This light is designed for star gazing, but it is also a superb in-the-glove-box light since it provides red light for map reading or general fumbling around without disturbing a driver's night vision. You can switch to white light when you need it. Yes, the previously-reviewed Pilot's Light is much brighter with 20 white LED and six red, as opposed to the Skylite's two white, two red. So as an all-purpose light, the Pilot's Light might be a better option.
But there's one feature the Skylite has that the Pilot's Light doesn't: a rheostat wheel that lets you attenuate the brightness. Very useful in my case, since I use the light to get up early in the a.m. and walk to the meditation hall/temple. When entering a dark mediation hall at any time of day or night, the red light allows one to navigate to a seat without disturbing anyone else already seated. And I can also adjust the beam down further so as not to disturb them. My friends all use red lights as well, because our Spiritual Master instructed us that white light (as opposed to red) stimulates the pineal gland, and it's best not to do so first thing before meditation. Many of my friends use pinch lights, but I prefer the Skylite because it also provides the option of the adjustable white light when needed.
The light uses a 9v battery -- the upside is longer batter life, the downside is no rechargeable option. In addition, you do have to mind the rheostat wheel to make sure you don't leave the light on slightly. Nevertheless, this is one of my favorite and most used flashlights.
The Nuvi is a superbly designed car navigation device that is comparatively inexpensive. The Nuvi is a no-brainer to set up. You type the street address (it will guess the town) of where you want to go on the touch screen (or hit a place you've been before) and it shows you where you are on a driver-view map. It indicates upcoming turns on the map visually and with a spoken voice. It's generally reliable anywhere in the US even in places you would not expect. When you alter course, it rapidly recalculates a new route.
These are pretty much standard features on car navigation systems. In addition to built-in nav systems in high-end cars, there are lots of manufactures and models for these small add-on units. I checked a lot of research and reviews, but the best advice came from taxi cab drivers I asked. They use these devices a lot and they have experience with different varieties of them. Their consensus was that the Garmin Nuvi was the best deal.
The Nuvi 350 has a street price of $180. The wider screen and added features of the higher models are luxuries. Do you really need a nav device at all? Here's the thing: it is way better than either a map or directions in getting you to somewhere new. I never get lost now. Also, it does something a map or directions can't do, which is to find the nearest gas station or park, or ATM. A nav system is also way safer, too. I got one for my daughter at school in a new city; I am beloved and relaxed.
The cheaper nav systems (such as the Nuvi 200 series) don't talk. The big surprise in car navigation is that you need turn-by-turn spoken instructions. That keeps your eyes on the road and minimizes looking at the map. The Magellen Maestro is a comparable product, slightly cheaper, but with less love from fans. As of now, the Garmin Nuvi 350 is the starter car nav device to get.
The Strap Pod isn't as steady as a monopod and nowhere near as steady as a heavy tripod or even a relatively light one like the previously-reviewed Tiltall Tripod. But when you want to pack something small, stealthy, quiet, and effective....voila! I've been using one for more than two years for when I shoot in low light and available light -- which I do with some frequency (indoor sports, concerts, theater, etc.). The Strap Pod rolls up nicely, stashes easily in your pack, pocket or on your belt and -- unlike a tripod or a monopod -- it is very easy to deploy, use and remove quickly.
I'm more inclined to bring it along when I don't necessarily have a 'set up' of shots in mind. If I go for an impromptu hike in the local woods as dusk approaches, for instance, my experience is that the Strap Pod seems to give me an additional one to two stops. This allows me to shoot without pushing the ISO too far, or shooting at too slow of a shutter speed as to blur any action. (Note: my 85mm prime lens is an f1.4 and my 70-200mm zoom is an f2.8 -- the fastest lenses that allow 'reach' under low or available light ). Even with Virtual Reduction of shake functions in higher end DSLRs (in the lenses for Nikon, in the camera for Canon), having just that much more stability in your shot can open possibilities for a bigger range of useful f-stops. You could accomplish this with a classic, previously-mentioned "chain pod," but if you're in the woods shooting wildlife, the jangling of a chain is hardly stealthy.
Another benefit is that the Strap Pod is removed from a baseplate via a vice action -- not the screwing and unscrewing of a threaded bolt -- so it quickly and cleanly attaches/detaches. I have a camera worth more than the internal threading/tapped hole that accepts something like the chain pod. I'd rather not leave an eye bolt in my camera, because I often need to quickly shift from supported shot to free shot. If you are taking street shots in lower light, but don't want to traipse around with a monopod, you can keep the Strap Pod mounted on your camera. Just drop the strap, step into the loop and shoot. No muss, no fuss, no twisting or flicking sections or wielding something that looks like a baton or a spear. In the case of museums or some public spaces, tripods are simply not allowed (though you can sometimes get away with a monopod by pretending it is a 'walking stick'). But again, hauling a monopod around is sometimes clumsy, frowned upon, or outright discouraged in certain environs. The Strap Pod is much less intrusive and bulky, so I'm more likely to toss it into my pocket or my camera bag and bring it along.
For serious support of camera and lens, I use a serious, lightweight, carbon-fiber monopod with a Kirk arca-mount plate, and a Gitzo Mountaineer model carbon fiber tripod with a Kirk ball head mount. I wouldn't count on the Strap Pod to replace monopods or tripods, especially in critical shoots like weddings or commercial photography. That's not the point. The Strap Pod is another tool for photographers to use to gain some helpful stability with their shots and maintain a more optimal ISO, while giving more options for creative control over f stop and shutter speed ranges.
-- Will Jennings
Strap Pod
$30 - universal mount
$40 - quick-release mount
Available from Kirk Photo
Although I've known about recumbents for years, until recently I had a prejudice against them. Whenever I observed middle-aged riders of two-wheeled recumbents (like the previously-reviewed Cruzbike) obviously just getting started on regular daily exercise, they seemed unstable when starting to pedal from a dead stop. That led me to trying out a three-wheel tadpole trike, which allows you to remain in a stable, ready-to-ride position. After just two minutes riding a trike, I was addicted.
The Greenspeed sits closer to the ground and is much lighter than most delta trikes -- my GT3 weighs 37.5 lbs compared to the 65 lbs. of the previously-reviewed Sun USX. Unlike deltas, the tadpole provides a greater sense of the same freedom, speed and agility that people are used to on good upright bikes. My GT3 is much faster and infinitely more sporty and maneuverable than a delta. If deltas are sedans; tadpoles are the sport coupes. Sitting with one's head upright enables you to enjoy your surroundings much more than on regular cycles. This is true of all recumbents, but for me, there's something especially thrilling about a tadpole. Though all tadpoles whip around like human-powered go-carts, the Greenspeed has 16-inch wheels rather than 20-inch ones on most tadpoles. Thus, it has a much tighter turning radius and even more responsive steering. It's also really fun to move along at a good clip that close to the ground.
It's worth noting that if you're older and/or fairly overweight, the Greenspeed can be harder to get in and out of than other tadpoles (again, it's lower to the ground). However, I started riding my Greenspeed after four months of moderate walking and stretching and did fine with the GT3 even though I had real back problems and was overweight. Still, if you're concerned, Cattrike has a lower-price entry-level tadpole that is higher off the ground with 20 inch wheels and a more upright seat angle. Other than the entry/exit difference, though, tadpole trikes are extremely comfortable -- my GT3 is actually more comfortable than my Ergohuman office chair.
Greenspeeds aren't the cheapest tadpoles. Sun now makes fairly inexpensive tadpoles and that entry-level Cattrike is a real deal. The new Greenspeed GT1 is more affordable than the GT3, but obviously the higher price brings with it better components and a noticeable difference in performance that I value.Since I bought mine used from a guy who was buying a more advanced custom model, I paid a very reasonable $1500. (note: the late great Sheldon Brown's review of his GT3, details of off-roading, and description of the "recumbent grin" are quite compelling).
Throughout my 20's and early 30's I was an avid distance cyclist; indeed, one of the most life-affirming events in my life was touring cross country in 1978. That said, I always had discomfort in my neck, crotch and butt and developed some knee problems. Finally, in my late 30's I started to have back problems that became stenosis and sciatica. I had to quit cycling.
Until I discovered bent rides and the GT3, I thought I'd never ride again. Like many people my age (I'm 54), I have battled my weight. Having a significant gut makes riding traditional bikes that are meant to be quick, not feasible. Since starting to ride my GT3, I've lost 30 lbs and have been able to make good progress on a new routine of sensible eating that suits my body and age better. The machine motivates me greatly. During the summer, I rode nearly every day, ten to thirty miles. I've joined a gym to continue conditioning through the Minnesota winter before I begin bike touring again next year.
The uber dream: to live aboard a boat. This book's job is to wise you up about the reality of that fantasy. It will equip you with essential facts for this grand adventure, or else it will graciously eliminate the notion from your head forever. In either case it deserves a medal. This kind of clarity and sound advice is in short supply. Marina bookstores overflow with practical memoirs by salty authors, few of them with a view wider than their own hulls. This one is based on the experience of many liveaboard practicioners in many styles, and is the most useful way to answer the persistent question: "What is really involved living full time on a boat?" To clarify: The Essentials of Living Aboard is concerned with life on a boat that spends the bulk of its time docked, and only cruises occasionally. Your neighborhood will be other boats instead of open water. It is not too much of an exaggeration to say this lifestyle is less about living on a boat and more about living in a marina.
Living Aboard Magazine, still printed on paper, is devoted to the concerns and needs of liveaboards. It's a pretty cozy subculture, in part because the cost of mistakes on water are very expensive and possibly dangerous. Think of this as an old fashioned newsletter for liveaboard users; all material is generated by readers.
Start with the Essentials book and proceed to the magazine if you are not dissuaded.
-- KK
The Essentials of Living Aboard a Boat
Mark Nicholas
2005, 284 pages
$13
Available from Amazon
Seeing the previously-reviewed DiNotte lights reminded me of the Down Low Glow, a super-bright bicycle running light embedded in a shatterproof tube with reflective mylar coating. Both a safety device and a fashion accessory, the Down Low Glow is possibly the most fun safety light I've ever seen. Even the persistence-of-vision LED spoke lights we have on our tandem don't get as many appreciative comments. Having skater kids comment on how awesome my bike is as I ride past has been particularly fun. I've even had total strangers come up to me and say they saw me the other night on the road. The glow from these things makes you look huge. Cars definitely give me more passing room, and my wife feels better about my evening commute knowing that I'm highly visible from all directions, including the side.
The system comes in single- or dual-tube configurations and in a variety of colors including street-legal amber, blue, red, pink and purple (mine is green). The rechargeable battery is good for at least three hours on a dual-tube system, more on a single-tube (they also sell an "All Nighter" battery that lasts 14 hours on a single-tube, 7 hours on a double-tube). Mounting the lights to your frame is very easy, and requires no tools. There's a plastic clip which straps to your down tube with adjustable rubber bands and retains the larger diameter glowing tube. The smaller tube is held to the chainstay with velcro straps and rubber spacers. The battery pack can be attached with a sturdy velcro strap to virtually any part of the frame, including the seat tube or top tube. However, I keep my battery in a Jandd frame pack, along with a multitool, spare tube, patch kit, Adventure Medical Ultralight & Watertight .9 first aid kit, keys, and cellphone -- i.e. it's not like I bought the bag just for the batteries. Keeping mine in the frame bag also helps protect the battery when it rains, which is a lot here in Seattle (note: I believe the newer generation of battery packs are more waterproof).
Until fairly recently, I was able to park my bike in my office, so I didn't have to worry about people trying to steal them while parked during the day. At night, I am never away from the bike for much longer than it takes to buy groceries, so I haven't been too worried about them then, either (I've been using them since Christmas of 2006 with no issues). Since I don't have secure bicycle parking at my new job, the use of a hose clamp looks like an excellent idea for preventing theft of the tubes. The battery pack removes quite easily, so it'd probably be a good idea to take it with you if you're worried.
-- Josh Larios
Check out this video for some convincing footage. -- SL
Down Low Glow
$109
(single tube, any color)
Available from Rock The Bike
The previously-reviewed Cable Slitter reminded me of this little thngamawhoogy. My father, who made his living as an electrician, always had one on him for stripping cable. You slip it over the wire however far you want to cut it. The electrical cable passes through a hole in the wide end of the CR-100 (note: the holes running along the side are only for checking the gauge of the wire). Then, gripping the tool firmly, you just slide it toward the end of the wire, pulling the wire through and causing the cutting blade on the open end to slit the length of the sheathing, without damaging the wires inside. You can then pull the inner wires out and cut off the sheathing with a knife. Or in my father's case, the cutters on his pliers. This Cable Ripper and a pair of pliers was all he ever used (he could also strip wires with pliers, but that's really an acquired skill).
It's virtually impossible to accidentally cut yourself with this tool, which makes it safer than trying to slit a cable with only a utility knife. I also find it's better than the strippers on a set of pliers, because it's specifically made to slit romex (NM or non-metallic) cable, not strip insulation off the wires themselves. Two drawbacks: it's intended for romex cable and really isn't too useful for anything else. Two, you need another tool to cut the sheathing off. Still, it's inexpensive, works great and you can get them at Lowe's, Home Depot or any electrical supply place and probably your local hardware store.
-- Keith Perkins
Gardner Bender Romex Cable Ripper
$2
Available from Amazon
Paddlboarding is a great way to stay in shape for surfing, to explore the coast, to watch birds, and to cruise around in almost any body of water. Paddleboards, like surfboards, snowboards, skateboards and other devices used for moving through space, have evolved greatly in recent years. For years, Eaton paddleboards were the primary manufacturers of quality racing boards. Lately, Joe Bark has been turning out beautiful stock and custom boards. This summer I bought a slightly used Joe Bark 12' "Surftek" paddleboard in L.A. for $1,000 ("Surftek" is the nickname for lightweight surfboards/paddleboards built with Styrofoam and epoxy resin, rather than the more standard polyurethane foam and polyester resin). The board is feather light (22 lbs.) and lets me skim through the water like a water skeeter. Boards run from 12-19' or so. The 12-footers are the most popular partly because they are the easiest to transport and store. The longer boards are slightly faster in races (there are over 70 races a year in Southern California), but more cumbersome to deal with on land.
-- Lloyd Kahn
12' Surftech Bark Board
$1380
Available from The Frog House
A full range of boards, including standup* boards, available from BARK
This is the board I'd get if I were to buy a new one -- LK
*NOTE: There is also stand up paddleboarding (SUP), where you use a physical paddle to propel and steer your way through surf and to catch waves. Giant, heavy surfboards, those have a completely different design. The ones I review above are lie-down (or kneeling) boards, which you *cannot* stand on and are not intended for wave riding (though you can catch small waves). -- LK
Quality digital recorders have shrunk to the point where they fit *inside* a hi-fi microphone, like this Zoom model. You can hold the mic and the recorder in one hand. This very compact recorder/mic can capture music in the studio or in the field at surprising high audio quality in stereo. I am more interested in recording voice and sounds for radio, and flash-card-based units like this one are more than adequate for that purpose. I was guided to the Zoom by the audio geeks at Transom, an online hangout for radio journalists. They review the best gear for NPR reporters and the like. (This stuff changes quickly so check Transom's tool area for the latest recommendations).
I've been using the Zoom H2 because it was among the least expensive choices for a professional level digital sound recorder. It contains its own decent microphones (no fooling around with auxiliary plugs, boosters, adapters, etc.), it records on cheap flash cards, it has an earphone jack so you can monitor the actual feed, and it comes with a nifty removable handle so I can hold it in front of interviewees. It also comes with a short mini-stand for studio recording. The Zoom H2 gets good marks for the quality of the mic and stereo recording. The resulting edited files sound as crisp and full as anything you'll hear on radio or CD. And the street price for this microphone/recorder combo is about $180.
Remember when $200 digital cameras were able to take a picture as rich and detailed as a professional 35mm camera? Recorders like the Zoom H2 have crossed a similar threshold for sound. For under $200 you can record music, voice, sound at a quality nearly undistinguishable (for 95% of uses) from anything a professional model would do.
The humble bib, a highly functional item that (usually) keeps a baby's clothes from getting splattered with food, has been around a long time without too many major improvements. Until now. Bibs made of non-porous, moldable, resilient silicone are a real step forward. The key features of the one we have from BabyBjörn are its shape and washability. The bib projects outward and terminates in an upward scoop, which not only covers more of the lap, but also catches and collects most dropped food that would miss an ordinary bib. So food that falls in it needn't be wasted; it's easy to spoon food out of it and back into the baby's mouth. We used to have several cloth bibs in regular use, which we rinsed out after each use and hung to dry. We had one oilcloth bib that was better than the others in that it rinses off fairly easily and dries quickly. But the silicone bib has replaced them all, because it rinses off with supreme ease, has no seams to catch crud, and is dry almost immediately. Although a quick rinse is sufficient, clean freaks can also put it in the dishwasher. It attaches around the baby's neck easily and securely, with a fastener integral to the bib, of the same material. There's an ocean of cuteness in the world of baby gear, but dealing with an infant or a toddler is made more manageable by functionality, not gear decorated with adorable pink butterflies. This bib really makes life easier.
