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
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
Walk To Gather Energy
A long walk will get you where you need to go, and at the same time allow you to burn a few calories. But the rest of the process is just wasted energy that could be harnessed for something else. At least that’s the idea of the electrowetting process, where a liquid that is normally hydrophobic will be forced to move by applying an electric current.
This is now a concept being used in a pair of shoes but in reverse. By walking with special shoes that contain the special substance you could force the mixture over several electrodes and create a current while walking. This energy in turn could be stored on a battery for future use. Currently a team of engineers at the University of Wisconsin are looking into how to actually bring this from concept to an actual product – but in the future you could juice up your mobile phone simply by walking. Think of this as a way of walking and talking!
[Via Ubergizmo: Electrowetting process helps you generate power while you walk]
Primal Wear Gives Back in Tour de Cure 2012
Just in time for the holidays Primal Wear has announced that it will increase its sponsorship and support of the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure events in 2012. Beginning next year, Primal will be the Signature Sponsor of the 2012 Tour de Cure Colorado and the official apparel sponsor of the Tour de Cure Southern Colorado and Montana, respectively.
Primal is currently the supplier for all Tour de Cure cycling apparel and the apparel provider for the National Red Rider program, which recognizes riders with diabetes. Primal is also the preferred custom cycling apparel vendor for all Tour de Cure teams and clubs.
“We are proud to take our involvement with the Tour de Cure and the ADA to the next level.” said Dave Edwards, Primal Wear founder and CEO. “Our hope is to help expand the platform of the Association, increase Diabetes awareness nationwide and raise much needed funds for the cause.”
In addition to Primal’s direct sponsorship, all Tour de Cure teams are eligible for the company’s Primal Gives Back program, which donates 15 percent of a team’s apparel order back to the event charity, on behalf of the team, to help them meet their fundraising goals.
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
Made in America: SHUT Skateboards
Certainly you have heard someone say, “as American as baseball and apple pie;” but neither of those had their true origins in America. In reality, the saying could be “as American as skateboarding and Moon Pies”, both of which originated in the U.S.A., just on opposite ends of the country. Since we cover health and fitness, we’ll stick to the skateboarding and leave the Moon Pies for another day.
Even though skateboarding started in California in the 1950s, much of the production of parts and decks has been moved overseas. SHUT Skateboards of New York City has bucked this tread and continues to produce skateboard decks in the United States from American lumber.
Video after the jump
Virtual Active and BitGym Offer New App
Whether you trek the globe on business, or just hit the gym the truth is that there are times when you’d likely reather be somewhere else, and now the Virtual Active: BitGym Edition fitness app for iOS can take you there. Available now the app takes a user’s workout intensity into account and responds accordingly, providing a first person perspective of locals ranging from the Swiss Alps to Venice to the Grand Canyon. The app is free to try, and costs $7.99 to buy.
The twist here is that it is available for mobile devices, so rather than being immersed in a large HDTV experience, users can take it to the gym and use on an exercise bike. Thus for those who travel the world, but not for biking adventures, can still feel like they’re riding in the Alps. Video after the jump
“Pedal-Driven” a Documentary on Mountain Bike Access
The land managers of U.S. federal, state and local public lands and the citizens that pay their salaries have been engaged in the issue of access for as long as there have been ‘public lands’. The land managers have been tasked with the job of protecting these resources, while the citizens have wanted to use the land for their own agenda. From mining to hunting and from climbing to dirt biking, each of these activities, along with countless others, have some sort of impact on the land. But who is right and who is wrong? That sometimes depends on environmental impact studies; education of both land managers and citizens about the ‘use‘; and frankly, public opinion. “Pedal-Driven: a bikeumentary,” is a new documentary by Howell at the Moon Productions that is making its way around the country looking into one such land access battle and how both sides may seem to be at odds, but are really fighting for the same goal – “the rights of Americans to play in the woods.”.
Additional videos after the jump
MJ-818 Bicycle Tail Light Review
Edited by Rita Braun, Braun & Company
Magicshine Light Reviews
This is the first in a series of three reviews of Magicshine lights. The lights are being tested while commuting in Colorado this fall. Look for reviews of two different headlights soon.
Magicshine MJ-818 Bicycle Tail Light
Tested: 503 miles
The cryptically named MJ-818 should simply be called the “Photon Torpedo.” It is without a doubt the brightest and most visible bicycle tail light I’ve ever seen. After reading this review, check out our video of the light in action. Continue reading the review
Daily Burning It Up
Feeling the burn requires actually working out, and sometimes there just isn’t enough hours in the day to squeeze in everything. But DailyBurn has unveiled its new personalized fitness platform that just might deliver daily custom-designed videos anywhere you go.
The DailyBurn IntelliBurn technology provides streaming HD-quality custom workouts, personal result metrics, and nutrition and healthy living tools directly to a smartphone, computer, tablet or even TV each and every day. The videos bring together a best in-class team of experts from every segment of the fitness industry — including the fitness program design expertise of industry leader Lisa Wheeler; the fitness production expertise of Mason Bendewald, who has produced over 200 workout videos including fitness series P90X with Tony Horton; and a team of elite trainers — DailyBurn has created a personalized workout and nutrition program designed to increase metabolism and deliver better, faster results. Continue reading Daily Burning It Up
Thursday Reading List (12/15/2011)
Creative Radio
Two innovative podcast programs worth a listen are Radiolab and 99% Invisible. Get a view into each at the same time as Radiolab does a story about 99% Invisible, a tiny radio show about design, architecture & the 99% invisible activity that shapes our world.