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OR Sombriolet

 

Call it dorky, that’s fine. I’ll have the last laugh as they’re scraping the cancer off your face. OK, that was harsh, but I say it because I care about you.

Amazon.com_ Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat , Medium, Fatigue_ Sports & Outd_2013-12-18_21-48-07

 

If you’re an outdoors person, this is the hat you want. It keeps the sun off your face and does it while keeping your fairly cool. It’s light weight and the brim is stiff but not overly so. In a strong wind, it will deform, but that’s the price you pay for keeping it so light and flexible. Outdoor Research makes great hats. This hat has a sister-hat (not sure what hat kin are called) that is an amazing rain hat. I’ll get to that soon.

This is by far the best summer hat you can have on the trail, on the water, working in the yard or going for a walk in the summer months.

 

Amazon.com $40

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Reader Request: Grind and Brew Coffee Maker

As you can imagine, with a site like this, as popular as it is, I get tons and tons of requests to recommend things. People want to buy things and they certainly want my opinion. In some cases I have a recommendation based on something I’ve tried or own. In other cases the best I can do is to the research and tell you what I would buy if I were in your shoes.

I received a request from a young lady looking to purchase a good Grind and Brew Coffee Maker for her father for Christmas.

 

Let me start with this: I think the best cup of coffee is done with a Burr Grinder, a French Press pre-warmed, and water just off the boil into a pre-warmed cup. I have a trick for this that works amazing.

BUT…
I realize this isn’t for everyone. So she gave me a challenge.

The number one rated grind and brew coffee maker on Amazon is the Cuisinart DGB-625BC.

BUT…
It doesn’t have a burr grinder. You have to have a Burr Grinder, so I wanted to find one that would have that feature.

Breville makes one. It’s got some other cool features like single cup mode and adjustable strength and flavor. It’s designed to compete with the “coffee pod” coffee makers out there. It’s $230. They also make the Breville BDC600XL, which has a steel carafe rather than glass. I would tend to prefer that since it won’t sit there cooking the coffee. $250. It’s well reviewed on Amazon.com, Zappos, Consumer Reports and Coffee Geek.

Breville BDC600XL YouBrew Drip Coffee Maker _ Amazon.com _ Home & Kitchen_2013-12-18_22-37-00

 

Amazon.com $250

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BACtrack Select S80 Breathalyzer

OUTDATED: There’s a newer model, that I now recommend. The BACtrack C8 available here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CKXQ5L5

It’s the holiday season and for some of us that means drinking. There are no jokes here people, this is serious and it’s lecture time. If you’re going to drink you shouldn’t be driving. Officially, you should have a designated driver, and I agree with that wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, there are going to be times where you’ve maybe had one or two drinks and you’re the one driving. Don’t ever wonder if you’re okay to drive. Get a Breathalyzer. A good one. I’ve known people who get crappy ones and they suck. Get a decent one, keep it in your car, keep the batteries fresh. It could save a life, or an embarrassing mistake that you pay for for a long time.

I know some of you look at this and think it’s too expensive. If you’re drinking and you’re not riding home in a cab or with someone who hasn’t been drinking every time you do, get this. Get it for your mom, your dad, your kid, your spouse, anyone who you love that drinks.

Amazon.com_ BACtrack Select S80 Breathalyzer Professional Edition_ Health & Pers_2013-12-18_22-12-52

This company also makes a really cool Bluetooth version of this with a companion Smart Phone app, but it hasn’t been as well reviewed in terms of its accuracy. This is the professional version, the real deal. Please don’t buy a cheap one, you’ll regret it. They are wildly inaccurate. Also, you will need to get it recalibrated from time to time. You can send it back to the manufacturer and they will re-calibrate it for you for a nominal fee.

Amazon.com $150

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Black Rock Hat

UPDATE: Black Rock Gear has, sadly, closed their doors.

OK, one more tonight, and this is one for the Christmas list, except that you’ll have to have this on your Christmas list for next year because these hats are so friggin’ awesome that they sell out every year. Actually, don’t wait a whole year. Order now and you’ll still get it in time to enjoy it.

As you can probably tell, I’m a total gear nerd. I think the only reason I have hobbies is because I like to shop for and buy the gear. I was looking for a great winter hat that would keep my head warm, but not too warm and not weigh a lot. Handmade in the US, these goose-down beanies fit the bill.

og_black_side_600

They actually make a few different models: the HadronS, the Original, and the Nobul with temperature ratings of 10-45, 20-50 and 30-55 respectively. You can’t go wrong with the original. It weighs just under 22 grams. Side Note: I Googled 22 grams to give you an idea of how little that is and apparently only these hats and marijuana weigh 22 grams.

I love supporting small boutique manufacturers who are doing cool stuff. Check out Black Rock Gear and their amazing hats.

Black Rock Gear $65

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PowerFlares

 

I was a boy scout, so I like to be prepared. Actually, I think I was a Cub Scout, but that doesn’t sound as impressive for a 33 year old man to still claim as the reason why he likes to be prepared. I think I actually went to like three Cub Scout meetings. I definitely was in Indian Guides.

Suffice it to say, I like to be prepared. I carry a first aid kit in my car (recommendation upcoming) and I’ve always carried other cool things like chains, water, blankets and flares. Flares are one of those things that you hope you never have to use but at the same time deep down hope you find a good reason to use one day. A good reason where no one has been seriously injured, but you get to say, “Hold on a sec, let me put out some flares.”

That opportunity came for me a number of years back. I saw a car swerve and go into the center divider on Highway 1. I thought, “Yes! Someone should put out flares.” So I go check on the guy, he’s fine. Then I run back to my car and grab a few flares. Having no idea how to actually light said flares, I struggled with that for a minute or two, but got them going; such a proud moment.

A few minutes later I looked back to see that the winds that whip the central coast of California had blown them into the center divider. What I realized that day is that flares are one of those things that sound cooler in your head than they are in reality. Like nude beaches.

So imagine my delight when I ran across PowerFlares. PowerFlares are made of ABS plastic and contain 16 very bright LED lights. They are virtually indestructible. They use lithium batteries (CR123, my favorite) with a 10 year lifespan so they’re always ready to go. Press the button to turn them on (and choose from a multitude of patterns), set them down, and move on to life saving activities.

Amazon.com_ PowerFlare Safety Light - Red LEDs, Yellow Shell_ Automotive_2013-12-18_21-28-18 Night-3UnitDriveway

Amazon.com $55

Beware of cheap knock off products. The ones you can drive a truck over and are used by Law Enforcement and other professionals are made by PowerFlare. http://www.powerflare.com/

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Petzl Zipka Headlamp

Amazon.com_ Petzl Zipka Improved Lumen Output Plus 2 Headlamp_ Sports & Outdoors_2013-12-12_21-24-35

As you  can see here, I’m a flashlight nerd. I carry a flashlight in my pocket every day. But there are times you’re looking for a little help with light but still want your hands free. That’s where a headlamp comes in handy. This is my absolute favorite headlamp. I’ve had every version of this lamp and they keep making it better. It’s not the brightest, but it gets the job done, is small and pocketable, and fairly inexpensive.

The name zipka comes from the fact that it doesn’t have a normal headband, just a retractable cord that pulls out to create a headband. Put one of these in your car, your toolkit, purse or kitchen drawer. They’re great.

The Zipka Plus also has a red light option which can preserve your night vision and provide enough light to see your way to walk, or it can blink red as well.

I use the blinking red some times on early morning or late night walks where you want to be seen.

Amazon.com $42

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Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens

 

I’m not an amazing photographer, but I do want the ability to take great pictures. Most of my pictures I take with a 35mm f/2.0 prime lens, which is great for getting those “feel like you’re there” shots. It also performs well in very low light situations. But you can’t reach out with it at all. So a picture of a bird on a tree is just a picture of a tree. So to (somewhat) round out my bag, I added this lens.

The only downside for me to this lens is that it does extend out when you’re fully zoomed in, so there’s nothing discreet about taking long shots, but if you get over that, then this is the perfect lens for your kit.

When I buy camera equipment, I shoot for solidly middle of the road. Not the cheap stuff but not the super fancy, drool over it type equipment. This lens fits that bill wonderfully. It’s Image Stabilized so helps keep your images sharp. And the 70-300mm range is great for reaching out but still letting you take shots of things happening in front of you without having to swap lenses.

Amazon.com_ Canon EF 70-300mm f_4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras_ CAN_2013-12-12_22-00-49

Amazon.com $649

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FourSevens Quark Pro QPL Flashlight

OUTDATED: While this flashlight served me well, I have a better recommendation, from Olight, coming soon.

I’m definitely a flashlight nerd. A number of years ago I bought a decent flashlight and decided to try carrying it every day. I’ve been continually amazed by how handy having a light on you can be. Dropped something? Can’t see behind the desk, or your computer? Talking the dogs on a walk or out at night?

My favorite manufacturer is a great company called Four Sevens. They make a great little light called the Quark Pro. They have different versions that use different batteries, but my favorite uses a CR123 battery, which is a lithium battery. The upside to a CR123 battery is they have a 10 year shelf life. The flashlight has about a 1 hour runtime on high or about 360 hours on the lowest setting, which they call moonlight and is great in a dark restaurant when you’re looking for something in your purse or can’t read the menu. It’s also great when you’re sneaking in late at night and don’t want to disturb your spouse, parents or tentmates. On high, you get 200 lumens, which is bright.

pic_quarkpro-qpl-lg

http://www.foursevens.com/products/QPL-AE

My preferred batteries are made by Surefire.
Surefire 12 Pack Boxed 123A Lithium Batteries
Amazon.com $22.50