Hiking, camping, trekking, etc

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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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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lifesaver bottleRead: 2 mins

The LIFESAVER Water Purifier

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

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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Reading Time: 2 minutes

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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FreebordRead: 2 mins

All I Want for Christmas…

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OK gadgeteers, here is one geeks top 10 wish list for Xmas ’07. Post your own in the comments.

Freeboard1. Freebord – ride a skateboard like a snowboard? A center wheel (like the one found on a ) allows you to ease off the traditional skateboard wheels – much like easing off an edge. Want to ride switch? Lean back brah. $210-285 (depending on config).

2. Bike Keg – Some clever bastard with spare RST forks built a keg trailer for his bike. Mmmmmm beer.

3. Rockpods – Polyurethane and steel Centerpod holds for my home wall. Santa please?

4. SOG Seal Pup M37 – Fixed blade survivalist knife. Good enough for Bear = good enough for me. ~$70

5. Grain Surfboard – The most beautiful surfboards I have seen made from sustainable cedar wood. I’ll take the 9 footer and better glass the tail. $2,000

Cluster Balloon6. Nintendo Wii – This may actually be the one thing on this list I actually receive… if I’ve been a good boy.

7. Cluster Balloon Flight – OK, this isn’t exactly a gadget, but how f’n cool would it be to fly around by a bunch of balloons like Curious George at the zoo?!

8. Two tickets to paradise – Just me and the wife living life Tonga-style with Paul and Karen from Dive Vava’u for a few weeks. Whale diving, hiking Mt Talau, beers at night – ahhhhhh…

9. SteepandCheap.com Gift Certificate – Call it an addiction or call it retail therapy, but I just can’t stop buying from these guys. A good deal on gear is too hard to pass up. $500 ought to do it 🙂

10. D30 Gear – Head to toe, I want it all and I could use the protection, but I’d settle for a beanie. Is anyone going to start selling gear using ?!

Source: Lawrence

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Whip RyanRead: < 1 min

Be a Hero

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I’ve always liked capturing footage of me and my friends skating, boarding, jumping, etc. A couple of early jackasses ourselves, Jay and I have footage from the mid-1980s of falling to frozen earth from 10 feet off a half pipe. OK, actually Jay is the one who bailed and I merely zoomed in on his face to capture the pain. See that’s the problem – one of us had to miss the action/pain in order to capture the moment, but this is no longer the case.

In March Bitness reviewed the ATC2K camera, but seeing that this is the season for giving and the price seems right, be sure to also check out the GoPro Hero cameras. Quick release helmet, vehicle and wrist (waterproof enclosure) cameras capture nearly an hour of 3 megapixel digital footage (513×384). A time lapse mode (every 5 seconds) and adjustable sound recording levels can maximize storage on a 2GB SD card.

Whip RyanI know plenty of peeps who would grab one of these . My friend Dan already has a camera on his motorcycle helmet and posted a video of him doing 174MPH. Should he total himself and need a new one, it’ll be for his wheel chair or coffin.

Source: Lawrence

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Sugarbush 1950sRead: 2 mins

New England’s Lost Ski Areas

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Many climatologists and armchair experts have stated that geographically, the only reliable part of the country to run a ski operation 25-50 years from will be at altitudes found only in parts out West. Does this mean it will not snow in New England in 25-50 years? Probably not, but with global warming who the hell knows – it’s late October in New England and 80 degrees outside!

You can rely however, on the sad but simple fact that more mountains will close in New England (and all over the East coast) in the coming years, adding to the approximately 600 ski areas already lost.

Sugarbush 1950sA site called the New England Lost Ski Area Project (www.nelsap.org) is a guide to lost ski areas that may be in your backyard and you never even knew it! Here in Rhode Island I can see Yawgoo Valley ski area lit-up at night from my house. I couldn’t imagine that RI could possibly have another mountain, but NELSAP showed me the way to 4 more!

Outside of RI there are far more areas in Massachusetts and Connecticut and of course Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. If publicly accessible, they can serve as a great way to introduce yourself to a backcountry-like experience, with the proper precautions of course.

If you live in New England and are thinking about what to do on a snowy day this coming winter, consider a new adventure in your own backyard!

Posted by: Lawrence

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iWalk LogoRead: < 1 min

International Walk to School Month

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October is International Walk to School Month. Taking-on childhood obesity is a noble and worthwhile effort. If your kids struggle with weight they need to be encouraged to exercise. Visit the International Walk to School Month Web site and organize walks in your neck of the woods.

iWalk Logo

John F. Kennedy famously said “We are under exercised as a nation. We look instead of play. We ride instead of walk. Our existence deprives us of the minimum of physical activity essential for healthy living.“

Kids who live far from school and take the bus can organize walks to other bus stops or walking once they arrive on school grounds.

Encouraging exercise and good eating habits should be a no-brainer, but childhood obesity, diabetes and other health issues are on the rise.

Posted by: Dean

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H20 AudioRead: < 1 min

Get Out, Get Fit, Get Immersed

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Many runners feel that an MP3 player detracts from the experience of running outdoors. That not being in tune to your breathing, or hearing the birds chirping is cheating yourself. I, on the other hand, prefer Black Sabbath screaming in my head and yes, the occasional Dane Cook comedy break.

The more obvious argument is that running with headphones is unsafe; you can’t hear cars, bikes, or pedestrians. I say that only adds to the experience, but I run mainly on trail.

H20 AudioI love to swim, snorkel and even Scuba and being underwater is a peaceful place. It’s here I like to be on alert, listen to my breathing and absorb myself in all that surrounds me. A company called H20 Audio thinks you should listen to music underwater too, and sells a number of waterproof cases (depending on your player) and waterproof headphones.

There are many models to choose from, the iS2 is used with the newer Shuffle, is submersible up to 10 feet and can be worn with the included armband. You can also adjust all the controls even while it’s enclosed.

If diving with sharks is your thing (props to Eli and Karen) and you think it would be more exciting to do so with a soundtrack, visit H20 Audio and get immersed…

Posted by: Lawrence

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Five FingersRead: < 1 min

Barefoot Bouldering and Beyond

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Running around barefoot is fun for the most part, unless you step on pine cones, sharp rocks or in dog shit. I’ve had the misfortune of stepping on or in all three this Summer. I’ve tried to boulder barefoot after reading about Chris Sharma doing it. It hurt like hell and forget about a heel hook.

Vibram Five Fingers is an alternative to barefooting that promises to protect your feet while giving that sense of freedom. Each toe is individually wrapped and the sole designed to flex in natural places, mimicking a shoeless feel. The premium quality of proven Vibram soles would have been a no brainer for Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Five Fingers

There is some getting used to the Vibram Five Fingers. Foot muscles otherwise sheltered by over-padded, over-designed running shoes are forced to fend for themselves with only slight padding in the heel area.

If nothing else these shoes are a conversation starter and Halloween is only a few months off. Prices range from about $80 to $100.

Posted by: Lawrence

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BODiBEATRead: 2 mins

King of the Beat

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

I like to run with an iPod so I don’t have to hear the labored breathing of a man killing himself. I prepare song lists for different distances that are based on song type and length. The song lists appear as ‘Running Man 6’ for a six miler, ‘Running Man 8,’ etc and always start mellow with a good beat. I use comedy clips for mundane parts of the run and hardcore or metal for hills and to finish the run. Setting up these song lists requires a lot of thought and examination of previous runs I store on MotionBased.

Like any good technology should, I can perhaps stop thinking so hard. A new product from Yamaha called BODiBEAT will be available this Fall that synchronizes the music I enjoy to my workout. Both an MP3 Player and a heart rate monitor, BODiBEAT changes songs on the fly to match your workout.

BODiBEATThe BODiBEAT has four modes; Free, Fitness, Training and Music…

  • Free Mode – You control the music: Music playback stays in sync with your movement
  • Fitness Mode – The music controls you: Match your pace to the tempo of the music playing
  • Training Mode – Create custom programs: Similar to my current method (explained above)
  • Music playback – Simply use the BODiBEAT as a music player

For my taste, the look of the BODiBEAT leaves something to be desired. Perhaps I’m just spoiled by the incredible industrial design by Apple, but the BODiBEAT looks like a small brick. Also, instead of a chest strap, the BODiBEAT pulse sensor clips on your ear. On the Web site, the ‘music’ they play in the demo reels would cause me to keep running – right into a mental institution. I’m not sure they can determine the beat of your own music, so Free and Fitness modes might not actually be your music at all. I guess we’ll have to wait until the Fall to find out, unless Yamaha decides to drop something in the mail in advance…

Posted by: Lawrence

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Oakley LiveStrongRead: < 1 min

Cool Shades

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Of all the gadgets I own, the most basic of equipment eludes me – a good pair of workout sunglasses. I own several pairs of sunglasses, in fact 3 pairs in the same style with different lenses. But none of the sunglasses I own are made for exercise. When I exercise in my regular sunglasses, the frames start to slide off my face and sweat becomes trapped in the frame. Annoying and not terribly safe.

A good pair of exercise sunglasses is very different from regular sunglasses. They should be lightweight, use materials for the nose and ear pieces that keep them on your face, enhance visibility, offer good UV protection and protection from projectiles as well as shed sweat, rain and dust.

Oakley LiveStrongA HYDROPHOBIC coating on PLUTONITE lenses is a fancy scientific or markety way of saying the Oakley LiveStrong Flak Jacket glasses are a good example of glasses that accomplish all the above. Available for $150, know that $20 of that price goes to the LiveStrong foundation which inspires and empowers those living with cancer.

Posted by: Jay

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Bear GryllsRead: 2 mins

Survival Chic

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

For most of my 39 years I’ve had an interest in survival techniques. Some of these were as basic as avoiding a beating from one of my two sadistic older brothers, let’s call this family survival. Wilderness survival such as tracking, animal behavior, shelter and fire-making, setting snares, edible plants, etc has also been an interest, probably so I could run away into the woods and escape the relentless beatings.

I’ve never had a reason to put to use any of the information I’ve gleaned from Tom Brown, Larry Dean Olsen and other revered experts to use. Mostly this is by choice, because no one wants to find themselves in a real-life survival situation. Other than terrorizing rabbits in my youth with my best bud Jason and a stint at a summer wilderness camp called Keewaydin, I’ve warmed, sheltered and fed myself with the almighty dollar.

Bear GryllsThe success of shows like Man vs Wild, and Survivorman are based around the escapism that survivalism affords. It’s great to fantasize about starting a fire with toe lint and nose grease, but if you were actually faced with a setting sun and freezing temperatures with nothing to protect you from the elements wouldn’t you have to ask yourself ‘self, why the hell did I ever think this would be fun?’

The old adage ‘always be prepared’ should keep most people out of a life and death survival situation, but if you happen to find yourself in one remember to stay calm, attend to any injuries as soon as possible, find a reliable source of water, make a shelter, a fire and make yourself visible from the air. Also, always be sure to let your friends and loved ones know where you’re headed BEFORE you head out.

In future Bitness postings I’ll talk more about survival, so consider the above a disclaimer of sorts. There is a ton of cool equipment (knives, clothing, navigation, etc) and techniques which open up a whole new category to Bitness (so I did). If anyone would like to see a particular product reviewed let me know in the comments.

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loaderRead: < 1 min

Garmin offers Mac OS X PIO Loader, updater

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Garmin has released new beta versions of its POI loader and Unit Software Updater, enabling Garmin GPS (Global Positioning System) users to download and install software updates using a Mac and a USB connection. The POI (Point Of Interest) Loader for Mac 2.0.0.1 Beta allows users to load custom points of interest into a GPS unit, accepting input files downloaded from the internet or created custom. Users can configure the unit to produce alerts when they are within a certain distance of a point or are driving over a certain speed near any given point to warn about upcoming school zones, red lights, and speed cameras. POI Loader for Mac 2.0.0.1 Beta is available as a free download, requiring Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Source: macnn

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ATC2K on helmetRead: 2 mins

Light – Action – Camera!

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When I was younger my oldest brother Paul made a series of movies with my father’s 8mm (film). He remade Airport 1975, complete with the crash scene (planes with straws glued on them and strung-up in the garage). I was cast in the role of Sam, the Jerry Stiller character who sleeps through all the action. Dressed in my suit I leaned-up against the rakes while the other kids ‘acted.’

Probably one of the funniest things Paul ever shot was a video from our dog Reggie’s perspective, running through the house with the camera at knee level. Something about that movie cracked me up and I watched it over and over. I like first person (or dog) point of view film making, which is why I want the ATC2K Waterproof Action Camera from Oregon Scientific.

ATC2K on bikeAttach it to the handlebars of your bike or strap it to your helmet and capture digital video in 640 X 480 VGA (standard NTSC) at 30 frames per second to an internal SDA card. The ATC2K comes with accessories that allow you to strap it to other gear as well, a windsurfer perhaps, it is waterproof up to 10 feet! The ATC2K is also shock resistant, takes only 2 AA batteries to run (lithium batteries recommended for cold environments) and measures 4.25L x 1.75D x 2.25H (in).

ATC2K on helmetAlthough currently out of stock, the ATC2K can soothe your inner Spielberg for only USD $129.99. You can request to be notified when they become available, but for now start planning and storyboard your next glade run, wipe-out, downhill attack, Eskimo roll, rappel or simply strap it to the dog for a good laugh.

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