Stuff Geeks Want

What if I told you there was a tiny device that could track how many calories you burn throughout the day and the quality and amount of sleep you get each night. Would you think I’m from the future?

Actually, I sort of would be, because the Fitbit won’t be shipping until “late December/early January”.

The Fitbit’s tiny dimensions houses a three-dimenial motion sensor, which the makers say is good enough to measure the intensity and duration of your physical activity, including how many steps you’ve taken and how far you’ve travelled.

It can also tell you how many times you wake up during the night and how long you were asleep versus just lying in bed (apparently your writst twitches slightly when you’re actually sleeping).

Software for Windows and Mac OS X will let the Fitbit sync itself automatically to your computer when you’re near the basestation, and a full charge will last up to 10 days.

Pre-order now for just $99.

This has got to be one of the nerdiest things we’ve ever seen.

Presenting the Connect-a-Desk:

And while the Connect-a-Desk promo video is pretty horrible, we have to believe that the product could actually be pretty useful in the right circumstances.

Like, if you want to look like a complete dork, you definitely need one.

And you can buy it from Amazon… can you believe that? Yes, for $40 or so, this thing can be yours.

Man I love innovation.

Have you ever found yourself looking up at the sky at night, struggling to remember what constellation’s you’re looking at? Can you only pick out a few constellataions like Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, and maybe find the North Star?

Were you a Boy Scout in a previous life, and used to know a lot more about our universe and the cellestial bodies than you know now?

I fit all of those descriptions, which is why I think the Celestron SkyScout is so cool.

Using GPS and a look-through point and click interface, the SkyScout can identify over 6,000 stars, planets and constellations from it’s built in database, on the fly. It also provides comprehensive text and audio descriptions of the history, mythology and significance of each object you’re looking at.

The red LED backlit display will come in handy at night-time too, since it’ll be bright when you’re out in the dark wilderness (or your back yard) but won’t be blindingly bring like white lights would be.

Lastly, because they’ve included a USB port for database download and updating, as well as the ability to use Sky Tour audio presentations (like All about the Stars and Astronomy for Beginners) for interactive tours of the night sky, I’m not worried at all about this thing getting “out of date” and not being used over the years.

Price: $299.99 from Amazon.com

When venturing into the backcountry, I’m a fan of a topographic map and a compass—GPS takes a lot of the ruggedness out of the equation.

But I’m also a fan of survival and, almost equally important these days, staying on schedule. So maybe leveraging a few satellites that are already in space isn’t such a bad thing.

Being a geek, the only suitable handheld GPS is a top-of-the-line one, like Garmin’s Colorado 400t.

The 400-series sports these features common to all Colorado receivers:

• high-sensitivity GPS receiver
• 3-inch color display
• scroll wheel (similar to your iPod, and way more effective than buttons)
• SD card slot
• barometric alitmeter
• ability to share data wirelessly to other Colorado receivers

That last one is especially neat, since you can beam the route you took on an excursion to a friend for them to repeat, or vice versa.

The primary difference between the Colorado 300 and the Colorado 400 series are the preloaded maps: the 300 doesn’t have any extra maps beyond the general ones of North America, while the 400 series are configured as follows:

• 400t: 3D topographic maps
• 400i: inland lakes
• 400c: BlueChart g2 with limited capability

Suggested retail pricing on the 400-series is a hefty $640, but you can pick them up for considerably less from Amazon:

• 400t – $482.86
• 480i – $480.31
• 400c – $480.70

Or, if you decide the Colorado 300 is sufficient for your needs, Amazon has that for $395.54 (the suggested price is around $535).

Nothing else improves your chances of survival more than a lighter. Capable of creating warmth, light, and a means for safely preparing food, fire is always taken for granted—until you really need it.

Be prepared with the Windmill Delta Shockproof Lighter. This lighter can keep a flame even against the strongest of winds, it’s waterproof when closed, and extra rugged to ensure no damage if dropped down the side of a mountain.

It’s also the choice of Survivorman’s Les Stroud and costs less than similar lighters, like Brunton’s Helios Stormproof Lighter (SRP: $84.40, $52.11 from Amazon).

The Windmill Delta Shockproof Lighter comes in four colors. We’ve scoped out the lowest prices so you don’t have to:

• Smoke Green: $39.24 (Knife Depot via Amazon)
• Black: $39.99 (Think Geek, search for “Delta Lighter”)
• Matte Green: $48.60 (OutdoorPros)
• Blaze Orange: $46.68 (Ambient Weather via Amazon)

Maybe 21st century is a bit extreme, since there’s nothing high-tech about ladder golf, which is also affectionately called bolo toss, redneck golf, or hillbilly golf.

Still, it’s a step up from hillbilly horseshoes, which sees the horseshoes swapped for toilet seats.

Anyway, back to ladder golf. The idea is simple (meaning it mixes well with alcohol): you toss two small balls that are connected by a string and try to get them to land on various rungs.

Sounds too basic? That’s why it’s called redneck golf. But it can be a good bit of fun (especially when mixed with alcohol).

True rednecks will buy the balls separately (less than $10 a set) and build their own ladder out of PVC piping or something similar.

Or you can buy a complete setup, with prices ranging from mid-$30 for Coleman’s version to around $70 for a fancier wooden set (pictured here).

Some people compost. Some people recycle. Some people share cars.

Living green is our future. While some aspects will inevitably become faddish and rife with snake-oil claims, there are many positive ways to reshape our consumer behaviors.

Xtracycle is but one of thousands of effective ways to live fully, but also to chip away at our nation-leading 22% global energy consumption.

Own a bike? Road or mountain, the Sport Utility Bicycle (SUB) will transform it into a 200-lb load-bearing steed capable of carrying groceries, surfboards or even people.

By removing your existing rear wheel, brakes and derailleur, the SUB frame extends your wheelbase, attaching at the dropouts and near the bottom bracket. The extended length allows you more cargo room than traditional rack and pannier systems.

Handling is exactly like riding a bike except more stable. Braking is improved due to the longer wheelbase. There are no moving parts to snag or snap. Total weight is halved compared to a trailer, and steering isn’t impacted since you’re not trailing something.

But wait, you’ve got children and they need to be picked up at school. No sweat, Xtracycle even has handle bars and seat attachments for your tikes to ride aboard your SUB.

If your work, weekly errands and friends are reachable by foot, bike or public transit then your lifestyle can handle being car-less.

Provide your own bike and Retrofit Kits start at $224 for frame and install-kit only, or $399 for rack, frame and install kit. Or keep your rig pristine and buy one of their bikes starting at $599. Surly has even gotten in on the action and offer’s a custom-built Xtracycle for $1,799.

Grilling in the dark can be a chore. Even if you have ample overhead light, the big hood means you’re probably still casting a shadow over your food when you go to flip it or check on it.

Lights that clamp to the hood are one solution, but we prefer this Magnetic BBQ Light that sticks to the actual tool itself, focusing bright light right where it’s most needed.

At less than $15, each one pays for itself with every perfect steak you save from overcooking.