Light Bar

HeliosA built-in bike light seems like a good idea, and while we seen systems that integrate the lights into the stem, the Helios Bars are more than just a built-in light. These do provide proximity lighting that allows the bike to automatically turn on or off when the rider is near, and provide turn singles to help drivers know what you’re about to do. But the Helios Bars also provide GPS tracking via SMS from anywhere in the United States, where users can receive coordinates of the bike via Google Maps.

These bars also offer a visual speedometer, and can provide turn-by-turn navigation when synced with a mobile phone via Bluetooth 4.0. There is even ambient lighting options to set the mood while riding. Video after the jump

Not Out of Reach

inReachWhen you are out of cellular range you don’t need to be out of luck if you have the DeLorme inReach SE, the satellite communicator that allows you to type, send and receive, track and even send out an SOS all from a single device. This promises off-the-grid communication without the need for a special satellite phone.

The inReach SE is ready for adventure, and is waterproof, dustproof, and impact-resistant, with a color screen, GPS, and a battery that lasts for up to 100 hours. As with past models it can be used to share GPS coordinates to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and can send and receive texts or trigger an SOS that can go to the company’s 24/7 search and rescue monitoring center. It can even pair with a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth to provide even more features. With this device at hand’s reach you’ll be sure you can reach help if you really need it.

DeLorme inReach SE Official Website

Golf of Game

At the end of the day golf is still a game, a potentially enjoyable game but still a game. Mastering golf is so much more, but the Game Golf looks to change that. This system utilizes a GYG device along with a set of club tags, which utilize GPS, NFC, compass, accelerometer and gyrometer. When heading out to the course golfers tag the club to the device, which records every shot.

Data is uploaded via low power wireless or USB to the Game platform, allowing golfers to know what clubs were used, how far the shots were and even accuracy. It could make for a whole new game. Game Golf is currently being developed through an Indiegogo project and its developers are looking to bring it out later this year. Video after the jump

ANT Can Control

Even in non-electrical powered bicycles there are more and more electrical gizmos and gadgets, and these include GPS devices and cycle computers. The “controls” for gear shifters and brakes are positioned within finger’s reach, but typically the controls for those electrical devices are not.

German sports electronics maker o-synce looks to change that, and has introduced a control interface that can be positioned next to the grips making it easier for riders to switch views, toggle through information and take full control of their ANT+ enabled devices.

o-synce ANT+ Remote Official Website

Spike the Bike

Currently in development through a Kickstarter project the BikeSpike is being designed as a bicycle GPS that could also offer automatic crash reporting. This small gizmo features a GPS chipset with a built-in antenna, on-board accelerometer and a connection to a global cellular network.

This could allow users to pinpoint the exact location of a bicycle via the web or through a mobile smartphone, and aid law enforcement in recovering a stolen bike. It this way it could digitally lock a bicycle and notify owners if the bike has left its location, or even if it has just fallen or been disturbed. In the event of a crash or collision that is detected by the on-board accelerometer the BikeSpike could contact those on a pre-selected list so that help can be on its way. Video after the jump

Cool Camo

There are plenty of rugged cameras on the market, but the Nikon Coolpix AW110 Camo Camera stands out with its camouflage design that looks practically read for combat. It is a truly go-anywhere camera, and is waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof, while not being light on the features. It offers built-in Wi-Fi for fast sharing of photos, while built-in GPS tagging records the location of every shot. It features a 16MP sensor and also doubles as a Full HD 1080p video camera.

Nikon Official Website

SIA: Zeal Optics Ski Goggles

Recorded at the SIA Snow Show 2013 in Denver KineticShift  visits the Zeal Optics booth to get a look at their high tech goggle designs. Spokesperson Allie explains the features of the HD Camera and Z3 GPS Goggles.

Zeal Optics Official Website

Give It a SoloShot

We’ve seen a number of products – including poles and even a UAV aircraft – that can provide a different way to film the action with a rugged action camera. The latest twist is the SoloShot, a device holds the camera on a tripod and automatically records a person wearing a small GPS transmitter.

The robotic camera system can thus lock onto the wearer and provide an additional perspective that includes the ability to track or pan. Unfortunately this can’t tilt or zoom, nor does it allow the camera to be controlled remotely, but along with other options it could still be a great way to get that all so excellent long shot for a montage video! Video after the jump

Wearable Airbag for the Ski Slopes

We’ve seen inflatable airbags to help protect skiers during an avalanche but now Dainese has devised an airbag system to help protect downhill ski racers in case of a crash. The company’s new D-AIR Ski Project could even be in place by the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. This safety system features three integrated accelerometers and gyroscopes plus a GPS unit and an onboard microprocessor to detect any sudden movements.

Together this system can detect a crash and deploy the airbag to protect the rider’s neck, shoulder and collarbone and the full process can take just 45 milliseconds. Given how fast skiers travel it is clear they’d need something even faster and the D-AIR system looks like it could help skiers stay safe on those very fast slopes.

Dainese D-AIR Official Press Release

Garmin Re-approaches Golf

It was a little over two years ago that Garmin hit the links with its Approach S1 Golf Watch, and now with the golf season just weeks away the company is back in the swing with the Garmin Approach S2 Golf Watch. This new GPS watch comes preloaded with maps to 30,000 international golf courses, with updates four times a year. This is non-touchscreen device – unlike the S3 – but the S2 offers a club selection and gives users yardage to the front, middle and back of the green, plus layup and dogleg distances to improve usability over the entire hole.

Garmin Approach S2 Official Website

SHOT Show: Magellan Modern Day Hunter GPS

There are those who are born with the type of DNA of a backwoodsman and then there are the rest of us. For those who aren’t like a modern day Daniel Boone or Davey Crocket there is technology that will help us out. At the SHOT Show this week Magellan is introducing its new eXplorist 350 H, the latest GPS device designed specifically with the hunter in mind.

The 350H is the latest from Magellan’s eXplorist line of advanced, rugged and waterproof handheld GPS units that offer navigation solutions that are designed for the novice geocacher to the experienced backpacker and serious outdoorsman. The line is designed to provide innovative features, easy-to-use menus, sunlight readable screens and long battery life.

The eXplorist 350H features a camouflage exterior, 1:24K resolution base maps, making this handheld hunting GPS a must have aid in the backcountry.

Magellan eXplorist Official Website

2013 CES: Bluetooth GPS Tracker

StickNFind has introduced its new BluTracker, a Bluetooth 4.0 GPS locator that offers a range of 2500 feet. This portable tracking device runs on a rechargeable battery and it is compatible with iOS and Android apps. The device features an integrated and customized RF design and antenna, can broadcast its last known position, and can even alert users when something is moved. In this case it could be good for ensuring that a user’s items aren’t snatched – good to make sure that a bear doesn’t run off with your picnic basket for example. But it could also be used to keep a virtual tether on the young ones while out in the wild while camping. Video after the jump

Strava’s Power Play

GPS tracking service Strava has got the power, or rather gives the power analysis to premium users, which will include wattage and watts per kilogram.

This week Strava announced that it will now offer a range of power analysis features for its premium members who use power meters. Those premium members have already been able to use Strave for heart rate analysis, but the new “Advanced Power Training Analysis” that provide users with charts of power distribution over a specific ride or given period, and even track “best effort.”

Users can even compare power numbers with friends and other users, to allow for serious power plays.

Strava Official Website