Planet Bike 8.0 Protege Computer Review

Since I started bike commuting four years ago I've wanted to get a bike computer but I never knew what to get. It seems like there are so many companies, so many styles, and the range of what they track is so wide. I couldn't ever make up my mind. I was stoked when Planet Bike sent me a Protege 8.0 Computer to review. The Protege 8.0 gave me all the info I wanted to know for my commute and kept it in a simple, clean design that is extremely easy to set up and use.

Planet Bike Protege 8.0 Computer Features

• Auto start/stop and LCD shut off
• Large LCD screen that shows 5 pieces of info at one time
• Heavy-duty, oversized wire harness and ultrasonically welded case ensure a durable, weatherproof unit
• Fits handlebars 25.4-26.0mm
• Current speed
• Speed comparator
• Ride time
• Trip distance
• Dual odometer (for 2 wheel sizes)
• Average speed
• Maximum speed
• Clock
• Price: $29.99

Planet Bike Protege 8.0 Computer Review

The two most noticeable features of the Planet Bike Protege 8.0 Computer are the large LCD screen and the lack of buttons. The screen is big enough that it shows 5 pieces of information at one time. Your current speed always stays on screen as well as the speed comparator. The speed comparator is just and up arrow and a down arrow. It shows how you are doing compared to your average speed. If you are faster, you see up, if you are slower, you see down. It's as simple as that. You can toggle through a few different combinations of the ride time, trip distance, trip odometer, bike odometer, overall odometer, average speed, max speed, and clock. For my bike commute, and all of my rides actually, this is all the info that I want to know. I don't really care about any other fancy metrics that other cycling computers tout. The lack of buttons was the second feature that I noticed. While riding all of the screen views are controlled by pushing the computer forward in the mounting bracket and releasing. Super easy to control and the functionality is simple. Just push to change screens. Want to erase the current ride information? Just push the computer forward and hold for three seconds and voila! No press this button and hold and then press this and blink five times to clear it. Set up is a breeze. The instructions that come with the computer are easy to follow and the set up process is simple. It details how to mount to the bike, gives you the programming information for about 8 common wheel and tire sizes (if your tire size isn't listed the directions to measure are simple), and walks you through everything step-by-step. The back of the computer does feature one small programming button. Another feature that I like is you can program two different tire sizes (essentially two different bikes) into the computer and use the same computer for two different bikes and be able to track your stats for both bikes as well as an overall odometer for the computer. To switch between bikes just press the button on the back of the computer. The display shows you which bike the computer is currently running for. But it does only come with mounting hardware for one bike, you have to purchase the mounting hardware for your second bike. The computer is waterproof which is great for bike commuting. I had it out on a few rainy rides and didn't experience any problems at all. There are a couple of drawbacks that I did find. It is really hard to remove from the mounting bracket. Every time I take it out I have to push so hard I think I'm going to break it. Also it'd be nice to have a backlight when commuting in low-light conditions. And it'd be nice to have a wireless option for this computer. Planet Bike does offer a wireless option for the Protege 9.0 though. Overall, this is a great, basic bike computer. The price is fantastic, it's very easy on the wallet, it provides the functions that I think most users would want, the display is big and easy to read, and it is very user friendly. I don't need to look anymore for a bike computer, I have one that I'll keep using for a long time. The Good

• Big Screen
• No Buttons
• Program for 2 Bikes
• Easy to Use
• Easy Setup
• Price

The Bad

• No Backlight
• Wired
• Hard to remove from mounting bracket
• Only comes with one mountain bracket

Bottom Line:

The Planet Bike Protege 8.0 Computer is a fantastic cycling computer. It provides the functions that most people will want, it doesn't have the stuff that you don't need, it's extremely user-friendly, and features a great design. Buy Now: Pick up the Planet Bike Protege 8.0 Computer ...

Read more...

Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor

Today I received the Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor in the mail. This is the big mammajamma from Timex. I don't know if they'd say it, but this is their top watch. I've wanting to get a training watch for awhile now (you know, something that has more than a stopwatch) but have never pulled the trigger on any. I know people are generally fairly polarized when it comes to their training watches. As of right now I'm neutral. I can't wait to get out and see what this watch (read: mini computer) can do.

Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor Features

• Featuring SiRFstarIII™ GPS technology, the watch quickly locks on to satellite signals to measure pace, speed and distance in real time
• Watch measures your location and tracks altitude ascent and descent distances and rates
• Records up to 100 GPS waypoints so you can find your way home or create custom routes; recall up to 50 custom routes so you can track your pace
• Included heart rate chest strap takes continuous readings of your heart rate and sends them to the watch so you can monitor how your body is performing
• Adjustable and flexible elastic strap makes the sensor comfortable to wear; ANT™ technology eliminates cross talk with other heart rate monitors
• Custom heart rate target zones help maximize performance, whether your goal is to burn fat or train for a race; visual and audible alarms alert you when you fall out of a zone
• Watch counts and displays calories burned during a training session
• Customize the display to show up to 4 windows of information so you can monitor pace, distance, split time and heart rate all at the same time
• Chronograph with interval and countdown timers lets you develop personal workouts that will help you improve your performance
• Performance pacer mode helps you meet goals and set personal records
• Watch is water resistant to 50m (165 ft.)
• Download your workout and route data and analyze it using online training software
• Customize and manage watch settings using the included desktop software; compatible with Microsoft Windows XP and newer as well as Mac OS X 10.4 and newer
• Recharge the internal lithium-ion battery by connecting the watch to your computer with the included USB cable or plug it into the wall with the included AC adapter
• Compatible with Timex bike sensors (sold separately) that use ANT+™ wireless technology; also compatible with third-party bike power sensors using ANT+
• Watch includes a bike mount
• Price: $299

First Impression of the Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor

When I first heard about the watch I was expecting something crazy. I don't know what exactly what I was thinking but it's not crazy at all. Take a regular Timex Ironman, blow it up by 4x and you have the Ironman Global Trainer GPS Watch. The Global Trainer GPS watch is big. I mean BIG. It's the biggest watch I've ever put on my wrist. When I first saw the watch I thought it had to weight at least a pound. I envisioned running with it and not being able to keep my arm up. That was quickly dispelled. The watch is surprisingly light given it's size. Timex doesn't provide a weight on its website, neither do a couple of retailers I checked. My mailing scale registers it at 3 ounces. Not too bad for the biggest watch I've ever seen or put on my wrist. I've haven't done a deep dive into how to use the watch yet (that comes after writing this post). After a quick flip through the short user guide provided it doesn't seem like a very complicated watch to use. (Note: I have heard about other GPS watches that are ridiculous to try and use) I am super stoked to get out and start using it. I imagine that there will be a few posts related to this watch after my initial uses and then again after I get more acquainted and log more time in it. I also imagine the uploading and tracking of data will have a post. For those who don't want to wait...Buy Now: Pick up the Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS Sport Watch with Heart Rate Monitor ...

Read more...

Dell Inspiron Mini 9-inch Netbook Laptop Computer

I love the new netbooks that are coming out. Small, solid-state hard drives with more processor power and memory than my desktop from just a couple of years ago. These netbooks are lightweight, portable, and super quiet because of their solid-state hard drives (instead of traditional drives that are bulky and noisy). They have wi-fi built in, or a wi-fi card comes with it, and the only drive they have is a memory card reader (SD, etc). So...since we're all saving lots of our stuff like pictures to memory cards (SD, etc) and to the cloud (like Google Docs and flickr) then why do you need so much space on your laptop's hard drive? A solid-state drive that allows you to slap MS Office on there is enough. That's why they call it a netbook --- it just connects you to the Internet via wi-fi or whatever, and then you just save all your docs to the cloud. Enter the Dell Inspiron Mini Netbook. It's a 9-inch screen netbook computer laptop that is only 2.2 pounds and has Windows XP Home Edition on it. And the kicker? IT CAN BE FOUND FOR LESS THAN $300 bucks. How about that? I found it for $245 at samsclub.com (update: link was provided in this article originally, but it now appears to no longer be available on samsclub.com). See the pics at right for a look at the different colors, etc, for the Dell Inspiron Mini Netbook. Now, having an 8G hard drive may make you cringe --- but again, think about saving everything from your netbook to a service like Google Docs instead of to your hard drive, and you'll stop hyperventilating about having so little space available on your hard drive. Also, it has a memory card reader so you can just pull the memory card out of your digital camera (or your cell phone, if the phone's camera is a high enough megapixel that the pics aren't junk) and then save it directly from your memory card to your flickr or facebook account. The only thing you might want more hard drive space for is apps like Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop. But many apps (even Office) are making online versions available. So why not take advantage, and save your back (and your pocketbook) some pain? Consider a netbook as your next laptop. See the specs below for the Dell Inspiron Mini 9-inch Netbook Laptop Computer. Maybe at a price of $245, it makes it easier to be generous and give one of these as a gift? For example, for a youth who is less fortunate and wants to learn some good computing skills. You could certainly load up a text editor on this thing, and maybe even learn MySQL and PHP. Talk about a way to get knowledge into the masses! SPECS FOR THE DELL INSPIRON MINI9: # Processor and Memory: Inspiron 910 Intel Atom processor N270, 1.6GHz, 533Mhz512K L2 Cache # 1GB DDR2, 533MHZ, 1 DIMM Hard Drive and Multimedia Drives: # 8GB Solid State Drive (mini-card Module/PATA) # 3-in-1 Media Card Reader Graphics: # Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950 Connectivity: # Integrated 10/100 LAN (RJ45) # Wireless 802.11g Mini Card Ports/Slots: # USB 2.0 (3) # 15-pin VGA video connector # Audio jacks (1-line out, 1 mic-in) # AC adapter connector Display and Webcam: # 8.9" Wide Screen WSVGA TL LCD # 0.3MP Webcam Power: # 4-cell 32WHr Li-Ion Battery Dimensions and Weight: # Dimensions: 9.13"W x 1.07"H x 6.77"D # Weight: 2.28 lbs. Operating System: # Genuine Windows XP Home Edition Included: # Power cord...

Read more...

Amazon Kindle Review – Ebook Reader – Gear Review

My wife really gave me a killer gift for my birthday -- no, not a car. But it's something I had definitely been wanting for myself, but was trying to be practical about the price. It's an Amazon Kindle. I've had it for about a month now, and I figured I'd do a little gear review for you here of the Kindle. In case you haven't come across it yet, the Amazon Kindle is an ebook reader from Amazon where you can take hundreds of books around on this tiny device and read them on an easy-on-the-eyes screen. That alone saves your back from lugging a hardback book on your next business trip. And then when you finish that hardback mid-trip, you have to go buy a second book and then lug BOTH of them home with you. What a royal pain. Not with the Amazon Kindle ebook reader. The Kindle has a free wireless internet connection (yes, completely free -- you'll never get a monthly bill or any charges for it). And it works just about anywhere a cell phone works. It's called Whispernet. And since your Kindle is associated with your Amazon account, once you're done reading that first book, you just open the Kindle Store on your Kindle and you can browse tons and tons of titles and hit "buy" right then and there --- within a few seconds you have a new book to read. No downloading it to your computer and then syncing it to your Kindle. Just bam -- and it's there. I wish Apple would release a Whispernet service for iPods. And from my experience, it seems like most new releases, classics, best sellers, and even many obscure books are available in the Kindle Store. On top of all of this, it feels good to not be killing trees just to read a book. You just download it, and read it. You have a whole library right in this little paper-back sized device. Also, you can buy subscriptions to the Wall Street Journal and many other publications, and every day it will be delivered right to your Kindle to read. Here is a summary of some features: - I haven't found a single title more than $9.99, even newly-released bestsellers. And many classics (like the Bible, Alice in Wonderland, the original Frankenstein, etc) are priced between $1 and $4. - Want to make a note on a page? No problem -- just hit a button, type a note in using a full QWERTY keyboard, and it's easy to go back and view. Same with dog-earing pages -- you just hit "Bookmark" on the menu, and it's saved as a hyperlink in your "My Clippings" folder. - Your Kindle is associated with your Amazon account, which means when you hit "buy" for a new book, you don't have to enter in your credit card info -- it just references the credit card number you have saved on your Amazon account and does a 1-click purchase. - On amazon.com a copy of everything you purchase for your Kindle is saved on your "My Account" page. Which means, if you lose your kindle just buy a new one and you can re-download all your books to your new Kindle for free. And no matter how many Kindles you buy, they are all automatically synced to your same Amazon account and can access all of the books you've ever purchased on any of them. So you know what I did? I bought my wife a Kindle, and it now shows up as "Brig's 2nd Kindle". I just logged on to my Amazon account and hit "send this book to Brig's 2nd Kindle" and she now has all the books I've already read on her Kindle for free too. Sweet, huh? So I could buy a Kindle for everyone in my family, and they could all share my library of Kindle books. On top of that, any books they purchase on their Kindle would be available to send to my Kindle for free as well. Talk about a sweet way to run a book club! - You can access any Wikipedia entry right on your Kindle, if you want to research something. I know Wikipedia isn't the oracle of all truth, but it's pretty well moderated so I trust it for casual research and "did you know" fact checking. - There is a built in dictionary. See a word you don't know? Scroll to it, press a button, and you have the definition right there. - You also have a web browser, if you really REALLY need to go to a website. And it just uses the Whispernet service (okay, I think if you use the web browser a ton, then you'll see a usage charge for Whispernet show up on your Amazon account). But I've only done it once to try it out, and it was black and white and slow to load, and weird formatting. Not really worth it, but at least it's there in a pinch. But I don't see that as a downfall at ALL. That's not what the Kindle is for --- use your iPhone for that. The Kindle is the best way to read books, period. And that alone makes it worth the $359 price tag. - The screen is black and white, and isn't done via LCD or anything. Honestly, I don't know how the thing works. But it looks just like black ink on light gray paper. You can read it in direct sunlight without a problem. - The screen isn't backlit, and I can't find a way to turn on a backlight or anything. I honestly don't know if the Kindle has a backlight. So if you read in the dark in bed, you'll probably need a reading light for it. Amazon has some good ones they recommend to use with it. - The black and white screen, since it isn't backlit, uses barely any battery juice. You can read all day and only use up about half of the battery. Though Amazon says you'll extend the life of the battery if you recharge frequently --- rather than waiting for it to drain entirely before recharging. - You can listen to mp3s on the Kindle while reading. I think you have to sync with your computer to get the mp3s onto your Kindle -- which stinks, I haven't bothered to do it yet. I wish I could just browse music on Amazon right inside the Kindle Store and purchase them over Whispernet the same way I purchase books. Immediate gratification. Amazon, are you listening? I want that service! Heck, Amazon put out your own iPod competitor that leverages Whispernet to do that! So that's my summary. Awesome product --- especially the fact that you can purchase multiple Kindles, have them all synced to your Amazon credit card, and then just share books between them. And the books are cheeeeeap. Killer product. I know a lot of people said that Amazon should just provide the service, and leave it up to others to build devices on that service. And maybe they will. But at least they set the bar with their own Kindle first, and then if they want to open the service up to other device makers then they'll know that those devices have to measure up to a pretty high standard, and the idea of an ebook reader won't just die because of poorly-conceived and built devices. Amazon set the standard with the Kindle....

Read more...

1 TB Apple Time Capsule – Gear Review

Setting up your home network used to be something you called your buddy from the IT help desk to do. Network storage appliances used to be configured by PhD's. Apple has changed that. I recently purchased the 1 TB Apple Time Capsule and like a lot of Apple's products it does something so nicely you just forget (or choose to overlook) the short comings. Bottom line is that I think this device is well worth the money at $500 for 1 TB of storage. I initially set this up with my Mac Mini on Leopard as the de facto Time Machine, but shortly realized that it was a waste of 1 terabyte (TB) of network storage capacity. I backup everything I have with a second hard drive and keep it outside the house anyway. I don't need a back up system for the few files I actually keep on my desktop. Time Machine might be great for the conspiracy theorists who worry about the end of time and all that, but it just wasn't for me. I found some articles in chat rooms describing how to partition the drive for network storage and the typical Time Machine usage, but I chose just to keep it all as storage and turn the backup feature off. Below I break down the pros and cons but I just have to say this thing just works like a champ and couldn't be easier to set up. My only real gripe, that I wish I had a way to address, is that I use this as my storage for all my music files. When it streams a song longer than say 4 minutes it falls into sleep mode and can sometimes delay the start of the next song or stop serving up its buffer all together. I wish I had a way with the Air Port Utility to change this sleep time duration but I don't. This happens so infrequently that it doesn't bother me that much. More importantly, I suspect this devise should last me a good four years and hold all the MP3s, digital video, and photos I can produce. Pros:

• Great range (8o2.11N)
• Very reliable
• Simple
• Fast

Cons:

• Limited Flexibility
• Sometimes sleeps when streaming music via iTunes
• "I" personally don't like Time Machine backup software

...

Read more...

DAKINE 101 Laptop Backpack Review

A few months ago I was on a search for a new backpack to carry my laptop back and forth to the office. Messenger bags are nice, but they just don't do it for me. I prefer the ability to put the whole shebang on my back and huff around if need be--especially when traveling for business. My previous pack suffered an untimely demise--I forgot about a bottle of milk in a side pocket for a few days and the chunky, curdled mess oozed into most of the compartments.  Yeah, it smelled. And, even after multiple washes, it still smelled stanky. Looking at the laptop-compatible packs from many manufacturers, the DAKINE 101 had nearly everything I needed in a business-friendly/campus-friendly backpack. Tops on that list was a side-loading padded laptop sleeve. Nothing is more annoying than a laptop bag that doesn't have that feature.  I don't want to have to unzip my entire bag just to access the laptop. Not only does the DAKINE 101 backpack have a side-load laptop sleeve, but it's also got lots of other cool pockets and storage options to keep all your electronics cozy and safe. Here's the quick rundown:

• Side water bottle pocket (works great with Nalgene bottles)
• Organizer pocket with removable MP3 player holder, cell phone pocket and other misc pockets
• Side-access laptop sleeve
• Zippered back panel security sleeve (to keep all yer loot)
• Dri-Mesh back panel and shoulder straps
• Fleece-lined sunglass pocket
• Rolling access side pocket (great for accessing stuff on-the-fly
• 2000 cu. in.
• MSRP: $75

DAKINE 101 Backpack Review

After a few months, this pack fits the bill. It's not perfect, but for the money, it's a solid laptop bag. For starters, the side-access sleeve works great for both my Apple Macbook and Macbook Pro 15" laptops. It will also work great for those with clunky PC laptops up to 14.5-inches x 10.75-inches x 1.75-inches. I dig the size of the large compartment--it's perfect to haul all my cycling gear, water bottles and leftovers (lunchtime staple) to the office. There's even a smaller pocket that fits my bike shoes perfectly. The pack fits fairly comfortably, but, I'll be honest, the zippered security pocket on the back panel makes things a little uncomfortable if you're going to wear this pack for a long time.  Just don't shove anything that's too thick in there and you'll be fine. Good

• Side-entry padded laptop storage sleeve
• Large compartment to carry shoes, leftovers and enough clothes for a 2-3 day trip
• Smaller compartments with organizing pockets galore
• Subtle styling in black or brown keeps things low-key
• Love the sunglasses pocket... awesome for travel
• Best suited for short hauls between classes

Bad

• Back panel and straps aren't comfortable for all-day hauls
• I wish it had a removable waist belt
• Be careful to zip up the laptop sleeve... I've forgotten and my laptop has gone for a ride... uggh
• Included iPod case design was already outdated when I bought the pack

I dig this pack overall and find it to be a versatile and functional laptop backpack. It's perfect for both office and campus duty. With all you kids heading back to school next month, this one should be tops on your school backpack list. Buy Now: Find the DAKINE 101 Backpack...

Read more...

The Chumby – A Second Monitor For Your Widgets

If you know someone who can't get enough silly cat videos on YouTube, needs to know the weather constantly, or can't pry themselves away from sports scores on ESPN, then the Chumby looks like the perfect gadget gift. It's like a second monitor just for your favorite widgets. You could also use this to constantly watch your favorite deal of the day sites like steepandcheap.com or woot.com. Be sure to check out the list of widgets to get a better understanding of how might want one of these. Check it out at www.chumby.com Price:$179.95 (I'm hoping my wife reads this and gets the hint)...

Read more...

Microsoft Touchwall Multi-touch Display is some of the world’s Coolest Electronics Gear

As much as we all love the outdoors and outdoor gear, I know that many of you have to work like a regular Joe. Me too. That's why I love any minute that I can get out on a bike or on my skis to try out some cool outdoor gear. But I also enjoy my work, which happens to involve lots of internet technology and tech gear. So I can't help but be excited about new tech gear that comes out -- like the Microsoft Touchwall (built on Plex) that was announced by Bill Gates today at the Microsoft CEO Summit. The Microsoft Touchwall is a multi-touch display that reminds me of Minority Report. You know how Tom Cruise has that multi-touch display? Well that's what the Microsoft Touchwall reminds me of -- a drag and drop wall display like Minority Report, but from Microsoft. The best part about it? The Touchwall's hardware gear only costs a couple hundred dollars. But don't pull out your wallet yet -- it isn't quite ready to be sold yet. The way it works is with three lasers along the bottom of any wall surface (their first experiment with the Touchwall was on a sheet of cardboard, if you can believe it). Those three lasers scatter out in a mesh across the surface, which can track your finger touches. You can zoom in & out on items, very similar to an iPhone touchscreen, by just tapping. The Touchwall also works like a whiteboard that you can draw on with your finger, too. Basically, it's like having an iPhone touchscreen on your projector screen coupled with an electronic whiteboard. Very cool, and very useful for those situations where what you want to review in a group setting is much larger than a simple PowerPoint page. Like big diagrams that would be crunched too small if constrained to a PowerPoint slide. With the Touchwall you can just have the whole diagram, and touch the wall (great name) to zoom into & out of the detailed areas of the diagram that you want to review with the group. I think this will save a lot of projector screens from getting written on. I can't say how many times I have been describing something that is projected on the screen, and almost wrote on it thinking it was a whiteboard. The Microsoft Touchwall looks like it can be projected straight onto a wall like a projector, or it could be set up as rear projections onto glass (see the pics here). The Touchwall is related to the Microsoft Surface, which is a touchscreen tabletop that can recognize items and let you interact with them. But the Microsoft Surface is about $10 grand and isn't very widely available. This will be (not quite yet). Think about how cool window shopping would be, if this were projected on the window? You could be walking down Main Street in Park City, pass JANS, and see some new fly fishing gear spotlighted in the window. You touch the window and it comes to life with all sorts of details about the gear that is spotlighted in the window. You drag around, view some video, and decide to walk in and buy. Whole new experience, man. Anyway, enjoy these pics & this video that were posted on TechCrunch earlier today about it. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPrfqdl55D0[/youtube]...

Read more...