Samsung is moving quickly to diversify its phone line, with variants of the S4 popping out of the woodwork left and right, including the Galaxy S4 Zoom, which features a rumored 10x optical zoom on its rear camera. Today the Galaxy S4 Active, a ruggedized, smaller version of the flagship S4 has hit the Bluetooth Special Interest Group for certification, which means it could be coming along… → Read More
The Contour family of cameras, which competes with GoPro and other small, hardened imaging devices, has a new member. The Roam rounds out the range at the low end, providing the primary functions of the adventure-proof camera for $200, far less than the latest addition and $100 less than the GPS model. This one’s focused on ease of use and waterproofing. Let’s run down the specs. → Read More
Let’s say you’re LaCie, manufacturer par excellence of mid-to-high-end external hard drives. Are you LaCie now? Good. And let’s say you’ve put out a Rugged hard drive and a Rugged XL hard drive. Where do you go next? XXL? Extra-regular size? No, no, you put on your robe and marketing hat and, because you now know people like small things, you decide to make the Rugged Mini. Genius! → Read More
You might remember the ContourHD rugged wearable camera we reviewed a while back — they updated later with GPS functionality and now (as we heard earlier) have a new camera live on their site that adds a wider angle lens and a few useful ports for recording and streaming your media. → Read More
Earlier today we saw Samsung’s W200 make its debut, and now Toshiba is entering the ring. That makes three newish candybar-style waterproof camcorders out there (don’t forget the Playsport). So what sets the BW10 apart? Not a lot! → Read More
Samsung has announced the W200, a vacation-proof 1080p camcorder that boasts a bigger LCD and faster lens than its natural enemy, the Kodak Playsport. I’m not sure the W200 is going to win any beauty contests, but at least spec-wise it’s looking good. → Read More
You guys may already be familiar with the ContourHD rugged sport-cam we reviewed and its GPS-enabled successor. It looks like the family may be getting a little bigger over the next few months: BikeRumor spotted a new “Plus” variety of the device, which supposedly has a wider lens angle (170º vs 140º), an external mic port, and a few other improvements. Looks sweet; I can’t… → Read More
Flash drives are a dime a dozen these days, so if you’re going to actually spend money on one, it may as well be one that can take a little abuse. After all, if you plan on having it with you everywhere you go, there’s a good chance this thing is going to get dropped, sat on, spilled on, and otherwise beaten up. The big flash drive sellers all have entries in this category, some newer… → Read More
I managed somehow skipped Pentax’s rugged camera when I last did a rugged roundup, but I’m definitely not missing this one. The WG-1 is the “12th rugged generation” camera from Pentax, and looks to be quite a solid piece of kit. It’s just got that rugged look too, you know? → Read More
Toshiba announced [PDF] the MK1060GSCX today, a 2.5-inch SATA type HDD with 100GB capacity that’s designed for use in “rugged operating environments”. The company says the hard drive can be used 24 hours a day in computing, industrial and other non-conventional environments (i.e. in ATMs, ruggedized computers, factories etc.). → Read More
There aren’t that many rugged laptops out there, and chances are if you’ve seen one around, it was a Panasonic. Their Toughbook line has been around for ages, and is the standard for rugged consumer laptops.
But that doesn’t mean they’re the only players in the game. Rugged Notebooks has released the RNB Eagle, a rugged notebook that won’t blow you away with its specs, but can definitely take a… → Read More
It was just a few weeks ago that Ricoh released the G700, a rugged and rather disposable-looking point-and-shoot camera. Today, they’ve put out an upgraded version, the G700SE, which adds a few extra functions.
Like GPS? Like lasers? Come on in. → Read More
For probably two years now I’ve been using a Corsair Survivor thumbdrive, a reliable little guy that’s more or less waterproof and crushproof. I think it’s pretty tough, and whenever I have serious backup to do under 32GB, I’m sure to use it. Well, loyal as it’s been, it may have just been supplanted by the latest in the “key” series from LaCie.
The Xtremkey has an alloy shell that seals up and… → Read More
When Casio’s rugged digital camera, the Exilim EX-G1, came out last year, it received great reviews (for example, from us). And it appears as if the 12.1MP device sold really well, too, as Casio today in Japan announced [JP] two limited edition colors (the EX-G1 GN in green and the EX-G1 SR in silver). → Read More
So we’ve looked at four rugged and waterproof cameras this week: the $150 Kodak PlaySport, the $200 Fujifilm XP10, the $300 Casio EX-G1, and the $400 Olympus 8010. Which, if any, is worth your hard-earned scratch? Spoiler alert: I prefer the Casio. But here’s a quick rundown of their pros and cons if you’re not convinced. → Read More
Short version: This thing could take a bullet and keep on shooting, but its chunky form and average image quality don’t impress. However, if strength and resilience are your main criteria for picking a camera, you could do a lot worse. → Read More
Short version: The coolest-looking and slimmest camera in our roundup may also be your best bet. If only it had better video, the EX-G1 would be the best choice by far. As it is, it still gets my recommendation. → Read More
It’s nice that these hard drives should be announced right in the middle of a week of rugged camera reviews. You probably remember LaCie’s Rugged XL series of hard drives — but they’re more rugged and not at all waterproof. These A70s from Silicon-Power are waterproof, pressure-proof, and shockproof. Drop ‘em, take ‘em into the bath, or sit on ‘em all day — go ahead, they love it. → Read More
Short version: The 1080p is pretty worthless, but if I had to pick one camcorder to take on vacation, the Playsport is the easy choice. → Read More
Short version: The price is right, and it is rugged, but form factor problems may sink this camera’s chances. → Read More
http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10544706&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=ff9933&fullscreen=1 Before each of this week’s rugged and waterproof cameras gets examined on terms of usability, image quality, and so on, I had to check whether their makers were pulling my leg about their rugged qualities. A quick trip to the park… → Read More
Short version: Versatile but not particularly compact, the Vandal is a good choice for the hardcore urban biker/family man who needs to fit everything in his backpack, rain or shine. → Read More
We’ve been looking at leaked pictures of this thing for a week or so, but there wasn’t much to say without the specs and all that. Besides, the leaked picture was just a little too muddy to show off the camera’s tasteful styling. But check this thing out: not only is the W90 waterproof to 20ft and shockproof from 4ft, it’s got a ring of LEDs around the lens to help with low light photos or movies. → Read More
Here’s a question. What use is an iPad if you live IN AN AVALANCHE? Even its high-quality multi-touch screen won’t help it there. And what if you like to SWIM IN POOLS OF MAGMA? How will you check your email then? Not on your Windows Phone! It will have melted! This is why you need the AIS Ultra-Rugged RPDA37! → Read More
See? That’s all. I reviewed the Rugged XL a little while back and my opinion is unchanged (a little expensive but probably worth it for peace of mind), but now you can mentally add “eSATA support” to the feature list. → Read More
Pretend you’re Gordon Freeman. Who am I kidding, you’ve been doing that for years — so this should be easy. The lab is self-destructing around you, a resonance cascade has just torn open a hole in the universe, and there are soldiers everywhere with orders to kill you on sight. You need a tablet, but what with the rocket launcher and seven other weapons, your HEV suit can only fit one. → Read More
You might remember the SwiMP3, an MP3 player designed specifically for use when swimming. Handy if you swim a lot, but what if you just like to run or bike in rain and snow? You don’t really want to wear a swimming accessory while you’re running — unless you’re running to the pool, I guess, but let’s ignore that contingency for now.
That’s why this XtreamP3 looks like more of a match for… → Read More
I saw this headline and immediately made my skeptical face. Rugged flash media? Don’t those things spend all their time jacked into your device? Why not have rugged batteries, too? But then I thought about those poor, fragile SD cards, living sheltered lives in cases, pouches, and so on because we’re too worried that they’ll snap in half or get a drop of water on them at any moment.
I mean, your… → Read More
One of LaCie’s most recognizable products, the Rugged line of external HDDs has been around for ages, but only recently expanded into the 3.5″ HDD realm with this 1TB unit. The design is much the same, but obviously it’s significantly larger — and more spacious. But is it worth the premium over other 1TB drives? → Read More
I’m a big fan of ruggedized items. Although PDAs (as opposed to smartphones) are relatively rare these days, there’s still a large need for them in certain scientific and professional pursuits. Ruggedized PDAs even more so, as chances are you’re not going for a two-month expedition to your grandma’s house. I’m sure there are plenty of surveyors, mappers, science guys and secret agents that would… → Read More
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