A knotty problem...

Here's a challenge for summer - take the US Navy Seal Underwater knot tying test - one of the basic skills required for underwater demolition training.

Story via The Art of Manliness:

artofmanliness.com

Pack your trunk...

You can brush up on your elephant riding skills at the 'Four Seasons Golden Triangle' Located in the Golden Triangle region of Northern Thailand, the plush 'camping' experience features quality time with elephants.

Read more about it via the Four Seasons Site:

www.fourseasons.com/goldentriangle

Looks scary...

Nothing looks scarier to a burglar than sweeping red lasers scanning a room. The 'Best Burglar Deterrent Laserscan' is pure Hollywood hype - but it looks very intimidating. Cost: 221 USD.

Available from SpyGadgets:

www.spygadgets.com/best-burglar-deterrent-laserscan.aspx

Weekender...

Anyone looking for a compact yacht would do well to check out the elegant 'Antagonist' made by 'The Art of Kinetik'. The wooden 37 ft cruiser is a stylish fusion of old world craftsmanship and hightech features.

Details via The Art of Kinetik's site:

www.artofkinetik.com/antagonist.html

Printing up some guns...

In a first, a gunsmith has made a functioning firearm on a 3D printer. The AR-15 assault rifle plans were posted on a common board for 3D printer schematics - it certainly does raise a lot of questions if you can just whip up a gun in your own home.

Read more about it via ExtremeTech:

www.extremetech.com

Cut the cord...

Often in dramatic movies, someone needs to cut some sort of cord to save the day. In real life, it's usually not so easy. Coming soon - the 'M12 600 MCM Cable Cutter Tool' will chomp through cables the size of a finger with ease.

Available in the fall from Milwaukee Tools:

www.milwaukeetool.com

Your lying eyes...

Scientists have created irises so real, they can fool eye scanners. This, of course, is both wonderful and terrible.

Read more about it via Threat Level at Wired:

www.wired.com

Now in Oxblood...

It's easy to spot the Villainess when she's carrying one of these 'Leather Skull Purse Clutch Bags' by GriffinLeather. Appropriately designed in Oxblood color.

Sold via Etsy:

www.etsy.com

Take a peek...

FLIR has long been the name in infrared optics - it now comes in a handy travel size. The 'Scout PS Series' is small enough to fit in your palm, and has simplified controls for basic functions. Cost: from 1,999 USD.

Read more from FLIR:

www.flir.com

The tube...

Elon Musk (PayPal, Tesla, SpaceX) has another big idea - 'The HyperLoop'. He's thinking a train, in a tube, that can traverse from Los Angeles to San Francisco in about 30 minutes. All this using currently available technology.

Read more about it via 'The Atlantic':

www.theatlantic.com

That's a twist...

The next time you see a combination lock, it might seem a bit different. Master Lock is now offering 'Digital Combination Padlocks'. The powered locks are navigated with arrow keys on the front. New features include 'guest combinations' and online storage of codes in case of forgetfulness. Cost: 25 USD

Details from Master Lock:

www.masterlock.com

Sinister...

The newly revealed 'Aspid G-21 Invictus' is sure to turn heads. The limited edition Spanish made car will have a 450hp 4.4 liter V8 engine that promises 0-62 in less than 3 seconds. Cost: TBA

Photos and details from the Corporate Site:

www.ifrautomotive.com

A place for everything...

The new 'Slim Travel Wallet' from Bellroy has a place for all your travel docs, credit cards, currency, and more. The well thought out travel wallet even has a hidden pen - all while staying very compact. Cost: 120 USD.

Details and order via Bellroy:

us.bellroy.com

Full metal jacket...

Should you be concerned that your iPad might be shot at, you're in luck. VestGuard UK's 'Ballistic Cover' will help. The still-in-test iPad cover will take a round, and keep googling. Cost: TBD

Info via Engadget:

www.engadget.com

Creature comforts...

It's possible to have a good cup of coffee, even when on the go. The 'Grower's Cup' brewing system is a single serving french press. Provide the hot water, and voila. Cost: about 4 USD.

Read more about it via Grower's Cup:

www.growerscup.com

Dronelette...

The little 'Spy Hawk RC' is another option for personal drone. The little RC plane has a real time feed back to the control base along with an on-board card for recording it's flight. Cost: 250 GBP Available next month from Red5

The Spy Hawk RC via Red5:

www.red5.co.uk

Lights out...

Add some military grade flair to your home with the 'Andromeda Tactical Lamp'. Made of gun rails, bolts, and metal shielding -- it could be just the accent piece you're looking for. Currently a project on Kickstarter. Cost: 560 when the project is complete - early purchase at a discount.

More info via Kickstarter:

www.kickstarter.com/projects/sketchydesignstudio/andromeda-tactical-lighting

What's in your pocket?

New technology will be able to scan people to the molecular level from 50 meters (about 164 feet) away. The laser based scanners are said to be an order of magnitude faster and more sensitive - literally a million times faster - able to do a detail analysis on surface and content. They should be in service within the next year or two.

Technical details via GeniaPhotonics:

www.geniaphotonics.com/

Improvise...

Did you know a piranha can be used as a pair of scissors in case of an emergency? Follow the link for a quick demo of piranha power.

Piranha scissors via YouTube:

www.youtube.com

The art boat...

Designer Zaha Hadid designed a rather interesting 8 meter speed boat for an American art dealer. The asymmetrical design is rather distinctive. It is currently being built by Shoreteam in France.

Read more about it via Phaidon:

www.phaidon.com

A little spicy...

Bollywood meets Bond with 'You Me Bullets Love' by The Bombay Royale. If you listen closely, you might notice the re-work of the classic tune 'Jaan Pehechan Ho' was recently used in a Heineken beer commercial. Cost: about 10 USD

Available from iTunes and Amazon:

Amazon.com

It's in my phone...

The 'iStash' is a small, wallet like container that looks very much like an iPhone. Enough said. Cost: 10 USD.

Available from MTMi:

istashonlinestore.bigcartel.com/product/istash

Unhinged...

The McLaren MP4-12C is now available as a Spider. The 616 hp twin turbo V8 is now sporting a retractable hard top that can function while moving at slow speeds. Cost: 266k USD.

Tech specs and configuration via McLaren:

www.mclarenautomotive.com

Pack it in...

Get comfortable and watch this tutorial on 'how to pack' from Louis Vuitton. You might want to watch a couple of times... it's a bit mesmerizing. Viewing tip: set to full screen to see the details.

The Art of Packing from Louis Vuitton - via Presurfer:

presurfer.blogspot.com

Down to earth...

The rocket scientists at Masten Space Systems have been refining their suborbital rocket. Follow the link to watch their newest video of a launch and a 'buck roger's style' landing using their Xaero system...

Details and video via Masten Space:

masten-space.com

A little guidance...

BAE Systems has been working on replacing GPS systems. The idea is to start with GPS coordinates, but to learn from other transmissions in the environment - making the guidance systems work, even when the GPS cuts out. The same tech could be used to build maps of indoor spaces via electronic transmissions. Very interesting.

Read more about it via BAE Systems:

baesystems.com

Stick shifties...

In some corners of the world, it's a dying art - the driving of standard shift cars. Here we have a handy tutorial from the lads at Jalopnik - on 'How to Drive a Stick Shift Properly'.

'How to Drive a Stick Shift Properly' from Jalopnik:

jalopnik.com

To Go...

Since 1959, the AR-7 survival rifle has been a staple in backpacks. The current incarnation has changed little - just updated materials of the breakdown .22 that fits into it's own waterproof stock. Cost: 275 USD

Available from Henry:

www.henryrepeating.com/rifle-survival-ar7.cfm

You can read it from here...

The 'AirPrint' system from IDair can read your fingerprints ... from up to 20 feet away. Using a burst of coherent light and special optics, biometric identification can be confirmed at a distance.

Details via IDair Co:

idairco.com/products

Spear fishing...

During the Cold War days, the Russians had quietly developed gear for underwater use. One such weapon is a four barrel underwater dart gun. Four, 4.5 inch steel spikes are fired effectively up to 60 feet.

Story and details via Small Arms Defense Journal:

sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=512

Vice squad...

You can keep everything in it's place with the 'Vice Holster' - a custom shoulder holster for a flask and a pack of smokes. Cost: 145 USD

Available via Etsy:

www.etsy.com