Gear Patrol | Spirit of Adventure, Passion for Gear

Patriotism to a Tee

Having just celebrated this Nation’s birthday, our patriotism is running high and we recently stumbled upon just the tee shirts from Declaration ($24) to embody it. Inspired by our country’s struggle to become a free nation, Declaration draws from colonial heritage and American revolution themes for their designs. Themes that shaped the very foundation of the country we proudly call home. With shirt names like The Rebellious Stripes, Independence and Join or Die Deceleration proudly represents one of the greatest eras in American history. Now you don’t have to fly old glory in the front yard to show your support, though we’re in full support of that too.

Buy Now: $24

Rolling Stone

Looking for a pair of sinister wheels for your sinister ride? Well, even if you aren’t, you’ll still appreciate the work that goes into a set of Vossen Wheels. With over 25 years of experience, Vossen’s measured approach of design and engineering has created a portfolio of some of the best looking wheels we’ve ever seen lusted for. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that their marketing materials look like they’re straight off a Warner Brothers set. Specializing in 19 to 22 inch concave, staggered wheels Vossens are subjected to ultra-tight tolerances and quality control. They’re also compatible with modern features like tire-pressure sensors and big-as-you-can-get-em brakes. The fact that these stunners are backed by an equally impressive industry-leading workmanship warranty and a lifetime structural warranty is total icing.

Care to see that menacing Caddy (and an M3) in motion? Then you’ll want to watch the videos after the jump.

Buy Now: $650 per Wheel

Cold and Calculating

The purpose of a Beer Froster ($550+) should be self-evident. What may not be so obvious is how it’s different from a standard freezer. Anyone who has ever attempted to cool down some brews quickly in the freezer and then forgot about it has learned that the consequences of combining beer with freezing temperatures can be explosive. The line of Beer Frosters from industrial fridge maker Summit Appliances eliminates this risk by combining an extremely powerful cooling unit with an incredibly stable thermostat. Together, these features let users set the Beer Froster’s temperature to a chilly low of 24 degrees — which is the absolute coldest beers can get before actually freezing. In other words, it provides the maximum level of chill without the risk of detonating your well-earned suds. This accuracy lets the Froster line noticeably chill a six pack in around 10 minutes, though the recommended time for best results is actually 90. Available in a variety of sizes for everything from dorm rooms to stadiums, we’re definitely thinking our wine fridge could benefit from having a new blue-collar buddy.

Editor’s Note: Aluminum bottles like those pictured above may be ideal for chilling, but don’t let us catch you handing them out at home. That is, unless, “home” happens to be spray painted with yard lines.

Buy Now: $550+

Urban Dictionary Definition of “Photographer”
Urban Dictionary

Comprehensive Mac OS X Lion Review
This Is My Next

How to Build A Solar Powered Drink Cooler
Lifehacker

Fried Oyster Sliders? Hell Yes.
Esquire

Michael Bay Responds to David Cohen of Variety
Michael Bay Dot Com

Like a G-17

AirPlay continues to invade the home and this time, packed into the Klipsch Gallery G-17 ($530) wi-fi portable speaker system. The G-17 touts four individually powered drivers: two 10-watt Tractrix-horned tweeters alongside dual 20-watt woofers alongside all the usual ports like USB and 3.5mm inputs. Charge up its batteries (or plug-in directly), and take it anywhere you need great portable sound. It’s even wall-mountable so there’s no excuse not to fill every nook and cranny with Klipsch horn-tweeter goodness. Our preference: speaker grill off.

Buy Now: $530 (Fall)

Demolition, Man.

Artillery Tool’s various pry bar systems are designed to help professionals and do-it-yourself-ers alike tear down construction like Stephon Marbury destroyed his career. While all of their kits feature a variety of interchangeable handles and specialized pry heads, the Disaster Restoration Set ($549)is their top of the line offering. The 22 specialized wrecking components packed neatly inside its plastic contractor case can combine to do the same job performed crowbars, chisels, flat bars, hammers, roofing shovels, scrapers, nail pullers, shingle removers, staple pullers, wrecking bars and probably a Louisville Slugger. We hope you never have to use it, but if you do, it’s the best thing to have on hand for destruction next to Randy Savage (R.I.P.) on a Slim Jim set.

Buy Now: $549

The Dark Night Rises

In 2001, the the Harley-Davidson V-Rod was introduced as a new kind of muscle bike to compete with the other heavy-hitters on the market. It met with great success, using the Revolution engine, a 60 degree V-twin that was a joint effort between the Milwaukee-based manufacturer and Porsche and utilized liquid cooling, an HD first. Even today, it looks like no other Harley produced and the design has stood for a decade, still looking as fresh as the day it rolled out. The 2012 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special ($15,299) displays the darker side of the V-Rod, and is, in our opinion, an even more desirable iteration. Now with a more slender tail section, inverted fork and lighter black with orange trim aluminum wheels, the Night Rod has undergone a fair share of modifications while retaining the mystique that made it famous. Still powered by 122 horses, the Night Rod Special is just as much go as it is show, and the color scheme certainly gets our approval.

Buy Now: $15,299

Well Sounded

Long before AirPlay was on the scene, Sonos products made streaming music wirelessly throughout the home an easy affair. The company’s new Play 3 ($299) speaker is no exception. Designed to act on its own as a small but mighty audio solution for apartments, or as part of a larger Sonos system, its 5.2 x 10.6 x 6.3 inch frame contains three Class-D digital amplifiers, which individually power one tweeter, and two three inch mid-range drivers, while a passive, rear-firing radiator handles da bass. Thanks to Sonos’s included intuitive software, the speaker can access almost every digital music service in existence and can be controlled in a variety of ways including via an Android or iPhone app. For multi-speaker setups, there’s even the option to use two Play 3 units together for stereo audio. Eat your heart out Bose Sound Dock.

Buy Now: $299

Explaining the Basics, Debunking the Myths

It is ironic that, while watch companies are turning out more capable dive watches – helium release valves, absurd water resistance, innovative bezels – fewer and fewer SCUBA divers are wearing watches at all. Go on any dive boat and you’re lucky to find one person wearing anything besides a dive computer on his wrist. The fact of the matter is, dive watches have become anachronistic novelties to all but a few old school divers who still rely on memory and math skills to calculate no-decompression limits. But dive watches are more popular than ever for even those who will never dip a toe in the ocean. Perhaps because of this surge in their popularity, combined with their lack of real world use, dive watches suffer from numerous misconceptions. People love to wear them but don’t know a helium release valve from a no-deco limit. We’re here to help. This article explains some of the basics of the dive watch, debunks some myths and sets things straight.

Your Mac's New Big Brother

Screaming thunderbolt three times while hoisting a sword into the sky won’t do anything. The nifty technology embedded in Apple’s latest über monitor does, however, provide new Mac owners with a hassle free docking station, not to mention 27 glorious inches of display real estate. Specifically, connecting one MagSafe cable to the display, and one thunderbolt cable (which divides into separate minidisplay port and MagSafe connectors) from the display to the computer allows users to charge their battery and well as enjoy access to a FaceTime HD Camera, a set of 2.1 integrated speakers, three USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and even another Thunderbolt port for diasy-chaining other compatible accessories. Available for purchase now from the Apple store for a steady $999, units are expected to ship in six to eight weeks.

Buy Now: $999

2 x 2 x 2

Taking what could have easily been another touring bike, Autum has created a veritable supermodel Franken-cruiser. And guess what? It works. Boasting not 2, but 4 low profile tires mounted on custom alloy rims, the Autum Epitaph ($2,950) is like no other. A black, powder coated steel frame offers a stark contrast to the aged leather grips, insert and seat where a laser engraved build number is etched. A limited production run of just 12 (here in the US) virtually guarantees you’ll never see another on the street, even if you call Brooklyn, home.

Buy Now: $2,950