Whether it's an extra charger to power your various devices, a stereo to enhance the mood or a bit of high-tech transportation, these eight new devices are begging for outdoor use. Some are practical, some are exciting and all are prime for this summer.
What’s your favorite summer gadget? Let us know in the comments.
1. GoPro HD Hero3
Image courtesy of GoPro
Rule No. 1 for summer? Make it last as long as possible. If you find yourself itching to take videos beyond the standard summer vacation fare, then the tiny GoPro HD Hero3 will serve pretty much any shooting need.
With resolution capabilities up to 1080p, the GoPro works best when capturing action footage. So strap it on before doing a cannonball into the local pool, or affix it to your remote control helicopter (with correct attachments, naturally). Of course, you can also take standard video with the added oomph of a professional camera, so all your home movies will look expertly shot.
The biggest plus to a GoPro is its appealing cost: The Hero3 starts at $199.99, an inexpensive option compared to other video rigs. The company also sells many add-ons and mounts, including a removable LCD screen that displays exactly what you’re recording.
2. Turtle Shell Boombox
Image courtesy of Outdoor Tech
Everyone loves listening to jams out in the sun, but with overheated cellphones and tinny discount speakers, you risk electronics damage. Rugged, waterproof and rechargeable, this Kickstarter-backed boombox keeps tunes poolside andand safe from the splash zone.
The Turtle Shell looks like, well, a turtle shell, but it’s light enough to mount on a bike or tether to a belt loop. Operating with a Bluetooth range of 30 feet, the two speakers will pump music for up to nine hours on a single charge. It even comes with a camera threading attachment, so you can mount it pretty much anywhere. And, heaven forbid, if it gets stuck in mud, run it under cold water for cleaning.
At $149, the Turtle Shell is an outdoor-friendly speaker with plenty of sound behind it, so feel free to bump your favorite tunes during your summer excursions, without fear of damage.
3. Stick-N-Find
Image courtesy of Stick-N-Find
Roadtrips, hikes, beach days and sun rays are great ways to spend your free time in the summer. But did you remember where you left your water bottle? Or worse, your tablet?
That’s where Stick-N-Find comes in. A series of bluetooth buttons linked to a single smartphone app, you can use your phone to track them or even set an alarm if something goes out of range. The buttons can attach to a device directly, or link to practically anything (including hog-wild pets and wandering kids). Stick-N-Find works with most Apple products, so you can use your tablet to find your phone and vice versa. The range on each device is roughly 100 feet, and the battery will last up to a year.
Stick-N-Find doesn’t come cheap — pricing starts at $49.99 for two — but for the forgetful among us, it's a godsend for misplaced treasures and vital equipment.
4. Specialized Turbo
Image courtesy of Specialized
When the weather heats up, we feel the urge to get out and moving. If you live in a place that facilitates such activity, you may hop on the old two-wheeler and peddle around your community.
Electric bikes used to look stocky, jerky and not at all appealing, but the Specialized Turbo does well to erase those preconceived notions. With a sleek frame and plenty of juice under the hood, the bike allows varying degrees of “electric assistance” to get you where you need to go faster. In addition to its full-power turbo mode, the bike has a semi-assisted eco-mode and a 100% person-powered off mode that allows for riding without any extra gadgetry.
But with a top speed of 27 mph, you may rely on the bike’s power. The bike’s battery allows for roughly an hour of battery time, though, so you may want to use it sparingly for ultra-long rides. The price is also a bit of a splurge, running at $5,900. That said, the Specialized Turbo is a great option for those who want to ride around the town and have the cash to get there quicker.
5. ReVive PowerUp
Image courtesy of ReVive PowerUp
Road trips are an essential summer activity — whether it's an hour to the nearest beach or a week across the country. But sometimes life on the open road can be a tough one. How do you keep all your devices charged?
Very few chargers give you as many options as the ReVive PowerUp. Both available models, the 3P and the much bigger 4P, not only provide two USB slots to power compatible devices quickly, but they can continue to charge DC-powered devices. The 4P even offers a second DC port to charge as many as four devices from a single DC outlet in a car.
Like a standard car charger on steroids, the ReVive PowerUp will give you all the juice you need while you’re on the road.
6. Samsung NX2000
Image courtesy of Samsung
Although the market for point-and-shoot cameras is dwindling, innovations are still happening at a steady pace. Samsung’s latest of its so-called “connected cameras,” the Samsung NX2000, has plenty of easy features and direct sharing capabilities to help even the most beginner photographer take and share great photos.
The mirrorless NX2000 comes with a standard lens that can be exchanged with any of Samsung’s optional add-ons. Instead of buttons on the back of the camera, a 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen holds all the phone’s features, while previewing photos. For those key on sharing photos with friends immediately, the camera is equipped with Wi-Fi and NFC to ensure there’s plenty of connectivity to go around. With the autoshare feature, send pictures to a specific location directly after they’ve been taken.
The camera itself is a bit pricier, at $650, but it also comes with interchangeability, connectivity and sharing options that less costly point-and-shoots lack. If you’re looking for a splurge on a media device, this would be a great place to start.
7. Grace Digital EcoXBT
Image courtesy of EcoXGear
The folks behind the ultra rugged EcoTerra Boombox are back again with another waterproof, shockproof device. However, unlike the EcoTerra, this one is much easier to carry around.
The EcoXBT is a Bluetooth-compatible speaker that pumps about 10 hours of music through its speakers. Built to withstand water, shock and dirt, the EcoXBT also floats in water, making it the perfect option for a lazy, mid-pool tanning session. The built-in speakerphone also makes it easy to pick up calls while you’re out and about.
For $129.99, the EcoXBT is one of the most rugged speakers on the market right now. Its ultra-waterproof exterior makes it a smart option for pool music, a decent audio system for a reasonable price.
8. ZBoard
Image courtesy of ZBoard
Maybe you’re too cool for a bike, or perhaps your love for Tony Hawk has translated into years of training. But as fun as skateboarding can be, it’s rough to navigate uphill terrain and streets that are just too fast to ride.
The beefy, sturdy electric ZBoard is tech’s answer to skateboarding, allowing riders to speed up and slow down just by shifting their weight. With a top speed of 15 miles per hour, the ride itself is fairly quick and requires zero leg action from the rider. The ZBoard is a longboard, which means it's stable enough to support all classes of riders, and its huge wheels help prevent errant wipeouts due to poor terrain.
The $650 board is available for online pre-order and will make its debut in time for smooth summer riding. It’s range is small — only about five miles — but battery upgrades are available if you’re keen on longer riding.
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