GPS items top wish lists of outdoor enthusiasts [moncler outerwear]
As Christmas nears, store shelves are packed with everything from space-aged electronics to low-cost accessories for the outdoor lover and age-group athlete in your life.
No matter what the pastime, remember these three letters for a really special gift: GPS. They stand for Global Positioning Satellite receivers, which triangulate signals from satellites overhead to pinpoint locations on earth within a matter of feet.
An inexpensive receiver aids hikers, hunters, geocachers and others in finding their way in places without signposts. For example, Bass Pro offers the Garmin eTrex 10 Handheld GPS Unit preloaded with a base map and with enhanced geocaching features for $119.
For fishing, GPS can be paired with computer maps to project the image of a boat's relative position to places that might have fishing. Anglers also can store their favorite spots in a unit's memory so they can return time after time. GPS enhances on-the-water safety. Boaters can mark the location of a boat ramp and return after dark or if rain or fog harms visibility. Units range from $150 to several hundred dollars, depending on features.
For cyclists, Scott Davis at Bloomington Cycle & Fitness suggested the Garmin 800, which measures speed and distance. The unit has a base map. No more getting lost on unfamiliar routes. Push a button to find the closest restaurants and other services. The Garmin 800 is also compatible with power meters that advanced cyclists use for training. Cost is $450.
Andre Conton at Vitesse Cycle/Often Running in Normal pointed to the Garmin Forerunner GPS 110 for runners. The Forerunner uses GPS to track distance, pace and overall time, and it's compatible with the Garmin heart-rate monitor, which is sold separately. Cost is $200.
If you have a triathlete on your list, they'd appreciate Garmin's newest GPS-equipped 910XT. The unit that straps to the wrist can measure swim distance, stroke count, lap time and swim efficiency. On land, Forerunner 910XT offers many of the features of Garmin's advanced cycling computers and sport watches to accurately measure time, distance, speed, pace and more. Data can be uploaded into a computer for analysis and to map the route for future reference. Battery life is 20 hours, long enough for an IronMan race. Cost is $450 with a heart rate monitor.
Some other gift ideas:
Heavy snow last winter made cross-country skiing gear a popular sale at WildCountry, according to Dick Smith, who owns the business on Linden Street in Normal and other locations at Eastland Mall in Bloomington and Champaign. Packages including skis, poles, boots and more sell for about $320, which includes a two-hour introductory class to the sport.
Swimmers can enjoy music while swimming endless laps with a SwiMP3 1 GB waterproof MP3 player by Finis. Price is $134.95. Check out www.finisinc.com.
Fishermen can always use another fishing rod. Make the next one special with a custom rod by Paul Center of Normal. Prices vary. Phone 309-454-8942.
For hunters or birdwatchers, the Songbird Clear is a high-quality hearing enhancement device for people who want to enjoy the sounds of the world around them. Price is $119.99, available at select CVS and Walgreens locations or through www.songbirdclear.com.
When winter forces cyclists indoors, a trainer lets them keep right on spinning. A CycleOps fluid trainer costs about $350 at local bike shops.
Some people ride their bikes outdoors all winter long. For safety on dark mornings and evenings, Davis suggests the NiteRider Technical Light System with three light levels. Get two to five hours of light. Cost is $120. A powerful dual beam model is $299. Less expensive lights also are available. The Ion Flare Series for front and back sells for $65; Blackburn's Voyager front and Mars rear click lights sell for about $25 at Vitesse.
Runners who like a workout after dark can be safer with the Amphipod Full-Viz Series light for just $15 at Often Running.
Sparked by the book "Born to Run," many runners are adopting a less-is-more attitude when it comes to shoes. Vibrams' FiveFingers are as close as you get to wearing nothing on your feet. Cost is $90 at WildCountry.
Nothing says "Christmas" quite like pepper spray to protect cyclists and runners. Cost is $14.
Warm clothes and gear are always appreciated, no matter the sport. WildCountry has a big selection of both for all kinds of outdoor activities, including the Columbia base layer with reflective material close to the skin to hold in the heat. Cost is $60. Bloomington Cycle and Vitesse Often Running carry garments and accessories for people who ride bikes and run, including windproof jackets and thermal gloves and protective shoe covers.
No matter what the pastime, remember these three letters for a really special gift: GPS. They stand for Global Positioning Satellite receivers, which triangulate signals from satellites overhead to pinpoint locations on earth within a matter of feet.
An inexpensive receiver aids hikers, hunters, geocachers and others in finding their way in places without signposts. For example, Bass Pro offers the Garmin eTrex 10 Handheld GPS Unit preloaded with a base map and with enhanced geocaching features for $119.
For fishing, GPS can be paired with computer maps to project the image of a boat's relative position to places that might have fishing. Anglers also can store their favorite spots in a unit's memory so they can return time after time. GPS enhances on-the-water safety. Boaters can mark the location of a boat ramp and return after dark or if rain or fog harms visibility. Units range from $150 to several hundred dollars, depending on features.
For cyclists, Scott Davis at Bloomington Cycle & Fitness suggested the Garmin 800, which measures speed and distance. The unit has a base map. No more getting lost on unfamiliar routes. Push a button to find the closest restaurants and other services. The Garmin 800 is also compatible with power meters that advanced cyclists use for training. Cost is $450.
Andre Conton at Vitesse Cycle/Often Running in Normal pointed to the Garmin Forerunner GPS 110 for runners. The Forerunner uses GPS to track distance, pace and overall time, and it's compatible with the Garmin heart-rate monitor, which is sold separately. Cost is $200.
If you have a triathlete on your list, they'd appreciate Garmin's newest GPS-equipped 910XT. The unit that straps to the wrist can measure swim distance, stroke count, lap time and swim efficiency. On land, Forerunner 910XT offers many of the features of Garmin's advanced cycling computers and sport watches to accurately measure time, distance, speed, pace and more. Data can be uploaded into a computer for analysis and to map the route for future reference. Battery life is 20 hours, long enough for an IronMan race. Cost is $450 with a heart rate monitor.
Some other gift ideas:
Heavy snow last winter made cross-country skiing gear a popular sale at WildCountry, according to Dick Smith, who owns the business on Linden Street in Normal and other locations at Eastland Mall in Bloomington and Champaign. Packages including skis, poles, boots and more sell for about $320, which includes a two-hour introductory class to the sport.
Swimmers can enjoy music while swimming endless laps with a SwiMP3 1 GB waterproof MP3 player by Finis. Price is $134.95. Check out www.finisinc.com.
Fishermen can always use another fishing rod. Make the next one special with a custom rod by Paul Center of Normal. Prices vary. Phone 309-454-8942.
For hunters or birdwatchers, the Songbird Clear is a high-quality hearing enhancement device for people who want to enjoy the sounds of the world around them. Price is $119.99, available at select CVS and Walgreens locations or through www.songbirdclear.com.
When winter forces cyclists indoors, a trainer lets them keep right on spinning. A CycleOps fluid trainer costs about $350 at local bike shops.
Some people ride their bikes outdoors all winter long. For safety on dark mornings and evenings, Davis suggests the NiteRider Technical Light System with three light levels. Get two to five hours of light. Cost is $120. A powerful dual beam model is $299. Less expensive lights also are available. The Ion Flare Series for front and back sells for $65; Blackburn's Voyager front and Mars rear click lights sell for about $25 at Vitesse.
Runners who like a workout after dark can be safer with the Amphipod Full-Viz Series light for just $15 at Often Running.
Sparked by the book "Born to Run," many runners are adopting a less-is-more attitude when it comes to shoes. Vibrams' FiveFingers are as close as you get to wearing nothing on your feet. Cost is $90 at WildCountry.
Nothing says "Christmas" quite like pepper spray to protect cyclists and runners. Cost is $14.
Warm clothes and gear are always appreciated, no matter the sport. WildCountry has a big selection of both for all kinds of outdoor activities, including the Columbia base layer with reflective material close to the skin to hold in the heat. Cost is $60. Bloomington Cycle and Vitesse Often Running carry garments and accessories for people who ride bikes and run, including windproof jackets and thermal gloves and protective shoe covers.
2011-12-05 12:36
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