[click on image to enlarge]

Thousands of men across the country squealed like little school girls this Christmas as flat screen televisions were gifted and opened. We don’t blame them - who doesn’t want a behemoth screen on their wall?

But a big screen is only half the picture. Don’t let you new Plasma or LCD go unaccompanied with shoddy sound. Without good sound, you’re missing half the experience.

We suggest the new Sony Bravia DAV-IS10. It’s an ultra-compact system complete with DVD player/receiver, five tiny satellite speakers, and a subwoofer. You’ll enjoy the beauty of Dolby® Digital, DTS®, & Pro Logic® II processing 5.1 surround and it even includes Sony’s TDM-IP1 iPod dock for your tunes. It has an DVD player which will upconvert your standard DVD’s to a higher resolution for smoother picture on your new screen and an automatic audio sensing microphone for making your setup a snap.

What this means to you: The holiday season may be nearing it’s end, but the fun of your new screen is only beginning…

Cost: $700 @ Crutchfield

Tip: Don’t have a TV yet? Take a look at some of the HDTV’s we’ve covered here.

[click on image to enlarge]

Just because the holiday are over doesn’t mean you don’t deserve another present and what better present than a Gear Girl. Hello Ehrinn Cummings. You’ve been a model for Gucci, Ann Taylor. You’ve been in Sports Illustrated, Vogue and more magazines than we care to mention - yet when you grace our eyes we can’t get enough. Ehrinn Cummings truly is a gift that keeps on giving.

Date of Birth: March 14, 1981
Place of Birth: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

More photos after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

[click on image to enlarge]

Grapefruit, Lavender, Heliotrope, Raspberry, Vetiver (a cousin of lemon grass), Star Anise. These are the notes that make-up for Diesel’s new fragrance, Fuel For life. It’s an individualistic take on classic fragrances and we like it.

A lot of men’s fragrances and colognes pass through our doors here at Gear Patrol and we would be lying if we didn’t say that some of them weren’t severely disappointing. The energetic, clear and masculine tones of Fuel For Life have a blend we’ve enjoyed from the get-go. Recently Diesel repackaged their bottle with a

Better yet, we have a fantastic looking boxed gift set ready to give away (courtesy Diesel). Talk about last minute holiday gift! Just send an e-mail to giveaway@gearpatrol.com [e-mail link] with the subject “Fuel For Life” and your full name in the body. We’ll contact and announce the winner shortly.

What this means to you: The key to using cologne properly is keeping it simple and keeping it subdued. You don’t have to break the bank for a good fragrance

Cost: $45 (50ml), $60 (75ml) @ Diesel

We are serious about your privacy. Your e-mail is only intended as an entry and is not used for any other purposes than to contact you in case you are declared a winner.

[click on image to enlarge]

Bell & Ross manufacturers timepieces right in line with what we like here at Gear Patrol. Functional, rugged, and well-built. Typically of aviation design, Bell & Ross has put out a diver line we’re keen on.

The BR 02 pieces are rated to a mind-bloggling 1000 meters (the watch is equipped with it’s own decompression valve and will most likely out dive you) and it’s power reserve is rated to 40 hours. It’s smooth curved lines are finished in polished/brushed stainless steel or black carbon. The black matte face is contrasted by white luminescence hands and markers with a touch of orange detailing - available in arabic numerals or large dots in the pro version.

What this means to you: 99% of you guys will never be at a depth of 1000 meters, but it’s doubtful that 99% of you will be deterred at appreciating this watch.

Cost: ~ $5,000 @ Matt Baily

This leather punching bag has vintage written all over it. The bag is stylish enough to throw into the corner of your entertainment room or your office and makes for a good way to relieve stress from the two hundred idiotic e-mails you get every day.

The bag comes with leather gym accessories and the whole setup swells with Italian design.

What this means to you: Bella Boxing.

Cost: $79 @ Frontgate

If you’re a man and enjoy a good drink then relegating yourself to beers and vodka alone is truly sad. Take your personal consumption and home bar up a notch with a small batch bourbon. It’s a drink truly made for the connoisseur.

Every sip of a small batch bourbon is made to be enjoyed. Made through perfect blending.

This writer’s favorites are Knob Creek and Basil Hayden’s. Woodford Reserve is also a spectacular choice (not pictured). They’re all crafted in their own special recipes and delicious to the last savored sip.

What this means to you: Bourbon goes in the category of true home-grown American inventions. It fits right in there with Jazz. Appreciate it.

Cost: Varies @ Small Batch

Tip: Bourbon should be enjoyed in a well weighted glass vessel of appropriate proportion. It should be poured over several large rocks of ice or neat or cut with a small splash of filtered water. There is no other way. Period.

Some guys don’t like eggs. Those people instantly qualify as insane. For the other 99% of men, your breakfast dream machine of choice is right here. The Chef’s Choice Stainless Steel Egg Cooker’s uses something they call a Vari-Cook feature. Essentially it allows you to cook eggs to varying degrees of “doneness,” even in the same batch. Fantastic.

Features:

• Poaching tray. egg rack and base with water pan, with side handle on base
• Electronic timer with “ready” signal and soft, medium and hard cook options
• Prepares up to 7 eggs at a time
• Made of 18/10 stainless steel, aluminum and plastic

What this means to you: Any method to prepare a simple food in a simple way has my vote.

Cost: $40 @ HSN

Whichever holiday you celebrate one thing most will agree is a nice Christmas tree really lights up the place (excuse the pun).

If you haven’t purchased a tree yet it’s not too late, regardless of where you live.

A Noble Fir gives you a fresh smell of forest in a sturdy (no Charlie Brown Christmas Tree action here), symmetrical, long-lasting tree. If you order it from a place like Smith and Hawken you’ll receive a tree directly from Oregon shipped straight to your door. How often can you say you got a tree Fed-Ex’d

What this means to you: The holidays

Sizes:
Large Tree: 7′8″
Medium Tree: 6′7″
Small Tree: 5′6″

Cost: $120+ @ Smith and Hawken

Tip: If you’re really set on having a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree then follow these directions.

Leather gloves are great. They’re durable and stylish. They’re often pricier too. We recommend getting a warm, comfortable pair of mixed material gloves like these Ralph Lauren’s which are made of marino wool and suede patches that work well paired with your winter gear. After all, snowboard gloves really aren’t the best when you’re out and about or picking up a cup of coffee.

What this means to you: A warm simple solution to cold cold hands.

Cost: $50 @ Ralph Lauren

The Dash Express is a new level of car GPS/navigation units.

It’s Dash Driver network selects your route based on up-to-the-minute traffic data that is automatically and anonymously exchanged via the most reliable source—other Dash devices.t will find virtually anything using Yahoo! Local search to find unlimited points of interest—people, places, products and services—based on your specific needs. Beyond that it will is always up to date by receiving updates and features through over-the-air signals automatically and if you prefer not to you’ll be able to send addresses from any computer right to your car with Send2Car.

It’s 4.3 inch polarized LCD display makes everything incredibly easy to read and comes with a mounting arm, cradle, dashboard disk, car power adapter, wall charger, and carrying pouch.

What this means to you: Stop checking that $2000+ option box on your car for a navigation system that will be antiquated within a year. The Dash will find you everything you need and get you there faster.

Pre-order Cost: $599 + subscription @ Dash