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.
Being an outdoorsman can be taxing on the gear I use. Everything I carry is subject to being dropped and knocked around, as well as the elements. I usually go through several lights a year due to them breaking or getting wet. Rayovac may solve this issue with the Virtually Indestructible LED Spotlight. Can the $39.99 spotlight hold up?
Hopefully the use of emergency lighting is reserved for camping and outdoor activities, but sometimes inclement weather and other events leave us in the dark. Either way, having lighting options with multiple charging possibilities can help keep us safe and comfortable. The Secur Dynamo Spotlight Lantern is a $35 product that will bring light and help charge your devices.
Natural disaster, zombie apocalypse or simply a camping trip. There are plenty of reasons to need a lantern that does not require electricity to work. The GoalZero Lighthouse 250 is a $79.99 USB rechargeable lantern. With three charging options and an integrated USB port, you will not be left in the dark and can charge your phone in an emergency.The Lighthouse 250 is a rechargeable lantern and USB hub all rolled into one. The lantern is adjustable up to 250 lumens which will easily light up a large area considering the small size of the product. Turn the small green nob to the right and both lights adjust from dim all the way to “Turbo” which will provide 360 degrees and the full 250 lumens of light. Turning the nob to the left utilizes one light in the same manner and is perfect if using while walking or against a wall. I will assume this mode will only use about half of the battery, while still providing plenty of light. A metal handle allows the lantern to be carried while foldable legs allow users to set the light up higher. The red triangle button turns on red blinking lights from the top of the lantern to be used in emergencies. While the red lights are not terribly bright, they would get someone’s attention in a dark emergency situation.So, the Lighthouse 250 is a great light for camping, hunting or power outages, but there are other cool features. The lantern charges via USB which is actually built into the unit. I absolutely love that there is no need to keep up with yet another charging cable. Simply plug it into any USB charging source, including solar panels, and you will never be without light. For a situation where no electricity is available, a hand crank is included in the top of the lantern that will charge the battery. One minute of crank will provide approximately 10 minutes of light.
Outdoor Technology sells products for people who like to enjoy being in the great outdoors. I had a chance to review the Turtle Shell 2.0, a totally rugged Bluetooth speaker and was very impressed. This water-resistant, dust-proof speaker is a great way to bring your tunes along wherever you go; it retails for $129.95.
A good game camera is important for any hunter. Understanding the number and age of the deer in a herd is important to aid in making good management decisions. The problem is getting accurate photos when not present. The Moultrie Panoramic 150 utlizes a 150ft radius, and at $254.99 does the work of three cameras. Check out the video below.
Being a bow hunter means carrying tons of gear and small gadgets. I have to hike about half a mile or so to my hunting spot, so weight and space is a big issue. Lansky BowSharp saves space and lightens my load by combining a broadhead sharpener and wrench with a bow tool kit for only $16.99.
JVC announced a couple new Everio camcorders that combine the features of GoPro-type action cameras with full-featured camcorders. The GZ-R70 and GZ-R10 both feature JVC’s “Quad-Proof” structure which is water resistance to a depth of 5m, has the ability to withstand a drop from 1.5m, is dust proof, and freeze proof to 14°F. These action cam’s on steroids go beyond your typical smartphone or action camera by including 40x optical zoom, 2.5 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, audio that zooms with the image, and compatibility with third party editing software. The GX-R70 and the GZ-R10 are differentiated by internal memory…
The Iron X Action Cam (A.K.A. DXG 5G9V) is a small, lightweight action camera that’s got a lot going for it. It records video in 1080p at 30 fps and takes 5 megapixel photos. It also has an OLED screen on top and comes with a remote control wrist strap and waterproof case. The Iron X retails for $249.99.
The SJ2000 Outdoor Sports HD Digital Video Camera is a budget entry into the action camera market. It has a 12MP sensor for digital photos and it records digital video in 1080p with its 170-degree lens. It comes with many Velcro and pressure mounting options and does not have any built-in memory. You can purchase the SJ2000 for $64.95.
It seems like today, most everyone spends at least some part of their day searching for a place to charge. The mobile gadget lifestyle is great, unless you are plagued with dead batteries. The PowerBinder strives to alleviate the daily plug search with solar panels and an internal battery. It comes in at $149 and can charge a phone 2.5 times.