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Apparel Connected Objects

Save your swing with the IOFIT connected golf shoes

The pursuit of the perfect swing on the green is the goal of every budding golfer out there. Countless hours are spent chasing it, usually with an expensive coach nearby. But while the team behind the IOFIT can’t compete with the value a coach provides, it sure can help.

The company’s self-titled IOFIT connected golf shoes is its attempt. In creating lightweight, breathable golf shoes equipped with waterproof pressure sensors, users wearing them can track balance and weight shift while taking a swing. Bluetooth connectivity pushes this data to IOFIT’s iOS and Android companion app to provide real-time feedback, summarizing a user’s statistics and providing actionable insights to improve their game.

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Connected Objects Sports

Ti.ttle golf swing analyzer could help you shave some strokes

An increasing number of devices are being introduced to help golfers practice their swings while away from a golf course.

Ti.ttle is a small device that clips onto a golf club and serves as a swing analyzer calculating the distance and direction a golf ball would have traveled if it was hit with that swing. It works in conjunction with apps for Android and iOS mobile devices, and can be used with all types of golf clubs, including drivers, woods, irons, wedges and putters, according to its Kickstarter campaign. After each practice swing, ti.ttle provides real-time feedback by displaying the calculated carry distance on its OLED display.

Ti.ttle ships in December. Retail pricing isn’t provided by its Kickstarter campaign. But early bird backers can get one as low as $49. Its makers are looking to raise $60,000 by Dec. 3.

Many devoted golfers may want to give ti.ttle a try, although it’s difficult to tell from the campaign video just how accurate it is. There have been other devices introduced that allow golfers to practice their swings without being anywhere near a golf course. One example is the Smart Golf connected golf club. One major advantage of ti.ttle is that it allows golfers to practice using the clubs they are already familiar with.

 

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Sports

Nutshellz is the cup for stopping a bullet to the groin

One of the most important purchases any athlete can make is a groin guard. Most sports require it, and for two extremely good reasons. Unfortunately, most groin guards can be bulky, uncomfortable, and be made from less than convincing materials.

The aptly named Nutshellz groin guard is positioning itself as the end all be all of groin protection. It packs a combination of carbon fiber and kevlar covered with aerospace grade laminate to make it look pretty. With these materials, Nutshellz even boasts the product can stop a bullet and although it may sound preposterous, it’s true — just check out the campaign for yourself. It’s seeking to raise $30,000 by June 23, 2015. Each Nutshellz will cost $35, but only for a youth model for now. Backers can expect their very own by December 2015.

One of the best groin guards on the market is the Diamond MMA, and besides their heavy duty materials, offers superior comfort. If Nutshellz doesn’t do that same, the absolute best materials in the world won’t mean a thing.

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Aquatics

The Waterblade lets you walk on water with a workout

The world has no shortage of water recreational activities, but an architect has designed yet another option that stands to get the blood pumping as well as the water..

patent-claimedThe Waterblade is designed to simulate the feeling of walking on water, providing a workout for the leg and core muscles. The Waterblade has a motor to help assist the rider, but it’s not clear if it provides power or stability. The product also has a surfboard-style leash that will disengage the motor if the rider falls. The designer aims to raise $90,000 by July 4th, 2015, which delivery expected late July 2015.

The videos show the rider using a lot of effort for not a lot of gain, and with a hefty $1,650 price tag, they’re not accessible for the average family. The Waterblade may be better marketed as strictly a water workout, or it may have applications as a rehabilitation tool for physical or occupational therapies.

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Smartwatches/Bands Sports

Pulse Play wearable for racket sports keeps score, doesn’t do much else

Racket ball sports such as tennis, badminton, squash and pingpong delight upper-crust players around the globe. Pulse Play is a wearable used for just such sports. Worn on the wrist, this product monitors each match and records data to an accompanying app via Bluetooth. It keeps and announces the score, remembers the stats of each match, ranks players, and can even match players up with those near them who match their playing level. The wristband comes in a rainbow of colors and is made of lightweight material perfect for working up a sweat in.

Pulse Play only really seems mildly useful. Yes, it keeps score, but the data it provides won’t help one improve their game and it’s doubtful that many are interested in being matched up with other strange players. People only want to meet strangers with the help of an app if they’re going to hook up. Perhaps if the wearable pushed a bit further and provided feedback on speed and swing, like the Arcus fitness wearable, it would enjoy some success.

Still, interested backers can have one of their own for a donation of $75 for delivery in October 2015. Pulse Play’s Indiegogo campaign has a fundraising goal of $75,000.

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Aquatics

RC Ski pulls wakeboarders’ legs without a boat operator

It may sound like the punch line to a light bulb joke but it usually takes two people to engage in many many sports like wakeboarding –. one to do the actual wakeboarding and the other to operate the jet ski or both. Ideally, there’s a third party involved who can indicate to the driver when the rider wants to stop or has fallen off.

RC Ski has cut out the middle and last man. It lets wakeboarder operate a jet ski from the board. Meaning that while they’re riding around, they can control the jet ski from their tether. The grip includes a mechanism to let riders steer the jet ski and cut off the engine if need be. Those who are interested in such a product will need to donate $499 to the campaign for delivery in November. RC Ski is shooting for a funding goal of $50,000 on Kickstarter.

The campaign calls this product “safe and legal.” But the vague language in the campaign certainly doesn’t help quell any doubts. What if the rider falls off? Does the jet ski just keep going? The creators do provide a map of where this product is legal in the U.S. and under what conditions but, of course, caveat surfer. 

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Connected Objects Sports

Smart Golf analyzes your swing to steer you to the green

Many golfers would love to hit the green more often than they do, but can’t due to busy schedules at work and home. That can make it especially difficult for a beginner golfer to learn the game.

Smart Golf is a connected golf club that can be used anywhere to improve one’s swing. It analyze golfers’ swings after connection via Wi-Fi to an Android, iOS or Windows Phone app. One of the light signals on the head of the club will indicate when the angle of the user’s stance is correct before swinging.

The application then records the users’ swings, helping them progress and discouraging bad habits. After swinging, an audio alert will indicate contact with a virtual ball. Owners can then instantly review all the information regarding the swing, including rhythm, tempo, speed and angle. Smart Golf costs $180 and ships in October. Its maker is looking to raise $20,000 by June 14.

There have been other products designed to improve one’s golf swing, including the Flex Putter Trainer. But Smart Golf holds promise because of its portability, the realistic club design, and that it can also function as a multiplayer interactive golf game.

 

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Aquatics

Inflatable SipaBoard propels paddleboards with engines, removes remnant exertion

Paddleboarding has become one of the most popular forms of water entertainment. Riders stand on top of the board and simply paddle around. However, this is one of the more serene, slower-paced water sports out there.

SipaBoard hopes to amp up the volume on paddleboarding. This newfangled inflatable floating platform comes with an electric engine to get you moving faster. With three hours of life, the engine is strong enough to propel boarders upstream for more difficult waters. The engine runs on a battery pack that can be recharged. Multiple packs can be used for maximum runtime on the water. Simple buttons on the board help control the engine for uncomplicated use. In addition, a compressor helps inflate and deflate the board quickly.

Theproduct joins other paddleboarding enhancers such as the Roll-Up Sail, which provides extra speed as well. SipaBoard pushes the envelope further with engine power, a new development for this sport. For their own, backers must donate $1,490 for this product. SipaBoard is looking to raise $150,000 on Kickstarter.

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Aquatics

Roll-Up Sail lets paddleboarders ride with the wind, stay in the clear

Paddleboarding is the newest trend in water sports. The activity features a heavy board for standing along with a paddle riders can use to navigate with. All told, it looks a little boring at first glance, but people nonetheless love to partake.

Now, paddleboarding can be a bit more interesting with the Roll-Up Sail (RUS). This nifty product attaches to any paddleboard using a C-clamp. It rolls up and down so that when a little speed boost is desired, the user can unfurl the sail and then roll it back up when finished. The sail itself is made out of a durable clear material that is rated to last for years.

The RUS is an elegant solution to the problem of getting stranded far out in the water. However, it’s still likely that some riders, especially in stiffer winds, may end up in the drink if they’re not seasoned sailors. Those who crave the speed more than anything else may just want to stick to windsailing. Interested backers can pick up their own for $75 by July 2015 (paddleboard not included). RUS is hoping to raise $5,000 by May 25.

Categories
Apparel Winter Sports

Achieve your NHL and Olympic dreams on the cheap with the Sparx Skate Sharpener

The dream of being in professional sports shared by many but achieved by just a few.  The road to becoming a professional athlete is unquestionably challenging and can be rather expensive at times. Hockey in particular is a notoriously expensive sport for aspiring athletes to pick up. Nonetheless, when hockey players finally land that lucrative contract in the NHL or win an Olympic medal, all of the time spent training and the money spent on expensive equipment instantly becomes well worth it.

Sparx Skate Sharpener is a device which aims to cut down the typically high costs of hockey training by offering professionals and amateurs alike the ability to sharpen their skates at home and avoid the hassle of driving to a hockey store. The device’s automatic sharpener is touted as being extremely easy to use. Indeed, users need only to place their skate on the sharpener and push a button. Just two minutes later, their skates are sharp enough to be used on a professional level.

The product utilizes the same type of grinding technology that hockey shops use. Additionally, it comes with a replaceable grinding ring so that users can customize the sharpness of their skates to their exact needs. All moving parts on the device are housed internally, with sliding guards included as an added safety measure. That being said, internal parts may ultimately complicate repairs for do-it-yourselfers. Backers who love skating might also like to check out Glo-Blades.

This campaign seeks to raise $60,000 by April 18, 2015. Backers get one product for $549 with an expected delivery of October 2015.