Wearable technology is expected to become a $6 billion industry by 2016, a minimum revenue projection that could be even larger. That’s according to the latest findings by market research firm IMS Research. Wearable technology currently centers on healthcare, medical, fitness and wellness, where products such as glucose monitors and heart-rate monitors are used to transmit vital information about the user or patient. Continue reading Bank on Wearable Tech: Industry is Projected to Grow to $6 Billion by 2016
Tag: Outdoors
Garmin’s fēnix Outdoor Watch Goes Off Trail
GPS is great, but when you’re on a road you typically still have an idea of your location. For trails and other outdoors activities, if the GPS stops marking when you step off the trail, it’s useless. Garmin just released its fēnix Outdoor Watch, which still tracks and directs adventurers, even when they’re off the beaten path. Continue reading Garmin’s fēnix Outdoor Watch Goes Off Trail
Sleeping Bag With Vents
Many of the problems of sleeping bags have been solved. We’ve seen sleeping bags with small LED lights, and even bags that offer legs so you can walk in them but we haven’t seen a bag that offers vents to allow your legs to breathe. Some people like to kick off the blanket while at home and a sleeping bag doesn’t allow that.
At least most sleeping bags don’t allow that. The Zippered Vents Sleeping Bag is designed with four segments running horizontally across the body. This means you can open to let air in at the ankles, knees, waist or chest – and better still have a bit more freedom that most sleeping bags allow! Of course the bag will also keep you warm, because if it didn’t do that it wouldn’t be worth taking out camping. Continue reading Sleeping Bag With Vents
ViewRanger App Gives Your Smartphone Off-Road Mapping Capabilities
Today’s smartphones pack built-in GPS capabilities that have all but demolished the need for a standalone GPS unit. But what if there was an app for outdoors enthusiasts that turned your smartphone into the digital equivalent of Bear Grylls? That’s essentially what you can expect from ViewRanger, a powerful outdoor GPS app that’s been available internationally, but is just now launching in the U.S.
The $5 app lets trailblazers plan, plot, navigate, record, and analyze their outdoor adventures straight from their GPS-enabled smartphone. It uses Open Source Web maps to provide detailed information on any popular location or alternatively, users can make in-app trail guide purchases on the fly. The trail guides (which cost between 70 cents to $1) are then pinned on the map providing trail descriptions, directions, and pictures straight out of publishers’ guidebooks. Video after the jump
Fieldline Lines Up Women’s Backpack
Hunting gear isn’t typically made with a woman in mind, but Fieldline has addressed this issue with a new line of backpacks that feature durability, comfort and convenience and are tailor made with the female hunter in mind. The new Fieldline Women’s Black Canyon Backpack can take just about everything in stride, from foul weather to blazing hot sun, and for the sometimes brutal use and abuse of women who depend on their gear to keep them comfortable, safe and well-equipped.
The new Fieldline Women’s Black Canyon Backpack is roomy enough to accommodate essential items, but scaled down for a female wearer’s size and shape. The padded back and yoked shoulders further ensure stability and comfort, while a three-pouch organizer, three-quarter-inch-opening main compartment and one-side water bottle pocket offer versatility in stashing everything from extra layers to GPS units to snacks. The pack also features a nifty Gear-Lock Modular Locking System, which offers customization for the user, allowing the pack to transform into multiple configurations, before a trip or even on the fly.
The pack is available in Mossy Oak Break-Up or Realtree AP to make users inconspicuous in virtually any environment, but with just a dash of pink to show some personality too!
A Chair For the Man For All Seasons
As summer begins to become a distant memory and the fall chill takes over finding yourself in the “hot seat” doesn’t sound so bad. While you could head to the heated seats in the car, the Chaheati All-Season Heated Chair will let you tailgate, or just enjoy a day outside in the brisk weather. While it looks like many lightweight, collapsible canvas chairs, the Chaheati features cordless carbon fiber non-wire heating elements that are placed throughout the chair.
The result is that you’re in the “hot seat” every time you use it. This patent pending technology offers four temperature settings from 98° up to 145°F and rapidly heats up in less than 20 seconds. It makes the chair ideal for camping, hunting, cool weather sporting events and tailgating. The low-voltage heating technology sports digital circuit protection. The high efficiency, lithium-ion rechargeable battery provides up to six hours of heat per charge and lasts for over 500 uses. The Chaheati is available now ($89.99 MSRP), just in time for the cooler weather of fall.
Woolrich Adds Agion Odor-Fighting Tech
Like Levi’s, Woolrich is a bit of Americana fashion that’s well recognized around the world. The familiar red-and-black flannel shirt is quintessentially Woolrich even to those who don’t own a piece of outdoors clothing. The 180-year-old-plus brand is experiencing a bit of resurgence as of late, in particular in the high-end fashion market. Woolrich might be old, but it’s ably keeping up with modern times by incorporating fresh designs and technology.
At Outdoor Retailer earlier this year, Woolrich announced they have paired up with Wakefield, Mass.-based Agion to include Agion’s Active odor eliminating technology in Fall 2011 lineup of Merino wool and polyester blend base layers, the first company to do so in the outdoors industry.
Agion’s odor-busting tech is based on silver, and has been incorporated in a variety of products that include electronics and apparel. According to Woolrich, “Agion Active features a dual action technology that not only provides antimicrobial product protection and industrial-strength odor elimination, but also eliminates odors both on and around the fabric. Silver ion antimicrobial technology stops propagation of odor causing bacteria on the fabric, while a natural, proprietary odor-trapping solution captures molecules from ambient odors. Unlike previous odor control solutions, Agion Active eliminates odor from over 14 sources, achieving performance well beyond what has been offered to the consumer. Agion Active regenerates with each the wash and continues to perform for the life of the garment.”
The Agion Active gear is 50/50 polyester and Merino blend, available in crew and half-zip shirts for men and half-zip and V-neck shirts for women. Fibers are very fine so they should feel comfortable under the heavier stuff you’re packing on to your body. In addition to the smell-fighting tech, the apparel helps regulate body temperature and offers moisture wicking, quick drying, and UPF 40+ protection.
The Woolrich with Agion Active garments will be available this fall and sell for $59 to $69.
Wireless Gets AMPED Up
If you’re away from the office that can be a good thing, but getting out to nature – such as in a boat or RV – can be a real drag if you need to rely on wireless.
But AMP Wireless has announced a new high power solution for indoor and outdoor application for use in boats, recreational vehicles, buildings and more. The UA600EX High Power Wireless-N 600mW Professional Series USB Adapter provides extreme range for Mac or Windows computer.
The Amped Wireless UA600EX High Power Wireless-N 600mW Pro USB Adapter is the first of a full line of Professional Series high power indoor and outdoor WiFi solutions for users who require demanding WiFi performance and range for their Windows or Mac based laptops and desktop computers. The high performance, High Power Wireless-N 600mW Pro USB Adapters allows PCs and Macs to connect to 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n WiFi networks from extreme distances indoors or outdoors. The UA600EX will have a MSRP of $119.99 and an estimated street price of $99.99.
SHOT Show: KineticShift Goes Back to Vegas
Another week another trade show. There is no rest for the weary in January, and after hitting the Consumer Electronics Show and the Detroit Auto Show, we’re back to “Sin City” to check out the latest offerings and most innovative products that will be available this year for hunters, sport shooters and firearms enthusiasts
This is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports and hunting industries. Last year’s show in Orlando saw nearly 60,000 in total attendance with more than 1,600 exhibitors and nearly 700,000 square feet of exhibit space – and this year the National Shooting Sports Foundation expects an even bigger show with nearly 2,000 members of the media in attendance.
An Old Axe Can Learn New Tricks
An axe is one of the oldest tools in humankind’s toolbox. However it has evolved over the years to be less unwieldy and more practical. The Ontario Knife Company based its newest axe tool, the SP16-SPAX, on a WWII emergency crash axe model, and continued to improve the design. The new SP16-SPAX is useful for emergency first responders and firefighters, but also for outdoor activities such as camping and hunting.
The blade is made of razor-sharp 1095 epoxy powder-coated carbon steel, and has a special hole used for opening and closing fire hydrants and gas valves. The handle is ribbed with Kraton polymer, and features tang construction meaning the blade and handle are all one piece. Sturdy. The hole mentioned above serves a second purpose. The Axe can be gripped higher up to handle tasks that are more precise.