outdoors

OkMap is a free geographical software package that can create, edit, and manage digital maps, import data from GPS devices, scanners, and other sources, plot your position in real time, and extract statistics.

With its detailed toolbar and feature-packed menu bar, OkMap's interface bears a strong resemblance to digital imaging and word processing tools, but with a specific geographical focus. The program opened with an optional tool tip that we could click through for a general view of the program's capabilities. An online-hosted, PDF-based Help file does an excellent job of explaining this versatile application's many features … Read more

Most of the Bluetooth headphones we review sit on top of your head, but the Outdoor Technology Bluetooth Tags fit in your ears with a long cord that wraps around your neck, which comes in handy when you're not listening to music. They're meant to dangle off your neck like a pair of dog tags, and a small plastic clip on the wire lets you twist them together.

The set comes with three colo-coded ear tip sizes, a Mini-USB cable for charging through a port on your computer, and a small plastic carrying case.

Since there's no room on the cable for the remote control, all the navigation is done directly on the right earbud using three buttons: one multifunction button to play and stop, and two directional buttons to skip forward or backward through a playlist.

The company also includes two plastic ear clips that securely fasten to your ears while you're listening. The tags weren't specifically designed for athletes, but the clips make it easy to add a soundtrack for jogging, cycling, hiking, and other active sports.… Read more

Another three-day weekend is upon us--time to disconnect, get out into the wilderness, and leave all those gadgets behind. Well, except for your smartphone, of course. These days, for me at least, an Android device is more valuable than a Swiss Army knife, even in backcountry areas where there's no hope of a finding a single bar of roaming service. But you'll need to do a little bit of preparation and hit the Android Market before you go. Here's my list of key tips and apps to turn your Android device into a digital command center for all you long-weekend warriors. … Read more

Purchasing a new grill is a big responsibility. Not only do prospective owners need to consider style and size, but they also have to decide between gas, wood, or charcoal. These things matter, as each option provides its own set of benefits. But just because owners are faced with the choice doesn't mean they have to decide. One company provides options for all three.

Debuting today at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas, Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet has unveiled its new 2011 line of Hybrid Fire Grills. Using a drawer system located above the gas burners and … Read more

The backyard has long been a destination for expanding kitchen-related activities. Even the old saying, "everything but the kitchen sink," no longer applies to outdoor cooking areas; outdoor kitchen setups have had sinks available as options for quite some time. However there is one piece of the outdoor kitchen puzzle that hasn't yet made it into the design plans of backyard grillers.

The new outdoor dishwasher from Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet completes the outdoor kitchen. Unveiled this week in New York at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, the appliance will be available for purchase in summer 2011. … Read more

Most outdoor enthusiasts and athletes choose headphones based on utility: folding band over-ears for easy storage and durability or rubber hook buds for sweat resistance, but the Outdoor Technology (OT) Bluetooth Tags throw a new design into the marketplace: rugged earbud headphones that hang loosely around your neck while not in use, like a pair of dog tags.

The $80 OT Tags come in black and red and eliminate the fumbling and tangles that come with loose wires with two Bluetooth wireless earpieces connected with a strong braided wire. It's compatible with all A2DP device including most smartphones, but … Read more

Our obsession with the weather continues with this wearable tent, which, of course, has to exist since there's already one you can sleep in and another to float in should it (knock wood) flood in your neck of the woods.

But whatever was MontBell thinking when it staked this thing out? While it's a great 2-in-1 on paper, it's almost impossible to have your tent and wear it too, particularly in a downpour. And here's another deal breaker--there's no base sheet to this $100-ish contraption, so that's a yucky no-no for soggy grounds. One … Read more

At least part of the controversy over whether to limit the sale of fuel that's more than 10 percent ethanol is over, for now anyway. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today waived a limitation on selling 15 percent ethanol--known as E15--for cars and light trucks 2007 or newer.

Last month, a controversy brewed over whether vehicles older 2007, or 2001, would be cleared to use E15, based on tests. The organization, Follow the Science, said the 50 percent increase in ethanol could damage catalytic converters in older vehicles, as well as engines of boats, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, … Read more

At some point in their lives, most people who are culinarily inclined procure some sort of backyard grill capable of expanding their kitchen to the great outdoors. Even those without regular access to backyards or patios explore possibilities with portable versions of gas or charcoal grills. Safe to say, outdoor cooking is immensely popular, and a well-mined territory. Related gadgets and accessories of all shapes and sizes populate store shelves of all shapes and sizes, and the term "grill-master" gets thrown about often, allowing everybody, everywhere the opportunity to fine tune their own particular method for outdoor grilling. … Read more