Kokatat - Idol Dry Suit with SwitchZip Technology

Featuring SwitchZip technology, the GORE-TEX® Idol dry suit separates completely at the waist giving paddlers the versatility of a dry suit and dry top in one garment.

www.kokatat.com/Idol

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Kokatat - Poseidon PFD

The new Poseidon PFD, designed for sea kayaking and touring, features a modular outfitting system that can be customized with a myriad of accessories to meet paddlers’ changing needs.

www.kokatat.com

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Kokatat - Maximus Centurion PFD

In 2015 Kokatat has added the Type 5 Maximus Centurion to its popular and award winning Maximus PFD platform with additional storage capacity and a redesigned top pocket that is more accessible. 

The Centurion comes standard with the accessory Belly Pocket.

Kokatat’s Maximus Prime rescue PFD is a Type 5 rescue version of the Maximus PFD platform, which features a quick release safety harness and O-ring, and tether/ tow system.

www.kokatat.com

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Sea Kayak Navigation Aid

The Sea Kayak Navigation Aid (pronounced “SKANA”) by Howard Jeffs, which retails at £14.95, has been designed to bridge the gap between professional “Chart Table” navigational instruments such as the Bretton Plotter & Dividers and/or the SILVA (Type 4) Mountaineering style compass used commonly by outdoor enthusiasts. 

Sea kayakers frequently travel along coastlines and they require not only detailed land information that is usually found on Ordinance Survey / topo maps, but also specific nautical information such as tidal streams, safe passage areas, drying heights etc which can be found on marine charts.

As such, a sea kayaker's chart table is their spraydeck and foredeck, the rigidity of the Breton Plotter and the sharp points of the dividers are not practical here. However the base plate of many mountaineering compasses is frequently too short to draw out an extended course or measure distance quickly and easily. The ability to transfer from one scale (Kilometres) to another (Nautical Miles) is essential!

The SKANA addresses all these points in a simple, effective and robust manner. The base is made of a flexible clear plastic which copes with the undulations and flexibility of the cockpit area. The range of scales and specific dimensions of the instrument allow measurement of distance quickly and accurately. The Compass Rose and Bearing Cord allow angles and/or indented coastline to be measured with ease. 

The clear plastic plate is made of UV stable material. The scales and markings etched into the plastic are scratch resistant and also made of UV resilient ink. Its flat profile allows storage under deck elastics and the additional lanyard reduces the possibility of loss. It also makes an excellent kayak repair patch if you are really pushed!

For more information, visit Howard Jeff's website.

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Objects of Desire

Tahe Marine, who are one of the biggest kayak manufacturers in Northern Europe, and who sponsor my partner Helen, have generously provided her with a Greenland OC to use at the 6th UK Storm Gathering and for future events/ clinics in the UK.

Tahe Marine, who are based in Estonia, are enjoying a growing reputation around the world as a strong and reliable company who does not compromise on a single detail. Helen was impressed by the attention to detail she saw whilst visiting the Tahe Marine factory this summer. Certainly seeing this beauty emerge from the wrappings, one would agree that dedicated craftsmen put this together :o)

Objects of Desire

I've been using Barz sunglasses and goggles even since I came across them at the New York Kayak company in 2003. However, as is the way of things, I do tend to 'misplace' my glasses from time to time. So having contacted Kevin, he very promptly sent me out a pair Naurus (see above and blow) and I decided to go for broke and get a pairs of Floaters and a pair of Seaways too.

Barz Optics is an Australian based family company located at Burleigh Heads in Queensland on the east coast of Australia. The Company was established in 1996 by Kevin Barr - a former surfing champion with 30 years experience in the surf, snow ski and sailboard industries.

Having used each pair in rotation this summer, and as someone who works outdoors in all sorts of conditions and environments, I can't stress enough how important good eye protection is. So even if your local retailer doesn't stock Barz, I would recommend investing in quality glasses for the long term care of your peepers :o)

Photographs by Mark Tozer and Helen Wilson

Objects of Desire

iCar

Is it that obvious? Okay I admit it; I do like Apple-branded things. But have a look at this. An Apple-branded Audi TT. Sleek on the outside, clever on the inside, the Audi-Apple iCar is TT-terrific. You knew it had to happen some day. In the world we live in we put an ‘I’ in front of everything, so they obviously couldn’t leave out the iCar. Hopefully this car will arrive soon so we can move on in the growing world of iDesign and put an ‘I’ in front of something else. iWoman?

Objects of Desire

iEye

Okay okay, you knew this was coming eventually. But enough with the waiting already! Apple already reinvented music with their iPhones, iPods and smart phones and now Apple is trying to do the same for video and photographs. The iEye is the ultimate mobile device for capturing, editing, and distributing all of your iLife memories. In a slim, sleek, easy-to-use package, the iEye records stills and video, all in high definition

Objects of Desire

MacBook Touch

It appears that the Apple tablet rumors just won’t die. There is a rumor that a certain company have supplied touch screens to Apple for an alleged tablet. As of today Apple hasn’t released word of a touch screen tablet yet. We are only thinking, where is the keyboard and the mouse? If those two pop-up wouldn’t that take up a lot of space on the tablet. Plus, you can’t sit up right and type comfortably. Well Apple, we think you still have some creative thinking to do.

Objects of Desire

Lmac Touch

Everyone is going green and ergonomically these days. It’s the new black. Off course Apple has to follow. That’s why rumors are out that they have a new concept Macbook, the Lmac Touch. It’s ergonomically designed to be flexible for comfort of the user, it’s got a touch screen and an adjustable screen and it’s totally green, which I already told you is the new black! So if you want to be really sophisticated, go green, go Lmac Touch.

Objects of Desire

iProtection

Sure, now you’re laughing. But in 20 years time – when there’s no more oil and the polar caps have melted and wild cats are roaming the streets – you’ll be happy that Apple invented the iProtection. The iProtection is a pocket-sized security system which you can carry around with you always. Not that you’re afraid, just because you have street smarts. And why wouldn’t you carry a flashlight/tazer/alarm thingy with you when it looks as cool as this?

Objects of Desire

Apple Tri Book

It appears that our friends from Apple have leaked some drool-worthy information on the net with their latest concept, the triBook. Are you impressed yet? These side screens are perfectly sandwiched in between the main display and the keyboard. Every time a user wants to use the triBook, you just have to unfold it like opening a cardboard box. A user also has the option of combining all three screens for a landscape display of about 21 inches. The triBook is just a concept, but who knows what the future will bring.

Objects of Desire

iPhone Nano

Imagine an iPhone 3GS and an iPod Nano G4 having a baby…tadaa… you’ll get an iPhone Nano. We like it a lot! It has all the same features as an iPhone, but it’s smaller and more compact than an iPhone. On the other hand we can’t ignore that this maybe is something you would give to your girlfriend rather than buy yourself. Real men have to have bulkier equipment so for now we can stick to the iPhone 3GS. When it’s time to switch from aftershave to moisturizer, it’s time for the iPhone Nano.

Objects of Desire

iSticks

Besides having great iTunes songs on your iPhone, Macbook or iPod. You have to have matching speakers to go with them. This Apple concept speakerset called iSticks is awesome to look at. It will definitely be a real headturner in your home. So hopefully this will go into production real soon and then we can pump up the volume in style!

Objects of Desire

iFlick

The Apple rumors keep pilling up. Now they are even talking about an Apple-branded phone which you can flick. It will be iTunes compatible which will be a blessing for everyone. What would you do with a phone that hasn’t got iTunes? Apple registered the mobile-handset-friendly trademark phrase “Mobile Me” in January, covering a range of mobile devices and services. And then there's this concept-image of what’s supposed to be an Apple phone circulating.

Objects of Desire

Let friends and family know exactly where you are in the world and that everything's going swimmingly. Designed as a serious piece of rescue kit this Spot GPS has (as well as serious emergency location broadcasting) some deeply fun features. Before you set off on your adventures you set up email addresses and telephone numbers* that you want to be contacted in an emergency, or if you just want to let your loved ones know where you are and that you're ok. At the click of the OK button the device will send an email (and a text if you have selected that option) to your chosen addresses. Not only will it contain your message, but also a link to Google Maps showing exactly where in the world you are! How cool is that? And you can even set the gizmo up to automatically send a location message every 10 minutes (useful for nervous parents who want to make sure little Billy and Mary are ok).

On the serious side it also uses GPS satellites to track your coordinates and at the click of the emergency button will transmit them to your designated Spot team or the nearest emergency services - so you can be rescued whether you get stuck up a mountain, down a river, adrift at sea, or out in the desert.

It's small enough to fit on your belt, takes standard AA batteries and is very simple to use. Whilst this was principally designed to help the intrepid get themselves rescued for being, well, too intrepid probably, we think its most fun feature is the ability to be tracked by your family and mates as you globe-trot!



Find out more from the SPOT Europe website

Objects of Desire

The GRIGRI's self-braking function helps the belayer catch and hold a climber, making it great for working routes. Works equally well for lead climbing and toproping. Ergonomic design makes for smooth, controllable lowers. Also great for rappelling on single ropes & perfect for setting and cleaning routes.

Self-braking system: if the rope suddenly comes under tension (e.g. in a fall), the cam pivots to pinch the rope, thus helping the belayer stop the climber's fall.

Usage is similar to that of conventional belay devices o giving/taking slack is done by using both hands to slide the rope through the device o falls are held by holding the free end of the rope with the brake hand o for lowering and rappelling, the rate of descent is controlled by the hand holding the free end of the rope (the rope is released with the handle).



Learn more about the myth and magic of the GRIGRI on the British Mountaineering Council website

Objects of Desire

The Kitchen Sink is a great accessory for the environmentally conscious camper. Hidden snugly away in a handy carry pouch, it pops out and expands to give you a sink that will hold up to 5 litres of water. The steel rim keeps the sink upright once it's been filled, and the reinforced carry handles will make carrying the water back from the babbling brook 200 yards away less of a chore. It's completely waterproof and you won't have any problem using hot water and detergent - which is ideal, especially if you want to wash your dishes - which is quite possibly the point of the thing. Once you've done your dishes it folds up super-easily and slips back into its pouch. At last you can head into the wilds with everything AND the kitchen sink.

Objects of Desire

With so many electrical devices plugged in all around your house it starts to become worryingly apparent exactly why this globe of ours is spluttering so. Not to mention the inconvenience of lugging around 6 chargers every time you decide to leave the house for longer than 24 hours to ensure that you don't completely lose contact with civilisation. You already cycle and walk most places, so why not take the next logical step and get yourself a wind powered battery charger. It straps onto your arm, bicycle, boat or dog, you can pretty much strap it to anything.

The wind turns the propeller, which in turn powers the turbine and creates enough energy to power up your rechargeable gizmos. All you need to do is plug the battery unit into your iPod, mobile phone or PDA and you'll soon have enough of a charge to see you through the next phone call or playlist. Perfect for the little green person inside all of us and it's incredibly satisfying to say that your mobile is wind powered!

Objects of Desire

There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Until you drop your keys overboard, then it all becomes a bit of a chore. Next time, attach the Waterbuoy and, within seconds of hitting the water, environmentally friendly gas will automatically inflate the reinforced rubber balloon to save your keys from being lost in the gloomy depths. You don't have to stop at keys either - clip the Waterbuoy to any item weighing up to 1kg and it will happily float on the water for 24 hours. If you're going to drop something in the river, chances are you'll do it in the dark (it's the law of the sod - or something like that) which is why the crafty inventors have included a blinking LED light in just the right place to make your floating gizmo visible from up to 250m away. This makes the Waterbuoy the world's first and only miniature floatation device that's visible at night.