We’ve seen a number of Swiss Army Knife related products, but Wenger, the maker of the famous blade from the Alps has introduced something completely different, namely a solar panel for outdoor use that includes a built-in rechargeable battery pack for use with smartphone, tablet, MP3 player, digital camera or GPS device. The Wenger solar charger isn’t packed with blades, but it is multifunctional and can be used while stationary or even when hiking as it can strap over a bag or pack.
Category: Personal Electronics
Peak Designs Looks to Leash the Camera
Last year Peak Design introduced its Capture Camera Clip, which could attach to a belt and put the camera at the hip much like a cowboy’s holster. Now the company is quick on the draw with the Leash, a strap that both carries the camera and holds it as well. This was reportedly developed as a safety tether for the Capture – which we see as a good idea.
But then the company realized it could be even more versatile as it could offer several easily configured forms. It uses several anchors that can tie around any loop on a camera or piece of gear. It provides 60 inches of webbing that can adjust into a neck strap. This way it can be a sling, safety tether or even video stabilizer while on the go. There is also a smaller version that the company is developing called the Cuff. Both are now being developed via a Kickstarter project. Video after the jump
Sunday Q&A: Making Sense of Golf Strokes
While most of us may never have a swing like the golf pros, today there are plenty of tools that can help improve the swing. In the old days it just meant endless practicing but today that practice can include a digital helper in the form of a wearable sensor on the glove.
The GolfSense provides real time response, and Jason Fass, CEO of GolfSense tells us how it can improve your swing. Continue reading Sunday Q&A: Making Sense of Golf Strokes
BASIS Science Releases Fitness Tracker Watch
The fitness tracking device category is full of endless possibilities. The new band from BASIS, which we wrote about back in January when they showed at CES, was just released this week. The wrist-based health tracker works as an online personal dashboard that shows all your activity so you can adjust your levels by adding more walking, running or other activities. Continue reading BASIS Science Releases Fitness Tracker Watch
Rugged Camera Bag
We’ve seen many rugged cameras, but for those who take photography seriously it isn’t the camera that needs to be rugged – it’s the bag. The Kata Revolver 8 PI Camera Bag is designed for those shutterbugs who carry multiple lenses and other camera gear. This bag won a 2012 Red Dot Award for Design as if offers quick access to lenses and accessories, which are stored in a “revolver type” magazine. The bag holds up to five lenses, a DSLR body, grip and even a laptop. It also includes a tripod carrying strap and features other storage compartments.
Hot Foot
Cold feet should be reserved for such things as getting married or jumping off a cliff. Cold feet for hiking in the winter or just shoveling the snow is another matter entirely. Fortunately the ThermaCell Heated Insoles are designed to ensure that the feet stay warm even in the worst conditions. These are powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer battery that is embedded in the insoles and can provide heat up to 110 degrees, making for a hot foot you’ll be happy to have!
Misfit Not a (Mis)Shift
We like to call out products that offer no real fitness value as Kinetic(Mis)Shifts but the Misfit isn’t one of those, despite the rather misleading name. The Misfit is actually a wireless activity tracker that goes beyond what similar devices do. First off we were caught by how small this one is, but then were really impressed that the all-metal device appears like it could stand up to real activity, which could include cycling and swimming. To sync with an app all that is required is laying it on the phone. The company is currently engaged in an Indiegogo fund raising project and we think this is going to be one to watch. Video after the jump
Two Way Chameleon Camera
Earlier this week we heard about the Spectacam, a “two-directional” that could be mounted on the helmet. The idea of that one was to record information in case of an accident. But Oregon Scientific have a similar camera system in mind, except that this concept is for getting two different perspectives at once, and merging it into a split screen display.
The ATC Chameleon features two 170-degree lenses, which are located at opposite ends of the camera body. Each one can be rotated by hand up to 180 degrees, so one could pan horizontally when the other tilts vertically. The processor combines the information from each 720p resolution camera. The information can be divided either vertically or horizontally as selected by the user. Each camera lens features frame rate of 30fps, and the device can run for up to two hours on a charge. The footage is saved directly to a MicroSD memory card as well. Video after the jump
Sparse to Release Theft-Resistant Bike Lights
Finally, bicycle lights you can leave on your bike when you park. San Francisco-based Sparse will offer front and rear lights which attach directly to frame parts making them more difficult to steal. The front light, aptly named “The Spacer”, rests below them stem and fits both 1” and 1-1/8” steer tubes. The rear light mounts to your 20mm – 31.6mm seatpost.
Rated at 220 lumens in the front and 50 lumens in the rear, these die-cast aluminum beauties house a double lens with a silicone gasket to keep the elements out. Both lights have a reflector behind the LED bulbs to maximize output and provide rider safety when the lights are off. The rear light’s automatic blink mode begins flashing when the bicycle is in motion and remains flashing for one minute after stopping. Charge the LiPo battery with a supplied 6’ USB cord or wall plug adapter for up to four hours of run time.
Available in March 2013, they are offered in a black or brushed alloy finish. Suggested retail prices are $50 for the rear, $75 for the front, and $120 for the set. Pony up $160 and you can buy yours in a limited edition white alloy. Video after the jump
Diablo Mk4 Head Light
The Diablo Mk4, the new update to the Exposure Diablo Mk3, gives new meaning to the concept of “head light.” This helmet mounted light, which was just announced, casts up to 1,100 lumens anywhere you turn your head.
It comes with a USB charger so it can juiced up from an AC outlet or from a computer port. It looks to feature the same weatherproof construction of the previous model and can easily mount to most helmets. On full blast this one will offer about an hour’s run-time, which could be great for commuters. On a lower settting it can obviously go the distance. But for those who want to cast a lot of light for a long time, such as a 24-hour race or something, there is even an optional 3-cell external battery that can offer up to eight hours of run time.
SRAM Offers Garmin Mount
Soon bike shops could have a whole department dedicated to mounts for Garmin cycling computers, as SRAM now offers mounts that look quite similar to the Quarq version with its own SRAM Quickview. What sets this one apart is actually that there are multiple versions that can work with the Garmin 200, 500 and 800.
It is made of hybrid composite material that is meant to cut down vibration to the head unit while it is still firmly on the bar. It weighs just 20g and mounts with a single T25 Torx bolt and will available in time for the holidays.
Automatic Shifting Via an App
There are cycling apps that allow riders to track distance, speed, calories and much more, but now the UK-based Cambridge Consultants are looking to allow an app to do the shifting for you. In essence this app, when paired with electronic shifters such as Shimano’s Di2 will great an automatic transmission.
The data is reported transmitted by the sensors using low-power Bluetooth Smart and then processed by an algorithm on the handset. This does some quick math, determines the rider’s current pedaling speed to preferred cadence and then instructs the Di2 to shift according. Continue reading Automatic Shifting Via an App
Spectacam: Two Way Camera
Olympic cyclist Josiah Ng has started a Kickstarter project to raise money for what is being called a “two-way helmet cam.” From the sound of it we wonder if Ng was looking at introducing a camera that would allow communication between two people – sort of a Skype camera for the bike.
That’s not what he meant, but rather a “two-directional” camera that could be mounted to a helmet. The idea behind this concept is to provide cycle commuters with a “post-incident” security system. This way the camera can record not only what is coming from behind but shows where the rider’s eyes were towards the front. And technically this one isn’t limited just to cycling and could be used for any sort of post-accident study. Video after the jump