SIA: Zeal Optics Puts Eyes on iON Goggles

We missed Zeal Optics at the Outdoor Retailers Show but fortunately they caught our eye anyway with the iON Goggles, which the company is showing at this week’s SIA Snow Show. The Boulder-based companies is offering a look at the iON, which features an embed high-definition camera to capture video and photos.

The iON is equipped with a 1080p True HD video camera that doubles as a 8megapixel digital still camera, and it can be used to capture real time video and sound, or used for still images. The camera features a 170-degree wide angle lens to capture images while automatically adjusting for light levels. The camera even features an infinity focus so wearer’s have one less thing to worry about. There is an in-goggle viewfinder as well. Video after the jump

GoPro Takes You to the Winter X Games

httpv://youtu.be/pMuD0XO-0u4

Even if you’re not quite up to the level to compete in the Winter X Games you’ll feel like you are there on the course thanks to GoPro. While the company isn’t technically taking you to Winter X Games Aspen, it is the 2012 premier winter events sponsor for the games, as well as the Winter Dew Tour and the US Ski and Snowboard Association. The kind folks at GoPro also provided the video above to help viewers get into the winter spirit. Game on!

GoPro’s X Games Video Channel

Nike Fuels Up

Feel the burn, that’s one way to know you’re doing it right. But Nike has another idea – the company has introduced the FuelBand, a wristband device that is designed to measure daily movements of the wearer, tracking steps taken and calories burned. But the device also features the NikeFuel, a fitness metric that utilizes the rate of oxygen consumption and motion.

The device is meant to be something that most people wouldn’t even notice most of the time – much like a Livestrong wrist band or similar decorative wear. But this one actually tracks what you do, and can provide data to the wearer in the way of LED lights that go from red to yellow to green based on your activity goals. Red doesn’t mean stop however, but is there to tell the wearer to step it up while green indicates an active day. And not all the movement can be tracked, notably for use on a bike – or even mowing the lawn – where the hands aren’t in motion, but it still could be a good device to track those “background activities.” Continue reading Nike Fuels Up

Outdoor Retailer Show: Suunto Shines With New GPS Watch

Suunto has long been on the cutting edge with unique watches, and at this week’s Outdoor Retailer Show the company offered the Ambit. While not exactly cheap – at $600 it isn’t quite in the Rolex space for expensive timepieces – and frankly we’d like to see a Rolex that could do as much as this one. It features built-in GPS, and an accelerometer so you can know where you’re going and how high you’ve climbed.

It also can track heart-rate, speed, pace, elevation, distance, temperature, barometer and work as a compass and of course as a clock and alarm. This one shines!

Suunto Official Website

Press Release after the jump

SIA: The Fusing of Sight and Sound

People can have an eye for art and an ear for music, but at the SIA Snow Show in Denver Fuse Optics will introduce its new line of audio adaptable glasses. These are designed for those looking for stylish eyewear and a bit of music to accompany their workouts.

The Fuse Optics provide a new solution for communications, streaming music or cancelling noise, where built-in earbuds are held in place by the frames of the glasses. We think this could be the fusing of sight and sound in a sleek package.

Fuse Optics Official Website
Press Release after the jump

Miveu Provides Personal View

Sometimes even we get confused between persons – as in first person or third person, and don’t get us started on second person. But the same can be said of video cameras – either you are the subject or else you’re providing the perspective. There are numerous helmet and handlebar mounted cameras out there, but a big problem with these is that one’s head tends to move a lot, creating a very jarring video when played back.

Now Miveu has provided something a little different – a chest strap system for use with an iPhone. This not only provides the best location for a camera as the body is a bit more stable than the head, but it also means the device is better provided. It can also be used in activities that don’t require a helmet, but one downside is that the Miveu provides very limited protection and isn’t waterproof.

But for those who like to record the action with a first person perspective (see we do know the different persons), the Miveu will provide YOUR view! Check out the CES promo video after the jump

GammaTech RT10C Gives New Meaning to “Fully Rugged”

Designed for industrial applications, the GammaTech RT10C fully rugged computer could be one for those who need a solid machine for globetrotting adventures. This lightweight computer is built to Military 810G standards and IP65 rated for dust and water protection. With its sealed design it is a tablet PC that is drop-proof, spill-proof, shock-proof and truly watertight.

It features a touch-screen 10.2-inch wide display with LED backlight – meaning it can be used even if shade isn’t always an option. It is powered by an Intel Core i7-620UE mobile processor and offers integrated HD graphics, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. For security it features TPM 1.2 fingerprint recognition.

The RT10C offers as many connections as it might take to get to the middle of nowhere, including two USB 2.0 ports, an Ethernet port, PCMCIA slot, two mini card slots, CompactFlash slot and VGA port. An optional vehicle or office docking station includes four USB 2.0 ports, an Ethernet port, Serial port, and VGA port. Battery life is rated at five hours of usage with its nine-cell Smart lithium-ion battery. Pricing to be announced, but can you really put a price on a machine that might just live up to be indestructible?

Durabook RT10C Official Website

Outdoor Retailer Show: Sherpa and Yeti Bring Power

We know that Sherpas can carry a lot of stuff, and we expect a Yeti (that would be the Abominable Snowman) would certainly be seriously tough too – but now the Sherpa 50 and Yeti 1250 will bring portable power as well. We missed Goal Zero at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month unfortunately, but the company also hit the Outdoor Retailer Show and showed off its new products that bring portable power.

The Sherpa 50, which won a CES Innovation Honoree for Portable Power, can charge consumer devices including phones and laptops. It weighs just 14 oz., and can provide DC and AC (with inverter) outputs, as well as USB ports that output 1A of power. It can fully charge via a solar panel in 5-10 hours or within 2-3 hours via a wall outlet, and in turn, can power a smart phone for 10 hours, and can ensure that writers (like us) can keep typing even when there is no power in sight. At about $249.99 that’s not a bad price to pay to have power on the go. The Sherpa will be ready to pick up the load in June 2012. Continue reading Outdoor Retailer Show: Sherpa and Yeti Bring Power

Outdoor Retailer Show: Self-Adjusting Headlamp

There have been several products that allow wearers to cast a little illumination on the path ahead, and at the recent Outdoor Retailer Show the NAO was one that turned heads – and still cast the light where it needed to go. The soon-to-be-released NAO headlamp from Petzl features an integrated light sensor that is mounted near the LEDs on the front. It reportedly analyzes ambient light and then “instantly and automatically” adjusts the light-beam output to suit the conditions. We call this a bright idea indeed!

[Via Gearjunkie: Intelligent Illumination? Headlamp ‘Self-Adjusts’ its Beam]

aboutGolf Goes Mobile

There has been no shortage of mobile devices for golf. There is the new Garmin GPS unit designed specifically for golfers, there are countless apps and of course various portable training aids. But now aboutGolf is taking golf simulators out and about with the aG Mobile, a launch monitor that features track ball and club tracking technology. This wireless unit can connect to a Windows-operated tablet or computer/LCD monitor for software display and allow golfers to get real-time data.

The aG Mobile is compatible with aG Balance Pro Tour and Perform Pro Lite devices so users can get advanced data interpretations on the go. It is also durable and weather-proof so users won’t need to worry about getting caught in foul weather (just be sure to have a waterproof case for the tablet).

aboutGolf Official Website

CES 2012: Gobandit HD Helmet Cam Goes Wireless

Thrill seekers have a new toy for their arsenal. After teasing us with a preview, Gobandit has lifted the veil off its new HD helmet cam, the Gobandit LIVE. The camera lets you shoot and share your videos on the fly by adding built-in Wi-Fi, so the minute you’re within range of a hotspot, the camera can beam your videos out to Facebook or YouTube. Alternatively, you can zap videos direct to your iPhone for instant review or editing.

The waterproof camera can sense your surroundings and record your position, speed, and acceleration using its 170-degree wide-angle lens and GPS. Or  to add an extra level of adrenaline to your videos, connect it with any external ANT+ devices to record your heart rate throughout the action.

The camera is equipped with a gyroscopic sensor and captures 1080p video at 30fps. It weighs 0.31 lbs. and can be mounted on a helmet, bike, or car. If you don’t care for the built-in Wi-Fi, Gobandit will also offer the Gobandit Race, which packs the same features as the LIVE model, excluding the wireless. Both cameras will be available this March with pricing at $429 and $329, respectively.

Gobandit Official Product Page

CES 2012: Olympus Gets Tough Again

There was no shortage of rugged cameras at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. From Olympus it wasn’t just rugged, it was tough, as in the Tough TG-320, the latest in the company’s line of go anywhere cameras. This one is ideal for the budget conscious, as it will cost just $179.99 when it arrives later this year.

As with most rugged point-and-shoot digital cameras it is waterproof, shock-proof, freeze-proof dust-proof and still offers 14megapixel resolution. It will feature a 3.6x wide-angle optical zoom with a 3D photo mode, and HDMI port for easy connectivity to a TV. While it can’t go deep underwater, reportedly only to about 10 feet, it will still survive a little water, which can go a long way.

Olympus Official Website

SHOT Show: Shields Up

Last week CES, this week SHOT Show and impressively LOKSAK is at both. We were introduced to them a year ago when we first saw their innovative plastic bags that are made to protect a wallet, mobile phone or other small item from the elements. The bags are a little more durable than your off-the-shelf sandwich bags, and fit nicely in a pocket for cycling, running or skiing.

So what’s new? Try the SHIELDSAK on for size, a flexible bag that is made of R.F. shield fabric that will protect devices from electronic signals. This isn’t so much meant for blocking a phone from getting tracked – for that you could turn it off. But if you’re worried about the data chips in your passport or credit card from being scanned this will ensure the shields are up and the scanning can’t get through. This works with any RFID type of chips, so if you’re worried about what might be scanned or tracked, this will ensure it is protected.

LOKSAK Official Website