The Flamethrower was actually a somewhat “ancient” invention used during the Byzantine Empire to shoot fire, and reinvented more recently for the same nefarious purpose. However, the FlameStower is something less menacing and actually could be considered a way to make camping downright civilized. It can charge the batteries of a USB-connected device via a camping or cook fire by conducting the heat to a thermoelectric generator.
The generator is in contact with a water reservoir and the combination of hot and cold produces the energy to juice up a device in a few hours.
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.
Sports- and fitness-centric headphones aren’t anything new. Go to any shop that sells headphones and you’ll most likely find a pair with the word “sport” on the packaging. Many of them are just ordinary tinny-sounding speakers rebranded and repackaged for the “active lifestyle.” But Polk Audio’s new performance headphones might be something worth looking into and not an exercise in clever marketing.
Available in the fall, Polk Audio’s new performance lineup includes sports headphones and noise canceling headphones designed for exercise and fitness (as well as those who don’t participate in any activity, naturally). The UltraFit sports headphones are available as in-ear, on-ear and in-ear canal models that come in a variety of colors. They feature water resistance, iPhone/iPod controls, Kevlar-reinforced hinge points for durability, and comfortable non-slip materials in the ear area. For its two UltraFocus models, Polk Audio designed active noise cancelation for an in-ear model and an over-ear version. No water resistance or Kevlar here, but features include comfortable design and iPhone/iPad controls.
Polk Audio makes good stuff. We have tested their products in the past and know they put lots of effort into making great-sounding speakers. But we have only known Polk Audio for their home speaker products, and, as this is Polk Audio’s first step into the performance headphone market, we’ll reserve any opinion until we actually test one out. But if the headphones are anything like their home speaker products in terms of build and performance, the UltraFit and UltraFocus products might be some of the few legit sports headphones available.
The Flamethrower was actually a somewhat “ancient” invention used during the Byzantine Empire to shoot fire, and reinvented more recently for the same nefarious purpose. However, the FlameStower is something less menacing and actually could be considered a way to make camping downright civilized. It can charge the batteries of a USB-connected device via a camping or cook fire by conducting the heat to a thermoelectric generator.
