Sony’s Action Cam HDR-AS30V weighs just three ounces and is ruggedized and waterproof. 35% lighter and 25% smaller than its predecessor, it has GPS, captures 11.9MP images and records full HD. Wi-Fi connects to mobile devices with Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile App and it works with Sony’s new Live-View Remote. It will be available this month for $299.99.
If you are in the market for a speaker that takes sound seriously while looking playful and fun check out the limited edition Ultimate Ears UE BOOM featuring Tippsy the Elephant. The whimsical character by artist Jason Maloney looks at home on the speaker that offers 360-degree sound and runs for 15 hours per charge. Just $229.99 at Apple.com.
I’m not big into camping, but Redverz Gear’s Series II Expedition Tent could change all that. Its design shelters riders, bikes, and assorted other gear under a single roof. Made from expedition-grade ripstop nylon, the sleeping bag’s double wall design eliminate’s condensation. The bay can be used for cooking, hanging, storage or even as a dressing room. $449. Get it. via WERD
In January we brought exciting new firearm news with the TrackingPoint precision guided rifle technology. Read the news release here and read about their iPhone game here. The TrackingPoint technology allows rifles to be amazingly accurate up to 1,000 yards. The precision guided XactSystem allows shooters to tag a target, track it and fire the round making perfect shots despite moving the weapon slightly. The same sort of technology is used in fighter jets ensuring only the intended target is engaged. This is exciting technology that can only be found from TrackingPoint. The company was not satisfied with democratizing the…
At GearFest 2013, Judie, Mike, Carly, and I sat down with a number of Bluetooth speakers to do a blind test listening to two pieces of music Travis had put together. (Thanks for jumping in to help us Coach!) With Mike’s wife Lisa helping us out (and offering up a few dance moves at the beginning of the video), we listened to six different Bluetooth speakers that have previously been reviewed here on the site. The speakers included: The JBL FLIP (Read the review) The MiPow Boom (Read the review) The Jabra Solemate (Read the review.) The Braven 600 (Check…
A few weeks ago, we experienced a “super moon.” This is where the moon is full while at the closest proximity to the earth. My boys have a beginner telescope so we spent most of the evening in the back yard looking at the moon and discussing all of the markings and features. We were even able to see the rings of Saturn which surprised me using that particular telescope. While we took turns admiring the majesty of the moon, my oldest said, “Dad, I wish you could hook your iPhone up to the telescope and take a picture.” Following…
The LifeProof case for the iPhone 5 is a terrific way to keep your phone safe from life’s bumps, bruises and mishaps. In addition to all the other protection it offers, the LifeProof case is waterproof. That means you can dump it in the toilet or leave it in the rain and feel confident it will still work. But what if, for example, you are spending time at a lake and don’t want to worry about your phone getting wet? Moreover, what if you want your iPhone safe from water damage AND able to float? That’s where LifeProof’s LifeJacket comes…
If you’re looking for a thin and light camera backpack that not only protects your gear, but also has enough room to let you carry your tablet or 11″ MacBook air, then you’ll want to check out the Tenba Discovery Mini Photo/Tablet Daypack. The Discovery Mini Photo/Tablet Daypack is a great way to take your camera gear on the road for the day but it also converts into a standard backpack in a matter of seconds. That flexibility, combined with the bag’s subtle but effective design and $109.95 pricetag combine to make a compelling way to carry your small DSLR…
Let me start off this review by admitting that I am somewhat biased when it comes to iPhone cases. I carry my phone in my pocket at all times, I rarely drop my phone, and I rarely bring it near water. With that in mind, I’ve always leaned towards bumper-style cases that are small enough to protect my phone and do not to add too much bulk to my pocket. Still, I think I’ve found a great option for those who carry their phone in their pocket and also want great drop and water protection. The Griffin Survivor + Catalyst…
When I was in college, I had a roommate that worked at a golf course, so naturally we played a lot. Between student specials and free golf after he got off work, I played around three or four rounds of golf a week. Playing golf is often a great method to keep your frustration and anger levels down. There are so many skills needed for a variety of situations, and most players spend their entire lives chasing the perfect round. For young players, hitting off the tee is about all they work on. You have to impress everyone with that…
Hot tubs. A lot of people seem to really like them. Hot tubs are great for relaxing and letting the troubles of the day melt away, but they have one big drawback: they are immobile. That means while you are relaxing in your hot tub and looking around, you will be looking at the same scenery time and time again. Seems to me that might get boring after a while. Why settle for locational ennui, when some clever designers in the Netherlands have developed a way to enjoy your hot tub AND get new vistas each and every time? Introducing…
I enjoy working outdoors, camping, hiking, taking the family on picnics, not to mention toil in my garden. What I dislike however, is the hordes of mosquitoes, fleas, chiggers and ticks that lurk in the outdoors. They are there… waiting, just waiting to set their little vampiric jaws or proboscises upon me. Let’s face it…Nature itches! If biting and itching from these pests wasn’t bad enough, many of these itty bitty annoyances can carry a variety of serious diseases. All that can make a summer evening sitting around a campfire or an outdoor vacation much less enjoyable. The folks at…
The summer heat is upon us, and it is time to play outdoors. A favorite activity for my boys and me is to have water gun fights. Of course, we only have two guns that are worth using, so I always get stuck with a small, useless water weapon. Getting stuck with the smaller water gun not only means that I cannot deliver enough spray to get anyone wet, but I also have to refill more often. In fact, my boys think it is really funny to attack and soak me when I am filling up my tiny water gun. The…
Lowpro’s recently announced their new Transit Series of camera bags. This “design-forward” line is comprised of the Transit Sling 250 AW and Backpack 350 AW. Both bags feature fast-access, front to back rotation for rapid camera retrieval and UltraFlex™ fit system for endless organization options. The UltraFlex system is particularly interesting. The best way to understand what it offers is to see it in action. Both bags look great, are packed with features and are priced nicely. (The Transit Sling 250 AW is under $100 and the Transit Backpack 350 AW is under $120.) Which bag is right for you…
There are a few basic necessities that all humans need to survive: Food, Water, and Shelter. Shelter can be built by people with materials one finds throughout the world; wood, stone, sand, clay are all examples of items that can be found in nature in order to build and provide shelter for humans. Food can also be found by either scavenging or hunting and there are simple ways to prepare food with fire. However, clean, drinkable water can be extremely difficult to find and there are no real fool proof ways to ensure that one can remove all bacteria, viruses,…
The Lowepro Photo Hatchback 16L AW camera backpack is a great way to carry and protect your mirror less camera, a tablet and a healthy selection of gear. When preparing for CES 2013 last January I tried a number of bags and backpacks that would allow me to carry my camera gear and my tablet all day long. Ultimately I settled on a backpack from Loco, and I really enjoyed using it. It was a bid on the large side for me but, for CES, that was a good thing. (That review is forthcoming.) When I moved to a smaller…
Anyone who reads my posts knows I love to hunt and love to shoot. In fact, I just received my first custom rifle built by my best friend. My next firearm goal is to have a tactical rifle built. Since tactical rifles have rails, many accessories and other items can be added making each firearm unique to the owner. Of course, there are plenty of scope options, lights and lasers and other cool stuff to add to the rails, but what about for a geek like me? For those of us who love technology and gadgets added to everything we…
When I began doing Couch to 5K again (something I need to do yet again tomorrow because I let too much time pass between runs) I needed a way to carry my iPhone. After all, during a run my phone is not only my music source but it is also my “trainer”… Walk 10 minutes, run half a mile, slow, fast etc. When I did the program the first time I had an iPhone 4S that fit into my iPhone 4 armband. Now that I’m using an iPhone 5 that armband no longer worked. So I went in search of…
When it comes to HD action cameras there are a few key “musts” the device needs to have if you are going to take it seriously. It has to be tough. After all, action cameras need to endure bumps, bruises, vibration and moisture. It has to be mountable, since an action camera that can only sit on a tripod is called… a camera. It has to be simple to use, since having to stop in the middle of an activity to turn the camera on or off defeats the purpose. And, of course, it needs to take good quality video…
“Another Bluetooth speaker?” Elana asked when the package arrived? (Okay she actually didn’t say that but she COULD have said it, considering just how many Bluetooth speakers we have reviewed in recent months.) Yes, the Scosche boomBOTTLE is yet another Bluetooth speaker that has made its way into the marketplace. This one, however, is an award winner, having been recognized at CES 2013 this past January. Why does this Bluetooth speaker stand out? Does it deserve the recognition? Let’s take a look so you can decide for yourself.
In 1837, in a rural Illinois farming community, a humble displaced Vermont blacksmith fashioned a new type of plow from discarded materials, and John Deere Plow Works was born. The rest, as they say, is history – bathed in colorful “John Deere Green.” This year marks the 50th anniversary of the company’s residential product line. The company recently invited me to “test drive” one of its newest zero-turn mowers. Of course, I jumped at the chance, as I already am a John Deere customer. John Deere brings its legacy of plowshares and farm implements to your yard, thanks to a…