Tag Archive for: gear

Functional and stylish protection for your GPSRead: < 1 min

Protects and serves: the Lowepro NaviShield 4.3

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Given the cost of portable gadgets, it’s a good idea to protect your investment with a well constructed and functional case. Writing about a case in a tech article may seem a stretch to some, but the Lowepro 4.3 Navi Shield falls squarely under the category of gear with it’s hard, molded-foam exterior and soft Nylon Tricot 200d lining.

The 4.3 Navi Shield provides the necessary protection for my Garmin Nuvi and the compact size allows the case to be hidden in the center console (or a glove box). It also offers space for the charger cord and two extra SD cards and has a built-in microfiber cloth to clean the delicate touch screen.

It weighs very little (0.2lbs/0.1kg), so bringing the Nuvi on flights has helped saved some money when renting a car (and not needing the GPS they offer). If you own a 3.5 to 4.3-in portable navigation system consider the Lowepro 4.3 Navi Shield.

Size (Interior):
5.1W X 0.9D X 3.1H in./
13.0 X 2.3 X 8.0 cm

Size (Exterior):
6.5W X 2.4D X 4.5H in./
16.5 X 6.0 X 11.5 cm

Posted by: Lawrence

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Fitbit captures daily activity and sleep patterns to help track overall wellness

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Using built in sensors, the Fitbit captures ‘three dimensional motion’ to provide insight as to the amount of activity and sleep you log each day. It compiles this data and based on your sex, height, weight and age calculates daily the amount of steps taken (reported to be 85-97% accurate), miles traveled, calories burned, calories consumed as well as activity levels (lightly, fairly and very active).

Fitbit

The Fitbit also captures sleep patterns such as when you went to bed, how long you rolled around awake, when you finally crashed and when you woke giving you total time in bed and total hours slept.

Walk within 15ft of the provided basestation and your data is automatically uploaded to the Fitbit website. The website compiles that data for reporting, or to participate in collaborative fitness goals with friends, family and co-workers.

Optimized for walking, running and general activity (don’t try to swim with it), the Fitbit provides a good indication of daily patterns and overall wellness. Priced at $99USD and shipping only in the US, the Fitbit might be the perfect holiday gift for the friend or family member resolved to get in shape for the coming year!

Posted by: Lawrence

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steep and cheapRead: < 1 min

Best Deals in Intertown

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In the past week I’ve had 4 people tell me how grateful they were that I turned them on to Steepandcheap.com. Steep and Cheap sells gear (I’d describe it as general outdoorsy gear) one item at a time until it’s either sold out or times-out, at which point it’s on to the next item.

Steep and Cheap mostly sells-out because the deals are good – usually in the 60% off or more range. Act fast if you see something you like! With back-to-back deals all day long it can get addicting and there’s a number of ways to stay tuned-in to deals that are poppin’ (RSS, sidebar gadgets, plug-ins, email, IM and soon an iPhone app).

I’ve been a Steep and Cheap customer since they started and have seen the concept grow wildly. Sister sites now include…

  • Chain Love for biking gear, including BMX and Mountain biking
  • Bonktown is more for the road cycling enthusiast
  • Tramdock for you two-plankers and especially good deals off-season
  • Brociety caters to snowboarders mostly, again… good off season loot to be had
  • Whiskey Militia is so aggro you probably already know they sell skate and surfing gear. Get some.

Check them out let me know what you think. I’ve only had great experiences with them, even returning gear I decided I didn’t need – they make it easy.

Posted by: Franz

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geekRead: < 1 min

Gear Locker Project: Introduction

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I’ve had an on again, off again love affair with lockers my whole life. In Middle School I graduated from a cubby hole to a locker that wouldn’t lock (an ‘er’ if you will). My Middle School wasn’t in an ideal location, drug deals went down right outside our doors, sometimes ending badly. My brand new CB vest (the cool kind with suede around the shoulders) was stolen from my locker the first time I wore it to school.

In High School we had lockers that locked. My freshman year locker had a long compartment where I kept my coat and skateboard and a small, square upper compartment for books. To me this was like my own piece of protected real estate. I made use of all 5 cubic feet of that locker, decorating the inside of the door with pictures of my heroes like Steve Caballero and Mike McGill.

In the next series of posts I’m going to build a gear locker to store my snowboard, boots, climbing rack, wetsuit and other gear. I’ll share the dimensions, materials and cost to build. Stay tuned…

Posted by: Lawrence

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