Freeskier's Best Of: Part 1 - Gadgets

PA R T I

G A D G E T S

THE BEST ALWAYS RISE TO THE TOP FINDGENERALSNUS.COM ©2016 Swedish Match North Europe AB

W E L C O M E

DEAR READER ,

Welcome to FREESKIER’s premiere “Best Of” booklet — the first in a series of four mini-magazines highlighting some of the best products, events and destinations in our sport and community.

Throughout the season, each issue of FREESKIER will feature a different “Best Of” booklet showcasing the best tech products (Buyer's Guide); Ski Town Festivals (Nov); Cat and Heli destinations (Dec); Mountain-Town Brews (Jan) - because we know how thirsty you get after a day of shredding.

In this “Best Of” installment, we feature premium tech gadgets for use both on and off the hill. Like you, we can’t get enough gadgetry – so we’ve compiled this collection of the 25 best gadgets of 2016. These are the tech toys that provide the soundtrack to our days, enable us to capture those special moments and keep us safe as we travel through the mountains.

So without further ado, feast your eyes on some of the best tech products of the year.

Sincerely, — Your friends at FREESKIER

P U B L I S H E D BY

S TO R M M O U N TA I N M E D I A PO Box 789 — 137 2nd Ave Niwot, CO 80544

WELCOME

QC35 WIRELESS HEADPHONES BOSE

$ 3 4 9 95 • B O S E . C O M

The QuietComfort 35 Wireless headphones are perfect for work, travel or any other time you need to block out the chaos of the world and just jam out. These puppies are noise-cancelling, wireless, lightweight and offer up to 20 hours of listening per charge. Additionally, the Bose Connect app manages your digital devices seamlessly so the headphones hook up to the right one every time.

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INK’D WIRELESS SKULLCANDY

$ 4 9 99 • S K U L L C A N D Y . C O M

Skullcandy makes it easy to go wireless with the affordable, noise-isolating Ink’d Wireless earbuds. They come in at a scant 24 grams and feature a flexible collar that sits lightly on the neck, offering volume, track and call control as well as a built-in microphone. Charge them up and take them wherever you want to go thanks to an eight-hour battery life.

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SOLANO GLOVE BLACK DIAMOND $ 3 4 9 00

B L A C K D I A M O N D E Q U I P M E N T. C O M

Rechargeable, heated gloves? Yes, please.

The Black Diamond Solano has a durable, waterproof exterior with an interior heating system that features a whopping 36 different heat levels for customized warmth. Charge it up at night and it’ll keep your digits toasty all day long—no matter what conditions you're battling.

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ABOM GOGGLE

SNOWSTRIKE VARIOTRONIC

ABOM

UVEX

$ 2 4 9 99 • A B O M . C O M $ 2 6 9 99 with mirrored lens

$ 4 9 9 00 • U V E X . C O M

The number one complaint about goggles is foggy lenses. Now you never have to worry about that thanks to the Abom Goggle, an anti-fog treasure that uses technology similar to your car’s rear window defroster to eliminate the problem. Powered by a rechargeable battery, the goggle features a transparent film within the lens that heats up and keeps your vision clear-as-can-be.

Uvex’s advanced Snowstrike Variotronic goggle is something you might have found in a Sci-Fi movie not that long ago. Utilizing liquid crystal technology, it changes lens tint and light transmission levels in less than one tenth of a second.

When you’re whizzing in and out of different light conditions you can count on it to happen automatically with its built-in light sensor, or you can adjust manually with the touch of a button.

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ABS AIRBAG JACKET SUBQ DESIGNS

$ 1 , 0 9 9 00 • S U B Q D E S I G N S . C O M

This tech-loaded jacket features removable airbags, ski-carrying slots, skin pockets, a subpack for goods, a hydration sleeve and a quick-access beacon pocket. If we didn’t know any better, we’d think Inspector Gadget made this thing. But, instead, we have the innovative team at SubQ Designs to thank; the company was founded by folks with backgrounds in both medical and backcountry fields.

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GOTENNA GOTENNA

$ 1 9 9 00 per pair • G O T E N N A . C O M

When communication is crucial but you don’t have service in the mountains, GoTenna has your back. This water-resistant, dust-tight tool hooks up to your phone and turns it into an off-grid communication antenna, allowing you to send texts and GPS information to others. Grab a pair, leave one with a friend or family member and get your adventure on with peace of mind that clear communication is at hand.

SP2 AVAT E C H

$ 1 , 4 9 9 00 • AVA T E C H . C O M

You can never be too careful in the backcountry and the Avatech SP2 is a valuable tool to that end.

Aimed toward the snow industry pros and trusted by legend Chris Davenport, among other experienced backcountry enthusiasts, the SP2 measures the snowpack by taking 5,000 measurements per second via Smartprobe technology, then syncing information (available in multiple languages) to your phone immediately. It only weighs 1.2 pounds, too.

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POPSOCKET POPSOCKETS

$ 10 00 • P O P S O C K E T S . C O M

The PopSocket is a simple, yet amazingly helpful gizmo that adheres to the back of your phone and acts as a grip, media stand, cord wrap or whatever other function you might find useful. It's perfect for helping you avoid dropping your phone from the chairlift while sending a quick text, or shooting pictures and video while on the slopes. They’re available in myriad colors or designs and you can even upload your own photos or logos to their site to create your own personalized PopSocket.

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WARM N' CHARGE DRYGUY

$ 3 9 95 • D R Y G U Y . C O M

A smarter hand warmer and a portable phone charger in one device. The Warm N’ Charge allows you to pick your desired temperature level and keep your digits warm enough so that you can nail the Instagram caption on your fully charged phone. It comes with an Android-compatible USB cord but will work just fine with your iPhone cord as well.

ACTIVE LENS OLLOCLIP

$ 1 0 0 00 • O L L O C L I P. C O M

Leverage your phone’s camera to take better photos than ever with the Olloclip Active Lens.

It slips perfectly onto any iPhone 6 and offers two different lenses in one: a 2x telephoto lens for prime zooming and an ultra-wide lens for properly capturing the true breadth of your adventures.

These available lenses also face both forward and backwards (a.k.a. selfie capability).

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FINDGENERALSNUS.COM ©2016 Swedish Match North Europe AB

WARNING: This product can cause

COMPLETE the EXPERIENCE. The latest in navigation, safety and equipment can keep you on the mountain. General Snus keeps you in the moment.

gum disease and tooth loss.

FENIX 3 HR GARMIN

$ 5 9 9 99 • G A R M I N . C O M

The Fenix 3 HR is one of the most capable high tech watches we’ve ever seen. Underneath the 1.2 inch Chroma Display with domed sapphire lens you can access ski mode (one of many modes) to track your speed, distance, vertical drop and the number of runs you’ve bagged. Additionally, you can use GPS navigation, altimeter, barometer and compass functions to find your way into and out of the backcountry.

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BEARTOOTH BEARTOOTH

$ 1 4 9 00 pre-order - ships December 2016 $ 4 0 0 00 per pair MSRP BEARTOOTH.COM

Turn your phone into a walkie talkie with Beartooth, a sleek device that pairs with your phone and allows you text and talk capabilities when cell service is out of the question. Whether you’re in a dead zone at the resort or deep in the backcountry, you can stay in touch with other Beartooth-bearing folks (they’re sold in pairs) to let them know you’re safe and sound.

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MINI USB DIGITAL SCALE

RESYNC 6000

BALANZZA

BRUNTON

We’ve all been there: The scale says 51 pounds and the airline folks make you pay an overweight fee over one lousy pound.

Avoid that nonsense with the Balanzza Mini USB, a USB-chargeable scale that precisely weighs your luggage at home via a simple hanging loop. Hang it, weigh it and go enjoy that ski trip like a champ. In your face, airlines. In. Your. Face.

Charge your electronics on the go with the Brunton Resync 6000. This shockproof, weatherproof unit is easy to transport and has two USB ports for rejuvenating your phone, camera or whatever else needs some juice.

Furthermore, you can gain a charge through the built-in solar panel when outlets and USB power sources aren’t available. We’re lookin’ at you, backcountry skiers.

$ 2 4 95 • B A L A N Z Z A S T O R E . C O M

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$ 7 9 99 • B R U N T O N . C O M

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BCA LINK BCA

$ 1 4 9 95 • B A C K C O U N T R YA C C E S S . C O M

This two-way radio ain’t no kid’s toy. It’s built to keep you safe in the backcountry through reliable communication technology that’s powered by a four-day battery life. Store the radio unit in your pack and clip the Smart Mic to your backpack strap for full control and easy communication.

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PHANTOM 4 DJI

$ 1 , 3 9 9 00 • D J I . C O M

See and capture the world from angles you never thought were possible with the sleek and reliable Phantom 4 drone. This futuristic beast can travel at 44 MPH for almost half an hour and can even track moving objects automatically via DJI’s advanced ActiveTrack technology. With a control range up to three miles you can capture stunning HD video wherever and whenever you want.

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TRACE T RACE

$ 1 9 9 99 • T R A C E U P. C O M

We know you shred, but how hard do you really shred? Find out with Trace, a peanut butter cup-sized device that mounts to your skis and tracks speed, distance, run count, calories burned, air time, jump height, jump distance and more. Now you can back up your bragging with the hard facts, shredder.

TURTLE SHELL 3.0 OUTDOOR TECH

$ 1 2 9 95 • O U T D O O R T E C H N O L O G Y . C O M

Building on the success of previous Turtle Shells, the 3.0 brings note-perfect sound along with new features that put it leaps and bounds beyond runof-the-mill competitors. The rechargeable speaker boasts a 25-hour battery life (at mid-volume) and a built-in power bank that allows you to charge your other electronics on the go. On top of that, the entire unit is waterproof and even floats.

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FRE POWER LIFEPROOF

$ 1 4 9 99 • L I F E P R O O F. C O M

LifeProof, a leader in the phone case world, is known for the protection provided by some of the burliest products in the game. Combine that with some extra power and you’ve got a winning combo.

The FRĒ Power delivers two full charges through a built-in battery while keeping your phone impervious to snow, dirt, dust and spilled beer.

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64GB iXPAND MEMORY CASE SANDISK CASE

$ 9 9 00 • S A N D I S K . C O M

In today’s world of technological advances every new type of media requires more data and more storage. Enter the SanDisk iXpand Memory Case.

It offers 64GB of built-in memory that serves as an external hard drive for the photos, videos and music you want on your phone. Simply connect it via the lightning port and go have some digital fun.

(Available for iPhone 6 and 6S only. Also comes in 32GB and 128GB options.)

JUICE PACK WIRELESS MOPHIE

$ 9 9 95 • M O P H I E . C O M

Battery-powered cases certainly are nice but Mophie has taken it to the next level with this one, including a wireless charging base to make your life that much easier. Simply place the case on its charging pad at any angle and you’ll be juiced up in no time.

Furthermore, the Juice Pack is compatible with most other wireless charging stations.

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GNARBOX GNARBOX

$ 2 9 9 00 preorder GNARBOX.COM

Manage your photos and videos on the go with the GNARBOX. This powerful mini computer can store up to 128GB of content—imported through memory cards or USB cables—and sync that content to your phone so you can see it all right away and even edit it through the intuitive GNARBOX app. No more waiting; just shred, watch, edit and share.

BLUETOOTH AUDIO PACK SENA

$ 9 9 00

$ 1 2 9 00 with waterproof case SENA.COM

You love your GoPro because it captures beautiful video, not necessarily beautiful audio. That’s why Sena released the Bluetooth Audio Pack; it connects seamlessly to the back of your GoPro to capture crisp audio while blocking out annoying wind noise. And, it can even connect to other friends’ Packs so you can capture full conversations (and screams of exhilaration) from the whole crew.

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HERO4 BLACK GOPRO

$ 4 9 9 99 • G O P R O . C O M

Stop simply telling your friends and family about how much fun you had skiing and show them with the world’s best action cam instead.

The Hero4 Black offers 4K video, slow motion options ranging up to 240 frames per second, supreme durability and waterproofness. Not to mention, this thing takes top-tier 12 megapixel still photos, too.

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