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No one expected this. Today in New York, Garmin, the name synonymous with GPS and personal navigation announced a full-fledged smartphone with the capabilities so many people have been pining for, GPS. The HSDPA enabled smartphone operates on it’s own operating system with e-mail, web browsing, and camera functionality.

It’s too soon to say which carrier this will be on (we, like others predict AT&T), but we do know it will feature the following:

• Google local search
• Garmin Online services - traffic, weather, fuel prices, hotel discounts, etc.
• nuvi-like navigation on the road or in pedestrian mode
• Email, text, IM functions
• Camera, video camera, MP3 and MPEG4/AAC

More images after the jump.

What this means to you: Look for the Garmin nüvifone to release in the 3rd quarter of 2008 and we guarantee those iPhone owners out there are doing second-takes - right - about - now.

Cost: TBD @ Garmin

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EPMartin is one of those timepiece brands you wish you knew about sooner. The guys behind EPMartin have the chops to call themselves true watch designers (Nike expatriates) and their designs, think rugged luxury, are razor sharp with just the right amount of distinct detail.

Better, and perhaps more importantly, the Limited Edition Sahara Chronograph celebrates the achievement of Charlie Engle, Ray Zahab and Kevin Lin. Three guys that ran for H2O Africa. If you haven’t heard of H2O Africa, they are an organization that’s saved millions of lives bringing clean water to the oft forgotten continent. The sheer willpower to have run 4,620 miles across the Sahara Desert from Senegal to Egypt in 111 days. An achivement of endurance and will is the least that can be said to describe this feat. Their full story can be read here.

If the aesthetics and build of the Sahara RTS don’t make their own case for your hard earned dollars then knowing that a large portion of the purchase price ($500 to be exact) goes directly to H2O Africa should.

This Sahara RTS Chronograph comes equipped with an ETA Swiss chronograph movement, Italian leather strap, a second Nylon expedition strap, custom strap replacement tools, and limited edition leather case.

Other features and additional image after the jump.

What this means to you: More than just a elevated and inspired timepiece… it’s a cause worthy of your money and mind.

$1295 @ EPMartin USA

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You’re looking at one of the most technologically refined snowboards on earth, the Burton Vapor. A board that provides you extraordinary control on all terrains. It weighs one pound less than any other Burton board by eliminating unnecessary materials and aerospace components in it’s construction. The ultra-light board features:

• Vaportech™ Construction
• NEW Sintered N20 WFO Base
• Vaportech Alumafly™ Core
• Multizone EGD™
• NEW Vaporskin Carbon™—Drops Weight, Adds Snap
• Infinite Ride®
• Stainless Steel Pressure Distribution Edges
• Pro-Tip™
• Negative Core Profile

What this means to you: Ultra Light. Ultra control.

$1000 @ Shred Shop

Damn, we love multi-tools. We can’t get enough of them and every time we see one it’s all we can do from buying one and getting our mitts all over them. Our justifications for purchase are becoming ever more slim as the Leatherman TTi far surpasses daily multi-tool needs. But we can’t stop researching or buying them and we probably won’t.

The AdventurePlus from High Gear is too good to not share. For $20 you get a Hi-intensity LED, liquid-filled floating dial compass, digital thermometer, 5x magnifier, safety mirro, safety whistle, and dry storage compartment for your matches. It comes with a quick-release lanyard and weighs a paltry 2 ozs.

What this means to you: We want us some multitool loving.

$20 @ High Gear

If you consider yourself a decent billiards man then a decent cue is worth your money. Stop wasting time with those crescent shaped shit sticks at the pool hall and start playing with a quality cue.

If you’ve layed down the cash to buy yourself a table for home then it’s even more important you’ve got quality gear around. After all - it’s all about the gear.

We’re striking our 9 Ball games with the Viking G83 Pool Cue. It’s an extraordinary cue with Pearl B-Icy White butt sleeve, inlay, joint rings and scrimshaw engraving. The forearm is made of bird’s-eye maple and the whole cue is stained in a smoke hue that just looks like it was made for a man how knows his game. Viking even offers the cue in 12-13mm shaft diameters and 18-21 oz cue weights along with a choice of colors for the linen wrap.

What this means to you: We know you’re gasping at the cost of this cue. Understandable. Don’t think of it that way. You’re buying quality gear for a quality game. And who’s impressed by weak breaks?

Cost: $1150 @ Viking Cue

Alternate Option: McDermott M61G Velocity Black | $139 @ McDermott

Tip: Need more tips on playing? Check out Billiard Tips

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Date of Birth: November 14, 1979
Place of Birth: Berdyansk, Ukraine
Fact: You may vaguely recognize Olga Kurylenko as the incredibly athletic woman on the Hitman movie posters, but trust us when we say you’ll get to know her much better as Camile. The new Bond girl in the upcoming 007 film Quantum of Solace. The Jewish Ukranian model began her career in France in 2005 and was discovered on vacation in Moscow. Based on our rough assumption, models go on vacation to get scouted and scouts are just lucky bastards.

More images after the jump.

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That first sip of beer after a long day at the office is bliss. Just like a gorgeous woman, a perfectly poured pint can make all the worries disappear, if just for a moment. Find yourself a comfortable spot in your perfect chair, lean back, take a sip out of that well-chilled glass, and let yourself be in the moment. Perfect.

Now, don’t you wish you were at home instead of a rowdy bar? Don’t you wish you were there holding this ‘perfect pint’ instead of some bottle of Miller Lite? Get yourself a Carlsberg DraughtMaster II and it’s all yours. The simple machine will serve 5 liters of lager without fuss or mess. You’ll be pulling pints like the local pub in 10 seconds flat.

What this means to you: Got you hankering for a pint? Us too - good thing we’ve got one of these right here at the GP offices.

Cost: $225 @ Comet (UK Retailer)

Tip: Want more info? Check out the Carlsberg Draughtmaster site.

If you haven’t noticed lately a lot of brands out there are trying to get in the watchmaking business. It’s a hot market and we don’t blame them, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there are a burgeoning number of quality timepieces.

Our eyes are focused on the venerable manufacture Victorinox Swiss Army with the Victorinox Swiss Army Legacy Réserve De Marche Platine. Only 60 of these pieces will ever be manufactured.

A 46-hour power reserve movement visible through it’s exposition back surrounded by a 43mm Platinum and rubber case. It’s water resistant to 330 feet and the luminous hands and numbers can be seen through it’s scratch resistant anti-reflective triple-coated crystal sapphire (both sides). It has a date calendar, military time and a five year warranty. The watch comes in a platinum presentation box that includes an extra strap, viewing magnifier loupe, and numbered certificate of authenticity.

This is an extraordinary piece. The sheer magnitude of detail that’s gone into producing a timepiece from it’s Valgranges movement to the power reserve indicator decorated with Perlage and Côtes de Genèv” finishes are undoubtedly makings of a halo product for the Victorinox brand.

What this means to you: We’re awaiting a moment with the watch in person, but until then you should keep an eye peeled out for this. Essentially, the Victorinox Swiss Army folks have created an instant heirloom.

Cost: $19,500 @ Victorinox Swiss Army

Rawlings, a name synonymous with baseball has more than just gloves. You baseball fans out there will find quality leather goods from the brand. Our eyes are on the Rawlings 2 Gusset Leather Computer Briefcase.

Just like the gloves you used to catch with the briefcase comes in both black and tan, but this time it’s built to hold your computer. The interior has an expandable document pocket, zippered center divider, nylon lining, a leather organizer panel that will hold: air or train tickets, cell phone or glasses, business cards, pen and keys. There are two push key locks, laced grip handle, removable shoulder strap, metal feet, document pocket, zippered document pocket, reinforced corners, leather bound edges and steel reinforced handle and shoulder strap rings.

Each piece is individually numbered.

What this means to you: We can think of few better nostalgic items better than a bag made by the same people that made your first glove.

Cost: $420 @ Rawlings Sports Accessories

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We’ve spoken out the Elise here before on Gear Patrol but our love for the car has only grown now that Lotus has unleashed a supercharged version of the Elise Series 2. It wasn’t long ago when Lotus claimed that supercharging the mini super car was not something they planned simply due to the feats of engineering required to shoehorn in a supercharger. Well, the wonderful tradition of manufacturers debunking their own axioms continues with the Supercharged Elise SC.

It’s 220 hp takes this little beast from 0-60 in 4.4 seconds (matching that of 440+ horsepower vehicles) and matching it up uncomfortably close with it’s bigger 240hp sibling: the Exige S. Weighing in at about $4k, the package will include standard drive rand passenger airbags, new instrument setup with additional information, alarm and various other option packages.

Review of Supercharged Elise SC on Inside Line

What this means to you: Mmmm… power.

MSRP: $46,270 + $4k Supercharger @ Lotus

More images after the jump.

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