Monday, February 28, 2011

All wet...


Breitling is generally more known for their aviator time pieces - but their reincarnation of the 'Superocean Heritage' might put them back in the spotlight for dive watches. Available in steel with multiple bezel color options. Cost: about 2,000 USD



Details via the Superocean MicroSite:
www.breitling.com

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Happy returns...


To be announced at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show - The Aston Martin Virage. It's the return of an old name for the auto line, but a new car based on the VH platform. The new model sits between the DB9 and the higher end DBS. Features will include a 490 horsepower 6 liter V12 engine, six speed automatic touchtronic transmission, and double wishbone suspension with adaptive damping. Cost: TBA




Official news release and details via Aston Martin:
www.astonmartin.com

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Golden oldies...


The CIA has a 'flickr stream' for photos.. and it's a little - er, weak. Presumably they have more important things to do. There are a few interesting things in there that have been fished out by the nice people at wired. Many of the photos are classic pieces of cold war era spy gear.





The CIA photostream via The Danger Room at Wired:
www.wired.com

Friday, February 25, 2011

Patriot app...


The US Army is using the iphone for an increasing number of purposes. Case in point: Patriot Missile Systems Training. A newly delivered application from C2 technologies is the first of seven to be written.


Read more about it via SoftPedia:
news.softpedia.com

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Adventures in gun smithing...


Here's something you don't see everyday: 'A revolving shotgun'. Cobbled together with spare barrels for chambers and the hammer from an old remmington revolver.





Pictures and details from Home Gun Smith
www.homegunsmith.com

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Blacklight...


Scientists working at Yale have developed 'the anti laser'. A technique for canceling out lasers. You just never know when that could come in handy.




Read more about it via PSFK:
www.psfk.com

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Steerage...


Coming soon - 'The Ego' by Raonhaje: A semi-submarine, meaning there's an upper deck, and a lower deck underwater that acts as a command module. While it doesn't really submerge, it's easy to pilot and requires very little training.






Tons of pictures and drawings via DesignBoom:
www.designboom.com

Monday, February 21, 2011

Armed with notes...


You can show a little character with these weapons themed notebooks from MollaSpace. The 3D notebooks are available in knife, grenade and revolver. Cost: about 20 USD.




Weapons themed notebooks from MollaSpace:
www.mollaspace.com

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Exit strategy...


The new, upgraded Audi A8 L Security model will be rolling out soon. The enhanced model is rated for VR 7 standards of armor - meaning it can withstand military grade grenade attacks. Other features included enhanced communications, on board oxygen source, air scrubbing, fire suppression, and and explosive bolt system to dislodge the doors if needed. Cost: a rather hefty 685,000 USD.



Read more about it via Automotive Addicts:
www.automotiveaddicts.com

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Choose your own adventure...


The gents at Abercrombie and Kent are always thinking of interesting things to do. For 2011, they've cooked up a couple of new choices in their 'extreme adventures' series. Kayaking in Baja, glacier trekking in Iceland, and desert archeological camping trips in Jordan to name a few.




Details and sign up via 'AK Extreme Adventures':
www.akextremeadventures.com

Friday, February 18, 2011

Garden variety...


It seems those drones keep shrinking. Los Angeles based AeroVironment is working on a tiny robotic drone that mimics a hummingbird. No word on how that secret garden gnome project is going...






Read more about it via the LA Times:
www.latimes.com

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Snowballs...



If you're looking for something a little different this ski season, you might check out 'The White Pods'. Located in Switzerland, this alternative accommodation is made up of a collection of geodesic pods near a common chalet.



Details via WhitePod:
www.whitepod.com/wpod

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Forget about it...


If you're the type that forgets about 'special occasions' - there's help available. The 'Forgetful Gentleman Letterpress Correspondence System' is here to help you. The handsome cigar box style storage system is loaded with simple, tasteful cards for all those occasions. The key is the reminder system - you are reminded via text when it's time to send that thoughtful card. Cost: about 75 USD




Available from 'On the Fly':
www.onthefly.com

Monday, February 14, 2011

Bear approved...


Television star and survival enthusiast Bear Grylls has put his name on a tiny pouch of survival gear that potentially could save your life. The tiny pouch contains a ridiculous amount of gear into 5 inches by 7 inches. Instructions included. Cost: about 50 USD.




Available from the Knife Center:
www.knifecenter.com

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Where's my stuff?


If you're in the habit of misplacing things, or have things you'd like to track - Garmin has a good option for you: 'The GTU 10'. This small tracking device can be attached to all kinds of things - and tracked via a smartphone application. There's also an option for alerting you when something leaves a designated area. Cost: about 200 USD for the device, plus monthly tracking charge.




Read more about it via The Garmin Store:
buy.garmin.com

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Credit decoded...


If you've ever wondered what all those numbers mean on a credit card, here's a handy primer that decodes them - including some tips on how to know when you're being given a fake one.




Credit cards decoded via Mint:
www.mint.com

Friday, February 11, 2011

Leisure time...


When you're not using your AR-15 for weapons practice - you can use it for golf practice.. The ARR-225 from New Century NcStar converts the muzzle break into a golf ball launcher. Cost: about 20 USD (Warning: some golf courses do not approve of using heavy weaponry for golf - check for local rules)



Details and Order from 'Cheaper than Dirt':
www.cheaperthandirt.com

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Everybody's doing it...


A while back, the US test launched the mysterious X37-B robotic space plane. Smaller than the space shuttle, the robotic plane can be used to shuttle cargo into low orbit. Now Russia is planning their own mysterious space plane. And maybe China as well.



Read more about it via Wired:
www.wired.com

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Scanners...


The Cougar20-H is a new remote control robot that has a large square radio frequency array that helps it to 'see through walls'. It's sensor array coupled with software can detect biologic functions - such as breathing.




Read more about it via Crave:
news.cnet.com

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

A slice of history...


If you're looking for a great fighting knife, you might take a look at the venerable Ka-Bar Fighting Knife. Designed for the US Military during WWII, it remains unchanged and in service. Cost: about 50 USD.



Available in the US via Amazon.com:
amazon.com

Monday, February 7, 2011

Hard pressed...


Here's another great option for making a good cup of coffee while 'off the grid' - The Presso Espresso Machine uses good old people generated pressure to squeeze out that perfect brew. Cost: about 150 USD.



Available from Holstee:
shop.holstee.com

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Double Wide...


Fresh off of a couple of wins on the Dakar circuit - Volkswagen introduces the street legal 'VW Race Touareg 3 Qatar'. Features include a 300 hp 2.5L TDI engine, 18 inch wheels, recaro seats and a safety cage.



More details via AutoBlog.com:
www.autoblog.com

Friday, February 4, 2011

Where did that come from?...


Certainly your locked and zippered luggage is secure. Or is it? Here's a short and startling video on how easy it is to open a zippered piece of luggage without leaving a trace.




Zipper breach video via YouTube:
www.youtube.com

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Spray on...


There's a new technology for burn victims - spray on skin. Using stem cells and a spray gun, new skin can be grown very quickly. Warning: the video link below is not for the 'feint of heart'.



Spray on skin from National Geographic and Current.tv:
current.com

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Cold weather sports..


Winters can be long and cold in Sweden. What could be more wholesome than a little outdoor fun to break the monotony - for instance, hydrogen filled balloon hunting with roman candles... from a remote controlled helicopter.






Follow the link for an HD version from YouTube:
www.youtube.com

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

A man's home...


A gent in Suffolk, England has converted an 1800's vintage gun emplacement into a rather luxe living quarter.


Pictures and short story via Inhabitat.com
inhabitat.com