Gear Patrol | Spirit of Adventure, Passion for Gear

The Sound and the Fury

The dictionary defines criterion as “a standard of judgment or criticism; a rule or principle for evaluating or testing”, so it goes without saying that christening your flagship product with such a definitive term shouldn’t come casually. It’s a good thing then that “casually” describes anything but the Jeff Rowland Criterion Preamplifier ($18,000). Built to ultra-precise standards with groundbreaking features, the Criterion Preamplifier is designed for total musical transparency — a process that begins with power management and confinement from noise pollutants. This is accomplished primarily through a brilliant use of two industrial grade rechargeable batteries, which allow the unit to operate completely independent of power. Further, the unit switches off its control subsystems after each command execution to even further maximize sonic isolation. And that’s just the power unit (the bottom component pictured).

With sonics that read like rare vintage wine tasting notes, the preamp produces a 3 dimensional sound stage that delivers extraordinary detail and texture without a hint of grain. Complex and material trebles, staggering bass and authoritative mid tone structure come at any sound level, particularly evident in low levels, making the Criterion one of the most sensuous pieces of audio componentry we’ve ever auditioned (our playlist: Wynton Marsalis, Massive Attack and Dave Brubeck). It also happens to be one of the most becoming. A diamond milled, aircraft-grade aluminum ingot facade echoes the internal twin-chassis design and surrounds a massive vacuum fluorescent display. With a breathtaking pricetag (plus the cost of an amplifier), the Criterion Preamplifier isn’t a component to take lightly or a purchase you’ll make easily, but the last time we checked, neither is uncompromising engineering.

Buy Now: $18,000

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Snack Better

Want a crash course on the “miracles” of modern industrial food science? Then take a gander at the ingredients of a bag of big brand microwave popcorn. What seems like a simple process apparently requires a labs worth of chemicals and GMO’s (genetically modified organisms) to flavor, preserve, and pop those gum aggravating kernels into an edible form. The folks at Quinn Popcorn hope to change that. Through their Kickstarter campaign, the fledgling company aims to create a line of gourmet popcorn, that uses natural and tasty ingredients to shake up the snack food world. Since the bag is the scariest component of modern popcorn, Quinn has also developed a so-called Pure Pop Bag, which is made from 100% compostable paper and completely free of PFOAs, PFCS, and even the susceptor (a.k.a. that scary microwave-energy-channeling metallic strip found in typical bags). The result of all that ingenuity is a pure marriage of corn and paper. Natural flavoring and oils are then added on after the fact — giving you a chance to feel like a chef, while avoiding the need for advanced preservatives, cooking agents, and the like. Their proposed first batch of flavors includes interesting combinations like Vermont maple & sea salt, lemon & sea salt, and rosemary & parmesan. Pledging $15 or more will score you an inaugural box of the flavor of your choice, with bigger donations resulting in even more movie grazing goodness.

Buy Now: $15+

800 miles for $7,000 less

If you asked us how to make a car cost $7,000 less you’d probably end up missing a few essentials. Things like a back seat, the sound system and maybe even a few cylinders from the engine, but somehow VW has pulled the equivalent of an automotive hat trick with the 2012 Volkswagen Passat ($19,995). Not only is the all-new Passat priced much lower than its predecessor, but achieves better performance while delivering better fuel economy. You can thank a big part of that equation, the cost, on the fact that North American gets its own exclusive version. That means, it’s not only larger in every dimension including the (ahem) girth of the seats and the cupholders, but also made right here in the US at VW’s stunning new plant in Chattanooga, TN (more on that soon).

So, what’s it like to drive?

Stash in Style

A cluttered coffee table has killed many a well-designed room. The Caliper Coffee Table ($300) from CB2 can help keep remotes, books, and other constantly accumulating living room detritus out of sight thanks to two cleverly hidden end drawers. Styled to match most modern decor, the table’s white oak veneer top with a steel tube powder-coated in carbon may disappoint furniture purists, but $300 seems like a fair price to us for keeping our better half’s copies of Ok! magazine hidden during the weekly poker game.

Buy Now: $300

Bog Deep and 12 Miles to Go

For the uninitiated, or those of you who haven’t heard, Tough Mudder is one of the forerunners of the now fully entrenched obstacle course challenges and race phenomenon. The brain child of former British Army Officer Will Dean, Tough Mudder combines military style obstacle course components with an 8-12 mile trail run. In the last year Tough Mudder has exploded with hoards of self-castigators signing up and training to take on the hellacious courses. With 25% of starters never making it to the finish line, Tough Mudder is not for the faint of heart. Naturally, we signed ourselves up.

Continues after the jump.

Assaulting Batteries? Guilty as Charged.

Mac heads are normally a pretty cohesive group — that is until you ask what “magic” product they prefer using. Both the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad have their respective advantages, but until recently, dealing with frequent battery changes was an issue for either side. Thanks to the Mobee Magic Charger ($50) the tides have now shifted for Magic Mouse users, since this unique accessory allows owners to charge the device via wireless induction. Unlike other induction charging solutions we’ve seen before, it also won’t ruin the sleek look and feel of your favorite hand companion with an ugly charging case accessory. Instead, the Mobee’s special battery pack fits snugly inside the mouse’s existing battery slot, and its attractive companion USB charging pedestal matches quite well with Apple’s trademark white and metal aesthetic. A single rest on the pad can juice the hand companion for a full six days of “regular” usage. Here in the GP office, that translates to one Monday morning.

Buy Now: $50

Better Shirt by Design

The adage, “clothes make the man” has never been our favorite, but neither has buying shirts off the rack. Luckily, the internet has rectified that and we’ve tested a newcomer throwing their digital pin cushion into the ring: Tailor Threads. Offering fabric options that run from standard fare to eye-popping patterns, you can work your way through a list of options including cuff and collar accents to picking button, pocket and collar styles. Our shirt arrived without any snags with a spot-on fit and a classic, subtly style that’s sometimes hard to convey in a web browser. Shirts start at around $60 and can work their way north of $200 depending on the details you choose. As for fit, ours couldn’t have been more pleasing. It’s evident that Tailor Threads is passionate about shirts. They also offers a nice selection of neckties and cufflinks to round out the custom look. Oh, and free shipping to over 50 countries.

Buy Now: $59+

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Q would be proud

If you’ve got a proclivity for the gadgets (as in your tech gear needs a bag of its own), a bit of the design bug and also happen to find yourself in London, there’s really only one hotel for you. A cross between British bespoke and Apple Store, central London’s Eccleston Square Hotel boasts enough technology to make even a jaded tech-geek weak in the knees as it did us when we stayed there earlier this year.

Where do we start? How about a $20,000 electronically adjustable Hastens bed, 46″ 3D Panasonic plasma, 3D Blu-Ray player, surround-sound, free ultra high-speed wi-fi, VoIP phones, electronically-controlled mood lighting, Nespresso machine, an HDTV hidden within the bathroom’s mirror, Smart Glass wall (yup, the kind that turns instantly opaque at the touch of a button), anti-mist mirrors, high-tech massaging shower system, under-floor heating, digitally-controlled everything, and an iPad 2 to do anything from control all the electronics, order up a burger and nightcap, or book a table at a nearby restaurant or club. Of course, what’s the point of all that tech if the room looks like a Wal-Mart electronics section? Consider Eccleston Square the antithesis. Elegantly appointed (think ultra yacht), the rooms are swathed in Italian wood and marble, and quintessentially British design appointments. It may not come cheap, but then again neither is your tech habit.

Rates: $485 (per night) | Info

Aged Ale

After last year’s release of their oak aged lager, Odell went back to their woodcut roots. This time, though, the crafting process was applied toward the creation of a Belgian style quad ale. The company has become a bit of an aging aficionado, which included an expansion of their brewery and the addition of a wood-aging cellar. GP got the chance to enjoy a few early bottles and after a thorough downing, we’ve were left impressed. Immediately after the cork is removed, an intense aroma of sweetness overcomes the olfactory senses, in a good way. Upon pouring, the ale breeds dark auburn with a generous beige head, followed by a bouquet of sugary fruits and slight hint of woody notes after the sweet aromas settle. The sweet nose yields through the taste, and carbonation is virtually nonexistent, which lends to the smooth character despite the relatively high 11.3% ABV.

For you hop nerds: the hop profile is quaint and balanced with the modest malt properties at the culmination of each dram. According to their release notes, “vanilla from the New American Oak complements the Special B malt with hints of cherry, raisin, and plum on the palate.”

Buy Now: $30

Dear Space Shuttle. You will be missed. Sincerely, GP.

Andrew Prince, Maggie Starbard, Marina Dominguez of NPR take a look back at the incredible video shot about, by and from the Columbia, Challenger, DIscovery, Atlantis and Endeavour’s 100 missions for NASA.