When the new iPhone was finally released after a long wait, I finally pulled the trigger and upgraded from my 3g model. Other than a small crack in the plastic backing, it has held up well. Much of its longevity can be attributed to the number of different protective cases on it during its 3+ year life span. With a significant investment in a fancy new smart phone, investing in a case can be a good idea. Provided they can do the job.

The different cases I ran on my iPhone 3g helped keep my phone functional, but when it came to the cosmetic side of things, they didn’t do as well.   While they protected the phone during the inevitable drops to the ground, every model I’ve used collects dirt and dust. In addition, when removing the cases I found the plastic backing covered in scratches. Eventually just stopped using a case altogether, preferring to run it bare in my pocket. The irony is that it didn’t get any more beat up, provided I kept keys and change away from it. The dirt didn’t build up either, since I wiped it down regularly.

My 3G held up so well, that I was unable to justify the expense of upgrading to a newer model until recently. The 4S was too much of a temptation though, and so I finally succumbed. Having a new phone, I of course wanted to protect it from the eventual “oh shit” moment. But I wasn’t about to run any old case on my favorite piece of hardware. You can imagine I was beyond stoked when Rob from Echos Communications shot over a sample case from Element Case. The model we received, the Vapor Pro isn’t just any old case – I’m almost hesitant to say it, but as someone that appreciates craftsmanship, it is a piece of art. Like many of our favorite bike parts, the protective frame is CNC machined from a solid block of aluminum.  This alone wouldn’t prevent scratches and dirt, but it is just one component of the case. A lot of thought clearly has gone into every detail of this product, from the stick-on suede backing to the polymer segment of the case that prevents signal loss.

the Vapor Pro Black Ops Element Case

This isn’t a typical phone protector. Clearly, a lot of thought has gone into every detail of this product- from the alloy casing itself, to the comfortable suede backing. Also included:

• Clear screen protector (2x)
• Padded zipper case
• Sunglass-style wipe
• Custom tool for the case hardware that includes extra hardware

Installation

Installation was easy enough. I started with the clear plastic screen cover. Having added these to my previous phones, I took extra care installing it. Although two are included, experience with similar protectors meant rushing and doing a sloppy job would leave me with air bubbles that I’d have to stare at for each time I used the phone. The thin membrane is noticeable in the light when using the phone during the day, but knowing the screen is a bit more protected is not just reassuring, but in limited light isn’t noticeable at all. I prefer using the phone with the uncovered screen, but when I do end up using the phone to watch Netflix or other similar apps, it tends to be in lower light anyway. The black suede backing also has an adesive backing, and I took equal care in applying it to the phone. It has a nice tactile feel to it, and in contrast to the alloy case, really adds to the experience of using the phone. As a bonus, because it sticks on, I’m unconcerned about dirt getting underneath it and causing scratches like other phone protectors I’ve used.

Adding the alloy case itself is unlike installing any other iPhone case I’ve owned to date. It bolts together using small allen keyed bits, and a cool little allen tool.  (included with the case) As with everything else, care was taken at this step to avoid stripping the heads or the case in the installation.

Installing the Vapor Pro iPhone case

In addition to the alloy case and the stick on protectors, a zip up padded case was included for traveling with the phone on more rough and tumble adventures. I haven’t used it much due to the additional size and space it takes up in my pocket, but for trail building, motorcycling, snowboarding or other endevors where I’d want a bit of extra protection it seems like a great addition. The only drawback for me is that since I use it rarely, I have been finding myself misplacing it. While it would provide quite a bit of shock protection for the phone when the phone was inside, it doesn’t appear to be water resistant in any way, so for my uses it has limited value, since it takes a bit to put the phone in and take it out. It is a nice bonus add-on though, that I wouldn’t have expected. I have yet to test how much it damps the phone signal. Since I’ve become fond of documenting my rides via GPS and the Stave app, it could come in very handy. While I haven’t used this way yet, if one wanted to travel light, there is room for stashing an id, credit card and a bit of cash if you wanted to leave the bulk of a wallet behind during an adventure.

Protection

I’ll be straight forward here; I have yet to drop my phone with the case on it. Dropping phones, especially the first time is one of those events I’m planning to avoid as much as I can. I’ve dropped previous models of the iPhone a number of times, and unlike my girlfriend’s phone, mine keep going afterward, with the addition of a ding or scratch or two, thanks to the solid state drive and the lack of moving parts. While this case is all about keeping things classy, I have no doubt it adds to the drop-ability factor of my phone. I imagine the case won’t look as sleek after a solid impact with concrete, so I’ll update this post after the first time this inevitable event occurs.

At $150, this case isn’t cheap, but it is a nicely produced product, and adds a stylish, industrial look and protection for your number one electronic gadget. Many cases don’t compliment the design of the iPhone- the Vapor Pro does. The craftsmanship on it is top notch, and it has a solid feel in the hand. While it took a minute to get used to it, it adds a bit of heft that feels reassuring. In addition, I haven’t felt that the phone’s signal strength has been compromised in anyway.

The Vapor Pro iPhone Case by Element Case

Pluses

• Craftsmanship, design and incredible attention to detail
• Shape easy to hold onto with gloved hands
• Reliable feel
• Includes padded zipper case (I’d even take this motorcycling/ dirt biking/ dirt jumping)

Minuses:

• Some headphones may not fit though the machined holes
• Recessed buttons slightly difficult to press
• Unlikely to be compatible with iPhone docks without disassembly
• Price- quality and good design isn’t cheap, but you get what you pay for. The Vapor Pro will set you back $150.00

Details go all the way to the final presentation and packaging

For more info, check out Element Case.

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I remember the first time I received a boom box for my birthday as a kid. It had a AM/FM radio, and a dual tape deck – and I was stoked. It meant I could head out to the lake with my friends, talk smack, drink wine coolers, and listen to the mix tapes we made. The only problem was that it took 8 D-cell batteries to power it, and those suckers ran out of juice in no time.  It was also the size of a typical Craftsman toolbox. (ie, not small.)

I may have just dated myself with the cassette reference, but the fact remains that kids today don’t need a stereo the size of a footstool to bring their tunes with them. At this point, most of us probably own several types of MP3 players already, and at least one of them travel with us constantly in the form of a phone.

We tried a few portable speakers out in the past when we were traveling, mostly for watching movies and TV on our laptops. They were kind of a pain in the ass. We even bought a padded case to keep the cables, wires and speakers together, but the ones we had kind of sucked. They were a bit louder than the stock laptop speakers, but now that we live in an apartment again like normal people, I haven’t watched utilized the laptop as much for viewing online programming. (instead I’ll watch Netflix on my iPhone using the headphones, although that is a solo viewing experience) That is, until the BoomBotix showed up at the door.

The SkullyBoom SB1 portable speaker

Formerly known as the SkullyBoom, this micro-sized boom box by BoomBotix is pretty rad. Completely self-contained, it is powered by a lithium-ion battery that is easily recharged by a USB cable. We’ve been impress by how long the batteries last as well. Operation is simplified and basic: there is a single button and two jacks on the rear. An LED lights up to let you know when the speaker is on, with different colors to signify whether the unit is charging or low on power. On the back there is one jack for the audio, and one for the USB cable to recharge the batteries. The speakers are encased on a sturdy housing with a street art-toy-style form factor in a shape of a skull. They come in four different colors, with our test model coming in a lavendar color. (that just happens to match my new fixed ride.) The speakers are designed to take with you, and the back of the speaker features a belt clip that makes it easy to carry around. In fact, we rode all over town with our tunes playing and bunny hopped everything in sight, and it didn’t budge a bit. While I haven’t tried it dirt jumping or shuttling yet, I don’t think it would have an issue staying put whatsoever.

The SkullyBoom SB1 Speaker attached via the belt clip.

The cable that runs from the speaker to your music source is a basic two sided headphone style cable, with a retractable cord wrap. I’ve never used one of these before, but it’s brilliant. If my phone came with one of these, I’d probably still be on my original headphones as opposed to on set #2 or 3. With the retractable cord, I was able to play tunes while riding around, and keep the cord neatly tucked away. In fact, the only thing I felt the cable was lacking was a pause or fast forward feature, should a sappy metal ballad or showtune accidentally make its way into your playlist. (um yeah, street cred: -1 but I happen to like that Meatloaf song!)

We’ve been pretty stoked on how much volume these little speakers put out. Audiophiles might complain that they would like more bass, but that would be asking quite a bit more from this little device that is much smaller than most speakers, much less any sub-woofers. The volume is controlled via the music source, which keeps the speaker simple, and having fewer parts is a good thing with less stuff that could break. Inga loves the unit so much it has been hard to get it back from her, especially if she’s in the middle of a reality TV show watching marathon on her crappy PC laptop. (her speakers barely put out any sound, so she is loving the SB1). My brother’s family were equally impressed when they tried it out paired with a portable DVD player- the kids could actually hear the movie as the SkullyBoom puts out quite a bit more volume than the stock speakers.

Rolling through Berkeley with the SB1 attached at the hip.

The only gripe I can think of is that there’s no way to easily fast forward tracks when my phone is in my pocket. If you have a sappy rock ballad or show tune that somehow made it onto your playlist “accidentally”, you are sharing that with your peers whether you like it or not. Heaven forbid your playlist goes from something rad like Iron Maiden to Britney Spears.

I’m not the type to roll around town with broadcasting music blaring all the time, but we’ve found ourselves really pleased with the BoomBotix. If you are into or don’t mind the art toy look, definitely look into this tiny boom box that can.

The SkullyBoom SB1 by BoomBotix retails for about $50. For more info, check them out here.

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The original GoPro Hero wide POV camera was a hit with mountain bikers and sporting enthusiasts of all types, offering the ability to relive the adventure again at home and easily share it with friends. With a low and extremely accessible pricing of about $200, it was the obvious choice when shopping for a POV video camera on a budget. With a number of various mounting options available, it was easy to get a variety of perspectives for the camera’s view, unlike several of the competitor’s models, which were limited to helmet mounts. The unit we have been using has proved to be extremely durable as well. Ours took a rolling tumble down a rocky trail while attached to a full face helmet, and with nothing other than a few scratches on the protective casing, continues to work perfectly well. The two button operation is a bit confusing at first, as there are a number of recording options, but once you take the time to learn the camera operation, it is easy to use while still offering a number of different modes in addition to providing video.

The original GoPro Hero- beat down, abused, but none the worse for wear & still working perfectly.

We recently received a sample of the most recent model, the GoPro Hero HD. A major upgrade from the original GoPro, the new Hero HD now offers higher resolution and is now packaged with a quality battery, with the base model priced at only $259.

The Original GoPro Hero Wide

The original GoPro camera was a smashing success, and with its extremely reasonable price point was an easily justified purchase. When POV cams first became popular, we had some experience with the VioSport model. While it was a quality unit, it was difficult to import the video onto a Mac. It also was priced at almost $700 at the time. The $200 GoPro unit, with the inexpensive price point, durability and no-brainer operation was the obvious choice for many consumers.

The original GoPro and the new, slightly larger HD model.

Our only issue with the original HERO was the low resolution and image quality. Here is a sample video taken with our original GoPro model from last season at the Whistler Bike Park on Crank it Up.

In this clip, the camera is mounted on my girlfriend Inga’s full face helmet facing rearward in order to record the rider following.(me) In this application, it is obvious she is wearing a pack, which is a bit annoying for the viewer as it bounces in and out of the frame. (sorry)

For my uses, I found the GroPro footage was best utilized in conjuction with handheld footage shot with my compact camera, a Canon G10. With this combination, it is easy to put together fun mini edits from various rides and events. As both cameras are compact, there is a minimal weight penalty for having the gear in my pack, which meant I always had them with me, and I’m more likely to use them. The big question was 1. Would I want to stop during a ride to record footage? and 2. Do I want to commit to the time needed to edit said footage? If the answer was yes, creating a web edit to share with family and friend is a simple, if time consuming matter.

Here’s an example of a video edit put together from footage recorded with a standard GoPro and the G10, from the shuttle day at the Black Rock trails last year:

Edited using the free software (iMovie) that comes packaged with any Apple computer, putting a sample clip like this together is simple. On average I’ve found myself spending upwards of 8 hours editing a substantial amount of footage just to put a 3 minute clip together. Once exported, it is easy to upload and share edits to YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, or Vimeo. iMovie even offers a direct export to YouTube option, making the process a one button effort. It doesn’t get much easier than that to share the experience.

Unfortunately the quality of the finished product has been a bit disappointing at times. POV footage tends to be hard to watch for longer cuts as it is, but with the GoPro, it is easy to mount the camera on a pole for unique perspectives, or to mix up the mounting points for different perspectives that can make for a more enjoyable viewing experience. However, it kept coming down to the image quality.  After spending that much time working with it, (if not more) the resulting clips end up looking acceptable on my phone, but the poor image quality is all the more apparent the larger the viewing size. And as my skills with the editing software has progressed, I’ve found myself utilizing the POV footage less and less, preferring to use the better quality footage from the compact camera.  When I upgraded SLR bodies to a Canon 7d and had even better quality raw footage to work with, I stopped bringing the POV cam out on rides almost altogether. Overall though, it has been a great product that with its low price, has been a worthwhile purchase, and introduced the masses with an easy way to document our adventures.

Introducing the new GoPro HD

All of our issues with the original model have been addressed with the release of the GoPro HD HERO. A major upgrade to the original GoPro model, the HD offers a number of  upgrades. The two that stood out the most to us: a higher quality image, and a lithium ion battery. The original unit utilized AAA batteries which were basically a pain in the ass. I found to always be dead when I wanted to use them, and carrying spares was a pain. The new lithium ion battery has a significantly longer lifespan, and is worth the slightly extra weight. The important part though is that I have yet to have issues with the unit going dead in the middle of a ride. (Assuming I’ve charged the unit beforehand)

The GoPro HD and the chesty mount

Combined with the higher quality image, GoPro has taken their product to the next level. And even more remarkably, they recently reduced the MSRP and are now offering the HD model at the same price point as the original offering.

Take a look at this sample edit from the Woodward Bike Park in Fresno, CA, shot with our GoPro HD using the chest harness mount:

Compared to the original, it is a massive improvement in image quality. The only downside is the additional weight. Using the helmet mount with a light weight XC lid was overly noticeable, and the new model has the same drawback. (but worse)

The Chest mount

Fortunately we also received the chesty harness with our sample. This mount has quickly become our favorite, with its ease of use and easy access to the controls. With a helmet mount, one has to remove the helmet to verify its on. (unless you are comfortable trusting the beeps) The chesty is convenient, and for us means we’ll use the camera more often. It’s fairly comfortable to wear, and having the camera there didn’t interfere with our riding experience.

The chesty mount, set for trail riding with the add on arm.

We quickly found that the stock chesty set up didn’t work well for the forward riding position of mountain biking. This was easily fixed by adding an extension. The best camera position looks weird when off the bike, (see above image) but once you threw a leg over the top tube and started down the trail, the angle was perfect.

(update: see the comments below- the camera can also be mounted upside down to simulate our setup to be pointed in the correct direction. )

Drama caught at the moment of impact- a still from a video capture taken at Northstar on the Livewire trail. (yes I am running over a guy that crashed on the jump in front of me)

Additional features

Besides the upgrades in image quality and battery life, the HD HERO offers 1080, 960, and 720p HD resolution options. You also have the capability to run up to a 32GB SD card. (not included, although the battery is) The mounting accessories are backwards compatible with the original GoPro, so if you are upgrading and keep the old model, you could easily capture two angles at once. It also means you can purchase the HD HERO Naked package, and reuse all your old mounts.

The GoPro HD starts at $179 for a barebones kit with limited capture options, the HD Hero 960. Our set up, the HD Helmet HERO, will set you back $299.99. The chest mount harness is available separately for $39.99. You’ll also need a memory card, sold separately.

What you get for $299.99

• 1 HD HERO Camera (5 megapixel)
• 1 Rechargeable 1100 mAh Lithium-Ion Battery
• 1 Waterproof Quick-Release Housing (180’/60 m)
• 1 Headlamp-Style Head Strap
• 1 Vented Helmet Strap
• 2 Curved, 3M™ Adhesive Mounts
• 2 Flat, 3M Adhesive Mounts
• 1 Three-Way Pivoting Side Arm Assembly
• 2 Quick-Release Buckles
• 1 USB Cable
• 1 Component Video (HDTV) Cable
• 1 Composite Video + Audio Out Cable
• Warranty: One Year

Tech Specs:

Camera Optics

• Lens Type: Fixed Focus (2ft/.6m – ∞), glass
• Aperture: f/2.8 (high performance in low-light situations)
• Angle of View: 170º ultra wide angle in WVGA, 720p, or 960p mode
• Angle of View: 127º wide angle in 1080p mode

Video

• HD Video Resolution Modes: (subject to change, pending final firmware release)
  • 1080p = 1920×1080 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 15 Mbit/s data rate
  • 960p = 1280×960 pixels (4:3), 30 fps, 12 Mbit/s data rate
  • 720p = 1280×720 pixels (16:9), 60 fps, 15 Mbit/s data rate
  • 720p = 1280×720 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate
  • WVGA = 848×480 pixels (16:9), 60 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate
• Sensor Type: 1/2.5″ HD CMOS, 2.2µm-sized pixels
• Light Sensitivity: Super low-light sensitivity (>1.4 V/lux-sec)
• Video Format: H.264 compression, saved as Windows- & Mac-compatible MPEG4 (.mp4) file
• Exposure Control: Auto with user selectable center weighted average and spot metering settings
• White Balance: Auto

Audio

• Microphone: Built-in, mono with AGC (automatic gain control)
• Audio Format: 48 kHz, AAC audio compression

Photo

• Resolution: 5 megapixel
• Capture Modes: Single shot, photo every 2, 5, 10, 30 or 60 secs.; 3 photo burst; self-timer

Storage

• Memory: SD card, up to 32GB capacity (SDHC)
• Average recording times (using 32GB SD card):
  • 1080p (30 fps): 4h 21m
  • 960p (30 fps): 5h 26m
  • 720p (60 fps): 4h 21
  • 720p (30 fps): 8h 09m
  • WVGA (60 fps): 8h 09m

Camera Connectors & Cables

• PC Connection: USB 2.0 (data connection and battery charging)
• HDTV Out: HD NTSC & PAL (component cable incl.)
• Audio Out: Combo 2.5mm jack with stereo audio and composite video out
• PC Compatibility: Windows® Vista or Windows® 7; Mac OS® X 10.4.11 and later

Power & Battery

• Battery Type: Rechargeable 1100 mAh lithium-ion
• Battery Life: Approx. 2.5 hrs
• Charging: via USB to computer or optional power adapter
• Charge Time: 80% capacity after 1 hour with optional power adapter; or 2 hours with a computer’s USB port

Waterproof Camera Housing

• Depth Rating: Up to 180 feet / 60 meters
• Construction: Polycarbonate and stainless steel
• Hardware: Stainless steel

Size & Weight

• Dimensions (H x W x D): 1.6” x 2.4” x 1.2” (42mm x 60mm x 30mm)
• Weight: 3.3oz (94g) incl. battery, 5.9oz (167g) incl. housing

thanks to Rick at GoPro for setting us up.

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I spend a lot of time geeking out on photography, and one of my favorite stops on the web is advertising photographer Chase Jarvis’s blog. He recently featured a post on how Nissan shot a car commercial, but featured a scaled down RC car as the subject. Much of the footage they shot was taken with a Canon 5D camera (probably a MII) as well as a RC helicopter, and an RC car, getting me thinking of how cool it would be to do something similar with mountain bikes, and a larger scale RC car for the POV footage. In this making of video, they even show that they considered a GoPro for the POV shots. (It was deemed to low quality for their production) My brother is a big RC car nut, so this one is for him:

And the finished product:

It’s pretty cool how they went into the detail with the RC car consultant brought in to make the cars drift. Good stuff. How cool would it be to have one of those RC helicopter set ups for filming somewhere like Post Canyon or Black Rock? It gets the mind thinking..

Check out the original post in its entirety here, and Nissan Canada’s YouTube channel here.

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I’ve been looking for a way to wirelessly fire my SLR remotely for some time now. Recently, I finally found it.

A self portrait shot using my new wireless remote setup.

Learn how I set up my camera to make this image after the jump.

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