The PowerShot D20 is made for those who are a little tough on their devices, and as such it is waterproof to 33-fteet and shock-proof to about five-feet, while also being freezeproof to about -10C. It is also sealed up tight to protect the internals electronics from sand and dust.

On the tech end it features a 12.1megapixel CMOS sensor and a DIGIC4 processor, making it capable of recording 1,920×1,080 video. It includes built-in GPS for geotagging of images, and offers a 28mm wide angle lens with 5x optical zoom, Intelligent Image Stabilization, and 3-inch LCD screen to review those shots. One nifty sounding feature is the underwater features, including macro mode for capturing details when swimming or diving. On the land the camera features an Active Display technology that allows users to operate the camera by tapping the body, such as when wearing thick or otherwise padded gloves.

Canon seems to have hit the bullseye with this camera, which should arrive in May with a price around $349!

Canon Official Website

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TS4

Whether you’re on a budget or want to go all out and the sky is the limit, Panasonic has a camera for you. This week the company introduced two new rugged outdoor digital cameras.

First up is the Lumix DMC-TS4, which includes GPS, compass, altimeter, barometer and truly lives up to the rugged moniker. A barometer log is even available to help users forecast the climate and log barometric trends, while the altitude measurements can be used in conjunction with GPS data. And speaking of GPS, the camera more than a million landmarks and 82 countries/regions cover in the maps available on the bundled DVD, allowing Geo-tagged images to be automatically sorted and played back along a map!

It is waterproof to approximately 40 feet or 12 meets, shockproof with a fall from about 6.6 feet and freezeproof to as low as 14ºF, and it is also dustproof so it can handle pretty much anything you might throw at it. The DMC-TS4 also takes rugged to a new level, featuring a Leica DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with a 4.6x optical zoom. The 12.1megapixel camera features a hi-speed CCD sensor along with an advanced image processing LSI Venus Engine. It can also do the video thing, shooting HD video in AVCHD and MP4 formats at 1,920 x 1,080 resolution.

And while the TS4 is a point and shoot, it offers users manual operation, allowing for adjustments such as shutter speed and aperture. Other features include time lapse shooting, miniature effect and even panorama shot. And for those who like some help the TS4 also features the iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, which includes a suite of technologies that automatically select the most appropriate setting to take photos and videos. The Lumix TS4 will be available in March for $399.99.

Panasonic LUMIX TS20

For those with a tighter budget the Lumix TS20 also features a rugged design, which is waterproof to 16 feet, shockproof to 5 feet, and still dustproof and freezeproof to as low as 14ºF. The camera features a 4x optical zoom, which extends to 8x equivalent with Intelligent Zoom function. The TS20 is a 16.1megapixel camera that can also double as a video camera with 720p HD video in the MP4 format. It also offers the iA mode, and features the Panorama Shot for a maximum 360-degree of horizontal / vertical panoramic image by taking consecutive shots and overlaying the photos. The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TS20 will be available in late-February 2012 in orange, blue, black and red models for a suggested retail price of $179.99

Panasonic Lumix Official Website

The $5 app lets trailblazers plan, plot, navigate, record, and analyze their outdoor adventures straight from their GPS-enabled smartphone. It uses Open Source Web maps to provide detailed information on any popular location or alternatively, users can make in-app trail guide purchases on the fly. The trail guides (which cost between 70 cents to $1) are then pinned on the map providing trail descriptions, directions, and pictures straight out of publishers’ guidebooks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B64slQ-YjBk

Routes can be created on the fly via your phone or you can plan one beforehand on your computer using ViewRanger’s Web-based route-planning tool, My.ViewRanger. Your route can then by synced to your phone or you can import routes as existing GPX files.

Twitter addicts will also appreciate the app’s social networking feature, Buddy Beacon, which connects to your Twitter feed and lets you share your pictures and location with your friends. The app works with all iPhone and Android models as well as select Symbian phones. Click here for a complete list of compatible phones.

ViewRanger Official Website

It also can track heart-rate, speed, pace, elevation, distance, temperature, barometer and work as a compass and of course as a clock and alarm. This one shines!

Suunto Official Website

Suunto, the brand leader in functional outdoor instruments, announces the launch of the AMBIT*, the first true GPS watch for Explorers.

The Suunto AMBIT is what every backcountry skier, hiker, trail runner and mountain climber has been eagerly waiting for — a watch that combines a GPS navigation system, altimeter, 3D compass with advanced heart rate monitoring into a robust instrument for mountain and everyday use.

“This is an awesome product that should be on the wrist of anyone who heads into the outdoors,” comments Greg Hill, the recordbreaking extreme ski mountaineer, who in 2010, ascended two million vertical feet. “The AMBIT is a potentially life-saving survival tool thanks to its full GPS capability and altimeter. It’s also invaluable for anyone who, like me, wants to record their tracks and log their vertical ascents and descents. And it looks great too.”

Specific Outdoor Functionality
With AMBIT’s full-featured GPS the user can choose waypoints to navigate with and see their location in multiple coordinate systems. The AMBIT boasts a host of other features including temperature, track logging, unique 3D Compass and barometric sensor. All these keep you informed of your location, altitude and weather conditions on your adventures.

Advanced Training Functionality
The AMBIT also offers functions for the serious mountain athlete. The patent pending accelometer fused GPS gives highly responsive speed and pace with Suunto FusedSpeedTM. Heart rate monitoring with Peak Training Effect will keep you within your optimimum training zone and Recovery Time will tell you when you’re fully recovered for your next adventure. And after a hard session in the hills, the GPS will guide you home where you can upload your data for analysis on Movescount.com.

Mountain and Everyday Exploration
The AMBIT is housed in a robust BuiltToLast casing and has an enhanced battery lifetime of up to 50hrs in GPS mode. True to Suunto’s heritage in dive instruments, it is water resistant to 100m. Upgrades are available through Movescount.com.

Comments Jonathan Wyatt, six-time world mountain running champion:

”As a trail runner and mountain athlete, what I need in a watch is a heart rate monitor, speed & distance, and altimeter. The AMBIT has all these features in one unit which is really exciting. One of the main problems for endurance athletes is battery life of conventional GPS sports watches so the promise of 50hrs is a big step forward.”

“Fused speed technology also gives a more accurate pace which is vital for anyone serious about their running. Being able to pair it and use it with all the existing PODs and comfort belts is another big plus point for me. This means one watch can be used for all my activities like mountain biking, road cycling, trail and mountain running, cross country skiing and ski mountaineering.”

“Knowing that the AMBIT is built for the mountains and will survive whatever I or the elements throw at it also sets it apart. Being able to personalise the displays of the watch, download updates and analyse the data on Movescount.com all help to make the AMBIT an awesome product for mountain athletes.”

”The AMBIT is everything the outdoor athlete could want in a watch,” comments Jari Ikäheimonen, brand manager at Suunto. ”It’s a unit you can trust. With its GPS and superior functions, the Ambit takes outdoor instruments to a new level. It’s a serious watch packed within a sleek but robust casing. It is the GPS for Explorers.”

Suunto AMBIT is available in black and silver and comes with or without a heart rate belt. It will become globally available in March 2012 in selected outdoor stores.

*AMBIT: As in Ambition. Synonyms: edge, reach, scope or range.

The Garmin Approach G6 GPS is a handheld created just for the golf course, or we should say 25,000-plus golf courses. The device has pre-loaded maps that can be updated. These maps let golfers know where to find each hole, and the best way to hit the ball. The Approach G6 provides layup arcs drawn on the map at 100, 150, 200 and 250 yards to help you figure out the best shot.

An LCD screen and bright sunlight don’t often mix, but the Approach G6 has a 2.6-inch sunlight readable display with large, bright high-contrast graphics. Another feature geared toward golfers, the device is glove-friendly. This is an advantage since many other devices require conductivity from fingertips or stitched into the tips of gloves in order to operate.

Garmin showed the Approach G6 GPS off last week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The company also plans to put it on display at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL later this month. The Garmin Approach G6 GPS will be available in February for $299.99.

Garmin Official Website

Liquid Image revealed two additions to its Xtreme Sports Cams line of goggles with built-in video cameras. These feature the camera along with Wi-Fi and GPS, and can of course be controlled via a smartphone. The Apex HD snow goggles will feature a 136-degree wide angle lens with Line of Sight video capture at 30FPS in full HD 1080p mode, or 60FPS in 720 action mode. This one can even take 12megapixel stills – which is very impressive from a wearable camera.

The Torque HD goggle cam reportedly offers many of the same features but is designed for off-road enthusiasts rather than snow sports. The Apex HD will be available in October, while the Torque HD should arrive by June for the summer sports season. Both will retail for around $400 – providing eye protection and a camera all in one!

Liquid Image Official Website

The GPS unit, which is designed specifically for RVers, features an extra-large high-resolution seven-inch display with customized routing based on vehicle profile and driver preference. It includes Magellan’s exclusive Good Sam Trailer Life RV Park & Campground Directory, and is pre-loaded with maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, and over six million points of interest. Safety features include customized routes, Highway Lane Assist, and turn-by-turn spoken directions. Additionally, the RV9145 includes Magellan’s exclusive OneTouch user interface and a convenient A/V input for a backk-up camera, DVD player or iPod.

Magellan and Good Sam Club Deliver New Recreational Vehicle GPS Device

It features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, so users can play an entire weekend on a single charge. It will come preloaded with 25,000+  worldwide courses – with no subscriptions required.

Other features:
·Free course updates available, no subscriptions required
·Innovative software with layup arcs and larger on-screen numbering
·Scoring capabilities include Stapleford, Match Play, Skins and Handicap
·Tracks fairways hit, GIR, putts per round, how far you hit each club

With the Approach 6G the competition won’t see you coming!

Garmin Official Website

We have mentioned the GPS tracking and messaging technology of the Spot line of products before – here, here and here; but mostly relating to the SPOT technology being used in conjunction with the DeLorme Earthmate GPS device. Spot LLC, a subsidiary of Globalstar Inc., has their own line of devices. From basic tracking, basic messaging to the Spot Connect that uses Bluetooth to turn your smartphone into a satellite communicator, the Spot devices rely on GPS technology instead of cellular technology to communicate with the outside world. This in turn allows greater coverage around the globe. The Spot GPS devices are not meant to replace the communication capabilities of a satellite phone, it is designed to allow the user to send personal messages to friends and family letting them know their location; an emergency S.O.S. with coordinates to emergency personnel; and a little fun with Facebook or Twitter updates of GPS location and a message.

But does it work? Spot has recently been touting the success of their technology with highlights of the 1,500 emergency rescues that have been initiated worldwide since their products hit the market back in 2007. Here are some interesting numbers…

Of the 1,500-plus rescues that have taken place in 105 countries, 55 percent were in the United States. California, Colorado, Utah, Alaska and Florida are the states with the highest number of SPOT SOS activations. Canada accounted for 22 percent of the overall rescues launched by SPOT devices. This year, rescue officials have responded to 546 SPOT-initiated requests of which 402 were land-based, 117 were at sea and 27 were aviation related.

SPOT Rescue Highlights (2007-2011):
* Four fishermen were rescued from their sinking vessel by the US Coast Guard 20 miles off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina.
* A Scout troop leader was crushed by a falling horse in Mount Hood National Forest and airlifted to safety by the National Guard.
* A downed motorcyclist suffering compound fractures was air lifted to a nearby hospital from a desolate California highway.
* Two stranded climbers were rescued by helicopter from the 3,567 meter-high (11,703 feet) peak on Mount Goodsir in Yoho National Park, British Columbia.
* The US Coast Guard rescued two people after their plane suffered a hard emergency landing on an uninhabited island southeast of Cordova, Alaska.
* An Arkansas photographer with a broken pelvis, collar bone and ankle was rescued from a steep ravine after falling 30 feet in Ozark National Forest.
* A backcountry skier was located and rescued after being trapped at high elevation in Norway during a severe winter storm.
* In Nevada, a man working alone was injured and trapped under heavy machinery. He was extricated and transported by helicopter to a nearby hospital.
* A 20 year-old college student was rescued after falling 200 feet in Rocky Mountain National Park.
* A hiker suffering a severe medical emergency was rescued in Australia and transported to the nearest medical facility for surgery.

The price to get into a Spot device is not too expensive, but to use the Spot technology, it does require an investment. The basic SPOT Personal Tracker is $99.99 and they go up to $449.99 for the SPOT HUG designed with specific features for boats. All of the devices require a yearly subscription to use ranging in price from $99.99 to $149.99 for the basic emergency alert and messaging services. Depending on the device purchased, additional services can be added. The $200 price tag for both the device and service may seem a little steep for some, but consider this… the basic pine coffin costs about $500, that is if you ever see your loved one again.

Spot LLC Official Website

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFVl_HMEblw

The tw700 features all of these in a rugged, waterproof, trail-ready device that runs on the Android 2.2 operating system. It features a 3.5-inch touchscreen, which can be used with the GPS functionality to provide off-road navigation via 100 x 70-km topographical map, and road navigation via Open Streets Maps. When multiple devices are used the GPS can be used as a group tracking feature, to display the position of each member.

As a walkie talkie this unit features eight channels and 38 sub-channels, and can function up to 10 kilometers (six miles). While it won’t replace a true rugged camera, the 5megapixel built-in camera will do the trick well. While the $725 price is a bit steep, the tw700 offers a little functionality in a little package.

Tak Wak Official Website
[Via Gizmag: Tak Wak delivers a rugged GPS-smarthpone-radio for the outdoors]

All Sports GPS is a ruggedized handheld GPS that will serve multiple sports including hiking, camping, skiing, golf, cycling, and any other sport that ventures beyond the field. In the field, the device will get satellite GPS data. But the handheld also runs the Android OS, so it can be loaded with any number of apps that take advantage of GPS positioning. Those apps will need to be loaded when the All Sports GPS is connected to the internet via Wi-Fi. Any apps that require connection in order to operate will be limited.

To create the All Sports GPS, Taiwan-based GPS manufacturer Holux teamed up with Canadian app developer Satski to bundle a range of apps on the device. It will come pre-loaded with a handful of Satski apps including All Sports Maps so users can download live maps from Google, Nokia OVI, Open Street, Open Cycle and other sources. The maps will then be accessible in the field for “offline” use. Other apps will include a new version of Satski, MyRide, and Pocket Caddy.

The All Sports GPS is not yet available.

All Sports GPS from Satski Official Website

The inReach with Android handset (not included)

If a tree falls in the woods, but no one is there the question is asked, “does it make a sound?” But what if you’re lost in the forest, all alone, and you cry out for help. No one will hear you, not unless you have DeLorme’s new inReach device.

Essentially this satellite-enabled device is your hiking, backcountry panic button for those times when you need help and have no cellular coverage. The device can send a general SOS message to the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center, and users can also send pre-loaded text messages to additional parties as well. The latter messages don’t have to be warnings, but updates – such as “I’ve reached the summit.”

For those times when you need urgent help the device, which features GPS technology, can regularly transmit its coordinates at regular intervals. The inReach can also be liked up with an Android device via Bluetooth and allow for two-way text communication, sending/receiving of email and even provide access for Facebook and Twitter updates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eu-AZK-2fE

It also provides access to DeLorme Topo North American maps of Canada and the United States. The DeLorme inReach can also take a licking or two. The device is waterproof and even floats, and is impact-resistant. It runs on a pair of AA lithium batteries and can operate continually for about 60 hours. The palm sized push-button DeLorme inReach is available for $249.95, while required subscription plans range from around $10 to $50, but for those who plan to trek into the wilds it could be priceless.

DeLorme Official Website
[Via Cnet: $250 gadget helps you stay InReach when off the grid]

It uses a miniature camera, accelerometer, GPS and a variety of other sensors, so when worn on your person it knows pretty much what you’re doing. The aim is to track one’s lifestyle as much as activity. This does sound like it could be a sort of high-tech stalker, but hey no one says you have to wear it. But for those who need a little extra pressure this one probably could supply it in droves!

[Via Cnet: eButton knows if you're a workout warrior or a slug]