By David Ponce

Say for a minute that there’s something, anything, interesting under water. And that you’ve got some desire to go record a high definition video of whatever that is. We say “get a hobby!” But you’re stubborn. So you have a few options. You can spend $300 for a GoPRO Hero2 rugged HD camera and dive up to 60m (200ft) underwater. Then you get to futz about with the camera hoping to get anything cinematic looking. Or you can spend almost twice as much (not quite true if you pre-order) on this rugged FourPro mount and dive half as deep (100ft). Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Well, the FourPro has a few advantages. First are the Teak handles that allow you some kind of control over your phone/camera, making for a potentially more stable shot. And these handles have threaded holes to accommodate lighting equipment. Lights! Who would have thought things could get dim 100ft under water?

Right now it’s just a project on Kickstarter, and as of writing it appears to be a non-starter. They’ve raised $800 from the $20,000 they need. For $400 you get the whole kit, which is lots, sure, but less than their expected $699 retail if it ever sees an actual marketplace.

Hit the jump for links and a video that features a guy giving a very Troy McClure introduction: “You may know me from…”

[ Kickstarter Project ] VIA [ Gizmag ]

By David Ponce

Winter’s around the corner, which means ski time for lots of people. And while strapping a GoPro camera to your helmet may be one way to capture your snowy prowesses, there are more dedicated solutions. Like these ski goggles that feature an HD camera directly integrated into them. The goggles themselves are dual-pane, anti-fog with UV protection, while the camera has the following features:

• Records 1080p video at up to 30 frames per second

• Records High Action HD 720p video at 60 frames per second

• Has a 136° full field of view wide angle lens

• Goggles can connect to a television using the RCA cable (included)

• Includes 4 GB SD card for photo and video storage

A rechargeable Lithium battery provides up to 2 hours of operation on a 2 hour charge from a USB connection. Of course they’re not cheap. At $400 you better be doing some crazy stunts for this to be justifiable.

Video available at destination link.

[ Product Page ]

There are lots of horror movies where the deranged antagonist goes about dismembering their victims with a chainsaw. But in reality, you can hear a gas chainsaw running from like 15 miles away. So sneaking up on some unsuspecting campers with one in hand, ready to slice and dice, is pretty improbable. The next time a psychopath decides to go all serial killer on a bunch of kids, they should consider this battery powered alternative from OREGON. (Yeah, apparently the company prefers their name to be shouted.)

Besides being significantly quieter than a traditional chainsaw, you also don’t have to deal with mixing gas and oil to keep it running. Though, admittedly, you do miss out on that intoxicating gas smell. Even that annoying pull cord has been eliminated, requiring just a simple button press to bring it to life. With its larger ‘Endurance’ battery pack the PowerNow 40V MAX chainsaw can make short work of about 250 branches with a 2 or 3 inch diameter, which is more than enough to get through the occupants of a run-down, deserted sleepaway camp. It even has a built-in chain sharpening mechanism which is as easy to use as pulling a lever. With a standard 1.2Ah battery the PowerNow chainsaw runs $399, but you’ll probably want to opt for the model that includes the 2.4Ah ‘Endurance’ battery, which is $499.

[ OREGON PowerNow Battery Powered Chainsaw ] VIA [ The Gadgeteer ]

While they’re probably designed for x-treme sports types who want to enjoy their music while careening down a mountain on their snowboards, I actually think they’d be just as useful in the dead of winter when walking to work. I just wish these new Mix Master gloves from Burton weren’t $159.95 a pair. On the back of the left glove is a rudimentary set of playback controls which I assume lets you skip tracks, adjust the volume and pause the music coming from your iPhone or iPod Touch. So that you don’t have to take your gloves off and remove the device from your pocket when it’s cold outside.

It wirelessly connects to either device (and probably even the iPad) using a small receiver that attaches to their dock connector, and an even smaller transmitter that’s stashed somewhere inside the glove. They’ve even got an impressive 100-foot radius, and the remote can be removed from the glove and used to control your music in your car, or at home. The gloves themselves feature a waterproof ‘DRYRIDE Insane Membrane’, genuine leather exterior and a quick-drying microfiber lining. So I have no doubts they’ll work just as well when it comes to keeping your hands warm and dry.

[ Burton Mix Master Gloves ] VIA [ Trendhunter ]

Can’t decide between a weekend getaway spent at a relaxing campsite or cruising around a lake? Now you don’t have to! Or at least, you no longer have to bring both a canoe and a camping trailer since the Sealander, created by industrial designer Daniel Straub, actually floats on water. Its wide, bowl-shaped design not only provides stability while floating, but it can easily navigate shallow waters without running aground. It also means you don’t need a trailer or a boat launch to get it in the water. Backing it up to a sufficiently cleared shoreline should be more than enough.

The inside of the rather compact, but light, trailer is designed to be completely modular, allowing it to be configured for cooking, cleaning, eating, sleeping and even on-the-water activities like swimming or fishing. A small electric outboard motor provides the propulsion while out on the water, while the trailer’s double sealed air chambers on the bottom ensure you’ll never have a miniature Titanic on your hands. Available sometime in 2012, in various designs and configurations, starting around $20,400 (€15,000).

[ Sealander Amphibious Camping Trailer ] VIA [ The Fancy ]

For most casual riders, the arrival of Fall, and eventually Winter, means their bikes go into storage until the temperatures warm up again. But if you use your bike for commuting to work, or are used to dealing with the elements on a ride, freezing temps probably aren’t going to stop you. Particularly if you invest in a set of these heated grips from A’ME. They easily replace the standard handlebar grips on your bike (you just slide them on and tighten a screw) but are a vast improvement since they heat up to one of 6 different temperature settings.

Besides just comfort, the heated grips also improve bloodflow and dexterity in your hands when it’s freezing outside. So, you know, you can still operate your shifters and brakes. The various components to the system, including the grips, the battery pack and the charger are all sold separately. But you’re certainly better off just getting the whole setup as a kit for $199.

[ A’ME Heated Bike Grips ] VIA [ Urban Velo ]

Had the company existed back when Jed Clampett first struck it rich and moved to Beverly Hills, I’m pretty sure he would have jumped at the chance to convert his family’s ‘cement pond’ into one of these Biotop Natural Pools. Think of them as a kind of backyard pond, but large enough to swim in. And without any carp. The general idea is that the Biotop pools look far more natural, surrounded by reeds, tall grasses and rocks they better blend into the landscaping around your backyard.

In fact, the pools apparently stay clean and algae free without the need for any harsh chemicals like chlorine thanks to its natural approach. A plant based filtration system keeps the water clean and clear, while a naturally working ‘Carbonator’ which uses air pipes and rocks battles the algae problem. Not only does the passive system not require a continual investment in chemicals like chlorine and salt, but it also seems to be pretty hands-off when it comes to maintenance. My only concern is that the local wildlife might see your new addition as a giant restroom.

[ Biotop Natural Pools ] VIA [ Fancy ]

I’m not sure when umbrellas became more of a style accessory than a way to stay dry in a downpour, but I’m wholeheartedly behind the fad. And if carrying around a faux sword isn’t your thing, perhaps an umbrella camouflaged as a bottle of spirits will fit the bill? The Ofess 0% umbrella looks like a stylish bottle of wine when not in use, but comes apart to reveal your standard rain shield, using the bottle’s neck as the handle. While you then have to deal with the inconvenience of carrying an empty tube when it’s open, it also provides a place to store a wet umbrella so it doesn’t drip everywhere. Available in a variety of colors and vintages (I hear 1988 was a lovely year for umbrellas) for ~$36 (¥2,800) from Rakuten.

[ Ofess 0% Umbrella ] VIA [ Matomeno ]

It kind of defeats the purpose of carrying an umbrella on a rainy day to stay dry, but the kid in me (who pretty much runs the show) really likes this more entertaining take on the brolly. The tip of the canopy is actually sunken so it works like a funnel, channeling the rain drops down into a squirt gun that doubles as the umbrella’s handle. As long as you’re the only one carrying around this special umbrella you’ll stay completely dry, while the random strangers you pass on the street won’t know what hit them. It was created by Alex Woolley as a concept piece sadly, and I’m almost certain it hasn’t gone into production. Otherwise there’d be one hanging on my door already.

[ Alex Woolley - Encouraging Adults to Play in the Rain ] VIA [ Fancy ]

Having an extra pair of shoes when traveling is a real asset, if you can find the room to pack them. Whether you need to switch to a dry pair, or a different pair altogether when battling blisters, it’s a worthwhile bit of extra weight. And Timberland has just made it a bit easier to toss an extra pair of shoes in your suitcase, or clip them to the outside of your pack, with their new Radler Trail Camp Shoes. They’re a low-cut pair of thick-soled, outdoor-friendly trail shoes that zip into themselves thanks to a compact and thin upper design.

Made from waterproof, ripstop fabric and durable soles composed of 42% recycled rubber, the Radlers might not be ideal for extreme hiking situations given the lack of ankle support, but for light trail walking and life around camp they look pretty rugged. And when zipped shut they can be clipped to the outside of your bag. Personally I think it would be far more ideal if the shoes zipped into themselves the other way, containing the dirty soles so they could be easily thrown in a bag of clothing, but I can still appreciate their space-saving design. And at $65 they’re not terribly expensive either.

[ Timberland Radler Trail Camp Shoes ] VIA [ Acquire ]