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« September 2006 | Main | May 2007 » April 30, 2007Brunton Echo 12x26 Binocular Review
I was recently in the market for a pair of binoculars that could take some abuse, fit in my already overcrowded pack, and still provide a decent zoom. The other major component was that since I knew these particular binoculars would take some serious abuse, I didn't want to spend a significant amount on them. Taking a quick trip to REI, I decided to test drive the Brunton Echo Compact 12x26 binoculars. They were light, folded up enough to fit in a pants pocket but still retained a decent 12x zoom with a 26mm objective lens. Image Quality: Image quality was quite good, especially when considering the price of the Echo Compact. I wouldn't recommend a 12x zoom to all of our readers, as the field of view begins to drastically narrow after 8-10x. This particular model will display about 288 ft @ 1,000 yards, which for some users will make it difficult to find what they're looking for on the horizon with-out lining up your shot before hand. Brunton uses a BAK-4 prism on the entire Echo line, which is superior to the more commonly used BK-7 prims found on the lower end binoculars. The BAK-4 uses a higher density glass, producing a technically superior image and sharper detail. That being said, at 12x zoom the binoculars do need a decent amount of light to provide a clear image, however, they are quite a bit better than most 'zoom' adjustable binoculars and will function in most any condition outside of late evening. If you plan on using them most during late evening, I would recommend picking up something with a little less zoom and a larger objective lens than 26mm. Form Factor: The size of the binoculars is pretty impressive, especially for a 12x. When folded up they're small enough to fit in my hand and will actually tuck into a cargo pants pocket very easily. The 12x model weighs in at 10.7 ounces. Looking to shed more weight? Brunton also makes a 10x and 8x model at 9.2 and 7.8 ounces respectively. All models come in the same size: 4.8" x 2.8" x 1.8". Despite the fairly light weight, they feel very solid and strong. I would have no reservations about beating them up a little. Verdict: For a casual compact pair of binoculars they're a good offering, and generally better than most binoculars in this price range. Additionally you'll be hard pressed to find something as powerful with this kind of size. That being said, I would recommend spending a little more money for the versatility and quality that something like the Nikon EagleView 8-24x25 Binoculars offer, especially if you're looking to purchase your first pair of primary binoculars and don't want to spend over $200. Pros: Compact, good zoom, cheap, rugged, only 10.7 ounces at 12x26mm Brunton Echo 12x26 Binoculars for $56.00 direct from Brunton. Posted by Jesse Gunderson at 1:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack April 28, 2007Bottle Cap Tripods!
The Yodobashi bottle cap tripod is still the only easily commercially available product of its kind. It's now on sale at Semson's for nearly half off, at $10.99. The more adventurous among you might prefer to make your own for $3.37 in parts and a small investment of time. Both methods are great way to save some space and weight while travelling if you've got a camera small enough to make this useful. Posted by Beau Gunderson at 2:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack GPS Innovation Roundup
There are quite a few GPS solutions out there but lately there has been some innovation in two categories: Unit size and units that use solar power. Size: Spectec SDG-810 and SDG-811. These are SD and miniSD units that also contain a microSD slot for map data. GlobalSat BC-337 WAAS enabled SiRFIII CF GPS Receiver. This is a CompactFlash receiver. The lack of onboard memory may be a hindrance, but in devices that support CompactFlash it may not be a problem. GlobalSat SD-502 WAAS enabled SDIO GPS with Built-in Memory. This is virtually the same product as the Spectec SD line, though GlobalSat differentiates theirs by including 512MB of internal memory instead of a microSD slot and by including a snap-on cap to protect the SD base. Visiontac VGPS-700. From my research this may be the current title-holder for smallest Bluetooth GPS. It boasts an impressive (for its size) 17-20 hour battery life. I'd like to know from our readers if its title has been usurped in the months since its release. All products support NMEA and use the SiRFstar III chipset. Solar Power: Keomo Nemerix 32-Channel Solar Data Logger. This unit looks much like the i-Blue757 Pro and in fact one unit may be a re-branded version of the other (or both units may in fact be rebranded versions of some third unit). Both units use solar power to achieve an impressive battery life (100+ hours while using the solar panel!), support 32 channels and Bluetooth communication, and are quite small. Solarius V5-MR, V5-SR, and V3. These units all support Bluetooth and have solar cells (though with less impressive battery life than the Keomo and i-Blue units). I haven't been able to track down the manufacturer site. Bonus: I've long been a fan of the Delorme Blue Logger and can't resist mentioning it in a roundup of innovative GPS units. I have a question for our readers, however: Is there a newer contender for the niche this unit fills? Posted by Beau Gunderson at 2:44 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack H20 Audio Waterproof iPod Cases
If you've ever wanted to listen to your iPod while swimming, snorkeling or navigating an inhospitable environment then the H20 Audio line of Waterproof iPod cases is for you. They're tough, waterproof and sexy. The case is a water tight compartment, lined with what they call a "T Seal" type of gasket. By using a dual locking hinge system, H2O is able to ensure a tight compression around the entire iPod thereby keeping water out. How do you maintain control of your audio while in such a sophisticated case, you ask? H2O's patented case design is complete with a Commander™ Scroll Wheel control assembly, allowing seamless song switching even while wearing gloves. To prevent water seeping in through the headphone connection, a SealTight™ rubber boot is installed at the base of the unit. While most headphones themselves are not waterproof, H2O sells a line of waterproof headsets that are well regarded for their audio quality and propensity to stay in place while swimming. Capable of depths of up to 10 feet (or 200 feet using the DV model), the H2O Audio iPod Cases are highly recommended when you can't let a simple thing like Level 4 white water rapids deprive you of your rocking tunes. Starting at $79.95 direct from H2O Audio. Posted by Jesse Gunderson at 11:38 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack April 27, 2007Cocoon Ripstop Silk Bag Liner
While looking around for a new sleeping pad today, I found a great addition to my summer camping gear. The Cocoon Ripstop Silk Bag Liner. If you've never used one before, a sleeping bag liner is a great way to improve the temperature rating of your bag, provide a quick drying moisture liner and keep the bag cleaner and longer between cleaning cycles. This specific bag liner is made of a woven ripstop silk to increase durability. The bag should add 9.5° F to your current bags rated cold temperature threshold, which may allow you to use your lighter summer bags longer into the season. Alternatively if the night is warmer than you had planned for, you can use the Silk liner sans sleeping bag for a more comfortable night out. The Cocoon Ripstop bags are available from REI for $40 - $65. Cocoon Ripstop Silk Bag Liner: 6.5 ounces, dim. 86" x 35", stuffs to 2" x 5" Also Available: Cocoon CoolMax Mummy Liner: 9 ounces, CoolMax polyester, adds +8 degrees, $40 Posted by Jesse Gunderson at 6:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack April 26, 2007OnStar Partners with MapQuest
OnStar announced today a new partnership with MapQuest that will enable drivers to plan and design their route with the popular website and transfer the route to their in-car OnStar navigation system. A brilliant idea indeed as I despise the built in navigation interfaces on most in-car systems. They typically only allow point-to-point driving directions with no ability to modify your route or add multiple points of interest easily, especially while driving. Using this new system, users can preplan their own routes via the MapQuest interface and have it sent to their in-car nav system. MapQuest allows for additional functionality not present in most in-car navigation systems. Features such as the ability to string together several points of interest or choose multiple point-to-point routes, as well as the obvious ability to see your route highlighted on a map prior to getting in the car. The system will start via a pilot program this summer, with a full roll-out slated for late 2007. Additional information available via the OnStar Press Release. Posted by Jesse Gunderson at 10:05 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack April 25, 2007Ten Essentials to a Better Body
Many of us tend to put on weight in the adventuring off-season as we return to our less adventurous life styles. Often-times it may be hard to notice you're no longer in shape. That is, until you set out on the seasons first hike. In an effort to assist our readers in the early spring clamor to get in shape, I have written a self-help guide for our readers to aid in the quest to lose weight and gain a greater level of fitness. Below you will find my ten essentials to a better body. 1) Drink Water: Water is essential to every process in the body, including helping the liver breakdown stored fat (our goal) for use as tangible energy. Aside from aiding fat break down, keeping muscles hydrated is the key to solid workout gains. When the body lacks water, performance suffers and degrades rapidly. Waters role in physical activity is a multi-tier one. Water is essential to transportation of nutrients through the blood, lubricates the skeletal joints and is one of the body's primary heat exchange methods to keep you cool. For maximum performance, drink a large amount of water before working out rather than playing catch-up during exercise. Exercise isn't the only time you should be drinking the clear stuff; drink it constantly through-out the day for its supreme apatite suppression benefits. 2) Eat More to Lose More: It sounds like a mutually exclusive paradox I know, however eating 5-6 smaller meals through-out the day is a proven method of kicking your metabolism into overdrive. Additionally, by eating at regular intervals 2 to 2 1/2 hours a part you can avoid the sharp hunger pangs normally experienced between meals, making it easier to stay on course with your new diet. Eat plenty of lean meats, vegetables and fruits, keeping your overall protein and fiber intake high. To best meet this goal I recommend preparing most of your meals in advance at home. Planning and cooking meals the previous night, such as boneless skinless chicken and some veggies, is a great idea and will help eliminate unhealthy impulse buys. 3) Lift to Lose: When people think of dropping some pounds and slimming up they immediately think cardio is king, all too many ignore the Kryptonite of fat: muscle mass. Unlike fat, muscle is a very metabolically active tissue; burning 8 calories per pound of lean body mass versus fats 2 calories per pound. Get in the gym and stress your body 3-5 days a week with a solid lifting plan. Staying consistent is key; after four weeks in the gym you should start to notice a shift in your body composition and strength. The bonus: all the extra calories you'll burn just by walking in your new leaner form. 4) Adopt a Sport: Most people can stick with a fitness program for 4-6 weeks fairly consistently. After that, despite gains in the gym and shrinkage on the scale they will quit. Why? Boredom. Don't fall into the slump. Adopt physical activities outside of the gym that you enjoy such as hiking, golf, tennis, adult soccer leagues etc. Even going on a daily walk burns substantially more calories than sitting on the couch. Pick an activity; if you're already doing one do it more often. 5) Eat More Fiber: Fiber has many benefits to the man looking to trim his waistline and improve his health. It helps lower cholesterol, improves insulin sensitivity and prevents absorption of fat. The big bonus for those of us trying to shed pounds is that fiber makes you feel full faster and longer. Eating 4-5 grams or more of fiber per meal is a sure fire way to help curb cravings, improve your health and eat less without the diet destroying hunger pangs normally associated with weight loss. 6) Keep a Journal: Keeping a workout journal should be absolutely required. When your motivation starts to fade, a journal is a perfect resource to boost you back up by reviewing your previous starting points and your current gains. I find it essential to write down what I lift week to week, or distance run and add 5 or 10% a week. I keep my gains coming and consistently ensure I stress my body. If you don't already, start logging everything you can; weight lifting poundage, distance, food intake and body weight are all great things to log. 7) Join a web site: Moral support is great for staying consistent. Joining a website such as BodyBuilding.com and reading the daily information as well as interacting on the forums is an outstanding way to stay motivated for the long term. Motivation and consistency is possibly the single most important factor in determining if you will make your fitness goals. 8) Interval Training: Interval training is arguably one of the best ways to improve cardiovascular performance, muscle conditioning and overall health. Also referred to as HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training, the overall concept is replace standard 20-40 minute cardio routines with high intensity intervals. Intervals can be performed on a track, bicycle or cardio machine of your choice. The basic premise is to perform at 80-90% of your maximum output for a set amount of time or distance, and then back off in a recovery phase. Alternating between 100m sprints and 100-200m walking recovery sections is a simple training method to begin with. I was able to compress my normal 30 minute cardio session into 10 minutes of hard output. The results are amazing. After even one session, muscles I never thought were used in running were sore. My chest, arms, abs and back were all very sore (in a good way) the first few sessions, similar to that of the following day after lifting weights. This is not an exercise regime you should just jump into however. It assumes a certain level of fitness at onset. I highly recommend googling for "HIIT Training" for more information before partaking in your first session. 9) Clean Food = Clean Mass: No matter how many sit-ups you perform, how much cardio you do nor how many hundreds of pounds you can bench press, you will never lose weight unless you eat clean. Diet is 90% of losing weight and gaining muscle mass. Put clean foods in your body and you'll get clean mass. Remember, a pound of fat is 3,500 calories. A calorie deficit of 500 calories a day will drop 1 pound of body fat in 7 days. This is a great goal to start with for most people. Combined with healthy exercise, 1.5 - 2 pounds a week is not a difficult goal to achieve. 10) Shock Your System: No matter how you ultimately choose to lose weight, it's important to cycle your training every 4-6 weeks or even sooner. By performing the same exercise routine week after week your body will soon adapt to the stresses applied to it and slow the adoption of new mass. Throw in a few new exercises, change from machines to free weights, or drastically change the speed of your cardio. Keep your body guessing and it will continue to pack on lean new mass and lose fat. Posted by Jesse Gunderson at 10:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack April 24, 2007Oval Luxeon Light: Day Pack Essential
I go on frequent "Day Hikes", whereby I take essentially nothing save for water and maybe a snack. In doing so, I've cursed myself on more than one occasion after I realize I've stayed out past sunset, and now I have to trudge back through the trail on my hands and knees or by the dim light of a cell phone held over my head (that was less than a fun trip, I assure you). Enter the Oval. Not just an ordinary flashlight, it features a forward facing high intensity Luxeon star capable of a claimed 10 times the power output of a standard LED cluster, in addition to a dual LED lamp facing down at the trail just ahead. Superior to a dimly lit trail via cell phone back light any day. Runs on 3 "AAA" batteries for 10 hours of full illumination, and up to 30 hours of diminishing light. Also features a multi-function switch to activate both lights, just the forward or just the downward firing. At 6oz, it shouldn't be hard to justify as a "just in case" item on your next day hike. Available direct from OvalLight for $29.99. Posted by Jesse Gunderson at 7:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack |
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