vlineRead: < 1 min

Vline Climbing Site Goes Live

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Back in November I told readers about the new climbing soft goods company VLINE Climbing, which was started by an old climbing buddy of mine Brandon Gonsalves.

Gonz

Most climbers I know are frustrated by the lack-of-quality some of the larger name climbing gear companies are putting out. With VLINE you get what you pay for and a lot more. I have a VLINE chalkbag (thanks Gonz!) that is truly bomber. The quality of the materials and workmanship far surpass any chalkbag I’ve ever owned. Using 1000 d Cordura and 1680 Ballistic Nylon (bullet proof vest material) VLINE hand stitches custom chalk bags/pots, crash pads and messenger bags.

Climbers should care for harnesses, ropes and pro like because their lives depend on it. However, clothes, chalk bags and crash pads take a beating without malice. VLINE gear can take what you throw at it and you’re still the steeziest mofo at the crag. Checkout the new VLINE Web site and buy yourselves some gear that’s going to last.

Web Launch Special – All VLINE Stock Products 10% off until March 2008!

Posted by: Lawrence

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nike skateboardingRead: < 1 min

Nike Skateboarding

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I saw this a few months ago but still keep it bookmarked and watch it every-so-often. So why not share?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM8LZdDzs-8

Posted by: Frank

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Read: < 1 min

The StepDesk: Keep ‘Work’ in your Workout

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One of the main reasons I like to run is to shed the stress of work. But if you’re different and want to keep on working right through your workout, check out the StepDesk. Keep in mind you can only go 2 miles per hour (about 200 calories per hour) when using the StepDesk. For me this is conducive to NOT sweating and potentially compounds boredom with stress.

StepDeskThey have a whole ‘team’ working on this patent-pending brainchild that securely grips to a treadmill’s rails using adjustable arms. From the pictures it looks like the StepDesk is going to block any view of the treadmill’s display, so it’s probably time to get off when you’ve passed-out from boredom and hear the thump/bump of your face bouncing on the belt, shaving away your face like a nice Dill Havarti.

There’s a survey that suggests this may cost between $30-$70. Certainly more money than duct tape, a plank and an old mouse pad, but the StepDesk can be folded and taken with you (don’t feel bad, they have a team).

Posted by: Lawrence

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Read: < 1 min

Mountain Hardware Red Savina Heated Glove

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Mountain Hardware’s Red Savina Heated Glove reacts to the temperature of the hand to maintain a comfortable climate. The light and flexible heating layer is housed in a protective polyurethane film within the glove. The system is made up of three lightweight, low profile and Red Savina Glovesflexible lithium polymer batteries, each weighing about a quarter ounce to provide heat to the fingers and palm. The gloves are designed to provide up to 6 hours of continuous heat, and come with a charger.

Available in men’s and women’s versions for $300 August 2008 – just about the time I’m elbow deep in a cooler searching for a cool one.

Source: The Daily Dose

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AmazonRead: < 1 min

Amazon Affiliate Program

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A few of us at Bitness HQ have been told that someone learned of a product on Bitness and bought it as a result of our recommendation. So here we are in phase 3 of operation money grab (or didn’t you notice the Gadget Funds Generator?) to announce the arrival of the Bitness Gear Barn, a collection of Bitness-minded items for sale through Amazon. Note the somewhat obnoxious box on top of the right-side navigation, click it often!

The way it works is you search for a product through the Bitness Gear Barn – buy lots of stuff and we get paid a little. So next time you’re thinking of picking up new gear for yourself, the wife, a friend, your dog or you know of someone else in the market for new gear then by all means send them through the Gear Barn!

If there is a product you can not locate in the Barn please let us know and we will make it available quickly. Happy Shopping!

Posted by: Lawrence

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Timex iControlRead: < 1 min

Timex iControl Watches Control iPod

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Timex has introduced a few watches that allow the wearer to control their iPod. The Timex Ironman iControl and Timex Midsize Ironman iControl communicate to a receiver plugged into the iPod (like the Nike+ device).

Ironman iControlNot only aesthetically pleasing, the iControl watches have resin wrist bands to ensure they stay put and resist damage from sweat. The watch functions include a calendar, support for 3 time zones, 50-lap memory, 3 alarms, countdown timer, 2 interval timers, and a chronograph function. Powered by digital-quartz movement, the iControl is also water resistant to 330 feet (as in ‘down deep’ tri-heads, so keep swimming) and backed by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Ideally, there will one day be a watch that incorporates iPod control, a heart rate monitor and a GPS. But if I’m wishing for stuff I’ve still gotta go for life-like, mute, scotch-pouring, female sex robot.

For the budding or even experienced tri-athlete looking to monitor workouts and control the tunes that propel them the iControl is well designed and priced right, about $70-90 depending on model.

Posted by: Lawrence

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David BelleRead: < 1 min

Parkour – Bounding, Balance, Braun and Balls

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You may not know it by name, but you’ve all seen and marveled at the art of Parkour. If you saw the new version of Casino Royale or Live Free or Die Hard, you’ve seen Parkour.

The main premise of Parkour is for the practitioners (called traceurs, or traceuses for women) to get from point-to-point, avoiding all obstacles with quick and efficient movements. It takes incredible athletic and gymnastic ability, stamina and daredevil attitude. Leaping over large gaps (sometimes between buildings), running up sheer walls, flipping over staircases and precise jumps through tight spaces are typical to a Parkour session.

Considered the founder of Parkour David Belle is in his prime and bringing Parkour to the masses. Groups from all over the world hold Parkour Jams which use either the natural landscape or man-made obstacles. These are not competitions, rather a gathering of talent to display their skills with the encouragement of their peers, train and introduce the sport to newcomers.

Next time you have a little time to kill on the Net look for Parkour videos and sit back and marvel. You may even want to give it a shot for yourself. If you do the research, consider a DVD or attend a Jam. Also maybe get a big bottle of Glucosamine, this sport can’t be good for your joints, even with the rolling landings.

Posted by: Lawrence

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lifesaver bottleRead: 2 mins

The LIFESAVER Water Purifier

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Fire, shelter and water are essential in any terrestrial survival situation. When it comes to fire there is an art to getting one started with available resources (sticks, glass, flint, etc). Shelter is a little easier if you know where and how to create it. Potable water is perhaps the most elusive of the three, especially if you can’t get a fire started to boil water or have nothing to boil it in.

LIFESAVER bottleSurvival starts with preparation and the LIFESAVER bottle should be a part of any terrestrial survival kit (note: it will not turn sea water into drinkable water). Pump-up even the most suspect looking water and the LIFESAVER removes bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and all other microbiological waterborne pathogens, leaving ~750ml of drinking water very quickly.

The LIFESAVER uses a combination of a pre-filter, activated carbon filter and ultra filtration membranes. It does not use chemicals and thus avoids the bitter-beer-face iodine and chlorine can induce (if you use chemicals, pack these lifesavers in your survival kit :).

From the tip of the LIFESAVER’s chew-proof drinking teat all the way to it’s anti-slip base, it is a well engineered product (nice teat, nice base). They also introduced what they call FAILSAFE technology, which prevents the user from filtering water once it is not longer safer to do so with the existing cartridge (replaceable).

To purchase, visit the LIFESAVER online store. They are – in my opinion – expensive, but your life is worth it. Cost: ~$385 (up to 4,000 liters) ~$450 (up to 6,000 liters) + tax.

Posted by: Frank

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Read: 2 mins

Portable Power with the Potenco PCG

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The Potenco Pull-Cord Generator (PCG) looks like a deranged Yo-Yo with a mouth piece. But put it in the palm of one hand and with your other pull the cord and you’re a one man or woman power plant. The PCG can charge your cell phone, radio, camera, GPS, PDA and other portable battery-powered devices with minimal pulling.

Potenco PCGThere are lots of things you can pull-on for a minute or two when your out in the middle of the woods and no one can hear your screams. But none yield as useful a result as the PCG…

– 20 minutes of talk time on a mobile phone
– 1 hour of Ultrabright flashlight use
– 4 hours play time on an iPod Shuffle

Specifications on the PCG make it a no-brainer to stuff in your survival kit or to pack on your next multi-day trek…

– Compact: 2.5″ high x 3.5″ diameter
– Lightweight: 14 oz.
– Highly Efficient: 20W peak average power
– Quiet: 59 dB at 1 foot, <50 dB at 5 feet
– Rugged: Water, dust and drop resistant

The One Laptop Per Child project provides an XO laptop to children in developing countries. The ~$150USD laptop is subsidized through government assistance and private contributions and will include the PCG since users in developing countries have suspect power if any power at all.

The PCG will come with a USB port, is expected to be available in mid-2008 and expected to cost between $50-100USD.

Posted by: Frank

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