Personal Electronics | Evolving Consumer

ParaShoot 2.1Takes Aim

While there are a number of sport cameras on the market, ParaShoot 2.1 – which is being developed via an Indiegogo project – is a wireless HD camera that could be worn or used anywhere. Footage captured on this one could be shared wirelessly yet securely via the cloud. This camera is small enough that it fits in the palm of your hand (as shown above)( and weighs less than two ounces.

It can record 720 HD video at 30fps, and offers a 100 degree wide angle view. It runs on a 700mAh Li-ion battery and includes a built-in microphone. It isn’t being rolled out to be the most durable or high resolution camera but it is there to capture all those other moments in life. Video after the jump

Serious Headlight

Fenix doesn’t mess around when it comes to providing some illumination, and the new HP25 features two individual Cree XP-E LEDs; one that is a spot light while the other is a serious flood light. Each light has its own control, and these are designed to be easily found by touch.

The 90-degree flood offers four variances while the spot offers three, and with click the brightness increases, so you won’t find yourself blinding everyone in a dark room when you power this one up. Of course for the ultimate illumination there is the ability to combine the flood and spot where each generates 180 lumens! The Fenix HP25 features an IPX-6 rating for waterproofing so it will stand up to rain and even some downpours, so this one is ideal for those who want to hike at night or really need to find something around the campsite after dark.

Fenix Official Website

Speak Up

“What did you say? I couldn’t hear you! That’s because I’m wearing headphones that block the outside world.”

We’ve all been there in one way or another, but Lou Tortola of Windsor, Canada is looking to change this with the AudioPLUX speaker system for cyclist. Tortola is now looking to Kickstarter to develop these speakers, which are meant to be “away from the ear” while still providing solid audio quality.

The idea is that these won’t suppress ambient sounds, but will still let you enjoy the tunes. Video after the jump

Bravo, the Case to Cheer

Bravo is typically used to express approval when a performer or other person has done something well, but few are likely to express approval when their iPhone 5 meets with a disaster. However, Bike2Power has announced that it will distribute the fully waterproof and shockproof Bravo case for the handset. It can protect the device from water, dust, dirt, mud, snow and impact.

It is waterproof down to six feet, and can withstand the impact of a free fall from more than six feet on a hard concrete floor at multiple angles. Despite all this heavy protect the company notes that all the phone features are fully accessible.

Now that is something to cheer.

Bravo Case for iPhone 5 at Bike2Power

Chopping at the Bit

There are plenty of durable and very secure bike locks on the market, but one problem is that if you lose the key you’re bike isn’t exactly accessible. However, Mehrdad Majzoobi is looking to launch a Kickstarter project for the BitLock, which turns a smartphone into the key for the lock.

This works with iOS and Android and takes advantage of Bluetooth technology. In addition to providing a secure key that you hopefully won’t use, it also records the location of the bike lock via GPS, which can allow multiple users to “share” a bike and find it when it is needed.

We’ll be sure to watch this project and let readers know when it goes live.

BitLock Kickstarter Site

Scosche Pledges To the Cure, Gets in the Pink

Scosche announced that it will donate 10 percent of all October proceeds from purchases made on its site to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. And while the company is encouraging it customers to purchase pink versions of some of its most popular products to show their support for the fight against breast cancer all products and color variations will be counted toward the contribution.

Kudos to Scosche for helping fight this terrible disease.

Scosche Official Website

Rugged Case Needs Not Hide

When out in the wilds you don’t need to hide your tablet device, you need to protect it. The DropTech Hideway rugged case isn’t meant o hide, but it does feature a disappearing stand. The designers are looking to a Kickstarter campaign to bring out this stand, which could be used in a variety of settings all while ensuring that the tablet is truly protected. Video after the jump

Drink Fit

Throughout the day how much effort to you make to track your hydration? While calories and even what you ate might be counted, what you drink often isn’t. However, the BluFit could change all that. It is an intelligent water bottle that works in synchronization with a smartphone will help consumers maintain optimum levels of hydration. Through the smart bottle and app, BluFit will determine how much water you need, how much you have consumed and will alert you when it’s time to hydrate. Video after the jump

Goal Zero Scores With New Charger/Flashlight

Having the right tool for the job is key to doing something right, and Goal Zero scores again with its Switch 8 Recharger and Bolt Flashlight Tip. This wining team converts the recharger into a small flashlight, but the recharger can also be used to juice up a mobile phone in the backcountry.

It offers enough power to bring a dead phone back to life, while also being there as a 160 lumens flashlight that can run for three hours on a single charge. During the day it can also be charged up with a solar panel, so each night it can be there to in turn do the charging.

Goal Zero Official Website

Third Time Hero

GoPro has announced the release of the Hero3+ line of action cameras; and these have slimmed down while including a whole lot more. These new models are up to 20 percent smaller and lighter but offer a 30 percent improvement in battery life. The new Black edition can capture video at 4K resolution while the Silver model can do Full HD 1080p video.

If you are betting on Black, expect recording of 15 fps in 4K (3,840×2,160), or at 1080p in 24,30, 48 and 60 fps. At 720p you can even get up to 120 fps. There is also a wide-angle mode called SuperView that will include more of the surroundings in the frame. This model can also snap 12megapixel still images with bursts of up to 30 images per second. The Black edition features improved low-light performance and can go deep – as in it is waterproof to 131 feet (40 meters), when the included housing is used. It offers built-in WiFi along with a micro-HDMI port. It is available now for $399.99.

The Silver edition also shines, and for $299.99 it offers Full HD 1080p resolution video at 24, 30, 50 or 60 fps. It includes the same wide-angle lens and can capture 10megapixel stills at bursts of 10 images per second.

GoPro Official Website

Ready to Climax with ClimbAX

There are plenty of fitness monitors that can track heart rate and performance, but the ClimbAX is designed with climbers in mind. This system consists of two rubber-coated wristbands that contain an accelerometer, orientation sensor, altitude sensor, a NAND memory chip, and a 16-bit microprocessor.

This can help detect the orientation of the climber’s arms and track movement and even composure. The wearer can get information that is presented via four metrics that look at power, stability, control and speed. This can determine the strength that was used, the ability to transition between holds and even the total time it took during a climb.

Unlike many fitness trackers that provide real-time monitoring the idea with this one is for climbers to analyze their efforts after an ascent. Trying to look at one’s wrists while climbing wouldn’t be a good idea now would it?

ClimbAX Official Website

Pure ENERGI Plus!

The new TYLT backpack will ensure that your gizmos and gadgets are juiced up when you need them. The ENERGI+ Backpack features a built-in charging system via a removable 10,400mAh rechargeable lithium ion battery. The 11 ounce battery features seven pass-thrus and can charge three devices simultaneously, while the backpack still offers 1,450 cubic inches of internal space and 13 total pockets. Specs after the jump

Nikon Changes it Up

There is no shortage of rugged cameras on the market, and while most of these can endure an adventure these often leave something to be desired when it comes to photos. Fortunately Nikon has realized that a point-and-shoot camera in a rugged body simply won’t do.

The company has introduced the Nikon 1 AW1, the world’s first waterproof and shockproof interchangeable lens camera. This is the latest addition to the camera maker’s popular Nikon 1 system that offers versatility with functionality. It is waterproof to 49 feet, shockproof to about six and a half feet and freezeproof to 14 degrees. In other words you might give up before the camera does! Continue reading Nikon Changes it Up