excellent warmth-to-weight ratio? Fuzzy balls it seems! This will come as good news to the geese that supply the goose down for coats. Continue reading Fuzzy Balls In ThermoBall Jacket