Holiday Gift Guide For The Outdoors & Adventure (2016)
Most of us know that to preserve our gadgets, you probably should not be dropping them on hard surfaces, getting them wet, or taking them to places with extreme temperatures. But what does this mean for those who are more adventurous and need to go to places that aren’t exactly gadget-friendly? Thankfully there are manufacturers out there who have thought this through, and this list of gadgets might make the perfect gift for the adventurer in your life (or even yourself).
Galaxy S7 Active
If you’re looking for a phone that can withstand a beating or two, but yet pack impressive hardware specs, you would not need to look further than the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active. This is basically the Samsung Galaxy S7 except that it features water-resistance, shock-resistance, and also a larger 4,000mAh battery that should last you awhile when you’re outdoors. AT&T is currently selling the Galaxy S7 Active where it is priced at close to $800 if you were to buy it outright, but can be found at street prices around $710 on Amazon.
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Cat S60
When you think of the brand Cat, you might think of construction equipment. This is why when it comes to building rugged/durable phones, it makes sense that Cat knows what they are looking for. With the Cat S60, you might not necessarily get the latest specs, but it features a strengthened die cast steel frame that exceeds the military’s 810G drop test. There is water-resistance, a Gorilla Glass 4 display, and a FLIR thermal imaging camera. Priced at ~$600, you’ll be able to pick one up for yourself via Cat’s website or Amazon.
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Tesla Men and Women Leather Driving Gloves
Have you ever tried to use your smartphone or touch-sensitive gadgets wearing gloves? You know that’s pretty much impossible, although Tesla thinks they might have the answer in a pair of leather gloves (available for men and women) that will work with touchscreens. Tesla’s offering isn’t the first of its kind, but they are admittedly pretty stylish and will keep your hands warm in winter while allowing you access to your devices. The gloves are priced at $100 a pair and come in small, medium, and large sizes.
Samsung Gear S3 Frontier
Unlike the Samsung Gear S3 Classic which seems to be more of a watch meant for formal occasions, the Gear S3 Frontier is a smartwatch aimed at those who love the rugged outdoors but who want to remain connected at the same time. The device will feature a more rugged design and is resistant to water, dust, extreme temperatures, and has passed the MIL-STD-810G drop test. It is available for purchase for around $300.
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Casio Smart Outdoor Watch
Casio is a name that is more or less synonymous with watches. They are also the same company behind the G-Shock lineup of rugged watches, which is why it doesn’t come as a surprise that they’d lend their experience when they created the WSD-F10 rugged smartwatch. Powered by Android Wear, the WSD-F10 features water-resistance, shock-resistance, and also comes with tracking features for a bunch of different activities like trekking, cycling, fishing, and more. It is available from $400.
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Garmin Fenix Sapphire HR
If GPS tracking features on a smartwatch is a priority for you, then the Garmin Fenix Sapphire HR could be it. It features a stainless steel EXO antenna with GPS and GLONASS reception. It also sports a domed sapphire lens, a built-in 3-axis compass, altimeter, and barometer. There is also a built-in heart rate monitor so you can check on your heart rate while on the go. Priced at ~#450, you’ll be able to pick one up for yourself via Garmin’s website or on Amazon.
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GoPro Hero5
If you’re looking to record footage outdoors, then you’ll need a camera that can withstand the outdoors, and GoPro’s cameras are practically synonymous with such devices. The latest comes in the form of the Hero5 which maintains the same small form factor and ruggedness that can withstand temporary water immersion, and is also capable of shooting videos of up to 4K. They are also compatible with drones like the GoPro Karma and AirDog Drone. The GoPro Hero5 is priced at $400.
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Sony X3000R Action Camera
While GoPro might be synonymous with action cameras, it doesn’t mean that they have the corner on it either. Just a few months ago Sony announced the X3000R action camera which is basically a refresh of last year’s action camera. For the most part the camera is the same as its predecessor with features like 4K recording. However the X3000R will also have optical image stabilization, face detection, a new menu system, and a backlit CMOS sensor. It is available starting at ~$350.
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Garmin Virb Ultra 30
Garmin might be a company you think of as dealing with navigation systems, smartwatches, and fitness trackers, but it seems that they also dabble in cameras with the Garmin Virb Ultra 30. This is an action camera that could rival the GoPro Hero5 with features like voice controls, 4K video recording, 3-axis image stabilization, and also the ability to livestream directly to YouTube. Just like the GoPro Hero5, it is priced at $400.
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UE Roll 2 Waterproof Speaker
If you’re looking for some music to accompany your road trips, there are plenty of wireless Bluetooth speakers to choose from. However one of the features of the UE Roll 2 is that it is waterproof. It can be submerged underwater, although UE also sells a floatation device that keeps the speakers above water if you’re just lounging around the pool. It features a range of 100 feet and is 15% louder than its predecessor, the UE Roll. Available in a variety of colors, the UE Roll 2 is priced at $100.
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Parrot Disco Drone
Drones that we have come across typically fall into the quadcopter category, however Parrot has decided to go with something drastically different with the Disco, a drone shaped more like a traditional aircraft. The drone is capable of speeds up to 50mph and features a built-in Full HD camera with digital stabilization technology. Unfortunately due to its size it will require quite a large open area to fly it. It is priced at $1,000.
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AirDog Drone
As we mentioned earlier, the GoPro Hero5 camera is actually compatible with a couple of drones, and one of them is the AirDog Drone. This is a quadcopter drone that will support the mounting of a Hero5 camera. It is capable of following the pilot around without the need for a remote. It is also capable of receive new flight modes and performance enhancements via software updates, meaning that what you buy now could be drastically improved upon later, but only if you’re willing to spend $1,600 on it.
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DJI Phantom 4
When it comes to drones, it’s hard to not associate them with DJI whose drones are pretty popular amongst the drone community. The company launched the DJI Phantom 4 earlier this year and comes with features like obstacle avoidance, a 28 minute battery life, and there is also a follow-me mode. It also has a camera capable of capturing 4K video. The Phantom 4 is priced at $1,024, but alternatively the company also launched the Pro version of the drone which flies faster, has a larger camera sensor, and has increased battery life. The Phantom 4 Pro will retail for $1,600 on the DJI store, or around ~$960 on Amazon.
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Casio Exilim EX-FR100 Rugged Selfie Camera
With the selfie trend still going on strong these days, companies like Casio are certainly trying to cash in on it by releasing cameras dedicated to selfies. If a strong selfie camera and a rugged camera is what you’re after, the Exilim EX-FR100 could be what the doctor ordered. We are looking at shock, dust, and water resistance, and all of this can be had for a price of about $400.
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Mophie Juice Pack H2Pro for iPhone 6 Plus/6s Plus
Being on the go means that accessing chargers to charge your phone won’t be as convenient as staying at home or in the office. This means that you’ll need power banks which can be chunky and troublesome, which is why the Mophie Juice Pack H2Pro will be ideal as it acts as a protective case (which is also water-resistant), but also provides an additional 2,950mAh battery to your iPhone 6 Plus and 6s Plus at the same time.
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Anker 21W 2-Port USB Universal PowerPort Solar Charger
Being in the outdoors means that there is no access to electricity. So if you’re camping and some of your equipment runs out of juice, what can you do? Thanks to the Anker Universal PowerPort Solar Charger, you’ll be able to harness the power of the sun to charge your devices. It features 2x 21W USB ports, which means that you’ll be able to charge a variety of devices as long as they charge via USB. Priced at $60, this could be ideal for avid campers out there.
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Plantronics BackBit Fit bluetooth Headphones
If you’re out and about running or jogging or working out, headphone cables can be troublesome as they can sometimes get caught on objects. This is where Bluetooth headphones come in, but if you’d rather not damage your headphones, Plantronics’ BackBeat FIT headphones could be the answer as it is both sweat and rain resistant. It also features 8 hours of battery life which means it should last you more than a few gym sessions. It will set you back $85.
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Sony Walkman NWZW273S Waterproof Swimming Headphone
If you’re swimming and want to listen to music at the same time, the Sony Walkman NWZW273S is the answer. These headphones feature a waterproof design which means that you’ll be able to use it while you’re in the water. They also come with the MP3 player itself built into the headphones, so you don’t have to worry about pairing it with your smartphone or being out of Bluetooth range. Available in 4GB or 8GB versions, it is priced starting at $70.30.
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DeLorme AG-009871-201 inReach SE
If you’re the type that likes going out into the wild, it can sometimes be dangerous because you might slip and fall and get trapped, or you might get lost and because you’re in the wild, sometimes getting cell service isn’t so convenient. This is where the DeLorme AG-009871-201 inReach SE comes in. It allows users to trigger an SOS and get in touch with the company’s GEOS search and rescue center. It can also send text messages with GPS coordinates to emails and phone numbers around the world, and has 100% coverage through the Iridium satellite network. It is available starting at $260.
