NEWS: Aarn Packs in UK

Body centered load carrying systems specialist Aarn Packs will shortly be available in the UK through distributor Outdoor Elements. As reported in the September issue of Trail, a change in posture could be all you need to walk faster, for longer and with less fatigure according to scientists from Harvard University. Aarn Packs have incorporated this research and other similar research into their body centred load carrying systems, which they describe as ”FlowMo Bodypacks”. These packs are designed to disturb the body as little as possible under load, completely replacing backpacks as the most comfortable way to carry loads on the human body.

Aarn Tate's designs have been seen before in the UK, as his ideas appeared a few years ago in the Craghopper range of packs. Trail loved the packs and found the body centred load carrying systems superb for carrying heavy loads. We found it allowed the user to stand in a more upright position, which allowed a far more natural walking position that was stable, comfortable and unrestrictive. Sadly the range did not sell well into stores, despite numerous favourable reviews from users and the media and so finally Craghoppers dropped the ideas. Hopefully Aarn's latest developments will be more popular.



Normal backpacks tend to force a stooped forward posture, which strains the body. FlowMo BodyPacks allow an upright posture, relaxing the body, eliminating body pain & discomfort and reducing energy use. So if you fancy easing the strain of your pack, then Aarn Packs could be answer to your dreams.

Trail will be reviewing the Aarn Packs as soon as we can get hold of them!

For more information go to Aarn Packs

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NEWS: Ooh! Ooh! Magellan turns GPS phone-sexy

Magellan has announced a brand new range featuring touch-screens, digital cameras, topographical mapping capability and integration with a new desktop application called VantagePoint. As if to reverse the trend of top-end phones poaching GPS technology, the latest 'Triton' range steals ideas from the latest phones, bringing a 2.7-inch QVGA touch screen, built-in 2 megapixel camera, SD card slot and voice recorder to the Triton 2000 top-end unit. The new GPSs are also completely waterproof. Prices range from $129 to $499 and all but the cheapest have upgradeable mapping. In the US Magellan has partnered with the National Geographic to offer topographical mapping for the first time on a dedicated GPS handset. Hmmm... camera, plus GPS: could this be the start of real-photo route-directions, via geo-located photos shared via the web? Details of the range, which hits the US first in September are:

Triton 2000 $500

* 2.7-inch QVGA color touch screen
* built-in 2MP camera
* built-in base maps
* uploadable maps using Magellan's new (free) VantagePoint software
* SD card slot
* electronic compass and barometer
* speaker and microphone
* LED flashlight
* waterproof to IPX-7 standards

Triton 1500 $400

* 2.7-inch QVGA color touch screen
* built-in base maps
* uploadable maps using VantagePoint software
* SD card slot
* speaker and microphone
* flashlight
* waterproof to IPX-7 standards

Triton 500 $250

* more compact-sized
* 2.2-inch QVGA color screen
* SD card slot
* uploadable maps using VantagePoint software
* built-in base maps
* electronic compass and barometer
* waterproof to IPX-7 standards

Triton 400 $200 (pictured)

* 2.2-inch QVGA color screen
* SD card slot
* built-in base maps
* pointer and compass screen
* waterproof to IPX-7 standards
* uploadable maps using VantagePoint software

Triton 300 $150

* 2.2-inch QVGA color screen
* built-in base maps
* waterproof to IPX-7 design
* pointer and compass screen
* uploadable maps using VantagePoint software
* 10 MB of memory for map storage

Triton 200 $130

* 2.2-inch QVGA color screen
* built-in base maps
* waterproof to IPX-7 design
* pointer and compass screen
* runs on two AA batteries

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NEWS: Simond return to UK

Simond have been away from these shores for a while, but the Chamonix based manufacturer of high quality mountain climbing hardware are back!

Just in time for the winter season, which could of course welcome the UK peaks with a flurry of snow or a downpour of slush, the Simond brand will be distributed by UK based importer Apex Distribution and will be available in selected retailers from November 2007.

Simond have been manufacturing climbing and mountain hardware since 1890 and are one of only two, large climbing manufactures to be making their products on-site in Chamonix, the home of Alpine mountaineering.
Simond use hot forging and working with titanium to produce some of the best hardware available.

It also good to see that Simond.com is now in English. At present the English part of the site only details information about their products but they will shortly be putting up real-time information on conditions in the Mont Blanc Massif, news about the Simond team as well as really useful practical advice.

Trail will be reviewing the ice axe and crampon range as soon as we can get hold of them. All we now need is some snow and ice !

For more information go to Apex Distribution

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NEWS: Magellan hints at big things for new GPS handhelds

Magellan says it “will announce partnerships that will change the landscape of the handheld GPS category” at the OutdoorRetailer show that starts tomorrow. With a blizzard of new patents being filed in the last few months, including (though we daren't hope for this yet) real-photography directions, the sense of expectation is high. It all hinges on who those "partners" might be. It could be a technological partner, offering bigger PDA-style colour screens and the processing power to handle more detailed topographic mapping; it could be the Ordnance Survey, bringing full Explorer-quality mapping to your next eXplorist; or they could mean a tie-up with a data partner like the AA, adding guidebook-style information about pubs, camp sites and even routes. Fingers crossed for all three...

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