Gear Patrol

Whether the result of sipping the caffeine-laden mixture it produces or simply seeing its form in your periphery, the CB Industries Jules Espresso Maker ($~1390) will surely open bleary morning eyes. This limited edition espresso maker, created by Swiss artist and Designer Carlo Borer, features a beautifully polished stainless-steel orb perched upon a tripod of…

Most people are perfectly content to store and experience their music collection on a computer (we do it everyday at the office). The convenience of accessing massive amounts of music and rich metadata on a whim with just a click or a search is simply unparalleled. For audiophiles, though, this ease of use comes at…

If you love motorcycling but happen to be on a budget and you also don’t plan on doing any “serious” riding, the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 B5 ($5,495) might be just the bike for you. A once popular UK bike manufacturer in the 1950s, the brand took a major hit due to the glut of…

Yes, it’s adorned with enough chromed steel to outshine a Kansas City bound Freightliner. Yes, it’s breathtakingly expensive. But for the truly dedicated, the Rocket Espresso Giotto Evoluzione ($2,100) is the closest thing to espresso nirvana we’ve ever had the chance to pull a shot from. Less white-gloved show pony and more workhorse, the Evoluzione…

The Invicta Ove Fireplace (~$3,200) is the latest in a line of beautifully crafted cast-iron creations by the Invicta Foundry in France. At first glance (and without any flames) the Ove’s elongated shape resembles a re-purposed cryo-chamber, stolen from a Hollywood set. Stare a little longer, though, and you’ll warm up to the Ove’s delicate…

No, it’s not what NASA nicknamed Neil Armstrong when he was crabby. The Surly Moonlander ($2,350), a cartoonish-looking bicycle in Surly’s new ultra-fat-tire series, is meant to go where no bike has gone before. The Moonlander doesn’t just survive off the beaten path — it excels. This Surly 4130 CroMoly steel-framed beast wears 4.7-inch wide…

Even when running rogue, it behooves any MI-6 agent to use nothing but the bespoke, from suits to shoes to, naturally, gun cases. The Globe-trotter James Bond Stabilist Rifle Case (~$8,040) looks so good, you’ll do your best to keep the blood off it. Inspired by the very case used in the upcoming Skyfall, the…

If the dictionary was filled with pictures, you’d fine the Snolo Sleds Stealth-X ($3,000) nestled right next to the term “over-engineered”. It’s comprised of three distinct parts: a carbon fiber mono shell sitting area, a single front ski with foot pegs and a connecting arm. Releasing a locking nut separates each of these parts, making…

A healthy watch collection is a diverse one. Okay, so many of you are still in the fledgling stages of collecting (you’ve at least started, haven’t you?). But those a bit more established in their horological treasure troves probably have one or two big brands and well-known makes (like the Omega Speedmaster or a much-coveted…

The iMac has dominated the all-in-one desktop market for years despite only receiving incremental updates in recent memory. The New Apple iMac ($1,300+) finally represents the next step in desktop design, proving once again that thin is definitely still in. Specifically, the new form factor is 80% skinnier than the last model and weighs 8…

After flipping the middle finger to the rest of the laptop market with the MacBook Pro Retina last summer, it was only a matter of time before Apple’s Midas touch turned to the smaller 13-inch companion. The new Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch Retina ($1,699+) has received the same innovations: a smaller body, a retina display…

The JVC Black Sapphire HDTV ($1,350) may have the surname of an exotic dancer, but when your brand reputation is worth less than a busy night at the club, you need to go bold or go home. While competing manufacturers duel over pixel counts and apps, JVC’s new JLE55SP4000 120Hz 1080p 3D TV is focused…

Designed and crafted by ze Germans using aluminum and steel, the Retro Bureau by Wharfside ($4,500+) is a small office solution for OCD neat freaks and hue-happy hipsters alike. Inspired by the colorful and innovative designs of the last century, Retro’s made-to-order creation has the look and feel of a Cupertino-commissioned clamshell and comes in…

If you’re the type who showers until even the lukewarm water is gone, it’s time you broadened your bathing horizons. Similar to the outdoor rinse station at your beach house, the Oborain Outdoor Shower ($3,700+) gives your washing experience an interesting twist — whether it’s for rinsing off after a swim in the pool, soaking…

Portability should be the first priority for any working DJ, but for the rare few who prefer to worship beats in anonymity and seclusion (or have enough cash for a second setup), Bad Habits Made to Order DJ Consoles ($1,374) are as good a temple as any. Each custom console is inspired by the set…

Previously only sold abroad, the Kenwood Cooking Chef ($2,000) has finally whirled its way stateside. This culinary version of the Jetsons’ Rosie one-ups the traditional stand mixer by not only whisking, hooking and mixing (at variable speeds), but by heating and cooking as well. A safe, energy efficient induction cooking plate attached to the Cooking…

The primary goal in the manufacture of any watch is precision; there is scarcely a watchmaker, from Patek Philippe to Citizen, that would argue that fact. After all, the whole raison d’être of a watch is to tell the time — if it does that poorly, you might as well be wearing a charm bracelet….

Guitar lovers will want to own MacKenzie & Marr acoustic ($1,000+) after just a few strums. Unfortunately, unless your jam session buddy already has one in his basement, you’ll have to buy one of the company’s hand-carved lady magnets before plucking a single note. It sounds strange, but the guys behind these axes decided to…

The world of the audiophile isn’t normally for the light of wallet, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t values to be had. VPI industries got its start 35 years ago as a record player component and accessories company, first making weights, then isolation bases and then record cleaning machines — all for incredible values. Inevitably,…

If bespoke is your middle name, then Dunhill is a brand you already know. From fine tobacco accessories to pens, high-end clothing and timepieces, Dunhill builds quality. Typically erring on the classic side of style, they’ve gone a bit risky with their new and very black Dunhill Classic PVD Moonphase Watch ($7,300); it’s both beautifully…

Gaming towers are synonymous with gigantic frames, furnace heat output and throbbing jet-engine rackets. If you’re the subtle, nuanced gamer — or you just want to attract as little attention as possible while raiding in WOW — the Falcon Northwest Tiki Micro Gaming Tower ($1,800+) should be a prime option. The Tiki is a veritable…

The Apogee Quartet ($1,295) is a USB audio interface that provides Macs and their parent’s-basement-squatting masters with studio-grade chops. Connection-wise, four combo XLR and 1/4” analog inputs — complete with world-class mic preamps capable of capturing click-free transitions from a vast gain range of 0-75dB — and eight digital inputs can accomodate a burgeoning boy…

Mark our words, the revolution is coming, and it will be 3D printed. Scrappy startup Makerbot has always led the charge to make this advanced technology accessible at the consumer level, and their latest creation, the Makerbot Replicator 2 ($2,200) is the next logical step. The biggest advantage of the new machine is its 100…

The startup vibe has officially infected America, and as such, no company can possibly hope to attract the top talent of today’s tweet-crazed youth without a proper funland work environment. We all know that ideal millennial bait includes Wiis, chocolate fountains, ironic neon signs, scalp massagers and other office nonsense that gathers dust inside those…

Nikon’s D600 full-frame DSLR seemed poised to undercut its arch nemesis Canon in the prosumer market — until now. The Canon EOS 6D ($2,100) is Canon’s smallest, lightest (only 24 ounces) and cheapest full-frame DSLR ever. It’s slightly slimmer and weighs less than the D600 while boasting integrated wi-fi — a convenient feature we’ve been…

A solid pair of binoculars in the field is vital — and when you’re trying to avoid being run over by a fast-moving barge or spot a pal that’s gone overboard, they’re absolutely key. But in order to weather tough watersport conditions, they have to be rugged, too. Having supplied binoculars to the military for…

We thought LG had destroyed the space war (not the cool, lasers and aliens kind) with their Super-Capacity French Door Fridge. Not so. The LG LFX31945ST Door-in-Door Fridge ($3,500) uses the same extra-thin ice maker in the door and clever shelving as other fridges, but adds an extra compartment within the door to reach an…

Tired of pounding out local 5K charity runs? Well, you’ve still got a couple of weeks to register for the 2012 UVU Jungle Marathon, which starts October 4th in the Brazilian Amazon. As you can infer, this is no ordinary 26.2 mile slog. Runners get the (seemingly easy) choice of completing either a six-stage, 149-mile…

The Sony RX-1 is the smallest camera to ever feature a full-frame sensor. Specifically, it crams the same 24MP 35.8×23.9mm beast found in the newly released Sony a99 DSLR that boasts an ISO range between 100 – 25600, in a body that measures 4 1/2″x 2 5/8″x 2 3/4″ and weighs only a pound. Those…

Pioneer’s newest CDJ-2000nexus flagship gets everything right but the name — and we’re not referring to the potential confusion with Android products. That’s because the newly integrated Wifi compatibility allows the pro turntable to play everything from streaming music on computers, iPhones, iPods, and iPads to USB thumb drives, SD memory cards, and yes, even…