AGR Outdoor Electronics Gift Guide
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All the best outdoor Electronics in one spot to spread some Holiday Cheer!
Under $50 –
Outdoor Tech Kodiak Mini Power Bank – $24.95
Battery running out of juice? Not anymore. The folks at Outdoor Tech continue to kill it was useful, awesome products that are rugged enough to take just about anywhere. The Outdoor Tech Kodiak Mini is a power bank designed to hold enough extra juice for you to quickly recharge all those devices you use now in the great outdoors – from GPS units to iPhones, this little guy carries enough juice to get you through. It’s also splash proof, and with the rubberized cap/exterior, you don’t have to worry about dropping it or kicking it around the tent when it falls out of your bag. Not only did I use it to charge up my phone, I also used it to charge up a running flashlight on a recent endeavor!
- 2600 mAh of power
- Water Resistant
- Enough juice for the following
- iPhone 1.5x
- GoPro 2.5x
- Galaxy 1x
- Super small – fits in a front pocket (unless you wear skinny jeans)
- Indicator to let you know when it’s charging.
- Comes charged out of the box!
- Holds a charge for a really long time – charge it up, throw it in the bag/car… use it when needed!!
- Weighs in at only 3oz
- There are no negatives here – you should probably buy one for yourself AND for stocking stuffers.
Nathan Zephyr Fire 100 Hand Torch – $29.99
For the Runner that *thinks* they have it all. This was one of those items that I never knew I needed… but now never leave the house without. The folks over at Nathan really know what they are doing with running gear, and the [linker q=”Zephyr Fire 100 Hand Torch” gtm=”merchant” ft=”fetchProducts”]Zephyr Fire 100 Hand Torch[/linker] is a great example of just that. It’s got all the things a runner needs to stay safe during those early morning or late night runs, and especially around this time of year this is a great running buddy. It’s angled in order to keep the path lit in front of you while running, and the hand strap makes it comfortable for the long haul. Included in this tiny package is also a warning/emergency siren, and a backlit red LED for safety – oh, and did I mention it’s RECHARGEABLE? Head on over to Nathan’s Website to check out the full array of lighting products.
- Rechargeable flashlight specifically designed for runners
- 108 lumens across 3 different lighting modes
- Integrated handstrap
- 24 degree downward beam angle
- Handstrap means easy to hold – even with gloves on
- Downward beam means no twisting your wrist, no discomfort
- Red LED back light warns vehicles coming behind you of your location, and is very visible
- Warning siren is nice and loud
- Great battery life
- No removable batteries means you gotta remember to charge it
- Buttons hard to press with gloves on
- Beam could be more focused
Outdoor Tech Adapt Bluetooth Headphone Adapter – $39.95
Turn any device wireless with this handy little guy. Got a favorite pair of running headphones? Maybe an old speaker you use in the Garage? This handy little adapter turns all of your old devices into awesome, wireless bluetooth devices. The integrated clip makes it easy to attach to a pocket, pack, or the waistband of your favorite running shorts. You can use the integrated controls to skips tracks, answers calls, and adjust volume – no need to fumble your iPhone out of your pocket!
- Wireless audio with built in microphone for taking calls
- Easy pairing to any bluetooth enabled device
- Sport clip
- 5-6 hours of battery life on a single charge
- 150 hours standby time
- Clip makes it easy to move your cord wherever you want – clips easily to clothes/pockets/bags
- Auto reconnect is nice for ease of use
- Buttons are large and easy to use
- lightweight and easy to carry
- Little on the pricey side at 40 bucks
- One more device to charge
- Really, those are nitpicky – if you need a bluetooth adapter, this is the one to get
Under $100
Cateye Volt 700 Rechargeable Bike Headlight – $96.76
That cyclist on your list needs some tech love, too. The Cateye Volt 700 rechargeable headlamp is a must have for any cyclist needing to ride in low light conditions. Whether it’s needed for commutes to work or those early morning training rides, this little guy packs a bright, highly visible punch. The lightweight design will satisfy all but the most picky weight weenies, and that easy of use makes it a go to choice among competitors.
- 5 different light modes – extra long battery life!
- Large Capacity battery, compatible with multiple lights in the Volt series
- 140 grams (light unit and battery)
- Up to 700 lumen output
- Lightweight
- Extremely visible
- Fast recharge
- flashing mode is excellent for safety in low light rides
- Helmet mount is not included
- Memory function is a bit confusing to set up
JBL Flip 3 Speaker – $99.95
Don’t let the elements keep you from rockin out. Great sound should come in surprisingly small packages. JBL delivers just that with the JBL Flip 3, the latest (and greatest) in the Flip series. This little guy is small enough to take with you wherever you want to go, is splashproof (you can even run water over it), and also lets you answer phone calls. It has probably one of the most awesome features around – the JBL Flip 3 is able to be wirelessly linked with multiple JBL Connect enabled speakers – so if one isn’t loud enough, go nuts and buy three to link ‘em all together. Check out our full thoughts here.
- Wireless, bluetooth streaming.
- 3000mAH rechargeable battery
- Speakerphone
- SPLASHPROOF
- JBL Connect
- Excellent sound quality for a small device
- easy to pair and connect
- super durable design
- great battery life
- TWO bass cones, one on either end
- Some distortion at very high (or very low, oddly enough) volume
Petzl Myo Headlamp – $99.95
Intended for the endurance athlete on your list – this little guy goes the distance. The [linker q=”Petzl Myo Headlamp” gtm=”merchant” id=”Petzl_Myo_RXP_2_Headlamp” ft=”fetchProducts” fb=”Petzl_Myo_RXP_2_Headlampquery_Petzl Myo Headlamp_~”]Petzl Myo Headlamp[/linker] has a whole slew of easy to use features and add-ons. This light will probably be burning long after you’ve racked up that latest PR at Ragnar. Perfect for any outdoor enthusiast on your holiday gift list, our favorite features include a wide angle flip lens (instantly converting a powerful high beam to a wide beam), balanced design for comfort, and PROGRAMMABLE lighting modes (the Petzl Myo Headlamp is probably smarter than I am) which your outdoor enthusiast can custom tailor to ANY event he/she chooses to subject themselves to – and because it retails at $99.95, you can gift it alone or pair it with more gear! Visit Petzl’s Website for more info.
- 370 Lumens in Boost Mode/280 Lumens in Max Mode
- Several “modes” to extend battery life
- Automatically switches modes to extend battery life
- Low battery indicators
- Removable top strap for stability
- $99.95
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Long battery life in settings
- Double AA batteries = lifesaver in the middle of nowhere
- Removable top strap for stability
- Not rechargeable
- Top strap is not easily removed
- Buttons hard to press with gloves on
- Flip lens IMPOSSIBLE to use when wet/cold/snowy/with gloves
Under $150
Outdoor Tech Tuis Wireless Headphones – $129.95
For the tech nerd who still gets outdoors – you know who they are. It’s rare that a product that’s hot off the shelves makes our gift guide – but we can’t say enough about the Outdoor Tech Tuis Wireless Headphones. These bluetooth headphones are the perfect blend of audio quality, comfort, portability… and price. The folks over at Outdoor Tech make great product that’s designed to last the long haul, and this set of headphones compares to headphones that are priced double this. Get this for anyone needing a good pair of headphones, and they’ll love you for life. Did I mention you can actually take calls on them, too? The call quality is excellent, comparable to dedicated bluetooth headsets when used indoors. They also included an aux jack, so if you run out of juice (which should be pretty impossible due to a whopping 16 hr battery life), just plug ’em in and keep rocking.
- Two 40mm drivers for great sound quality
- Bluetooth 4.0
- External controls on both the headset and the included aux Jack
- Built in mic for taking calls
- 16 HOURS PLAY TIME
- Up to 400 hrs standby time (how did they even test this!)
- Up to 30 foot range
- So. Darn. Comfortable.
- Folds up easily into a carry case – chuck in your bag, forgot about ‘em
- On ear pads make a great audio seal for loud environments
- BLUETOOTH 4.0!!
- Only weigh 6.1 oz – did I mention they were comfortable?
- Hard to make them comfortable with large framed hipster glasses
- So good that I never wanna use my other, more expensive headphones and Bluetooth devices
- I had to go look up what a Tuis was.
Plantronics Backbeat Fit – $129.99
For the person on the move, all the time. The Plantronics Backbeat Fit is the perfect companion for any activity – it’s design allows for ease of wear, and really stays put during all activities. Whether you’re doing a low slow distance run or all out sprints on a track, the Backbeat fit has the distinction of being the only Bluetooth headset we’ve tested that doesn’t eventually fall out of ears, no matter the activity level. Don’t believe us? Check out our full thoughts here.
- Hands free options
- Connects to any Bluetooth device
- 8 hrs listen time/6 hours talk time
- Bluetooth v3.0
- Eight Device Memory
- Actually stays put in your ears!
- Great sound quality among Bluetooth headsets
- Easy to pair/use
- Comes with an armband in the box! One stop shop for the price
- Unique control set
- Controls were a bit tricky to get used to
- Over ear construction stays put, but neck band gets in the way during some activities
- Stays put in your ears, but doesn’t seal in sound well
Garmin Vivosmart HR – $149.99
Because you just HAVE to know how many calories you can eat this Christmas. The Garmin Vivosmart HR isn’t just the latest in fitness trackers, it’s one of the greatest – it’s slim design makes it easy to where all day every day, and it’s just stylish enough to not attract untoward attention. It’ll measure all the stats you need to know (and then some) during any activity you are doing – it even has a barometric altimeter to measure how many floor you’ve climbed (via steps – not the elevator). Connecting it with the app is a cinch, and you can even wear it in the pool!
- 160 x 68 pixel display
- Touchscreen
- 5 days battery life
- Waterproof up to 5 ATM
- Smart notifications from your phone when paired
- Accelerometer calculates indoor track workouts
- Sleep monitor works great with built in alarm
- Garmin Connect App is easy to use and set up
- Syncs automatically
- Less battery life than predecessor
- Display is a bit hard to read updates on
Goin’ all out!
Apple Watch Sport 38mm – $349.99
That’s right – Apple is in the active game in a “little” way. The apple watch, after much anticipation finally hit the scene this year, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention it. The watch comes in a few different finishes, and for that “active” someone in your life, go ahead and get the rubberized band to turn this little baby into his/her favorite workout companion. The Apple Watch isn’t exactly intended as only an active product, so we figure he/she will probably just be wearing it around all the time, day or night. Most of it’s function comes down to the apps you pick out for it, so feel free to customize away.
- Silver, space gray, gold, or rose gold finish
- Ion-X glass
- Retina display
- Heart rate sensor, accelerometer, and gyroscope
- Bluetooth 4.0
- 18 hrs battery life
- Packed with features
- Talk to Siri to do things
- GPS (when running with a phone)
- Tap/Touchscreen
- You have to run with your phone, no built in GPS
- Hope you like Nike+ or Strava
- Battery drain from workout apps is heavy – you’ll need to charge it daily if you workout daily
Garmin fenix 3 GPS Watch – $499.99
You might as well say “Merry Christmas to me” right now, ‘cause no one’s gonna buy this for you. Which doesn’t mean they shouldn’t, it just means that it costs $499.99, and ol’ Saint Nick isn’t famed for being a hardcore endurance athlete (you ain’t burnin’ all those cookies sittin’ in the sleigh, Santa). Garmin sure set the bar high on this little guy – it’s got just about everything you would want in a multisport watch and then some – and they know it. Highly customizable, the Garmin fenix 3 GPS watch is sure to make even the staunchest athlete on your list smile, if you take the plunge. If not, just buy it for yourself this Christmas ‘cause you know you need it.
- Stainless steel EXO antenna with GPS
- 1.2 inch display
- Several outdoor navigation features
- Several custom apps an watch
- Smart notifications are easy to use for either iPhone or Android
- ABC sensors are accurate and real time
- Swim training AND ski/board training modes
- Readable in direct sunlight
- Quicker GPS lock on than past Garmin units
- Feels a bit large on slimmer wrists, may not be comfortable enough to wear all day
- Lens seems to scratch easily compared to other Garmin products
- Slower GPS lock than other company offerings
- Sync feature is hit or miss