Gear Patrol

So-called “cloud services” hope to make transferring digital data via physical devices akin to cave painting in the near future. That hasn’t stopped pocket-tool legend Victorinox from evolving the classic Swiss Army Knife to house the latest SSDs and transfer protocols. Their new solid state drive line features a special single connector that’s compatible with…

The long standing feud between your precious gadgets and their arch-nemesis, water, may be officially called off thanks to Liquipel. What is Liquipel exactly? It’s a potent combination of witchcraft and voodoo, or at least that was our first reaction after watching the demo video, which we’ve convienently embedded for you after the break along…

D-Link’s All-In-One Mobile Companion is a new travel accessory designed to take the headaches out of setting up a wireless network on the road. Packed inside the mouse-sized cube is a Wireless-N router, USB recharger, and an ethernet port for those in search of faster wired speeds. The small cube can just as easily be…

The DODOcase has been a favorite accessory for iPad users looking to add an old school literary feel to their cutting edge gadget. While this isn’t the first collaboration by DODO that we’ve seen, this iteration created in partnership with eco-conscious upstart Vicarious by Nature still deserves a mention since it does a fine job…

In the gadget food chain, routers rank right next to bottom feeders like printers in terms of consumer buzz. It’s just hard to get jittery over a small block of plastic and metal that passively blinks its way through life. Technophiles who really understand the router’s role as the pit boss of the digital home…

The Cam Crate is the latest Kickstarter project to catch our eye, mainly because it’s dedicated to protecting something near and dear to our gear-loving hearts. Designer Matthew Geyster was inspired to create a waterproof, mudproof, crushproof, and shockproof case for his DSLR after his fear of damaging his camera caused him to miss more…

Services like Pandora and Apple’s Genius technology changed the way many of us consumed music, by intelligently mixing and matching songs to fit a particular theme or mood. These jukeboxes of the digital age, however, still fall well short of what professional DJs do best — the continuous mix. Pioneer’s newly launched Mixtrax music software…

After a long wait and numerous teaser posts, GORUCK Field Pockets ($85-$110) are finally up for grabs. While there are plenty of excellent MOLLE pouch options out there, we’ve been holding out for GR’s option, and it’s been worth the wait. In the lineup are three pockets of varying sizes from 1.6L to 4.2L, each…

Highlighting electronics accessories from a company like Restoration Hardware will always be a little difficult for us, since making furniture that both Dr. Evil and Dr. Jones could feel comfortable decorating their offices with is clearly their main focus. Still, this tasteful roll up travel charger ($50) packs too much convenience in such a classic-looking…

HoldFast is a new brand born from the passion of professional photographer and long time Gear Patrol reader Matthew Swaggert. After years of being frustrated with the overly complex, uncomfortable, and militia-styled gear that flooded the photography market, he decided to channel his experience and love of American heritage to create something better. The HoldFast…

It may look like another plastic iPhone dock, but the Swivl ($160) is anything but. Pairing a motorized base and wearable marker the Swivl can pivot, turn and tilt a cradled iOS device to follow a subject — keeping subjects within its field of view — using motion tracking technology. That means, video chats, sports,…

The third rule of Roadgo Dynamics dictates that the more gadgets you own, the more power cables you’re saddled with when it’s time to travel. Upon your arrival, finding enough available wall outlets is then about as easy as telling your better half she’s gained weight. The fine mac accessory makers at Twelve South have…

Full-sized, over-the-ear headphones (known as Circumaural cans to you purists) typically provide a level of audio fidelity that measly earbuds can’t match. The trouble is they don’t exactly store nicely when not in use on your desk. These Woo Audio Aluminum Headphone stands ($60-$75) can help remove clutter from your workspace or listening station by…

As life becomes increasingly more digital, securing your files is a must. You’re ahead of the game with password protection on your phone, tablet and computer. But what about that backup USB hard drive? Couldn’t someone just plug it into another computer, and copy every last bachelor party photo of you, “relaxing”, with just a…

Mac users shouldn’t get all the multi-touch fun (patents aside). Seems someone out there agrees. The Logitech Wireless Touchpad ($50) will bring multi-finger control with one, two, three, four, and ten figure scrolling for Minority Report like controlling (almost) of your PC. Sorry, no Macs. Spend more time plowing through Gmail, hauling through Facebook, and…

Unlike your iPad, the Truman iPad Portfolio ($175) requires a bit more patience when it comes to acquiring one. Like your iPad, though, the portfolio is refreshingly simple example of hand hewn design. With a 3-5 week wait time the wholly hand hewn portfolio is made-to-order from single cut natural vegetable tanned leather that snugs…

Gear Patrol favorite Goruck has launched their first accessory offering in the form of the Brick Bag. In spite of its misnomer of a name (re: it’s not actually intended for bricks), the Brick Bag is an excellent addition to the Goruck line. Built from the same 1000D Cordura, ballistic nylon, mil-spec webbing and hardware…

Who needs a touch-surface Magic Mouse when you can pack it full of glorious calculator buttons? We’re betting our spreadsheet ninjas can think of a few — and until Apple finally makes a Bluetooth extended keyboard, options are pretty limited. With a built-in ten-digit calculator, the Canon X Mark I Mouse ($60) gives users not…

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…

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…

Used on everything from the space shuttle (hat tip to you Atlantis) to golf clubs, titanium is an element that requires little explanation. It’s both lightweight and stronger than steel, and here in the form of the Snow Peak Titanium iPhone 4 Case ($120), totally bewitching. The ultra-thin case is made entirely in Japan using…

In the saturated world of hard drives, it’s good to know that LaCie still pursues a goal of creating bewitchingly designed hard drives, even with something as pervasive and everyday as an external hard drive. But, they might have finally reached an apogee with their latest collaboration with Porsche Design. The drives’ telltale design element…

Give your iPad 2 a touch of preppy protection with this collab between J.Crew and DODOcase. Taking the already popular DODOcase, J.Crew has added a touch of their signature style with two combinations of contrasting sailcloth lining and contrasting spine (navy and orange, or grey and blue). And of course the wood and linen case…

If you’ve ever traveled with a tripod you know just how much of a pain they can be. Everything from the odd-sized shape to airport security hassles make them a real turn off for the amateur. Of course, not everyone really wants to shell out hundreds of bucks for an aerospace grade carbon fiber monopod…

After sulking in the corner for the last two years from lack of attention, the Time Capsule ($300-$500) has finally received an update from the loving engineers in Cupertino. Well, sort of. Now the line consists of a 2TB and beefier 3TB model, which are available at the price points of the old 1TB and…

Typical sleeve cases go out of their way to stroke the egos of ever-slimming tablets, but they’re pretty much worthless if you need to schlep related accessories. Cocoon’s new Grid-It Tablet Wraps ($25) finally eliminate that compromise by integrating a Grid-It organizing system on top of a neoprene protective sleeve. The result is tablet case…

The iMac’s sleek stand has one fundamental flaw. Its base lacks feet, which means the chiseled edges mar wood finishes faster than Apple can release new versions. Hard Graft, who we imagine saw the problem first hand, has a solution: the iMac Slipper ($42). Simply slide on the sheath, made of German felt and Italian…

$395 | JWhulmeco.com

The GarageBand app for the iPad 2 showcases the power of Apple’s darling of gadgetdom like few other apps. No matter how visually pleasing, or “delightful” the UI is, though, tapping out beats or virtual picking still just doesn’t feel right to practiced musicians. That’s where Pix and Stixs ($16) can help. Each pack includes…

Get it straight people. HP’s new x2301 monitor isn’t thin, it’s Micro Thin. What exactly does Micro Thin mean? Well, we’ll skip today’s lesson on redundancy, and just presume it’s a new adjective for describing things measuring 9.8mm (0.39 thick) or less — because that’s how thin the x2301 is. It’s a pretty incredible spec…