Technabob » outdoors

Zippered Vents on this Sleeping Let You Catch Some Cool and Comfy Zzz’s

Hazel Chua — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:49 +0000

Most people don’t expect comfort when they go camping. Most outdoor gear and equipment are manufactured to be tough and durable so that they can endure even the harshest of storms. But just when you thought you’d really have to rough it out in the wild, here comes the Zippered Vents sleeping bag.

It’s a pretty simple concept, what with the vents and zippers and all. But it turns out to be a pretty good combination, because aside from providing your with cushy bedding, it lets you stay cool by unzipping the vents, exposing only the parts of your body you want.

When it’s chilly out, you’d obviously want to keep it all zipped up. But you’ll appreciate having all the vents when you’re out camping during those warm summer nights.

The Zipper Vents Sleeping Bag can be purchased online from Hammacher Schlemmer for $119.95(USD).

[via Gadgets Matrix]

Grand Trunk Hammock Sleeping Bag Wraps You Up, Keeps You Warm at Night

Hazel Chua — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:30:46 +0000

When I think of hammocks, I’m reminded of the cool, summer afternoons I spent just lazing away in my backyard. When I think of sleeping bags, I remember the few but memorable camping trips I went to with my dad, uncle, and some naughty cousins. Now put the two together and try to think of what you’ll end up with.

If you answered with the Grand Trunk Hammock-Compatible Sleeping Bag, then you’ve hit the bull’s eye. These are basically sleeping bags with a special slot where a hammock can pass through, so you can sleep in utmost comfort and relaxation.

This will do wonders for your back, since you won’t be lying flat down onto the hard ground anymore. And since it keeps you up off the ground, you’ll be further away from creepy crawlies while you rest.

The Grand Trunk Hammock Sleeping Bag is available for sale online for $179.99 (USD).

[via LikeCool]

NestRest Is an Expensive Outdoor Cocoon Where Wealthy Humans Can Rest

Hazel Chua — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 14:00:17 +0000

If you’ve ever wanted to live kind of like how birds do – and have $15,000 to make that desire come true, then you might want to consider getting the NestRest.

The NestRest is a hanging sanctuary fashioned from strong Dedon woven fibers. You can sleep, meditate, read a book, or just stare out at the scene you’ve got in front of you without worrying about the possibility of the rain putting a cloud on your relaxation time.

The interior of the NestRest is cushy and is filled with cushions and throw pillows to make things extra comfy. As you can see, ideally you’d like to hang it on a sturdy tree branch because it adds to the entire experience.

The color of your NestRest, as well as the interior fabric and deco cushion fabrics can all be customized to fit your taste. And they should be – after all, you’re paying top dollar to for them in the first place. You can find out more information about the NestRest on Dedon’s site.

[via Red Ferret]

Tentsile Hanging Tents Make Pitching a Tent Nearly Impossible

Jack Kieffer — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 20:00:42 +0000

Dangerous animals lurk on the forest floor at night, and centipedes aren’t exactly the most cuddly creatures in the world. You want to camp out, but not be bothered by nature. Before, people would have said you’re not a real outdoorsman.

Now, they’ve created these Tentsile Hanging Tents, which allow you to hover above the infested forest floor and live with the trees. Become one with the trees. Becoming a tree is great, but you’re going to have to find a way to set up the tent before you start doing arboreal rituals. You thought pitching a tent was hard before? Try putting up one of these.

These waterproof floating tents are great for experienced campers or for those who want to get some cool photos from above the forest floor but are physically unable to climb trees (except for the part where you have to string the tent ropes up.) They’re available in 2 man, 3-4 man and 5-8 man sizes, but women are surely allowed to use them too.

Tentsile Hanging Tents look great, but I would avoid rough-housing in them unless you want to fall a good ten feet.

You can put in an order for a Tentsile Hanging Tent now, but I have a feeling that they’re going to demand a pretty high price, since they’re not completely commercialized yet.

If you want to check out some more geeky camping gear, jump on over to the Camper Van Tent and the SteriPEN UV Water Purifier.

[via Geekologie]

Jack Kieffer owns Cool Gizmo Toys, a site that loves all things geeky.

Cacoon Tent Hammock: Let’s Hang Out

Hazel Chua — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:00:07 +0000

When you tell someone you want to hang out with them, I doubt that you’re using that expression in the literal sense. But now you actually can, if you’ve got a Cacoon for yourself and a spare one for your companions.

The Cacoon is basically a hammock-slash-tent-slash-swing (if you’re going to be hanging it somewhere where there’s going to be a lot of swinging.) From the looks of it, it’s definitely comfortable. It also looks cozy and roomy enough for two or three, depending on the total weight of you and your companions.

The cool thing is that you can hang the Cacoon anywhere you want to – as long as you’re sure it’s sturdy enough to support a substantial amount of weight. People have hung their Cacoons on trees, in their rooms, in their backyards, and from boat masts. If you had one, where would you be hanging yours?

If you’re interested in getting a Cacoon, they’re available online and are priced at $349(USD) for singles and at $550 for doubles.

[via The Green Head]

Portaledge Hanging Tents Seem Handy, A Bit Scary, And Not Very Comfy

Hazel Chua — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:30:59 +0000

I remember going on camping trips with my dad during the weekends when school let out. Not only was it a good way to bond with my dad and my sisters (we’re all girls, so we didn’t really do any extremely rough activities while we were out there.) But anyway, the point was, it was fun. However, I don’t think my eldest sister enjoyed it much because she’s the girly-girl type and absolutely hated it when insects would sometimes come crawling about into our tent.

I’m not a very huge fan of insects either, so I thought the portaledge was a pretty cool and neat idea when I first saw it. A portaledge is described as “a deployable hanging tent system” that’s generally recommended for use by “rock climbers who spend multiple days and nights on a big wall climb.” In other words, they’re hanging tents.

The images you see above are actually from people in portaledges at High Ropes Forest in Germany. They look extremely cool and sort of romantic, if you think about it. They just add a certain little something that might make the camping or climbing trip a bit more special. However, if you’ve got a fear of heights, then portaledges probably aren’t for you.

[via Dvice via LikeCool]

Super-Brella Chair Is the Only Folding Chair You’ll Ever Need

Hazel Chua — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:40:48 +0000

There’s a time to squander away precious moments setting up your folding chair and umbrella and there’s a time to spend more of it in leisure by unfolding the chair and popping the umbrella open in several quick, easy motions.

The first is when you decide to go with your typical folding chair and separate beach umbrella. The second is if you’ve purchased one of these Super-Brella Chairs and are now laughing at the shmucks who still haven’t gotten one for themselves.

As you can see, this chair has got everything: an umbrella to shield you from the sun or protect you from the rain, comfortable armrests, and a holder where you can put your drinks in. It’s also extremely portable, so you can just fold everything up and carry it around in the shoulder bag that it comes with.

Perfect to take along with you to the beach, to concerts and other outdoor events, to fishing, for lounging around in your backyard, and perhaps any other activity that’s done outdoors. You can get one in Europe from the Pro Idee Concept Store for £49.95 (~$82 USD). In the U.S., for a extra few dollars ($99.99), Hammacher Schlemmer sells a version which includes a foot-rest too.

[via Gadgets Matrix]

Skizee Lets You Ski Without a Mountain

Chris B. — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:14:24 +0000

Ever tried skiing in the Midwest? Having lived nearly my entire life in Indiana, I’ve not found any places nearby fit for skiing. Sure, there are some decent hills here and there, but certainly nowhere worthy of finding a ski lift. With an abundance of open plains, you’d think that there’s no point in even owning a pair of skis around these parts. You would, of course, be wrong.

If you happen to own a Skizee (Really? That’s the best name they could come up with?) then you’d be excited to see an open field with a nice layer of snow on it. You see, this device uses a 10.5hp 4-stroke engine to propel you along a snow-covered surface.

It might not provide the same dangerous thrill as you’ll get on the slopes, but it could be a good bit of fun. Now is it worth the $2,500 asking price? Doubtful.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

[via Dvice]

Snowdozer Cuts Ice Scraping Time in Half

Chris B. — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:37:22 +0000

Has anyone else had enough of the snow? Possibly one of the most annoying things winter has to offer us is the several layers of snow and ice that accumulates on our cars overnight. An ice scraper has FINALLY been created that will combat this nasty part of winter, and give you a lot less cold work to deal with. The Snowdozer is a mega-ice scraper that has two blades to take off ice in two directions, a brush, and a grip. The most interesting thing about this is the grip, and the fact that it extends. So much pressure is taken off of your back and two blades means you’re cutting the time out in the cold in half.

This awesome snow removal device had a 25” length that can go out to 36”, an aluminum handle, plastic head, and nylon bristles. The materials may not be better than any other ice scraper you’ve seen, but it’s design makes sure that none of that matters.

If you’ve ever thought you might have frostbite just from cleaning off your car in the winter, this is definitely something you need to have. And at only $17, you can’t say that it’s not a good investment.

[via 7Gadgets]

Porsche Bobsleigh Bring German Engineering to a Snowy Hill Near You

Chris B. — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:17:59 +0000

How would you like to buy yourself a Porsche for Christmas? No, I’m not talking about the racing wheel that we showed you yesterday. I’m talking about one that you can actually use to move you from point A to point B. Of course these have to be the top and bottom of a snow-covered hill to really work. That’s right, the engineering team at Porsche took some time off from designing cars to make this Porsche Bobsleigh.

This plastic craft might look simplistic, but it’s said to have “directional stability, a low centre of gravity, ease of steering and good braking.” I’m not really sure about those last two, as I can’t imagine doing a lot of steering other than tilting yourself side-to-side. Braking also seems to be a manual thing, with the easiest method likely being the dismount.

Want one? You’re looking at around $225 (USD) to be the coolest kid on the hill.

[via The Awesomer]

Bag Hug Chair Doubles as Both Chair and Backpack

Chris B. — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:41:11 +0000

Despite the fact that I am usually found sitting at a computer, I do actually enjoy the great outdoors. But you know what my biggest problem with it is (aside from the lack of WiFi)? The lack of chairs.

Alright, so maybe I don’t have that much of an issue with sitting on the ground, or on a log. However, there are plenty of occasions where it would be nice to have my own chair. Now I’ve had those cheap fold-up ones from Walmart, but they’re bulky and not fun to carry around if you’re going to be doing any amount of walking. With this in mind, someone came up with this Bag Hug Chair concept.

What you have here is a somewhat regular-looking backpack, complete with pockets for holding various (small) items. When you take it off, it can be converted into a chair. It’s not the biggest of seats, but that’s the trade-off for having a more portable design. If I could actually get away from the computer enough to justify it, I would probably buy one of these. Now they just need to get it out of the concept phase and into production.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

[via YankoDesign]

Polk Audio Atrium Garden Speakers: Patio Party Time

Lambert Varias — Fri, 28 May 2010 14:27:35 +0000

Polk Audio’s Atrium Garden Speakers are specially made for the outdoors, with “long throw” drivers that ensure that your music isn’t drowned or lost. The system is made of the Atrium Sat30 mid-range satellite speakers, and the big Atrium Sub10, a downward-firing subwoofer.

The Atrium Sat30 is aesthetically versatile – you can plant it on the ground, or hang it from its wires. They’re also pretty tough – Polk Audio claims that they can withstand “blows from weed whackers, mowers and other lawn equipment”, thanks to their shock-absorbing gasket.

The Atrium Sat30 can be used without the Sub10, but this big fella is really the one which makes the system shine. It’s a 200-watt subwoofer with a 10″ “Long Throw” Driver. I guess it’s powerful enough to shake your plants off the ground. Like the Sat30, the Atrium Sub10 is weatherproof and tough. You can even use it as a stand, as it’s able to support objects up to 200 lbs. The Sub10′s surface is also paintable, so you can easily replace the chestnut brown color.

You can order the Polk Audio Atrium Garden Speaker System at Amazon for $600 (USD). The bundle includes one Sub10 and two Sat30s. You can also buy them separately – the Sat30 sells for $150, while the Sub10 sells for $300.

[via Gear Patrol]

Swinxs “Game Console” Gives Kids Real Controller-Free Gaming

Lambert Varias — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:57:21 +0000

One of the more valid complaints against playing video games is that it sometimes makes us forget how fun it is to play outdoors, or interact with other people directly, not in front of a monitor or TV. The good folks at Swinxs BV were able to come up with a sort of compromise between virtual gaming and “real life” gaming with the Swinxs (pronounced “swinks”) game console. Swinxs is basically a game master: it organizes games, defines rules and even recognizes players.

I think the presence of video output is a requirement for something to be called a “game console”, but that’s actually one of Swinxs’ strengths, as it encourages children to move about, instead of being rooted to a spot while staring at a screen. It brings back the “analog” games that a lot of us played when we were kids, like musical chairs, hide-and-seek and tag. Swinxs’ spoken instructions are clear enough to be understood by children, and even its identification system is easy to work with, thanks to the included color-coded RFID wristbands.

I’m sure you’re still a bit confused as to how the gadget actually works, so here’s a video review from the guys at Tech Digest:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

And here’s another video from Swinxs BV:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Of course you’ll still have to supervise your kids while they’re playing with the device, but at least the interactive elements it borrows from “real” game consoles gives kids a sort of independence. And admit it, if you were a kid, you’d rather listen to a talking blob of plastic than to your mom too. You can buy a Swinxs at Swinxs BV’s online shop for $175 (USD).

[via Gadget Blog]

Matches Are So 2000: Mag Fire Metallic Firestarter

Lambert Varias — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:30:00 +0000

Put an end to the frustration of lighting up your grill or starting a bonfire with the Mag Fire firestarter. It’s capable of producing white-hot 3000ºC (5500ºF) sparks, even in humid, stormy or freezing conditions. You can even use it as a flare of sorts to call for help.

This is something that all Swiss army knives should have. You can buy a Mag Fire at Gadgetshop for £9 (approx. $15 USD); each unit is good for up to 3000 strikes. Definitely something to be kept out of children’s reach.

[via Gadget Blog]

Nec Working on Laptop Lcds That Work in Bright Sun

Technabob — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 13:40:43 +0000

NEC has developed a technology which could be used to provide laptops and media players with displays that can be read clearly, even in bright sunlight.

The company’s “super-transmissive natural light TFT” (ST-NLT) displays are designed for use in environments where there is an abundance of bright light. Initially designed for use in industrial applications, such as outdoor kiosks and brightly-lit warehouses, the displays could be used for other applications, such as portable devices, in the future, due to their low power consumption levels.

ST-NLT displays feature vivid color output in even the harshest light environments, and come in sizes ranging from 5.5 to 15 inches, and from 320 x 240 up to 1024 x 768 resolution.

[via RegHardware]

The Ultimate Outdoor Home Theater

Technabob — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 01:24:49 +0000

Take one part wet bar, one part living room, one part barbeque pit and one part home theater and you’ll begin to understand the magnificent grandeur of the Ultimate Outdoor Theater from Cal Spas.

The hot tub and sauna maker recently showed off this amazing outdoor living space which could be the envy of the whole neighborhood. The highlight is a complete home theater system with a 63-inch LCD flat panel HDTV, surround sound, iPod docking station, Sirius satellite radio, and hookups for gaming consoles. Also on board for the party are a five-burner BBQ grill, a wet bar, weatherproof recliners with cup holders and two fire pits. On top of that, the theater system is built to marine grade specifications for protection from the elements. And while you’re at it, why not add on one of Cal Spas hot tubs to round out your backyard paradise?

Assuming you have the money to burn for this this over-the-top setup, you’re probably living in a nice enough neighborhood where you don’t need to worry about someone walking off with your DVD player.

[via CrunchGear]