Suunto has announced the availability of the Ambit, a new model to their extensive line of wrist top computers. The Ambit is aimed towards backcountry hikers, skiers, mountain climbers and comes equipped with a built in GPS navigation system, altimeter, heart rate monitoring system and a 3D compass. This isn’t Suunto’s first GPS enabled watch (if you can call it that) but it is one of the first that doesn’t look like you are carrying a brick on your wrist.

Under the hood of the Ambit has some really interesting technology built in. It has a built in accelerometer that when combined with the GPS is supposed to provide more accurate speed data and a faster response time to speed fluctuations while running or hiking.

To help maximize battery life, the GPS and heart rate functions can be turned off. Expect the rechargeable lithium-ion battery to last about 15 hours with every feature running and 100 hours under normal operation. That might not sound like a long time but you need to remember that this is a tool developed for training or multi-use where you can access a charging source on a semi-regular basis.

Another cool sounding feature of this unit is that you can download and track your training stats on Movescount.com. They have also developed the ability to upgrade the operating system with new features through the same website.

Here are some of the Abmit functions from the press release:

Specialized outdoor functions of the Suunto Ambit include: Full-featured GPS (SIRF IV) navigations with Find Waypoint functionality with route planning, tracking and track logging, 100 waypoint creations in watch and Movescount.com, location in multiple coordinate systems, 3D compass (including military scale), barometric altitude, temperature.

Advanced training functions include: accurate and highly responsive pace with FusedSpeed™, heart rate functionality, including real-time training effect, recovery time, accurate vertical speed with a barometric altimeter and online sports diary with planning and analysis tools in Movescount.com.

Look for the Ambit to be at your local camping store sometime mid to end of March with a price point of about $500 or $500 if you want the wireless heart rate monitor strap.

 

If you are a paddler who dreams of heading out on your next adventure with a laptop or tablet stowed away might be interested yesterdays announcement by Panasonic of two new Android tablets under their new line, Toughpad.

Designed to be durable, waterproof and withstand a drop of up to four feet; these tables are going after utility workers, military/police staff and the general public who sees value in having a rugged product. With a price of $1,200, they are clearly not going after the average consumer.

 

Among the Toughbook A1's mainstream specs: a 1.2GHz dual-core processor; Android 3.2 aka Honeycomb; a "daylight-readable," LED-backlit, 1024x768 touchscreen display; 1GB of DDR2 memory; options for WiMax or LTE 4G wireless networking or more conventional 3G newtorking; a front-facing 2-megapixel camera and rear-facing 5-megapixel camera with an LED flash; ports for micro USB, micro SDHC, and HDMI; and a 33.9 watt-hour lithium-ion battery. It measures 10.5x8.3x0.67 inches and weighs 2.1 pounds.

Look for it to be available sometime in the New Year. You can find more info here.

Photo credits: Water photo: Stephen Shankland/CNET
Bottom  Photo: Panasonic

People who use GPS maps know that Garmin’s proprietarily maps are pretty good. The only problem is that it can be limiting as they only allow their maps to be loaded on the system. They have changed the game slightly as they have opened up their operating system for your Oregon, Dakota or Colorado handhelds to allow the import of maps you currently own (paper or digital) directly into your unit.
 
Getting the maps into your unit is a couple step process. After making sure that your GPS has the latest firmware (the operating system) installed, you scan your paper map and save it as a .jpg file. Once done, you just need to georeference your new image via Google Earth by matching key landmarks on your map with those on google earth so the GPS will know where on this planet your map is supposed to represent. The final step is to import the image and georeference information directly in to the unit itself.

SPOT LLC. announced a major upgrade to their super cool messenger today.

The new design address several of the major complaints that users have been griping about; including smaller size, a stronger GPS antenna which will provide a stronger signal and better performance when deep in the forest and an extra LED light to signal when the message has been sent.

The mouse shaped bar of soap brings sweat relief to those of us who get the computer gitters on day three of a camping trip.

At $5.75 a bar, it's a whole lot cheaper then bringing and destroying your work mouse in the rain.

More info: Zakka [Via: Gizmodo]