A round-up of this week's must-haves
Eton Boost Turbine
Eton has a range of hand-crank radios, so it’s probably a logical line extension for them to make a wind-up charger too. It’s ideal to recharge when you’re off grid, if solar isn’t an option.
This is nicely designed, with an aluminium casing and a rubberised handle that folds away neatly. It does demand elbow grease to crank it up, however when fully-charged, has enough juice to completely recharge most micro-USB smartphones. It’ll do a tablet too, eventually, more tortoise than hare. An LED array lets you know just how far you’re getting with the cranking. Or you can parcel out small bursts for individual messages or calls: about a 30 seconds chat from a minute’s winding.
Comes in a range of colours with 1000 2000mAh versions.
Eton BoostTurbine $49 see etoncorp.com
Pentax K-30
Of course DSLR cameras give better pictures, or at least, offer the opportunity to take better ones: it still depends on the photographer’s eye and technique in the end. But they aren’t generally the type of camera that you’d whip out willy-nilly in the rough and tumble world, where the weather is brutal. DSLRs don’t like lying on the sand or getting a constant spray as you cut water. They’re often seen to be a little more sensitive than that.
The Pentax K-30 arrives as a new, tough kid on the block – weather resistant, dustproof, cold-proof. It’s got all the functionality and image muscle you’d expect of a DSLR – decent 16MPX sensor, 1080 HD video, fast shooting mode, large LCD screen. And that most vital of features for the serious photographer: an actual viewfinder. You can use it in sub-zero conditions or driving rain. Could be good for our summers then. It isn’t completely waterproof though, like some digital compacts, so don’t jump into the pool with it.
Pentax K-30 €850 from connscameras.ie
Cole Haan Waterproof Wingtips
Now owned by Nike (although it is apparently trying to sell it), Cole Haan has been in the fashion business since 1928. These Wingtips look hip and act tech, with Nike’s Lunarlon cushioning system adapted for an urban shoe. It features a lightweight, robust foam inner surrounded by a supportive outer for a springier step. And although they’re hardly suitable for a wet day hillwalking, they are waterproof too, with the smooth grain leather seam-sealed to keep your pinkies dry. Speaking of pink, the bold splashes of colour on the rubbery, Camperish soles make for a cool counterpoint to the conservative style uppers, so preppy-proof too.
Cole Haan Waterproof Wingtips From $280, available soon, see colehaan.com