Gear Patrol

Zombie Mall Experience

Scott Packard — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:15:43 +0000

Like you, here at Gear Patrol we’ve watched the brain-eating zombie apocalypse theme get played out — zombie movies, zombie television programs, zombie costumes, books about zombies (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is only slightly less tiresome than Austen’s original). However, Wish.co.uk brings a fresh take on the meme with the Zombie Mall Experience, thrusting you from mindless observer to full-fledged participant. Set in an abandoned shopping mall 25 miles outside London, you will hunt a zombie horde (how many are in a horde, exactly?) with airsoft weapons while they shuffle after you, intent on eating your tender flesh.

Set in the Reading Shopping Centre, you and your fellow dystopic survivors battle the undead masses over the course of three hours for roughly $225. The hunt is wildly popular: Simon Pegg, star of Shaun of the Dead, raved about the event on twitter, and the first scheduled dates quickly sold out, prompting Wish.co.uk to schedule additional weekend hunts. It’s also a limited time offer: the building is set for demolition, so no predictions on how much longer it will be available.

While it might not be worth making a special trip to England just for the chance to slay faux foes, if you happen to be hopping the pond any time soon you might check it out. But if you aren’t planning a trip to the blessed isle, we wouldn’t be surprised if a similar experience popped up in the U.S.

Buy Now: ~$225

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Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

Matt Neundorf — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:13:21 +0000

For years Apple marketing mavens have asked us to “think different”. With so many of us sipping on a stylish cup-ertino, it now seems that “different” has now become the norm. Be the one to buck that trend at your local hot-spot with the new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (TBA). Staying true to the ThinkPad’s timeless design, the little red TrackPoint somehow still serves as a beacon swathed in business black.

This new Ultrabook, the latest evolution in the Lenovo X1 family, delivers a larger 1,600×900 14-inch screen while dropping almost a full pound of weight compared to its predecessor, thanks to, you guessed it, carbon fiber. The wonderful weave is used to create the notebook’s chassis, giving it some serious strength while making it the lightest 14-incher around at under three pounds. The weight savings has allowed Lenovo to install built-in 3G connectivity, Dolby Home Theatre v.4, a 720p face-tracking camera and a backlit keyboard along with Ivy Bridge processing power. To keep you working well into the denouement of that screenplay/epic Excel workbook you’re pounding out, the X1 Carbon will employ a “Rapid Charge” feature to get back to 80%-charge in about the same time it takes to knock back a double macchiato. Look for pricing to drop later this summer.

Buy Now: TBA (Available Summer 2012)

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Viewfinder: Light: The Natural Agent That Stimulates Sight

Griffin Sweet — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:30:16 +0000

Wondering what to do with all that leftover footage from a recent project? Well you could follow in the footsteps of Matt Kleiner and piece together a stunning video from whatever’s left on the cutting room floor. Light: The Natural Agent That Stimulates Sight is the result of Matt’s leftover footage fom shooting a feature on surfer Josh Kerr out in Australia. With conditions this conducive to filming it’s no wonder he wanted to create this short film. The feature film is being produced by RUSTY and should be due out later this year. Kind of makes you want to quit your day job and hit the waves right?

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Briefings: Weedless in Amsterdam, A Kenyan Runner, Good Drives, Cycling in Brussels, and Exploding Cars

Jeremy Berger — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:12 +0000

Life is filled with surprises, like the Netherlands tightening its marijuana laws even as we relax ours in the States. What’s next — freedom of religion? Geez. News about that, plus things on wheels (bikes, exploding cars) and people who run really fast, in this week’s Briefings.

It’s a big and complicated world. We’re at tips [at] gearpatrol.com if you think there’s something we should know about.

1. What to Acknowledge | Weedless in Amsterdam

Not since the Townshend Revenue Act of 1767 has a European law excited such opposition in America. The law in question, upheld by a Dutch court in late April, bans foreigners from buying pot in coffee shops throughout the Netherlands. The Globe reports that cities in southern Holland have started enforcing the ban, shutting down cafes and warning tourists with roadside signs reading, “New Rules, No Drugs.” Fortunately for the Dutch government, weed smokers are not a likely lot to riot; then again, neither are tea drinkers.

bostonglobe.com

2. What to Read | Letter from Kenya

Since 2003 the marathon world record has been held by Ethiopians and Kenyans, but we rarely hear much about them except rumors that they used to run 10k to school each day (Haile Gebrselassie) or only ate lunch growing up because of the UN World Food Program (Paul Tergat). Samuel Wanjiru is a slightly lesser-known Kenyan runner who shined briefly — he ran seven marathons, winning five — before his untimely death in 2011. The New Yorker looks at his life and death in the May 21 issue.

newyorker.com

3. Where to Drive | These Places

The Gear Patrol crew has driven in a lot of cool places. Gstaad to Geneva. 800 miles of the West Coast (for a coffee). Spanish Basque Country on a moped. To travel with windows down and music blaring with no goal but the drive itself is one of man’s great pleasures. National Geographic has 10 good ones, including Denali Highway (Alaska), the Atlas Mountains (Morocco), and 36 hours on E6 in Norway.

travel.nationalgeographic.com

4. What to Watch | The Brussels Express

City-dwellers are acutely aware of transportation issues: cars get stuck in traffic, trains don’t always go where you need to be, buses are wack. Biking is often a preferable way to get around quickly (provided nobody pulls an illegal U-turn and almost kills you — hear that livery cab driver on 7th Avenue in Brooklyn?). Outside has a post about The Brussels Express, a short documentary by Sander Vandenbrouke about cycling in Belgium’s capital city. “He looks at urban gridlock through the eyes of a bike messenger who slices through slow-moving cars, and ends up making a smart argument for reducing congestion.”

outsideonline.com

5. What to Explode | Cars

Like driving the open roads, blowing stuff up (in controlled environments, obviously) is another pastime we hold in high regard. Wired takes a brief look at what it takes to explode a car, Hollywood-style, complete with a brief video of a Sandra Bullock-look-alike pulling the trigger on a Jaguar XJ6.

wired.com

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Gore Fusion GT AS Jacket

Adam Albright-Hanna — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:49:25 +0000

Gore Bike Wear’s Fusion GT AS ($280) might be the only jacket cyclists need all year. Whether you’re on the trail, on tour under the hot sun, or battling the freezing rain — the lightweight and extremely breathable Gore-Tex engineered shell provides protection from the wind and water, while still remaining comfortable.

It’s nearly mountain-bike perfect, too, thanks to rider-specific features like a handy zip-underflap, zip-port, in collar stowaway hood, and plenty of reflective print to keep you visible at night. The extra lightweight garment (maximum weight 400 grams) also boasts a relaxed fit without being baggy. The bright red and black color scheme is both bold and attractive and adds a nice air of sophistication in a sea of, frankly boring bikewear we’ve seen on the streets and trails. And for $280, try not to wipe out too much.

Buy Now: $280

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Line6 POD HD

Mike Vallera — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:57:04 +0000

It seems even the roadie has been made nearly obsolete in the wake of digital technology. The Line6 POD has been a mainstay in studios and professional live rigs for years, but this latest version, the POD HD, may now convince even the stuffiest of tube-amp worshippers into packing away their giant and costly amplifiers and effects boards. Without getting too complicated, the POD is a small desktop device which models 25 of the most historic guitar amplifiers in rock history down to the faintest squeal. Everything from the holy grail blues amps of the 60’s to modern boutique classics are contained within the POD HD, in addition to over 100 effects, a guitar tuner, and all of the ins and outs you need to record a killer track right to your computer via the USB port.

All parameters of the amplifiers and effects are easily tweaked via the onboard knobs, and when you are finished with creating your specific tone, user presets can then be stored for easy access in the future. For live settings, the POD HD even includes a 48 second looper and a “Dual Tone” feature, which allows the player to simultaneously use two different amps/effects rigs in tandem. In a nutshell, this means a player of any skill level can now tap into some of the most rare amplifiers of all time, sans the hefty price tags and eventual trip to the chiropractor.

Buy Now: $399

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L.L. Bean 100th Anniversary Maine Hunting Shoe

Adam Albright-Hanna — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:36:47 +0000

To celebrate the centennial anniversary of their iconic boot line, L.L. Bean recently introduced the Men’s 100th Anniversary Main Hunting Shoe ($140), a special 12-inch edition of the sturdy footwear that first made them famous.

Available only in limited quantities, the boot is an almost exact replica of the ones invented and worn by the man himself, Leon Leonwood (L.L. to you), back in 1912, complete with the classic red brick bottom not seen since their earliest of days. The upper portion is made up of premium, durable leather with minimal coating, while the solid rubber around the foot will keep your feet nice and dry while traipsing through the Maine woods hunting for prey. No inside lining, so wear thick socks if it’s going to be a cold one and, for those particular about your laces, you have two choices — classic rawhide or the newer, long-lasting taslan.

Check out a video highlighting the revival of the shoe after the break for your own Beanification.

Buy Now: $140

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Aston Martin DBS Ultimate

Amos Kwon — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:35:44 +0000

No question, the Aston Martin DBS is a looker. Good enough for James Bond, good enough for us (even though Bond could’ve saved Her Majesty a cool $100K by using a V12 Vantage with the same output as the DBS). Well, Aston Martin’s svelte darling will soon say farewell after five years to make way for a not-yet-revealed model. As a last hurrah, they’ve released the Aston Martin DBS Ultimate (Coupe, $287,576; Volante, $302,576), with aesthetic upgrades that would, no doubt, put a bee in M’s bonnet.

Let’s start with exterior touches. The badging denotes its special nature, plus the DBS Ultimate comes with colored brake calipers in your choice of black, red or subtle yellow, blackened grille, smoke-tinted taillights, something called Zircotec coating the tailpipes and a painted spoiler. The interior gets contrasting red or silver stitching on the seats and headliner in that lovely diamond pattern that makes everything but men’s outerwear look sophisticated. Only 100 will be made, so start elbowing your way through the crowd with the checkbook from your Swiss bank account.

Learn More: Here

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Thule Apex Swing

Brandon Chuang — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:00:58 +0000

There are quite a few cyclists in our crew here at Gear Patrol, and amongst us, there’s always grumblings around the watercooler about the best way to strap our two-wheeled rides onto their four-wheeled cousins. Standard mounts make it nearly impossible to access anything in the back of our vehicles, and swing-away versions tend to be so rickety and unstable we wouldn’t trust our old Huffy on it, let alone our grown-up rides.

Thule’s design team must’ve heard us, because they’ve introduced the Thule Apex Swing ($500). The premium hitch-mounted bike rack comes equipped with a proprietary receiver lock as well as shock dampening cradles to ensure a snug and secure trip for your Breaking Away extras. Other goodies include an increased mast height for higher ground clearance, Thule’s patented No-Swing Cage to prevent bike rattle, and a heavy duty integrated lock to keep things secure from thieves that can run at interstate speeds. Best of all, since it can haul up to four bikes at a time, you’ll still have plenty of room for that Huffy.

Buy Here: $500

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Timekeeping: Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100

Jason Heaton — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:25:34 +0000

Nowadays, you can hardly throw a dead fish without hitting another new dive watch brand. The availability of Far East shops that will stamp out a few hundred watch cases based on a napkin sketch means that almost anyone with a little ambition and a small loan can start their own watch company. And there are many, with names and retro designs evoking the romance and adventure of the early days of diving. While it’s great to see such a swell in interest in timepieces and the entrepreneurial spirit so healthy, it’s also great to see an old name revived and a brand that is staying faithful to its heritage. Case in point: Aquadive and its Bathyscaphe dive watches in two sizes. I’ve been wearing the smaller Bathyscaphe 100 in stealthy black DLC trim for the past few months and have come away duly impressed.

Continues after the jump.

The Swiss brand, Aquadive, was popular in the 1960s and 70s and, as their name suggests, they specialized only in dive watches. Huge for their era, sturdy and affordable, Aquadive quickly became the brand of choice for recreational divers. Their innovative Time-Depth 50, with its integrated depth gauge and electronic movement cemented Aquadive’s name in the annals of great dive watches. Collectors hunt for Time-Depth 50s in good condition but, given their age and regular underwater use, they are scant. And while Aquadive produced other models over their brief history, the brand went the way of so many others when cheap Japanese quartz watches took hold of the market.

Aquadive relaunched with a splash last year, capitalizing on the surge in interest for vintage-inspired dive watches. In addition to a “new old stock” model that used actual cases from a 1960s model, the new owners of the Aquadive name reached into the company’s archives and pulled out the original plans for the Time-Depth 50 and used the exact case dimensions to create the flagship Bathyscaphe 300. But instead of a battery-powered movement, the watches are fitted with a self-winding Swiss ETA mechanical movement and, without its finicky depth gauge, the case is now upgraded to an astounding 3,000 meters of water resistance.

The Bathyscaphe 300 is a leviathan at 47mm across and, at 20mm thick, proved to be too big to handle, even in this era of oversized watches. So Aquadive wisely created a smaller version, the Bathyscaphe 100. Still no trembling flower, it clocks in at 43mm across and 15mm thick but the 49mm height means it is eminently wearable even on small wrists. The water resistance is less than its bigger brother’s, but still an impressive, and entirely superfluous 1,000 meters.

In the sea of small brand dive watches available, there are quite a few of similar size and even depth rating to the Bathyscaphe 100. But there are some key details about the Aquadive that make it a cut above its competitors. First of all, in an era of outsourced homogeneous dive watch manufacturing, Aquadive makes a point of declaring the source of all its watch components and where they are built. The cases are CNC cut out of a solid block of stainless steel in Germany. The Swiss movements are fitted to the watches in Germany and then individually adjusted and tested in five positions. With each watch is shipped a certificate with handwritten signed timing notes for all five positions. I can’t think of another brand, large or small, that is doing this today. While not a chronometer certification, it is evidence of the hands-on build and care that go into these watches.

The Bathyscaphe 100 that I tested is the “DLC” variety, meaning that the steel is coated with a black “Diamond Like Carbon” that boasts a hardness of 3,500 Vickers. Try as I could, I couldn’t scratch the case by any method the watch would encounter in normal, day-to-day wear. The finish is exquisite, with brushed top and sides separated by a thin polished bevel on the shoulders. Everything on this watch is black, from the crown to bezel to the case back. But in certain light, the finish has a matte gray appearance, which gives it more visual interest and refinement and keeps it from being yet another wannabe military knockoff.

So Aquadive wisely created a smaller version, the Bathyscaphe 100. Still no trembling flower…

The dial is a highly polished abyssal black and the luminous markers are applied rather than painted, a nice touch, but the polished bevels clash a bit with the matte black case. The hands are a refreshing departure from the usual shapes found on countless other dive watches yet still easily readable with the minute hand in bold orange to set it apart. Here again, the high polish on the hour hand is slightly out-of-place but this is a minor complaint given the overall quality and attention to detail here.

I’ve tried a lot of dive watch bezels over the years, with both dry and wet hands. The Bathyscaphe 100’s bezel ranks in the top two or three in terms of feel and action. The 120-click one-way ratcheting mechanism feels like a precision instrument and the tall side flutings are a pleasure to fondle. Perhaps the most welcome surprise though is the engraved and painted ceramic insert which is a rarity in a watch costing less than two grand.

Finishing off the Bathyscaphe 100 is the strap, genuine ISOfrane rubber, which is perhaps the finest aftermarket dive strap on the market. This comes as no coincidence considering that Aquadive’s parent company also owns ISOfrane. The strap is thick, long and infinitely comfortable thanks to its numerous adjustment slots. It’s also nice to see that the Aquadive-signed buckle is also DLC-coated to match the case. Rumor has it Aquadive will soon be offering a bracelet and steel mesh band, but I think the ISOfrane is the perfect choice.

If you haven’t picked up on it yet, I like the Bathyscaphe 100. A lot. The build quality, design, transparency of sourcing and attention to detail are hard to beat. This is all in a watch with a retail price of less than $2,000. You’d be hard-pressed to find similar quality for twice the price in my opinion. Aquadive is one watch brand I’m glad to see back on the scene, doing what they always did best – selling honest, rugged dive watches at reasonable prices. Welcome back to the deep end.

Buy Now: $1,990

Click here to view slideshow on the web.

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Audi e-bike Wörthersee

Amos Kwon — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:53:45 +0000

One thing we know about the individual(s) who handles Audi’s bicycle line is, he’s got time on his hands. For the Wörthersee tour in Austria, Audi will reveal an incredible twist on the bicycle in Austria with their E-Bike Wörthersee, and it’s really not exactly what you’d think. Rather than simply an eco-conscious two-wheeler, the Audi E-Bike actually encourages you to do irresponsible things like stunts, wheelies and other tricks that might result in a trip to the E-hospital.

The carbon-fiber reinforced polymer frame is designed to make the bike easy to maneuver. Audi has also dropped in an electronic control system that assists the rider in performing stunts like the “Power Wheelie” mode and the “Balanced Wheelie” by maintaining rider balance and counteracting any foibles by using a 2.3 kW electric motor to keep both bike and biker upright. The motor can propel the bike to an unassisted 31 mph (eGrip mode) and a Pedelec mode for combined motor + pedaling that will enable you to hit up 50 mph (can you say “road rash”?). Or you can go all Huffy in the Pure mode that’s all you. Riding modes can be programmed right into the bike’s touchscreen or on your smartphone (geez, why am I biking at all?). No pricing has been revealed nor have production details. It’s okay. Your lazy self can wait a little longer.

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Phillips SpeechMike Air

Adam Albright-Hanna — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:09:18 +0000

Meet the great-great-grandson of the dictaphone — the SpeechMike Air ($500). Specifically designed to meet the enormous demands of document-intensive professionals, the Phillips dictation device is now cordless and packed with some amazing features.

The slick design and comfortable ergonomics complement the crystal clear recording quality and intuitive controls. While a typist isn’t included with your purchase, speech-recognition software that converts your words into text within seconds still makes transcription a breeze. Every new digital dictation file is also automatically archived and accessible at any time, which is certainly convenient in the digital age, but arguably not quite as cute as those miniature tapes of yore.

Buy Now: $500

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Kit: One Year with the GORUCK GR1

Jon Gaffney — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:28:20 +0000

We’ve written about GORUCK and their tactically inspired gear a number of times. Made in the USA, bomb proof, with a life time guarantee, they’re the kind of company we love to support. Enough said.

But one of the best things about a GORUCK product is how they’re set up for you to make your own — something you really can’t tell until you’ve made a step into their system. 2×3 velcro patches and MOLLE webbing inside and out allow you to configure their bags exactly how you need or want. Having tested the GR1 for well over a year now — using it as a daily work bag and travel carry — we figured it was high time to show you how we’ve rigged our GR1 and why for everything from the Tough Mudder challenge to a work commute.

Continues after the jump.

Paracord Pulls

Orange Paracord pulls: The top pocket pull of the GR1 always come with a Coyote colored paracord zipper pull for easier visual id. We agreed with the thought process and took it a step further. We added orange paracord pulls to both the top and bottom pockets to instantly find them when we go rummaging for our stuff on the go. The fact that it adds a little subtle Gear Patrol approved coloring is a bonus.

Buy Now: $8

Colonial Flag of New England 2×3 Patch

Colonial Flag of New England 2×3 Patch: The 2×3 hook and loop velcro on each GORUCK product allows you to add a myriad of possible patches to your bag. While we’re a big fan of GORUCK’s flag logo patch, we decided to change over to a patch with a little more meaning on a personal level. This patch was the colonial flag for New England, which while it’s changed a lot since then happens to be where we were born, raised, educated, and now live.

Buy Now: $7

Mammut Caribiners

Mammut Caribiners: Taking inspiration from an early GORUCK article about how founder Jason sets up his own GR1, we added a couple of carabiners to the MOLLE webbing on the outside of the pack. We’ve found they get used the most come summer when a pair of Chaco or Rainbow flip-flops are hanging off them on a regular basis.

Buy Now: $7

Chinese Button Knots

Chinese Button Knots: The standard GORUCK zipper pulls come with a perfectly acceptable overhand knot. We had to redo our zipper pulls a few months back after the plastic sheathing needed replacing. While we were at it, we added a Chinese Button Knot to the pull, it gives our fingers a little more grip and looks cool too.

Peak Design Capture Camera Clip

Peak Design Capture Camera Clip: We picked this up last year off one of our favorite and most addictive websites, Kickstarter. It’s been worth every penny of funding money. Attached to the MOLLE webbing on the left shoulder strap of our GR1 it provides an easy and safe resting place for our DSLR whether on a hike or wandering around Harvard Square photographing the never tame personalities that abound. If you love photography we highly recommend you give the Capture clip a look no matter what your bag of choice is.

Buy Now: $80

Orange Paracord Camelbak Hose Retainer

Orange Paracord Camelbak hose retainer: One of the features of all GORUCK packs is that their laptop sleeve can also be used to hold a hydration bladder. The hose runs out of the top of the pack through a Velcro panel under the top handle. While it can be run through the MOLLE webbing on one of the shoulder straps, we found this unsatisfactory. So, we made a small survival “bracelet” with a couple of Chinese Button Knots and a Cobra Stitch that would hold the hose out of the way, but easily accessible. Its orange color also came in handy when we took the GORUCK Challenge and we needed to quickly identify our GR1 among 15 other identical rucks.

Buy Now: $8

GORUCK GR1 Field Pocket

GORUCK GR1 Field Pocket: We wrote about the GORUCK Field Pockets when they launched last year. We use both the GR1 and GR2 pockets, but the GR1 pocket is in our pack on a daily basis. It’s filled with our multitude of pens and peripheral accessories both our iPhone and cameras. While it can be attached both inside or outside of the GR1 with the MOLLE webbing, we’ve elected to keep it loose for easy grab and go.

Buy Now: $95

How It All Looks

The Carry

Click here to view slideshow on the web.

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Powerbreather Snorkel

Tim Murphy — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:39:50 +0000

While we’re big fans of running (barefoot or not), it’s hard to beat swimming for a full-body, heart rate jacking workout.

Unsurprisingly, what keeps people out of the pool is the fear of breathing, or, rather, lack thereof. Well fear no more, we’ve found what could be the solution to all you oxygen lovers sitting on the edge — if you don’t mind looking like you’ve accidentally snatched Darth Vader’s gear bag.

The Powerbreather is a revolutionary snorkel that allows the swimmer to keep his face underwater while taking in fresh air from the top valve behind the head and exhaling from the mouth valve. These valves work in concert to ensure that no spent air remains and no water enters the apparatus, even when descending. And because the unit is elastic, it stays in place instead of drooping when the swimmer turns his head. This makes it perfect for people learning to swim or looking for an easier way to get a great workout. And yes, it also works for snorkeling. On that next trip to Belize or The Caymans, wouldn’t it be nice to look, turn, and dive without swallowing a bunch of surprise saltwater?

Maybe you’ve been a snorkeler for years, maybe you’ve been trying to get into swimming but even remotely conquering some semblance of breathing technique has always turned you off. Either way, the Powerbreather is definitely worth a ~~taste~~ look.

Learn More: Here

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Motion Simulation TL1

Amos Kwon — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:59:50 +0000

Admit it. If your wife/girlfriend was cool enough to let you put a hulking driving simulator in your living room, you wouldn’t hesitate for a nano-second. Well, if you do ever get the green light (good luck), behold the bank draining option that is the Motion Simulation TL1 Driving Simulator ($18,600).

Built in collaboration with Ariel Motors, creators of the Ariel Atom track day dream car. the TL1 trumps all others by virtue of its peripheral views made possible through three high-def projectors. This 180 degree spherical setup allows you to get a better view of the overall track thanks to its 7 million pixel ouput, providing a more realistic viewpoint than a standard flatscreen can provide. You can even connect your existing PS3 or Xbox 360 for expanded gaming possibilities (hello Call of Duty), so you’re not limited to just the driving experience. So, if you want to spend nearly $20K to find out if an Ariel Atom purchase should be in your future, this might be the logical first step. Just don’t get in the habit trying to toss your cigarette butts out the side window.

Learn More: Here

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Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS

Adam Albright-Hanna — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:56:11 +0000

For the extreme adventurer, the risk of snapping a few limbs is all part of the fun. Breaking a bone is one thing, but breaking your camera? Now that’s just downright scary. Capturing your stunts in all their insane glory requires a rough-and-ready camera like the Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS ($400), a well-armored, yet sleek shooter equipped to handle whatever hell you drag it through without sacrificing image quality.

With its 12-megapixel sensor, 4x zoom lens, and ultra-bright high-speed ƒ/2.0 lens, the Tough TG packs credible capabilities, all housed in a sturdy hardened shell to operate in miserable conditions: 14 degree temperatures, 7 foot drops, and the ability to shoot at depths of 40 feet. Other features like 30 fps full-res rapid-fire shooting and 1080p/30 video capture ensure you never miss the action, while tools like in-camera GPS help identify over 700,000 landmarks around the world.

Learn More: Here (Available June)

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Weekly Rewind | No. 41

Gear Patrol — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:51:13 +0000

Don't Miss: Weekly Rewind | No. 1 Weekly Rewind | No. 4 Weekly Rewind | No. 8

REDucation X

Scott Packard — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:58:11 +0000

Apply for a coveted spot at REDucation-X, and you might as well begin working on your Oscar speech now. Shooting on the RED EPIC or SCARLET have quickly become the gold standard in the world of independent film, as well as commercial and industrial shoots.

The intensive, hands-on program provides students with practical knowledge of working in 4K (if you’re wondering what that is, this post isn’t for you) on RED gear from the set to post production making you an sought-after member of any production team — or an owner/operator.

During the course, which runs from October through January 2013, amateur auteurs will spend 16 weeks in Los Angeles immersed in a program that walks through preproduction, production, and post-production and distribution. You’ll learn executive and line production, direction, lighting, offline and online editorial, and film distribution. Half traditional school, half intensive training, REDucation-X is nothing like that Spanish 101 make-up class you took in the summer of 2003, and everything like the mind-blowing film-production course of your dreams. Just remember, keep your speech humble.

Buy Now: $15,000

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HP Envy Spectre XT

Brandon Chuang — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:30:44 +0000

We’re not ones to embrace hyperbole, but the new HP Envy Spectre XT ($1,000+) may actually live up to its category — and humility-bending title of Ultrabook. Weighing a fairly svelte 3.07 pounds with 14.5mm-thick profile, HP’s newest offering features an Intel Ivy Bridge CPU, a four-speaker Beats Audio sound system, a 13” high-definition LED screen, 8 hour battery life and an upgradeable 128GB solid state hard drive that will shatter your previous personal best start-up times.

The Spectre XT’s tapered all-metal design and backlit, black keyboard isn’t fooling anyone into thinking that they don’t have their sights on one particular company. And while some may scoff at any challenger’s attempt to unseat the Cupertino giant, amenities such as a 24 hour concierge line that’s specifically dedicated to XT owners could be just the thing to get users to consider switching back. Because having a personal concierge sure sounds a hell of a lot better than queuing up for hours to talk to some “genius.”

Buy Here: $1000+ (Available June 8th)

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Quiksilver for J.Crew Board Shorts

Scott Packard — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:00:15 +0000

Bringing back memories of surfing’s explosion from fringe extreme sport to mainline hobby: Quiksilver for J. Crew has come ashore just in time for summer. Hit the surf in a dash of retro style harkening memories of time when long boards gave way to short fish and single fins evolved into twins, triples and quads. Alan Green’s iconic Aussie surf label, here in J.Crew preparedness, feature a classic design cotton/nylon blend with a slim cut, snap closure and 7.5″ inseam. Choose from a number of pre-raded color block patterns, grab your board (or towel) and head for the beach to shred the swimwear competition.

Buy Now: $75

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Timekeeping: Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Chronograph

Jason Heaton — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:34:47 +0000

Earlier this year, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced its retro-tastic Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph at the annual Salon International de Haute Horlogerie in Geneva. The watch made just about everyone’s “Best Of” list (including ours) with its creamy “aged” luminescent markers, textured dial and old-school pump-style chronograph pushers. The watch was homage to a watch JLC never produced but might as well have. Now, just a few months later, the brand is introducing a new variation of the Deep Sea and we think it’s even better.

The Deep Sea Chronograph, though it loses the “Vintage” in its name, still bears the ‘60s styling that harkens back to the brand’s first dive watch, the Memovox Deep Sea. But instead of the traditional two-register chrono layout and yellowed markers, this one feels a bit more modern while keeping the best of the past. The watch actually has the requisite chops to comply with the international standard for dive watches, ISO 6425, with its rotating elapsed-time bezel and 100 meter water resistance and the chronograph is even more usable thanks to the addition of the third register, an hour counter, which allows measurement up to 12 hours.

while the design of the Deep Sea Chronograph is pitch perfect at 42mm in brushed steel with the aforementioned pump pushers, with Jaeger-LeCoultre, the real magic lies in the movement

Look closely and you’ll also see a small aperture at the top of the dial, a handy little complication JLC has added that they call a “chronograph operating indicator.” It consists of red and white discs under the dial that, when displayed, tell the user whether the chronograph is started, running or stopped. Necessary? No. Cool? Yes. Sometimes a watch complication is all about what can be done rather than what has to be and this one is the latter, while still being useful.

Of course, while the design of the Deep Sea Chronograph is pitch perfect at 42mm in brushed steel with the aforementioned pump pushers, with Jaeger-LeCoultre, the real magic lies in the movement. The self-winding calibre 758, all 340 parts of which are fully developed and built by Jaeger-LeCoultre, has a spectacular power reserve of 65 hours, handy if you ever decide to take the watch off for a few days. JLC has a long and storied legacy of movement-making, having produced some of the world’s finest movements, even for the likes of Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe. Known not only for precision and durability, JLC also manages to make chronographs that are not too thick, so this one should be highly wearable, unlike so many other hockey puck dive chronographs out there.

Finishing off this great watch is a fine black leather strap that is fashioned to look like the perforated Tropic rubber straps that were standard equipment on dive watches of the 1960s. Lovely as it is, we recommend swapping it out for a rubber or nylon dive strap before this one gets anywhere close to the deep sea.

There’s no word yet on the price of the Deep Sea Chronograph but while it won’t be cheap, Jaeger-LeCoultre is usually affordable haute horlogerie and we expect this one to come in right around $10,000.

Learn More: Here

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Bushnell 10×42 Legend HD Ultra Binoculars

Adam Albright-Hanna — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:33:40 +0000

Bushnell boasts that if their award-winning waterproof 0×42 Legend HD Ultra Binoculars ($217) aren’t the best damn bino’s you ever used in your life, the company will happily refund every dime you spent. No questions asked.

Do they have any right to be so cocky? Absolutely.

The set’s ED Prime Extra-Low dispersion glass and Ultra Wide-Band anti-reflection lens coating produce incredibly crisp, color-tuned images, and provide an average 7.25 percent more light transmission compared to competing sets. Likewise, their wide field of view makes catching even the smallest of movements over a large area easy. Combined with a surprisingly compact form factor and included goodies like a deluxe harness and premium case, they’re a perfect option for hours of quietly watching ~~your hot neighbor~~ wildlife.

Buy Now: $217

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Behind the Wheel | Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder

Bradley Hasemeyer — Fri, 11 May 2012 00:45:33 +0000

After more than 40 years as a test driver for Lamborghini, Valentino Balboni retired. In place of a gold watch the Italian supercar maker crafted a limited edition model (only 250) in his honor: the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni — yes, it’s a mouth full. That very car birthed two beautiful descendants. Our photo essay continues after the jump.

The LP designation means longitudinale/posteriore, denoting the placement of the engine just in front of the rear axle in a longitudinal fashion; the 550 represents the horsepower of the naturally aspirated V-10; and the 2 indicates the number of wheels driven, which is half the number of the standard Gallardo. Consumer adoration and demand for this limited edition inspired the LP550-2, and we were fortunately invited to Malibu, CA to experience the newest version, topless. The car. Not us.

makes the excessiveness on top of the already remarkable Gallardo an absolute, brutal necessity

The Gallardo is intended to be a purist’s sports car and this roofless version, combined with the somewhat rough E-tronic automated manual gearbox makes the excessiveness on top of the already remarkable Gallardo an absolute, brutal necessity. But it’s more about cranial pleasure than posterior comfort. You feel all the bumps in the road and live every movement of the clutch engaging and disengaging the lovely gears, and all the while you’re surrounded in plush leather and the throaty symphony that two-hundred and twenty thousand US dollars will provide.

The low center of gravity, the aggressive nose and the raucous banshee scream of the engine is why there’s a Lambo poster on every 8-year-old boy’s wall. We derived gobs of pleasure seeing one little kid hanging out of his mother’s car window on our drive telling at me how much he loved “my car.” Yeah, kid. It’s mine. Thanks.

Learn More: Here

P.S. If you’re finding yourself as disappointed that this isn’t a video (we are too), we’ve got some good news. We’re working on getting a Lambo into the GP Garage very soon for another episode of Behind the Wheel. Keep you eyes tuned to GP for some speedy goodness very soon. Mamma mia!

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder Photo Essay

Can’t see the slideshow? Click here to view it on the web.

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Leica M Monochrom

Eric Yang — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:56:06 +0000

What’s black and white and has lust all over it? This guy. Meet the Leica M Monochrom Camera ($7,950). Built off the M9 full-frame rangefinder, the M Monochrom will shoot as many colors as your heart desires, so long as they’re between the ranges of black and white.

And of course, carrying the lofty burden as the world’s first black-and-white camera and the Leica name isn’t just an exercise in “turn color off”. Leica has engineered the M Monochrome specifically to take advantage of its ability to capture images with fewer components. First, the sensor is totally absent of a color filter array — meaning more light capture — therefore the M Monochrom doesn’t “capture color”, but rather records luminance values along with more levels of detail. That may not mean much for your over-compressed Facebook photos, but for hard-core (or traditional film) shooters, who still prefer the richness of black & white, the M Monochrom takes one giant step closer to capturing unadulterated photos. A bumped ISO range up to 10,000 (from 2,500 in the M9), 230k-dot 2.5 inch LCD screen, and 36 MB DNG files processed from 14-bit uncompressed RAW are part of the Monochrom package.

Otherwise, much of the hardware is similar to the M9 right down to the lens mount. Leica is also kind enough to include three built-in toning filters and a full version of the excellent Silver Efex 2 processing software for optimal workflow. Oh, and in case you don’t think your local printer is up to snuff — or exclusive enough — Leica has also launched a black and white printing service for Monochrom users only. The world just got a lot less colorful and we love it.

Buy Now: $7,950

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Primus Firehole

Mike Vallera — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:18:30 +0000

Our collective taste buds have been maturing at a rapid rate, and no longer will charcoal laden processed meats satisfy the hunger achieved after a long day of hiking the wilderness. The Primus Firehole is the essential tool for any outdoor enthusiast who also knows the secret to a great meal is a controllable, consistent fire with the power to handle various cuts of meat, as well as fresh produce without issue. This rugged two-burner portable stove features recessed controls, an onboard timer, cooking light, and even boasts an integrated utensil set.

Under the hood, the Firehole is fueled by easily obtainable 1 lb. propane canisters that produce 24,000 BTUs. Windscreens and adjustable feet insure the natural terrain will not result in an unevenly cooked meal, and a 3-minute boiling time means morning coffee can actually be enjoyed before the tide comes in. Even when in the comfort of the backyard, the Firehole would be an excellent addition to any grill setup when accommodating larger groups of people. Just in time for the summer season, this device is definitely worth its weight in freshly caught river trout.

Buy Now: $295

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Capelli Stool by Carol Catalano

Amos Kwon — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:09:49 +0000

We don’t give a lot of thought to the design of stools when it comes to choosing furniture for our pads. You can choose some cheap jobber from Ikea or you can find something that makes a statement. The Capelli Stool by designer Carol Catalano fits that bill perfectly. Part of the prestigious Herman Miller collection, the Capelli Stool is inspired by entwined fingers and takes alternating dark and light plywood and shapes them into a wonderful undulating platform for your bum. The complexity of the seat portion is well-balanced by the simplicity of the curved base. It might just be the coolest piece of furniture you’ve never heard of. Just keep the rugrats off it. It probably doesn’t play well with Hot Wheels.

Buy Now: $529

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Svpply for iPad

Jonathan Gallegos — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:15:17 +0000

The gatekeepers are dead, and the Internet is to thank. It’s true, anyone can stake their own piece of online real estate, yet few mesh purpose and appeal as effortlessly as Svpply. Whether you’re already an addicted user, or you’ve seen our film with them, we’re pleased to hear they’ve announced the Svpply iPad app (Free).

If you’re wondering what Svpply (pronounced “supply”) is, think of it as window shopping with your au courant best friend, or as Twitter for fashion-forward individuals. Svpply allows users to upload pictures of their favorite products from all over the web, and link back to them so if you like it, you can buy it. This simple concept also enables users to “follow” people with whom they share similar tastes. If you dig their layout, pat yourself on the back for having good taste as, colleague, cofounder, and CEO Ben Pieratt, has twice been named one of the nation’s Top 20 Designers Under 30. Bravo, Pieratt.

Buy Now: Free

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Briefings: Snooker, Fishing, Reading, Cooking, and the James Beard Awards

Jeremy Berger — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:46:38 +0000

In a perfect world we’d spend every week playing snooker, fishing, drinking cocktails, reading children’s books, and eating a meal with mom. We’re allowed approximately two of these weeks in America. Make the most of them.

It’s a big and complicated world. We’re at tips [at] gearpatrol.com if you think there’s something we should know about.

1. What to Play | In Favor of Snooker

On a recent trip to Scotland to learn about The Glenlivet and Speyside whiskies, we had the chance to play a few frames of snooker. In a castle. Now the castle bit is fairly important because snooker tables measure 12’x6’, significantly larger than a regular pool table and harder for us regular folks to accommodate. But the game is worth seeking out: It uses 22 balls and is scored with points, earned by potting balls in a specific order or when the opponent fouls by hitting the incorrect ball first. The real fun is snookering the opponent, roughly equivalent to playing a safety shot in eight-ball but much more personal. Especially after a few drams of whisky.

gordoncastle.co.uk

2. Where to Fish | America’s Best Fishing Towns

GQ has a guide to three fishing towns that have the recreation and the hospitality for an ace vacation: Charleston, SC; San Diego, CA; and Detroit, MI. Wait, Detroit? We’ve heard it’s a city on the mend, but apparently nearby Lake St. Clair is a top spot for freshwater fishing. “St. Clair’s embarrassment of scaly riches is owed to its peculiar geography: Its shallow, sandy bottoms act like smallmouth pastures, because new water is constantly flushed in from Lake Huron, replenishing nutrients for the tinier fish that bass nosh on.” The story also has a quick guide to filleting fish from Justo Thomas of Le Bernardin, one of America’s best seafood restaurants.

gq.com

3. What to Read | An Interview with Maurice Sendak

Certain events remind us of our own age and mortality: backaches that don’t go away, friends getting married, and familiar cultural icons passing. Maurice Sendak’s books are so timeless that every generation of kids who read Where The Wild Things Are thinks it was written just for them. In fact, it was published in 1963, and Sendak was 83 when he died this week. The Paris Review interviewed him in 2011 about his last book, Bumble-Ardy.

theparisreview.com

4. Who to Cook For | Mom

Although Dad’s going to send you a text message reminder on Friday, let’s get right to the point and plan for Mother’s Day now. Flowers are easy: peonies, obviously. But if you want … then a meal is in order. Esquire has an interview with Mississippi native, Iron Chef, and major babe Cat Cora, on what it takes to cook a fine Mom’s Day meal. “She may say she wants a nice, big juicy steak. Whatever she wants.” Let this be a lesson in all your relationships with women.

esquire.com

5. Where to Dine + Imbibe | The JBA Are In

We joined our friends from Mercedes-Benz, who presented the Best New Restaurant award, at the 2012 James Beard Foundation Awards. In a general way, the winner that evening was the man wearing a bow tie made of two small whisks attached at the handle and covered in glitter. More specifically, Grant Achatz nabbed the best new resto award for Next (Chicago), Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park (NYC) won for Outstanding Chef, and PDT (NYC) grabbed Outstanding Bar Program. “In the bar business you’re only as good as the last person you served or the last drink you made,” Jim Meehan, the owner, told us. “It’s a process, and always refining that process to make it more enjoyable for the customer is our approach. We’re always tinkering with it and seeing how we can improve it.”

jamesbeard.org

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TaylorMade ATV Wedge

Patrick Tuttle — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:18:09 +0000

The average golfer often takes a, shall we say, labyrinthine route to the hole. Though at the end of the round a par is a par no matter how adventurous, it does highlight the importance of having solid short game tools at your disposal. Case in point, the new TaylorMade ATV Wedge ($120).

Our review continues after the jump.

The biggest problem with wedge shopping is selecting what bounce you want. Now if you’re asking yourself what the hell bounce is, don’t worry, no one does. But that doesn’t change its importance to your short game.

Essentially, bounce refers to the angle between the ground and the sole of a club at address. Depending on the shot you need to hit, that tiny fraction of space right can make or break the result. What TaylorMade has done here is do us the favor of removing bounce from the discussion altogether. Thank you very much Mr. Engineer.

The result is one wedge that can now brilliantly handle a host of shot options.

What was once a cambered (or rounded) sole has been transformed to accommodate multi-surface interactions, meaning the sole sits differently depending on the ground, your hand position and how much you’ve opened or closed the face. To do this the sole has been shaped with three very distinct sides, as well as integrating a concave channel down the center section. The result is one wedge that can now brilliantly handle a host of shot options. The only choice left is what lofts to fill your bag with.

Spin from the ATV Wedge is a huge leap forward from the prior xFT model. In fact, TaylorMade claims that their new grooves create almost as much spin as the outlawed Z-groove. Which is saying something. To help bolster backspin, a micro-texture was added between grooves for a rougher, better grip surface.

We spent a few days with the TaylorMade team testing the ATV wedges at Bandon Dunes and came away with a resounding positive experience. For each shot we faced, and trust us when we say we were all over the course looking for trouble spots, the ATV wedge was prepared for the challenge. From the deep rough gouge, to long bunker shot and even my new favorite, the delicate toe-flop from a tight lie (always good for a cheer), the ATV came through in spades.

Buy Now: $120

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Style Pick: Nigel Cabourn SS12 Aircraft Jacket

Tien Nguyen — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:12:10 +0000

Few brands blend vintage fashion and historical significance the way Nigel Cabourn does. The eponymous English fashion house is well renowned for offering what can only be described as archival pieces or, in other words, garments with a history. The SS12 Aircraft Jacket Desert Wax Poplin Khaki ($710) is part of the Nigel Cabourn Authentic line which was inspired by the famous mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary and his 1953 Everest expedition. The jacket is produced exclusively in the UK and is made using 100% Scottish Oilcloth cotton from the same mills that have been manufacturing materials for the British military for over the last sixty years.

$710 | Cabourn.com

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Design Spotlight: A Brief History Behind the Pentax K-01

Chris Gampat — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:45:31 +0000

A culmination of the company’s non-comformist sense of self, yet still embracing their storied history, the Pentax K-01 is unlike any other camera in the mirrorless camera world. Indeed, it embraces its lineup of beautiful K-Mount lenses (both modern and from the film days) allowing users to fasten them with a satisfying click, but what makes this camera so radical is the collaboration between the company and industrial designer Marc Newson — who decided that the best idea for a new camera would be embracing a new approach to cameras both functionally and in design.

In this latest edition of Design Spotlight we dive into not only the Pentax K-01, but also one of its forebearers, the venerable Pentax ME to get a better sense of where this camera comes from.

In 1957, Pentax, formerly known as Asahi Optical, created a camera called the Asahi-Pentax. The camera was a hit. In fact, it became so popular, that the company eventually changed their name to Pentax. What made them so popular? Well, the designers realized a critical problem: it was nearly impossible to shoot their cameras from the horizontal position. Instead, one would have to look down into the viewfinder the way that one would with a medium format film camera like a Hasselblad 500C. To remedy this, a pentaprism and mirror (the iconic hump you see in front of most SLR viewfinders) were added for the user to be able to hold the camera up to their eye. This, in turn, created the world’s first SLR. The concept caught on and many other companies eventually came out with their own.

The company would later captivate the world with their Spotmatic series of cameras with a built-in spot meter for automatic exposures. These meters eventually found their ways into rangefinder cameras and other SLRs. Even later came the Pentax K1000: which was the mainstay for many photographers and students for years. Besides the K series of cameras, they also dabbled in other areas catering to other segments of the market. For example, they created the 645 and 67 DSLR: both medium format beasts.

Currently, the company maintains only their K series of DSLRs, the 645D and a variety point and shoots along with their latest introduction: the Q. The Pentax Q is currently the world’s smallest interchangeable lens camera, which leads us to now.

The Q’s small body created a large challenge: find a way to outdo the larger sensor mirrorless cameras with less space. Pentax eventually partnered with industrial designer Marc Newson to create their latest entry into the mirrorless camera market: the K-01.

Essentially, the K-01 is a smooth, box-like camera with slightly radical control layouts. Unusual at first, but easily becoming natural.

There is a reason why Marc was named amongst Time’s 100 Most Influential People: he has received various awards for his innovative vision and ideas. Newson has worked on designs ranging from products to clothing. The K-01, in a way, seems to exude hints of both, especially in Newson’s iconic yellow livery. Essentially, the K-01 is a smooth, box-like camera with slightly radical control layouts. Unusual at first, but easily becoming natural.

At its core though, the K-01 is still a Pentax K, just without a mirror and pentaprism. Further, it is available in a host of non-traditional colors such as white, yellow and if you absolutely must have it, black. Because the boxy body houses an APS-C sized sensor with all the components of a DSLR, sans a mirror and pentaprism, the K-01 is thicker than many other mirrorless cameras out there. There is a lot that users will find familiar though, such as a mode dial with many common shooting modes, various buttons laid out in a traditional fashion, and more. Plus there’s a sharp 921K dot 3-inch LCD screen and pop-up flash.

To take full advantage of its size, Pentax offers various pancake lenses, such as their wafer thin 40 mm f2.8 DX and various others including the ones you see in our photos.

The K-01 garners a lot of glances. Its rare, and in yellow, totally unlike any other camera out there. It’s easy to categorize this camera as one not for the traditionalists, who prefer the current style of retro-looking camera bodies. Its futuristic and hints at what most people want in their cameras: ease of use, gorgeous photos, fun filters and shooting simple shooting modes, and a brand with heritage. It’s no simple task, yet somehow the K-01 driven by the forward thinking of Marc Newson not only accomplishes this, but does so with a viewfinder full of excitement.

Additional contribution by Eric Yang

Sample Photos from the Pentax K-01

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Kickstarter: Blink / Steady Bike Lights

Tien Nguyen — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:58:01 +0000

Bicycle enthusiasts the world over are unanimous on the subject. Apart from a sturdy helmet, the best tool against road rash is not more protection, it’s prevention. Many accidents involving cyclists occur due to lack of visibility, and this problem only gets worse as the sun goes down. Luckily, Brooklyn-based Blink / Steady has jumped into the fray to offer a stylish and über functional bike light for nighttime riders.

Eric Yang — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:00:48 +0000

GEAR PATROL SPONSORED POST

If you asked me a few months ago what organizing, insurance and my iPhone had in common I probably wouldn’t have been able to give you a decent answer.

But for the past few months, I’ve been using the Allstate Digital Locker app to catalog my belongings and in particular my camera collection, which contains everything from my day-to-day Canon DSLR down to a few older, collectible pieces, like the Polaroid Land Camera my father gave me. By no means is my collection large, in fact, it’s probably humble by any collector’s standards, but what it lacks in volume it more than makes up for in sentimental value.

To keep track of everything, the Allstate Digital Locker app has made organizing and insuring things a cinch through the use of yet another camera, the one on my iPhone. The process is simple: launch the app, take a photo of each camera, assign values to each, organize them into their own category and file it away in the cloud just in case disaster strikes. On a side note, I’ve used the app to catalog most all the other valuables in my home too and all my data is stored in the cloud. The app is free, it’s easy to use and makes the process of insurance just a little less painful — unlike developing film.

Learn More: Here

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Allstate. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

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Luminox Recon Point Man Watch

Adam Albright-Hanna — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:11:21 +0000

Luminox’s new Recon series was developed with the military professional in mind. That goal is clearly articulated by the line’s first offering, the Recon Point Man ($320). Designed in collaboration with former Swiss Army Military Security NCO Andrea Micheli, this rugged analog diver is perfect for not only the battlefield, but also for slightly less intense scenarios involving campsites and hiking with your buddies.

Controlled by precision Swiss quartz movement, the matte white military hands glide along the applied white/orange Arabic numbers around a 24-hour time track, highlighted by a contrast-color countdown quadrant that can be used for time maneuvers. Other noteworthy features include water resistance up to 200 meters, a walking speed scale (which thankfully only requires a little bit of calculation in your head), and a scratch resistant sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating.

With a Luminox, you also expect great illumination, and the Point Man doesn’t disappoint. The self-powered tritium gas tubes softly light up the second, minute, and hour hands, and will continue to do so for the next 25 years. Don’t worry about accidentally losing it either. The tank-style buckle will keep the black rubber band securely strapped to your wrist, whether your disarming the enemy or wrestling over ‘smores.

Buy Now: $425

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Patrick Tuttle — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:42:20 +0000

Speed kills. Or should we say, speed kills golf balls. Long drives are generated from a delicate balance of raw, white knuckle speed and precession ball striking. Add a few MPH to you clubhead speed and you’ll start reaping the yardage gains immediately. Callaway’s RAZR X Black Driver ($250) aims to unleash your inner speed demon.

A new forged composite makes the clubhead lighter and strong than standard titanium. According to the Callaway boffins, “The driver’s crown contains over 12 million turbostratic carbon fibers…” We’re a little behind on our metallurgy studies, but it sounds pretty darn light. From an aerodynamic perspective, the RAZR X Black has contours that reduce drag and subsequent energy loss on the downswing — 17% better than last year’s Diablo Octane. The effect is a more compressed, lower profile head. At first blush, the head might appear on the smaller side, but this beast has a full 460cc of ball crushing meanness built into it. We actually found the flatter head easier to whip through the hitting zone.

This driver, more than most any driver we’ve tried this season, is feather light. We don’t have hard metrics, just our senses. The RAZR X Black is scary fast. Bullwhip fast. Olympic fencer fast. To balance out the unbridled speed, Callaway has beefed up the club’s forgiveness through improvements to its long standing Variable Face Thickness and newer Hyperbolic Face Technologies. The larger sweet spot helps when your swing ratchets up a notch or six. Take into account that this driver is $50 less than comparable drivers on the market, and it feels like a great entry point for those who have the need… the need for speed.

Buy Now: $250

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Weekly Rewind | No. 40

Gear Patrol — Sat, 05 May 2012 16:00:57 +0000

Don't Miss: Weekly Rewind | No. 4 Weekly Rewind | No. 8 Weekly Rewind | No. 21