USB | Evolving Consumer

Eye of the Cat

The CatEye Rapid X safety light won’t leave you in the dark. It can switch from steady mode to flashing mode automatically when the battery power decreases by 20 percent while the flashing mode can provide riders with a full extra hour of light.

Both the front and rear modes are USB-rechargeable and offer Lithium Polymer batteries to go the distance. The lights feature a total of six modes, and will run in high mode for about one hour, low mode for about five hours and in flashing mode for about 30 hours. There is a “Rapid” flash mode will run for about 16 hours, “pulse” flash for about the same amount of time and even a “vibration” flash mode will run for about eight hours. CatEye claims that the pulse mode is “peloton friendly” so fellow riders won’t be blinded by the light.

CatEye Official Website

Avalanche App

Last October the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) warned against relying on a smartphone as an avalanche transceiver. As we noted in our reports one of the problems with apps is that these tended to rely too much on the phones power to transmit. However, the Galileo-LawinenFon system that was developed by researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML) appears to have resolved some of those issues. This could provide greater accuracy for rescuers as users don’t rely just on the wireless technology of a handset. Instead the researchers have created a piece of hardware called the Galileo-SmartLVS, which connects to the phone via USB, and could better turn a handset into an avalanche transceiver.

“Like commonly available avalanche transceivers, the Galileo-LawinenFon has a transmit and search mode,” said Holger Schulz, a scientist at Fraunhofer IML. “Unlike previous transceivers however, when looking for victims the system is not restricted to the electromagnetic field formed by a transmitted signal but makes use of satellite signals as well. Since our solution draws on numerous available sensors and satellite systems, the signals transmitted by victims can be located with a great deal of precision. Magnetic field signals are processed in 3D so that we can pinpoint accident victims in a matter of seconds and improve their chances of survival.”

While still in prototype this could be welcome news for those who head out in ski country and worry about avalanches.

Press Release: How smartphones help find avalanche victims

SIGGI Lights It Up

Sigma USA looks to cast some light with the SIGGI, a half watt USB rechargeable bike light that features an integrated silicone strap for quick mounting to the handlebars. It offers three modes of operation and has a claimed burn time of up to 10 hours on standard mode. Unlike other lights it provides side visibility panels that emit enough light for increased safety for the rider, but without blinding other riders or drivers. Yet another bright idea.

Sigma USA Official Website

Power it Up

New Trent has introduced its PowerPak Ultra, which allows users to keep their USB-based devices juiced up even in the most extreme environments. It features a rugged exterior, and has an IP-67 rating, which means it can survive most drops and can even be temporarily submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. It packs 14,000 mAh of power or enough to store 700 percent of the average smartphone’s battery. With two USB ports it can simultaneously juice up almost any combination of smartphones, tablets and other USB-based devices.

New Trent PowerPak Ultra Official Website

Streaming Video

Before there was GoPro there was V.I.O., which had been one of the pioneers in wearable sports cameras. The company is now looking to take the lead with a highly modular camera. The Stream HD comes in a few configurations and it can be plugged into a notebook computer via USB.

It features built-in Wi-Fi with RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) for full HD 1080p video wireless streaming. The Stream HD also features an open API so those who like to build custom applications can find ways to use the camera that V.I.O. likely never considered.

V.I.O. Stream HD Official Website

Rock Out With the Rock Out 2

Goal Zero has scored again with the Rock Out 2 portable speaker that is designed for outdoor activity. It connects to virtually any portable music device via an auxiliary cable that connects to the headphone jack and brings music to the great outdoors thanks to its innovative chamber and DarkBass technology that combine to deliver high-quality sound.

This fall the Rock Out 2 even arrives with a Realtree camo pattern.

The Rock Out 2 features an internal Lithium-ion battery that delivers up to 20 hours or playback without draining the connected device’s battery. Rock Out 2 recharges in just 2 hours via USB or 3 hours from the sun with a Goal Zero Nomad 7 Solar Panel. Video after the jump

Goal Zero Scores With New Charger/Flashlight

Having the right tool for the job is key to doing something right, and Goal Zero scores again with its Switch 8 Recharger and Bolt Flashlight Tip. This wining team converts the recharger into a small flashlight, but the recharger can also be used to juice up a mobile phone in the backcountry.

It offers enough power to bring a dead phone back to life, while also being there as a 160 lumens flashlight that can run for three hours on a single charge. During the day it can also be charged up with a solar panel, so each night it can be there to in turn do the charging.

Goal Zero Official Website

A Higher Power

The new TSL-T1000 headlight from Serfas is lightweight, made of CNC aluminum but with 1,000 lumens it is bright. Designed for off road riding the light features a Serfas Thunderbolt taillight that is integrated into its small battery pack, which can be strapped to a seatpost or top tube. The battery also features a USB outlet to charge accessories. The lightset comes with an included handlebar mount, helmet mount, wired remote switch, extension cable, wall charger and ballistic nylon storage case. It offers two hours of run time and can charge up in four hours. With this on a bike you might seem like a higher power.

Serfas TSL-T1000 Headlight Official Website

Kickstarted: Atom Generator

An atomic generator is typically massive, but the Siva Cycle’s Atom isn’t. It actually is small enough to attach to bike’s rear hub where it can juice up mobile phones, cameras and GPS units via its USB port.

The Atom weighs just 300 grams, and is truly compact at just 7.5 inches tall, 3 inches wide, and 1.2 inches deep, including all component parts. Integrated into the body is a 1300mAh battery pack that the generator charges. The generator puts out 5V at up to 500mA, and has a charge rate that is the same as the USB output from most computers. From the battery it an return an iPhone from flat to a 75 percent charge

This project was born out of a Kickstarter project and now Siva Cycle is looking to start filling orders in November.

Siva Cycle Official Website

Stower Not Thrower

The Flamethrower was actually a somewhat “ancient” invention used during the Byzantine Empire to shoot fire, and reinvented more recently for the same nefarious purpose. However, the FlameStower is something less menacing and actually could be considered a way to make camping downright civilized. It can charge the batteries of a USB-connected device via a camping or cook fire by conducting the heat to a thermoelectric generator.

The generator is in contact with a water reservoir and the combination of hot and cold produces the energy to juice up a device in a few hours.

FlameStower Official Website

eLECT(ric) Fork

While an electric fork might be something that Homer Simpson would use for dinner, Magura has introduced something entirely different. The bicycle component maker has followed RockShox and Fox by introducing a fork for mountain bikes that provides an electronic auto-lockout technology called eLECT.

This new fork system replaces the top-mounted adjustment cap/knob that is typically found on suspension forks. Instead eLECT offers a lightweight module that contains a microprocessor, servo motor, 3D accelerometer and it all runs on a lithium-ion battery that can be juiced up via a micro USB port.

The accelerometer is there to detect when the tire hits a rough patch – and it registers the size of the bump and just as fast the module alternates the suspension accordingly. It can also determine whether the bike is going uphill, down or rolling on flats. When on flats or downhill the suspension will remain opened to soften the ride; while on the uphill can be automatically locked to the most rigid setting to make it easier for the rider to climb. This system can reportedly even detect if the bike has “caught” some air and will respond to help soften the landing.

With this new technology we say put a “fork” in it – it’s done and ready to ride.

Magura Official Website

Durable Notebook

GammaTech Computers has introduced the latest Durabook rugged notebook, the SA14, which is designed to go far from the traditional office desk. Ideal for those who work in the field, or just like to get away from it all the new SA14 can run for up to 11 hours and features assorted wireless connectivity options.

It is powered by either an Intel Core i5-3360M or Core i7-3520M processor, and features integrated USB 3.0 on a single-chip architecture. Wireless options include Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi Link 6235 series combo, as well as Intel mini-express Wireless LAN 802.1. Optional choices include GPS support and WWAN module.

This is a laptop that can boldly go where your adventures take you.

GammaTech Official Website

Blinder Leading the Rider

Australian bike light maker Knog has produced many taillights to allow bikers to be seen, but now the company is introducing the Blinder Road lights, which deliver a 200 lumen front beam that lets riders see where the are going. The company is also upping the taillights with a new 70 lumen strobe.

The new lights are compact, USB rechargeable and waterproof and will have an integrated silicone package with an anodized aluminum face. While 200 lumens will be enough for the Blinder to light the way it proves lighting the way doesn’t need to be blinding.

Knog Official Website