As the resident Gear Diary bicyclist, I usually get the first crack at investigating bike gear. Since I live and bike in an urban environment, flat tires are an unfortunate frequent reality of my cycling experience. That’s why I was excited to hear about the new Patchnride bicycle flat repair kit that promises quick and easy emergency rescues from flats.
The Catalyst Case for iPhone 5 and 5s is a super lightweight waterproof case that’s ready to handle all of your outdoor adventures. It’s waterproof up to 16.4 feet underwater, and it meets military standards for drops of up to 6.6 feet. The Catalyst Case is also compatible with Touch ID for your iPhone 5s; it retails for $64.99.
The Boombot REX by Boombotix is an ultra-portable ruggedized Bluetooth speaker that can be your partner in crime, no matter what the adventure. This tiny speaker pumps out the jams with dual drivers and a bass woofer, all while being just a tad bigger than a deck of playing cards. The Boombot REX retails for $99.99.
Like gearheads, fishermen, and cooks, golfers can’t ever seem to have too many gadgets, especially if they promise to help lower his or her score. The Pill is a new training aid that has a novel design to improve your game all the way from tee to green. Lord knows I need the help, so I gave it a try.
When was the last time you had a truly indestructible, multipurpose bag? Enter King Kong Apparel, who is building gym bags that will last a generation. That’s right, 25 years. King Kong Apparel’s bags are so tough that they are guaranteed for 25 years. Check out their Kickstarter campaign to pledge your support and grab a 15-30% discount.
The ibattz Mojo Refuel Aqua S battery case for iPhone 5/5s is unique in a few regards. Firstly, it’s one of the very few waterproof iPhone cases out there with swappable batteries. Secondly, it comes with a bumper that allows you to use the battery pack itself without the waterproof outer shell. The ibattz Mojo Refuel Aqua retails for $119.95.
There are very few rugged cases that I truly enjoy using with my iPhone, but I can now say that the Pelican Progear Voyager case sits atop that list. Pelican’s sleek new rugged case protects your iPhone from drops and dust while also protecting your screen from scratches. This protective case can be found at AT&T for $50.00.
I have fond memories of zipping down the slight hill in our backyard on a slip n slide, but we never did anything beyond gentle landings. This video popped up recently on Facebook, and while I can’t say I would try this, I am impressed with the people who did! What about you? Are you ready to try this? 😉
Here in South Texas, we are in full-blown heat mode. The temps and humidity can bring you down in the summer, unless you find a way to beat the heat. One way to cool off is a good old-fashioned water fight; the 2014 Nerf Super Soakers promise to provide the perfect way to win the battle.
Pelican just announced the launch of their new Pelican ProGear Voyager Rugged Phone Case for the Samsung Galaxy S5. Pelican’s ProGear Voyager line of rugged phone cases provides ample (read: military grade) drop, dust, and screen protection, all while maintaining a very slim figure. The ProGear Voyager for Samsung Galaxy S5 is available exclusively through AT&T for $50.
Checking the weather compulsively is not considered odd where I live, and when people talk about what the weather is doing, it’s not just to make idle chit-chat. It’s also common for locals to measure and record their rainfall to the hundredth of an inch, and many use sophisticated tools like the Oregon Scientific Ultra Precision Weather Station.
Lighting a fire in your barbecue pit or pot belly stove is not always a simple task; sometimes that wood just will not ignite no matter how much you baby it along. For all of you who’ve ever sprayed a pile of hardwood with lighter fluid in frustrated defeat, I give you the Bison Airlighter — your own personal flamethrower.
It seems like everything these days is hi-tech, except for the great outdoors. Maybe it’s time to change that. The folks at Edyn want to give you a “smart garden” with their new Edyn Kickstarter campaign. Using a combination of WiFi connected devices in the garden and an iOS app, Edyn hopes to revolutionize the way we all garden.
We recently received almost 5″ of rain at our house, and although we desperately needed it, the tradeoff was made in bugs, bug, and more bugs! No problem, though, as I had recently received a package from Stinger. Inside were their No Touch Fly Trap and their On-the-Go Zapper Racket. Bugs beware; I am now on the prowl!
If you’re in need of a rugged and waterproof iPhone case that doesn’t break the bank, come check out the Atlas ID from Incipio. The Atlas ID is waterproof up to 2 meters underwater for 30 minutes; it’s shockproof and dust proof. It’s also compatible with the iPhone 5s’ Touch ID fingerprint login. The Atlas ID retails for $89.99.
Are you ready for spring? The new Scosche BoomBOTTLE H2O is here, and it can deal with just about anything your summer fun can throw at it. At under $100 the bright, colorful speaker is bound to be your trusted partner this summer and beyond. It will let your tunes go where you do.
If you are looking to grab action videos without having to spend a fortune on gear, you are in luck. The Pyle eXpo Hi-Speed HD Action Camera is packed with features and has a price under $250. With a 20MP camera, 1080p video resolution, a 2″ touchscreen, and 4X zoom, the camera is ready to capture your active lifestyle.
It is wet and cold here in the Northeast today but spring is definitely here. That means more time outside. And if you plan to be in the great outdoors at night a good flashlight is a must. The Blackfire Clamplight Lantern is a great option thanks to its bright illumination, accessible price and flexible uses. Check it out.
The Bravo Case for iPhone 5 and 5s by Tigra Sport is the world’s first shock-proof and waterproof case that’s made out of aluminum. The anodized aluminum case is stylish and offers great protection for your phone in a world full of accidents, while still allowing uncompromised touch screen use. The Bravo Case is available now for $99.99.
I recently reviewed the LED Spotlight from Rayovac. Luckily I got the opportunity to review the Virtually Indestructible LED 3D Lantern, also from the Virtually Indestructible family. The lantern boasts some of the same great features usable in a different format. Will the $29.99 lantern need to be added to your outdoor gear list? Let’s take a look.
The Nyne Bass Bluetooth Speaker is a wireless, 20-Watt portable that’s designed for outdoor use. It’s powered by Bluetooth 4.0, has NFC pairing capabilities, and it has a built-in 10-hour rechargeable battery which can serve as a power bank for smaller devices; the Nyne Bass can also be used as a speakerphone. You can purchase yours for $149.95.