A Photographic Force To Be Reckoned With

Unleash your inner photographer. And cinematographer.

Normally, we wouldn’t bring you a post every other Tom, Dick and Harry site or blog have published but there’s no doubt the Nikon D90 warrants your attention. Or at least this editor wants it to. If you haven’t noticed, we (I?) tend to obsess over great images. The fact that the above image is obnoxiously large may attest to that. Admittedly, the Nikon D90 is a bit of an attainable wet dream for me. It is, for lack of better words… a photo-f$#king-graphic marvel.

Sure, the 12.3 megapixel capture image quality is nice (granted, not the highest), but this is a Digital SLR so the images you’ll capture will make that little pocket point-and-shoot look more along the lines of something you took with your phone - crap. The D90 has 4.5 frames-per-second continuous shooting, 200-3200 ISO, 3″ high resolution LCD display with live preview, built-in image sensor cleaning, 11-point auto focus system, Nikon 3D color Matrix metering, and optional GPS tagging. Very nice, but my attention is turned to one single amazing feature. The D90 captures 24fps high definition video with sound. On an SLR camera.

What this means to you: Imagine now for a moment, those gorgeous, rich and saturated photos you always wonder how people take (a la wedding photographers)… but now they’re your own videos. Obviously, I’m smitten.

Cost: $1000 @ Nikon

Also See: Nikon D700 Digital SLR ($2999)

Carbon Fiber Steel String Guitar

A guitar fit for Michael Knight himself.

Who says guitars always have to be made of wood? Not Blackbird, that’s for sure. The Blackbird Rider is an acoustic steel string guitar that’s compact with full-bodied sound. It actually uses a second soundhole at the head of the guitar to provide stereo sound through it’s hallow neck. The carbon fiber construction, is just like any other carbon fiber - weatherproof, virtually indestructible, and extremely light.

As you can imagine, the Blackbird Rider isn’t cheap. It’s $1599 direct from the manufacturer made-to-order so no one can deny its absolute uniqueness. Like you, right? From order to receipt, the manufactuering process takes approximately 6-8 weeks so plan your next instrument accordingly. A nylon string acoustic is also available for $1899.

Cost: $1599 @ Blackbird

All Pens Are Not Created Equal

At Gear Patrol we believe it’s all about the details. So it goes without saying that the half chewed Bic wedged between your ear and skull is simply no longer acceptable at the office, or anywhere for that matter.

Instead get a professional look without breaking the bank, with the Waterman Hemisphere. The pen’s contemporary design and palladium plating exudes professionalism and is just as comfortable with contracts as it is with post its (my medium of choice).

So when your flesh eating lawyer negotiates the sale of your first venture for $30 mil, make sure you’re appropriately equipped for the task. Otherwise doodle in style during your next conference call like the baller you are.

Editor’s Tip: Skip the mess of a fountain pen by choosing a roller ball tip.

Cost: $23 @ Amazon

A DVD Player Worth 1080 words. [Editor’s Choice]

Now that the dust has settled from the duel between Blu-Ray and HD DVD, you might wonder why in the world we’d feature a player that, after all is said and done, still only plays standard DVDs.

Let’s start with three reasons:

1. You’ve dumped a slew of change on your DVD collection, and unless your last name rhymes with hump you probably won’t replace it all with blu-ray discs
2. That shiny new HD TV you just bought begs for some 1080p lovin’
3. The horde of divx “films” from your days in the dorm room want in on the home theater action too.

I could go on but when it comes to the Oppo DV-981HD, the picture really is worth a 1080 words - especially if that picture is Transformers on DVD fully upscaled to 1080p. Read on for my full review.

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His knee looks fine to us.

Nope, it’s not CBS Sports - you’re looking at Tiger Woods 09.

For ten years running, EA Sports’ venerable Tiger Woods Golf series has steadily improved the virtual golf experience for the teeming hordes of digital duffers. This year’s game is certainly no exception. Rendered in the same high-def glory as your favorite fourth round telecast, Tiger Woods 09 offers you access to some of golf’s most hallowed grounds all for the cost of a dozen Pro V1s. Considering the fact that you’d be lucky to escape with any of those pricey orbs intact following a round at any of the game’s courses, Tiger Woods 09 might sit atop the standings in the golf-value department.

Annual Tiger devotees will be pleased with the addition of several new features to this iteration; club tuning allows you to adjust face bias and perimeter weighting like you are tweaking Indy car gear ratios. EA’s player creator is still second to none, allowing you to craft your own custom golfer (think you, with bigger muscles). Dynamic skill adjustment promises to keep the game challenging for veterans and neophytes alike. Even Tiger’s own swing coach, Hank Haney, cameos to orchestrate your range routine. Wii owners should stretch before swinging as they’ll be tested with 1:1 motion control over their digital doppelgangers.

What this means to you: Tiger Woods 09 is the most immersive golf experience to date for home console players. If you’d like to get your feet wet without paying a dime, download the free demo available on both Xbox Live and Playstation Network.

Cost: PS3 ($59) | Xbox 360 ($59) | Wii ($49)

Also See: Free Course Wallpapers on EA Sports

August 29 – September 1

Play golf. Support the troops.

It’s not every day you have an opportunity to help others by simply playing a round of golf. Last year Major Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional, USGA member and an F-16 fighter pilot in the 125th Fighter Squadron of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, orchestrated the inaugural event which raised more than $1.1 million to support the families of veterans who have been injured or perished in the line of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Simply adding $1 to your greens fees this Labor Day weekend will help support families of men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Find a participating course from this list (there were over 3,200 last year) and make a small contribution to help families who can really use your support. If you don’t have a tee time, get three buddies and make one. Major Rooney has even found the time to squeeze in a round before he heads back to Iraq for his 3rd tour of duty.

Need more incentive? Read on to find out about a limited edition club from TaylorMade Golf commemorating the event.

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