Outdoors

March 7, 2007 Named after that famous weapon of war, the Gatling Gun, the GatLight is part objet d’art, part tactile companion and almost coincidentally is one of the most powerful, compact and functional flashlights available. Lumencraft specialises in designing and manufacturing high end pocket flashlights and their latest evolution of their flagship product, the GatLight V3, made of aerospace grade titanium and carbon fibre composites is just a joy to look at. Since every GatLight is custom made to order, the Gatlight V3 has an estimated delivery time of 3 months with pricing between US$295 and US$370 for the all-titanium version.  Read More

February 28, 2007 BRP has launched a new ultra-light REV-XP platform for its Ski-Doo snowmobiles which were already the lightest on the market. The new platform yields a snowmobile that is 10-15% lighter (about 50 lbs/23 kg) than its current REV-based models, while the chassis is 37% stronger. Every element of the platform was redesigned for lighter weight without compromising durability and the result is that the 2008 MX Z Adrenaline 600 H.O. SDI will weigh in at just 194 kilograms, compared to the 2007 model which weighs 217 kilograms with all other comparable machinery from competitors running between 220 and 242 kilograms. The new platform made its public debut last weekend as an Open Mod race sled at the WPSA Grand Prix de Valcourt sno-cross race, where it won both the Pro and Semi-Pro Open classes. Racing was a critical part of the development process, with Sno-cross racer Blair Morgan proclaiming, "the change is an even bigger one than the first REV platform.”  Read More

February 28, 2007 German Telecommunications giant Siemens is preparing to market a diminutive multi-purpose device that can be used as a mobile alarm, a fitness trainer and an emergency call system for the elderly and disabled. The functionality of the multi-sensor, modularly constructed AySystem can be expanded to include a camera and a GPS positioning module. The GSM/GPRS-based device (Ay) is about the size of a pack of cards, and has a dedicated Web interface (AyPilot.com). It features integrated motion, sound and temperature sensors, as well as a loudspeaker, and also enables two-way voice communication. If the threshold of a programmed sensor setting is exceeded, the device immediately notifies the user (e.g. by sounding an alarm, sending a text message or opening a voice call). This first-of-its-kind security, personal safety and monitoring solution provides users continuous real-time status updates on anyone or anything anywhere in the world – all of the time. The device can be remotely controlled via the dedicated Web interface for a broad range of uses, both private (e.g. child, elderly and handicapped care, room monitoring and protection of personal belongings) as well as business-related (e.g. tracking and tracing goods and delivery vehicles, providing personal security for employees, and optimizing business processes). The AySystem literally serves as an extension of yourself and your business – as a sensory protective presence.  Read More

February 15, 2007 Atlas Devices’ Rope Ascender is a remarkable new tool that enables "reverse rappelling" up buildings and other vertical surfaces at unprecedented speeds. The device, which is the size of a hand-held power tool, can lift a 250-pound load more than 600 feet into the air at nearly 10 ft/sec, all on a single battery charge. Using a patented rope interaction design, the Rope Ascender can pull a fully-loaded soldier up a rappelling line, tow vehicles and even remotely move equipment and casualties. Giving soldiers the ability to scale a building or cliff in only seconds is obviously a capability designed perfectly for Special Opps, and will also find application with the police, fire, rescue and many other endeavours. A fully loaded firefighter could use the Ascender to reach the top of a 30-story building in only 30 seconds, compared to the six minutes or more it often takes to trudge up stairs with 80 to 100 pounds of equipment … just think of all the ways this high-torque pocket power pack can be used. Very exciting!  Read More

December 30, 2006 Biologists at the University of Pennsylvania have announced details for a suspended-load ergonomic backpack that reduces the force of a backpacks load on the wearer by 86%, allowing wearers to run far more comfortably with heavy loads. The backpack was created with soldiers and emergency workers in mind and could prevent the sort of muscle and joint injuries associated with running while carrying heavy items. The backpack will also benefit schoolchildren, since heavy school bags have been linked to muscle and orthopedic injury. "For the same energetic cost, you can either carry 48 pounds in a normal backpack or 60 pounds in a suspended-load ergonomic backpack," Larry Rome, a professor in Penn's Department of Biology, said. "It is like carrying an extra 12 pounds for 'free.'"  Read More

December 19, 2006 The KTRAK Cycle is an interesting step in the evolution of the mountain bike, in that the retrofit Ktrak rear drive kit and ski transform an ordinary mountain bike into a snow toy. The rear drive is a universal attachment that will fit any mountain bike and prvide traction on previously unrideable surfaces. Scheduled for release in January, the initial price will be in the vicinity of US$300. Via Engadget  Read More

November 19, 2006 Replace the intricate wheel casting with wooden spokes and it’s possible to believe that the Wovel was designed and built a thousand years ago – it has an air of elegant simplicity that belies the amount of thought and science which went into its design. The Wovel is a wheeled snow shovel and it’s much safer and reduces exertion by as much as 80% compared to traditional shoveling. Just how dangerous is snow shovelling? Well, the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 72,000 medical emergency room visits occur in the U.S. annually due to snow removal injuries including over exertion, heart attacks, strokes, back, muscle, joint and snow blower injuries. The Wovel also outperforms snow blowers and is 2-3 times faster than shovelling. The unique design of the Wovel allows the user to multiply mechanical force and throw snow into piles over four feet high with ease.  Read More

November 17, 2006 Nothing detracts more from the spectacle of a sporting event more than exposing one's nether regions to excruciating cold (apart from getting beaten, of course). ColdHeat is best known for its Soldering Tools and Freestyle Cordless Glue Gun, but may well become a household name for non-handyman types with the release of the ColdHeat Cordless Heated Seat, a microprocessor-controlled system that will warm the seat to 115 degrees (Fahrenheit) in less than 60 seconds and extend the heat delivery for up to six hours. The seat weighs three pounds and comes with a handle, shoulder strap and rechargeable battery pack that provides up to 3,000 hours of use - roughly the equivalent of 60 pro football seasons.  Read More

November 17, 2006 With the value of compelling video content on the rise, the ability to record what you do if you’re a thrillseeker might just make you rich. At very least, if you record your devil-may-care exploits you’ll be able to look back on them in your dotage. Now you can play hard and record everything as long time gadget impresario Oregon Scientific has released the next generation of its action camera line-up. Weighing in at less than a pound (with batteries), the US$130 hands-free, self-contained ATC2K records full colour video in 640 X 480 VGA at 30 frames per second. Expandable up to 2GB, with a built-in SD card slot and 32MB of internal memory, the shock-resistant ATC2K mounts easily on helmets, bikes, race cars, dirt bikes even three meters underwater for the duration of the battery life.  Read More