These days if you participate in an extreme sport, you may not be a part of it unless you film the action. Now there’s several cameras that make that bit easy. The newest is the ATC Mini from Oregon Scientific. The ATC Mini is a waterproof video camera that is mountable on many objects including helmets and weighs only 70 grams.
Continue reading Oregon Scientific Mounts ATC Mini Waterproof Camera
Of the hundreds of thousands of apps that are available for the Apple iOS and the Google Android, how many are truly useful? That depends on how you look at it, but a better question might be how many have the potential to save a life? There are not many, but that trend is changing as it is becoming more obvious that smartphones and tablets are here to stay.
The Concussion Recognition and Response app from PAR Inc. is one such app and is designed specifically for coaches and parents to help them identify if an individual is exhibiting the signs and symptoms of a suspected concussion in under five minutes.
At first glance the Looxcie 2 appears to be a BlueTooth hands free headset, but it is actually much more. It is a video camera as well as hands free device all in one small package that is being advertised as the “world’s first ‘Wear & Share’ video cam.” The Looxcie 2 is worn over the ear and allows the user to capture video while engaging in just about any activity. If something happens that you simply must share through your social network, you can do it instantly by uploading the video using your smartphone.
Continue reading Looxcie 2 Allows You to Record What You See
There is another competitor in the rugged, wearable HD video camera market as the Swann FreeStyle HD has arrived. This camera, which features detachable LCD viewer and 3X digital zoom, can be enclosed in a sturdy case (included) that is waterproof to 65-feet. The Swann FreeStyle HD lives up the name and can capture 1080p HD video (1920×1080) at 30fps with stereo audio. In still camera mode it can shoot 8MP in both single-shot and rapid fire.
As with other rugged outdoor cameras it can be worn on the body, mounted on a bike, or on a helmet for skiing, skateboarding or just about any other outdoor activity. It comes with a variety of interchangeable mounts and brackets, while a remote control allows the wearer/user to operate the camera even when it is out of arms’ reach. Continue reading Wearable Swann Camera Takes Flight
As many outdoor activities, such as camping and hiking, involve time in the sun a solar charger is a good device to bring along. Singapore based Third Wave Power unveiled its new take on solar charges as last week’s Clean Energy Expo Asia (CEEA), introducing the mPowerpad, which captures and stores solar power to charge mobile phones, tablets, cameras and other devices via multiple USB ports. No real news there, but as anyone who has had a solar charger with a battery knows that left over juice typically just slowly drains way.
Unlike other solar charges this one, which is the size of a tablet PC, can also use the power it stores with built-in functionality including a built-in reading light, flashlight, radio and even a built-in ultrasonic insect repellent! mPowerpad features a unique gesture-based user interface that requires no button, knob or dial to operate the device. With no moving mechanical parts that could break down from manual wear and tear, and being water, dust- and drop-resistant, mPowerpad is built to withstand harsh weather and terrain conditions. Video after the jump
We’ve seen wrist bands that show support for various causes, notably the famous yellow wrist band for Livestrong. But now Jawbone, an innovator of products and services for the mobile lifestyle, has unveiled a very different kind of wrist band. This is the Jawbone UP, a new system that works with an app for the iPhone and iPod Touch that can track daily activities including sleep patterns and eating habits. All this is geared to help the wearer reach a healthier life. Continue reading Jawbone UP Start to Better Health
It is hard to believe but the holidays are right around the corner. If that special someone is in need of a new training watch, Timex has just announced a $50 mail-in rebate program on its brand new Timex Ironman Run Trainer GPS watch.
Beginning this week, Timex is putting its newly released and highly touted GPS watch for runners, the Timex Ironman Run Trainer, on sale through a $50 mail-in rebate. This GPS watch tracks speed, distance, heart rate and can even map completed runs in Map My Run or Google Earth. The watch also works with the highly regarded Training Peaks software program for post-run analysis. And now it is $50 cheaper too. Video and rebate information after the jump
If you bring a camera, mobile phone, MP3 player or other electronic device on a long ride chances are it could end up out of juice before you do. But now Silverback is offering a way to use pedal power to power up your digital devices. The German bicycle company has added a USB port, powered by a dynamo hub, to its Starke 1 and 2 models.
The USB port is located in the head tube of the nickel alloy frame bicycles, which also feature Shimano components including front and rear hydraulic disc brakes. The dynamo hub also provides power to the bikes’ lights, while the Starke 1 even features an integrated electric motor that provides pedal assist.
The only drawback so far seems that devices can only be powered when the dynamo isn’t being used. So if you were hoping to do some riding to power up the mobile phone, or to listen to some tunes while resting your legs you might be out of luck. But it is still a good way to juice up your devices. The Silverback cycles will be ready to roll as part of the company’s 2012 line up.
Silverback Official Website
[Via Gizmag: USB port-packing Starke bikes deliver pedal-powered mobile charging]
If your day outdoors involves a solo activity like running the trails than an iPod is a good companion, but if you have an actual human companion and are hiking, camping, or just taking in the great outdoors you either have to listen to the sounds of nature or figure out a way to share the tunes. Now Yamaha has a solution that lets you share the music with its rugged PDX-11 portable player dock.
The iPod/iPhone dock features an octagonal horn-shaped design with a perforated steel grill that is tough enough for an on-the-go lifestyle, and it includes a “grab it and go” roll bar chrome handle. The PDX-11 is available in four colors including white, dark blue, green and black, and can run on battery or AC power. With six AA batteries you’ll get about eight hours of a soundtrack for the outdoor life. Continue reading Yamaha Delivers Audio Anywhere You Go
FINIS isn’t close to being finished with its innovation in waterproof digital music player. The company, which is a developer and provider of select training equipment for the U.S. Olympic Swim Team, announces the release of its SwiMP3 2G, an upgraded version of its award-winning underwater MP3 player.
The SwiMP3 2G brings music to the pool and beach, and is therefore perfect for swimmers and triathletes looking to eliminate the watery silence of swimming lap after lap. The player offers twice as much music as the original version for a total of 30 hours or approximately 500 songs, and features a unique and patented bone conduction technology by transmitting high-fidelity sound underneath the water. Continue reading SwiMP3 Player
Riding a bike at night has numerous hazards, namely that fact that drivers can’t see them. But now a start up from Utah father and son team Rick and Brandon Smith might add some light to the night. LED by Lite essentially consists of four strips of silicone-encased LED bulbs, where two mount to the front fork and two to the rear. Following the tradition of car lights it is meant for white in the front and red in the back, but unlike car lights these can be seen from 360 degrees.
All four strips are waterproof and are designed to be removed and reinstalled in just seconds thanks to the QAD (Quickly Attaching and Detaching) System. The lights are powered by a BlackBox12-volt lithium-ion battery pack, which can be charged with a wall adapter or from a computer via a micro USB cord.
If you heading outdoors as the seasons change you might want to consider bringing along a light, and one to consider is the robust and weather proof O-ring protected River Rock’s Perfect Circle Flashlight (MSRP: $14.99), which is made from anodized aircraft aluminum.
It features a precision formed lens that can project a precise focused hard edge, yet soft full moon shaped, light beam. This is good for inside and outdoor activities while providing greater illumination that those cheapie keychain lights. At 20 feet it could project a perfectly round 41-inch circle of light.
It can also emit a constant hands free flash – about 80 flashes per minute for signaling. It offers 30 hours of constant one or more than 60 hours of flashing with one AA battery (included). At just 4.5 oz. and only 4.4-inches it is the perfect pocket light that lives up to its name.
Athletes are capturing some amazing video. Biking on the trails; catching waves; skating some big tricks. Capturing the action while in motion, rather than filming when a friend rides by from a stationary position, adds to the authenticity of the video. It also requires some specialized equipment. That doesn’t mean, however, that you need to spend a lot of money, or have a film degree, to pull off some amazing video.
Delkin Devices just released the WingmanHD, a waterproof, 3-ounce action camera. The company claims the HD camera capable of shooting 1080p video is the lightest on the market at 3-ounces. The comparable Contour HD helmet camera weighs 4.3 ounces, as listed on Amazon.com. The weight for the newly released GoPro HD Hero2 camera was difficult to find.
The WingmanHD is powerful with a 1.5-inch LCD screen; 3x digital zoom and universal mounting system. The screen allows you to view what the action (if the camera is positioned where you can see it) and also has a playback mode so you can review video even before you get back to your computer. The camera comes with an 8 GB MicroSD Memory Card, rechargeable battery that provides 2.5 hours of recording time, a helmet mount, vented helmet mount, bar mount, wall and auto charger, a pwer and data USB cable, component cable, wrist strap and user guide. Continue reading WingmanHD Video Camera Catches the Action