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Strap tunes to your chest, arm, or face. - Brendan I. Koerner
Samsung YP-MT6X (512 Mbyte) Weighing 2.3 ounces, this pendant is oddly hefty. But it’s loaded with features: FM radio, voice recording, and even a line-in jack for ripping MP3s. And unlike previous Samsung models, files can be transferred to it directly over USB 2.0. Neck strap can be a drag for joggers, though. $130, www.samsung.com 
iPod shuffle (1 Gbyte) A wisp of a player at just 0.8 ounces, the sticklike iPod shuffle benefits from Apple’s trademark chic look and feel. It’s also the best storage for your buck. But there’s no screen, and the nonadjustable neck strap is annoying if you’re not of average height. An arm band is available for $30 more. $149, www.apple.com 
Oakley Thump (256 Mbyte) This system is a classic example of a cool idea that doesn’t fly in the real world. The wraparound style is straight out of a 1987 skateboarding video, despite the insane price. Comfort’s an issue too: Even though the shades weigh just 1.8 ounces, they still feel heavy on your face. $545, www.oakley.com 
Rio Forge 512MB Sport With its included armband and a stopwatch function, the Forge caters to athletes. But even if your idea of a workout is a leisurely stroll, this player shines, thanks to stellar sound, upgradable memory (to 1.5 gigs) via SD/MMC slot, and a large LCD. Only drawback: At 2.6 ounces, it’s the heaviest unit tested. $199, www.rioaudio.com 
Bummed about the movies on your flight? Fear not. With 3-D graphics, large displays, and processors that rival their living-room brethren, the latest crop of handheld game consoles is more intoxicating than the free cocktails in first class. Action is no longer limited to maneuvering blocks into place (though there’s still plenty of that if you like), with full-featured sports, racing, and shooter titles to choose from. And they now offer more than just thumb-numbing entertainment - most also bump tunes and play video. They’ll keep you distracted for hours, even if you never leave the ground. - Todd Zuniga
What to look for • Display: Screen size and resolution matter, but orientation is also important. Widescreens - rather than square or vertical formats - are more cinematic. • Extras: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, an MP3 player, and picture- and movie-viewing capabilities let you do more than just press buttons as fast as you can. • Memory: External memory cards hold saved games and are useful for uploading media. Standard formats tend to be cheaper than proprietary ones. • Game selection: How many games does your handheld have? Check available titles to make sure you won’t be left twiddling your thumbs.
Must-play titles • Sony PSP: Lumines, $40. Think Tetris with club beats. Just one more game and we’ll tell you more … • Nintendo DS: WarioWare: Touched!, $35. Use the stylus to play a series of nutty five-second challenges. • Gizmondo: Colors, price TBD. Built-in GPS enables battles with other hoodlums who stray onto your turf. • Nokia N-Gage QD: Pathway to Glory, $25. A historically accurate WWII strategy game.
Sony PSP Forget meeting your soul mate on a crosstown bus - you won’t be making eye contact of any kind once you get your mitts on this contraption. Games and movies stored on Sony’s new Universal Media Disc format leap off the superbright, 4.3-inch widescreen display. Sophisticated action is easy to jump into, thanks to controls arranged in the familiar pattern of PlayStations past. And MP3s, digital pictures, and MPEG-4 video can all be played from a Memory Stick. With built-in Wi-Fi, you can challenge pals online and, with a simple hack, even browse the Web and chat (official Web software and a keyboard attachment are supposedly on the way). Sony’s insistence on using its own media formats is a bit of a downer, and so far the selection of movies available on UMD is, well, slim and kinda limp (only Spiderman 2 was out at launch, though such "hits" as Young Guns and Universal Soldier are coming). But the PSP is nevertheless revolutionary.
Wired: Plays MP3s and MPEG-4 movies. Built-in Wi-Fi. Solid game library - 24 launch games and more than 100 titles expected by year’s end. Tired: Single analog stick limits first-person-shooter gameplay. Movie studios lukewarm about releasing flicks in Sony’s UMD format. Top games can cost up to $50. $249, www.playstation.com
Nintendo DS Wired: Touchscreen and microphone allow for innovative, sometimes bizarre gameplay. Built-in Wi-Fi lets you send sketches and gossip to other DS units. Runs Game Boy Advance titles. Tired: Limited number of games (24 in five months). Poor sports selection. Dual 3-inch screens will have you squinting to find Mario. $149, www.nintendo.com 
Gizmondo Wired: Comfy, logical layout. Speaker quality inspires impromptu public-transportation dance parties. Only handheld gaming system with GPS and a built-in camera. Tired: Small screen (2.8 inches). Craptacular game selection. Outlandish price. Top system buttons hard to press. $399, www.gizmondo.com 
Nokia N-Gage QD Wired: Doubles as dual-band GSM cell phone. Clear, bright display. Games come on small MMC cards. Allows you to play online via cellular network or Bluetooth. Rumble feedback. Tired: Confusing menus and cramped buttons make both gaming and calling awkward. Narrow screen (2.1 inches). $149, www.n-gage.com
Indulge your inner DJ. These iPod docks let you blast your favorite tunes to the world (or at least your roomies), giving you a mobile stereo to take on the road. All of them will charge your player, and most work with every generation of iPod, as well as the mini. - Brendan I. Koerner
JBL On Stage The On Stage’s design is eye-catching: a white-and-gray halo outfitted with four aluminum-domed drivers. A mere 7 inches in diameter, it’s a nice fit for a briefcase or laptop bag, yet it packs a mighty sonic wallop. You can crank the volume without losing clarity, and the speakers offer rich bass. Too bad JBL neglected to include a remote control or the option of battery power to make the unit truly portable.
Wired: Clear, full sound, even at high volume. Thumping bass. Tired: No remote. Can’t run on batteries. Requires a second cord to charge player when docked. $160, www.jbl.com
Bose SoundDock Wired: Our audio-quality champ: fantastic, wall-shaking sound, with fine detail and fat bass. Slender, long-range remote. Tired: Bafflingly expensive. Third-gen iPods or later only (and the mini). No battery option. $300, www.bose.com
Altec Lansing inMotion iM3 Wired: Folds into a book-sized package. Can run on four AAs. Comes with four power adapters for international travelers. Tired: Muffled, distorted sound at high volumes. Tepid bass. Limited 8-foot remote range. $180, alteclansing.com
MacAlly IceTune Wired: Inexpensive. Novel stackable design. Crisp sound at moderate volumes. Tired: Tinny, hollow audio when played loud. Speakers are separate from docking station, so setup requires messing with cables. $70, macally.com
These personal theaters let you enjoy Hollywood escapism by land, air, or sea. And while the latest mobile DVD players feature big screens, cool designs, and extra features (like MP3 CD playback), there’s no substitute for the basics: a good picture, small footprint, and long battery life. - Helmut Kobler
Panasonic DVD-LS55 Panasonic’s LS55 gets the fundamentals right. It’s thin, light, and the 7-inch screen makes up for its limited size with a sharp picture that’s free from jagged lines or blurred details. The LCD slides forward and pivots, making it simple to readjust as you shift in your seat during the scary scenes. Best of all: The 8.5-hour battery performance put the competition to shame and played The Matrix Trilogy straight through.
Wired: Small-but-sharp screen. Compact (2.3 pounds, 7.5 x 6.5 x 1.2 inch). Tired: Pricey. Narrow viewing angle best suited for an audience of one. Built-in speakers don’t go loud enough. $500, www.panasonic.com
Toshiba SD-P2700 Wired: Razor-sharp 8.9-inch screen swivels and displays lifelike detail. Respectable battery life of nearly 4 hours in our tests. Tired: Large battery increases bulk. Speakers could use more volume. Narrow viewing angle. $500, www.tacp.toshiba.com
Audiovox D1750T Wired: Tablet design means it’s easy to hold or to hang from the back of a car seat. Integrated tilt stand. Crisp picture for a 7-inch screen. Tired: Retro TV scan lines sometimes appear. Screen is unprotected. Battery lasted three hours. $349, www.audiovox.com
GoVideo DP8440 Wired: Inexpensive. TV tuner option ($50) receives noncable stations on the road. Tired: 8.4-inch screen is large, but the picture lacks fine detail. Narrow viewing angle. Battery lasted 2 hours, 45 minutes. Noisy drive mechanism. $280, www.govideo.com
Shooting the Waves
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Low-cost digicams that make a splash. - Richard Baguley
Olympus Stylus 500 and PT-026 Case The Stylus 500 is weatherproof, but it can’t take a dip without its 3.9 x 3.8 x 5.4-inch case. Fully dressed, it can plunge to 131 feet. The housing’s buttons are color-coded and well placed. The 5-megapixel photos are sharp but can have slightly muted hues. $400 (camera), $250 (housing), www.olympusamerica.com
Nikon Coolpix 5900 and WP-CP4 Case The Coolpix 5900 is a guppy, but its hard-to-open case is a whale. At 2.5 inches thick, it’s awkward to hold, and poorly placed buttons prevent one-handed use. But the 5.1-megapixel cam’s D-Lighting feature brings out details in high-contrast shots. $300 (camera), $250 (housing), www.nikonusa.com
Pentax OptioWP The 5-megapixel OptioWP is a cutie at 4 x 2 x 0.9 inch - no bulky, expensive underwater housing required. It takes handsome pictures, too. Just don’t use it while diving: It’s good for only 30 minutes at a max depth of 5 feet. Unlike the other cameras here, it doesn’t float, so if the strap slips off your wrist, it’ll end up in Davy Jones’ locker. $350, www.pentax.com
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33 and Marine Pack The T33 is one of the slimmest cameras available, and Sony’s Marine Pack follows suit: It’s a hair more than 2 inches thick and fits well in the hand. The 5.1-megapixel cam takes nice, if somewhat blue, images, but the built-in flash doesn’t have much range. $400 (camera), $160 (housing), www.sonystyle.com
Magnificent Seven
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You won’t think twice about slipping one of these little beauties into your pocket: None is more than 7 ounces or 1.5 inches thick. With 7-megapixel sensors and 2-inch or bigger LCDs, you won’t feel deprived, either. Sure, it’s more resolution than most of us need, but those once-in-a-lifetime photos will be of high-enough quality to supersize. And ultrafast response times ensure you’ll get your shot. - Seén Captain
How we tested Versatility: We shot indoors and out, in good light and bad, in color and in black and white, at varying sensitivity levels (ISOs). Image quality: A panel judged photos by viewing them onscreen and on paper, without knowing which still came from which camera. Startup time: We measured how long it took each camera to power up and take a picture. Picture speed: Shots were timed by recording the number of photos each camera could take in 10, 20, and 30 seconds.time trials
__Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200__Two features propel this camera above its peers - a low price and superb image quality (only the Canon matched it). Colors were rich and accurate under a variety of lighting conditions, including hideous fluorescent-glow. And the flash gave the most natural tint to test shots in a darkened room. Especially nice are its manually adjustable shutter speed and aperture: Both invaluable fine-tuning features are absent among Canon’s and Nikon’s offerings. Sony’s is also the only model that takes add-on lenses (telephoto and wide-angle). But the P200 is not ideal for everyone. Its movies were dreary, and it can take only five continuous shots before pausing. Plus it’s larger than the Canon, making it less than ideal for Jordache pockets. Wired: Lens retracts when you view photos onscreen. Lets you manually select focal range. Tired: Sharp but dark LCD. Shutter and power buttons too close together. $400, www.sonystyle.com
Canon PowerShot SD500 Wired: Natural colors in stills; clear, bright movies. Slim design (1 inch thick) fits in the tightest jeans. Fastest startup we clocked. Almost limitless shooting in continuous mode. Tired: Pricey. Photos a tad grainy at high ISOs. Dueling menu buttons, plus an interface sprinkled with confusing numbers and acronyms. Heaviest model tested (6.8 ounces). Lacks some useful manual controls. $600, www.usa.canon.com
Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z750 Wired: Lightest and thinnest cam tested (1 inch thick, 5.6 ounces). Large, 2.5-inch LCD gives you an expansive look at shots while composing. Movie quality equal to the Canon’s. Has loads of practical, easy-to-use presets, including six for movies, plus an antishake mode. Tired: Darkish photos with lots of graininess at high ISOs. Ineffective white balance. Baffling interface with three separate menus. $450, www.casio.com
Nikon CoolPix 7900 Wired: Quickest to focus in low light. Dedicated Play and Delete buttons make it easy to choose the keepers - and lose the rest. Tired: Worst performer in image-quality tests, with weak colors. Ungainly design: Even when it’s turned off, the lens protrudes a bit. The thickest and clunkiest camera tested, and by far the slowest to start up. Lightweight body feels toylike. No memory card included. $450, www.nikonusa.com
If MiniDV is good enough for feature films, just think of what it will do for your kid’s next birthday party. These ultracompact models offer pro-level features that will help you unleash your inner auteur. - Mathew Honan
Sony DCR-HC90 A superb all-around performer that’s a champ at sports, this camera was the only unit tested that could smoothly track a tennis ball in cross-court action. Both color handling and night shots were excellent, and it proved to be a capable switch-hitter, capturing print-worthy 3-megapixel photos. We also appreciated the widescreen LCD, which let us shoot in 16:9 cinema mode without losing real estate to letterboxing.
Wired: Excellent color. Image stabilizer held shots steady. Bright LCD doesn’t wash out in sunlight. Tired: Manual controls are accessible only through touchscreen menus. $1,000, www.sonystyle.com
Canon Elura 90 Wired: Fast autofocus and 20X optical zoom, second only to the Sony’s. Slow-shutter Night mode captures color video in the dark. Tired: Motor noise from zoom occasionally audible in footage. Underexposed low-light stills. $699, www.usa.canon.com
Panasonic PV-GS150 Wired: Three CCD chips capture gorgeous color in outdoor light. Stereo zoom microphone homed in on subjects and reduced wind noise. Tired: Low-light footage not as good as we’d hoped from a three-chip camera. $700, www.panasonic.com
Samsung SC-D353 Wired: Superlow price and idiot-proof Easy-Q mode should appeal to the point-and-shoot crowd. 20X optical zoom. Tired: Molasses-slow autofocus and zoom. Dark LCD made for a squint fest. So-so color. $300, www.samsung.com
Little Big Cam
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The second generation of Canon’s entry-level digital SLR is so small it almost looks like a point-and-shoot. But one glance at its pictures told us that this is no lightweight. With an 8-megapixel sensor and Canon’s latest pro-series processor, the XT’s image quality rivals that of the EOS 20D, which costs $600 more. The shell is too svelte for some hands, and the eye-level viewfinder is minuscule, but this cam has room for tons of manual adjustment options and advanced features. It’s the best sequel you’ll see this summer. - Marty Katz
Wired: Pro pics at a low price. Advanced, flexible features. Canon’s latest processor and image sensor. Low noise at very high ISO settings. Tired: Dim, small menus. Too dainty for big hands. Tiny viewfinder.
8-megapixel sensor Densely packed pixels on the XT’s image sensor make for stellar pics. On-chip noise reduction turns graininess into smooth tonal gradation.
Digic II processor Canon’s newest and whizziest camera brain maximizes color quality in a wide range of lighting conditions. It also powers up the XT in 0.2 second.
Built-in flash The pop-up flash is 5.5 millimeters higher than on the previous Digital Rebel. This minimizes red-eye and widens the beam.
$899 (body only), $999 (with 18- to 55-mm lens), www.usa.canon.com
Dome Lights
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LED headlamps can shine for more than 100,000 hours before burning out. - Sam Jemielity
Princeton Tec Eos The 3.7-ounce Eos is the featherweight of this lot - a good choice for adventurers looking to lighten up. It features a single, 1-watt high-efficiency Luxeon LED with three brightness settings. The Eos cuts only a 59-yard path, but it easily illuminates campsite chores or the inky depths of a backpack. $35, www.princetontec.com
Petzl MYO XP At 6 ounces, the MYO XP is a solid, lightweight 3-watt lamp with three brightness levels and a strobe mode. The spotlight beam has a maximum continuous range of 50 yards, with a 20-second boost to 75 yards. Coolest feature: a hinged lens that flips in front of the LED to widen the beam. $70, www.petzl.com
Black Diamond Vectra IQ This one’s for the outdoor nuts you read about in Jon Krakauer books. The IQ is a hybrid lamp with four LEDs plus a long-range Xenon bulb that can cast a beam up to 165 yards. It has six intensity levels and a strobe, but at more than half a pound, it’ll make you top-heavy. $65, www.bdel.com
Primus PrimeLite AR The PrimeLite uses seven LEDs to adapt to a variety of situations: A Luxeon LED throws a single beam 55 yards, four white LEDs shoot a shorter spread, and two red LEDs assist with vision at night. It also comes with a remote, but not having to reach up doesn’t seem worth the inflated price. $90, www.primus.se
Trail Guides
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The key to getting off the beaten path is having a good guide. With the help of an ultraportable GPS device, not only will you always know where you are, but also where you’ve been, how fast you’re moving, and sometimes even what Mother Nature has in store for you. And if you link one to your PC, you’ll be able to plot a route to just about anywhere on the planet. But don’t ditch your compass and map just yet - overcast skies, urban canyons, and dense woods can still wreak havoc on reception. - Mathew Honan
How we tested Accuracy: We checked readings against National Geodetic Survey Disks - government-placed latitude and longitude markers. Navigation: We relied on models to steer us through urban and wooded environments. Adversity: To gauge how well each device tracked satellites in unfavorable conditions, we conducted tests in overcast weather. Batteries: We ran units until they conked out.
What to look for Base maps: Trail runners and ultralight packers aside, most users will want a unit that comes with detailed maps, including street and topographical data. Size: A pocketable 5.5 ounces and 5 x 2.5 x 1.5 inch - or less - is ideal for long hikes. Extras: Many models include barometers, altimeters, electronic compasses, and other features that are handy in the backwoods.
Magellan eXplorist 600 Whether you’re setting out on a hike across the Mojave Desert or for a drive to Just Desserts, the Magellan eXplorist 600 navigates as well as its namesake. Compact, rugged, waterproof, extremely accurate, and the only rechargeable unit of the group, it’s unequaled for backcountry and off-road use. The built-in barometer and thermometer are like having a mini Al Roker in your pocket, minus the cornball jokes. An electronic compass helps it point the way home, while a thumb-operated joystick provides quick access to data when you’re on the move. Its SD card slot means you can store an unlimited number of waypoints (location markers) and routes, and a PC-style file-management system makes downloading points, tracks, and routes easy. If you get lost holding this thing, you don’t deserve to be found.
Wired: Best built-in maps of the group, with streets and topography for North America or Europe. Very accurate readings. Elevation profile charts both climbs and descents. Tired: Pricey for a handheld unit. $450, www.magellangps.com 
Garmin eTrex Legend C Wired: Best choice for in-car navigation thanks to features like automatic route generation. Most accurate readings at survey disks. Longest battery life - we clocked 41 hours! Gorgeous 256-color screen. Tired: Included maps show highway-level detail only (street-level maps sold separately). $375, www.garmin.com
Brunton Atlas MNS GPS Wired: Fastest satellite link times and best at tracking satellites in adverse conditions. Loaded with weather data, including barometric pressure history. Tired: Shortest battery life (five hours on two AAs). Hefty (7 ounces, 5.8 x 2.6 x 1.3 inch). Slow serial connection for data transfer. $359, www.brunton.com
Cobra GPS 1000 DLX Wired: Built-in altimeter. SD card slot. Comes with Rand McNally StreetFinder desktop mapping software. Tired: Confusing tabbed interface involves a lot of button-pushing to find the info you need. Data transfer over sluggish serial connection only. A porker at 8.8 ounces and 6.1 x 2.8 x 1.3 inch. $300, www.cobra.com
Tools of All Trades
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If you need to remove a distributor cap, find your way to the outhouse in the dark, or field dress a deer, grab a multitool. They get more versatile every year, with new models sporting electronic components, such as flash memory and LEDs. - Bob Parks
Porsche Design Multi-Tool The result of a partnership between Wenger and Porsche, this tool offers the most utility in the swankiest package. At 10.5 ounces, it’s heavier than the others, but you’re more likely to keep it in a glove compartment than your pants pocket. The universal bit holder includes six screwdriver bits, and the smooth handle feels great. While accessories like the tire-tread gauge seem gimmicky, the Porsche is a seriously designed machine.
Wired: Sturdy blade. Strong pliers. Picnic-friendly tools, like a corkscrew and can opener. Tired: Corkscrew digs into hand when using knife. Tools don’t lock. No scissors. $250, www.wengerna.com
Victorinox SwissMemory 512 Wired: Only unit with a USB flash drive, which includes data-security software. Light (1.5 ounces). Comes in a bladeless version for airports. Tired: Tiny 1.4-inch blade. No Phillips screwdriver. Weak LED. $157, www.swissarmy.com
SOG EOD PowerLock B61 Wired: Gung ho military tool includes crimpers for blasting caps or detonation cords. Gear-driven plier system. Packs 19 tools. Tired: Heavy at 9.6 ounces. Handle can obstruct full use of blade. $104, www.sogknives.com
Gerber Nautilus Wired: Comfortable handle. Two powerful flip-out LEDs. Lightweight (3.8 ounces). Tired: Metal flashlight release pokes palm while using blade. Some tools awkward to use. Lackluster scissors. No can opener or pliers. $79, www.gerberblades.com
Saving Your Hide
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Don’t believe the lofty SPF ratings on cheap sunscreens. Experts say 30 is as high as lotions can go. To prevent burns, grab one of these 4- to 5-ounce bottles of waterproof block. These superscreens last longer - and keep you paler - than bargain brands. - James Lee
BullFrog SuperBlock Spray Lotion SPF 40 The BullFrog product line has been a secret among surfers for decades - and for good reason. Once we sprayed it on, the lotion stayed on our skin without ever feeling overly greasy or heavy. It never lost its grip in wet conditions and managed not to blind us by dripping in our eyes. Even under the intense UV rays of an UltraBronz SuperNova tanning booth, it kept our skin noticeably lighter than any other brand in the test.
Wired: Very effective sun shield. Waterproof, light, and long-lasting. Hypoallergenic. Tired: Takes obsessive-compulsive scrubbing to get it off your skin. Strong fragrance. $10, "www.bullfrogsunscreen.com
BurnOut SPF 32 Wired: Even more waterproof than BullFrog. Light scent. Tired: So thick it squeezes out like toothpaste. Not as effective as BullFrog - we didn’t burn, but we did get some color. $12, www.burnoutsun.com
Blue Lizard Sport SPF 30+ Wired: Good H2O resistance. No scent. Container turns from white to blue in sun. Tired: Large bottle mouth dispenses too much lotion. Less protection from sunlight than BullFrog and BurnOut. Ran into our eyes. $13, www.crownlaboratories.com
Kinesys Performance SPF 30+ Wired: Dries quickly (two to three minutes). Incredibly easy to apply - no need to rub in. Tired: Less protection than BullFrog and BurnOut. Not really waterproof. We got burned after taking a dip in the pool. $14, www.kinesys.com
Fantastic Fore
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These smart drivers can correct dumb swings. - Mike Stachura
TaylorMade r7 Quad The r7 Quad has four adjustable screws built into the head to help compensate for a duffer’s imperfect form. Move weight away from you to reduce hooks. Pull it the other way to calm slices. Push it back for nice, high-launch shots. The weight isn’t enough to fix major woes, but it did lift our worm-burners. $400, www.taylormadegolf.com
Cobra King Cobra 454 Comp The 454 is best at unrefined displays of power. Lightweight graphite on top of the head let Cobra’s engineers shift mass low and back, forcing drives into the air. This, and the superlight 45-gram shaft, had us crushing the ball - but the closed face might unsettle better players. $400, www.cobragolf.com
Ben Hogan Big Ben C-S3 The C-S3 comes in three fixed-weight versions (each includes an 18-gram screw) in three different configurations. In addition to a neutral model, there are heel- and toe-sided versions that straighten out curvaceous fades and draws. Still, shifting weight won’t cure serious shanks. $400, www.benhogan.com
Callaway Golf Big Bertha Fusion Tour FT-3 This behemoth’s 460-cc head has its weight in all the right places. A titanium face and carbon fiber body shave off weight, which is then placed far back for more lift. With this club, we found that weaker shots flew higher and squirrelly swings shot straighter. $400, www.callawaygolf.com
Heart and Sole
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Log your jog with these body-tracking computers. One glance at your wrist provides your per-mile pace, distance traveled, and heart rate. After your workout, download the data to your PC for analysis - and proof you weren’t playing Halo 2 all day. None provides exact distance (even GPS models are off by a few hundred feet of a long run), but the real-time feedback is better than guesstimating mileage. And for the gadget freak, they’re more motivating than the promise of a cool-down beer. - Bob Parks
Choose your sensor These monitors keep pace with either a GPS receiver or a shoe-mounted accelerometer. Choose a style that suits your exercise habits. GPS + Tracks you on foot, bike, skis, or kayak. - Accurate in open conditions but hampered by buildings, trees, and dark clouds. Doesn’t work on treadmills. Accelerometer + Does not need line of sight to a satellite. - Generally restricted to running. Requires an extra 1- to 2-ounce gadget on your shoe.
What to look for Desktop software Most wristtops can send your data to a PC. The included applications vary from crude graphs to extensive charts of your fitness level, along with online coaching programs to improve performance. Comfort In addition to a wrist unit and a chest strap for monitoring heart rate, some units require cumbersome peripherals that you have to put in a pocket or clip onto your jacket.
Polar S625X The accelerometer-based S625X is a serious workout tool for seasoned athletes and information fetishists. It yielded the most accurate speed and distance readings under all conditions. And while any decent heart-rate monitor tracks your pulse, this unit goes the extra mile with its cardiac data: The watch walks you through simple tests (resting heart rate, rate while standing, and so on) to accurately estimate your fitness level and to plan personalized interval workouts. For postworkout quarterbacking, you can download info to a PC and analyze it with online coaching tools, or transmit it via IR to a Nokia 5140 phone (you have one, right?) to view graphs of speed, heart rate, and altitude on the spot.
Wired: Big screen. Altimeter and thermometer. PC software offers a mind-boggling array of graphs and reports. Tired: Requires an IR port or an optional USB adapter ($40) to connect to a PC. $350, www.polarusa.com
Timex 5E671 Ironman Triathlon Bodylink Wired: Tracked more accurately than other GPS model tested. Straightforward operation and clear display. Straps to waist or arm. Tired: It’s an extra $75 for the proprietary cable for downloading data to a PC. Logs movement every 3.5 seconds, so it missed sharp turns. $300, www.timex.com
Suunto T6 Wired: Times intervals between heartbeats to precisely track fitness level. Includes altimeter and barometer. Optional bike sensor ($100). Tired: Accelerometer foot strap frequently slipped, skewing data. PC software menus stink and made it hard to graph speed in standard per-mile pace. Confusing button layout. $450, www.suunto.com
Garmin Forerunner 301 Wired: Can give turn-by-turn GPS directions. Lets you race an onscreen stick figure running at a preset pace. Huge 1.5 x 0.9-inch display. PC software maps your path on local streets. Tired: Slow, six-second location update missed some turns. Bulky at 3.3 inches long. Electronic coach was too easy on us. $325, www.garmin.com
Capture the Flag
===================
Even long drives won’t help your golf score if you can’t judge distance. These laser range finders pinpoint the yardage between you and any object on the course - flagstick, bunker, or, praise be, beer cart. - M.S.
Bushnell Pinseeker 1500 This Bushnell is a solid 7X telescope by any measure, but its range-finding abilities make it a golfing tool par excellence. Its signature Pinseeker mode zeros in on close targets, like a flag, ignoring the trees behind it. And its inclinometer reinterprets yard ratings for hilly shots - registering, say, a 146-yard down-sloping shot at more like 124 yards, so you can choose a club without using trigonometry. If only your swings were this reliable!
Wired: Pinseeker mode focuses on narrow targets. Precise to 1 yard at 1,500 yards. Accurate on sloped terrain. Some 6,000 measurements per battery. Tired: Can’t find small objects (like flags) over 400 yards away. $450, www.bushnell.com
Leupold Wind River RB800 Wired: Impressive 8X magnification. Display easy to read in any light. Locates flags up to 550 yards away (accurate to 1 yard). Sturdy. Tired: At 23 ounces, it’s twice as heavy as its peers. Pricey. 1,000-measurement battery life. $700, www.leupold.com
Nikon Laser 500G Wired: Smaller than a scorecard. Accurate to about half a yard at 500 yards. Inexpensive. 5,000 measurements per battery. Tired: Hard to focus. Max magnification of 6X. 150-yard flag-finding range. $300, www.nikonusa.com
Leica Pinmaster Wired: Will fix on nearest target in frame. Decent 7X magnification. Light-adjusting display. Tired: Accuracy limited to within 1 yard at a mere 219 yards. Finds flags at only 250 yards or closer. Meager 1,000-measurement battery life. $480, www.leica-camera.com
Brainy Trainers
==================
Charging downhill can be murder on the shins and knees - but it doesn’t have to be. The motor in each Adidas_1 sneaker adjusts its polyurethane midsole, optimizing bounce off the asphalt. After a few dozen miles, the kicks proved comfortable, though too heavy: They’re like the bloated Nike Triax, but without that shoe’s extra motion-control stability. The good news is that, like most gadgets, they’re bound to lose weight in coming revisions. - B.P.
Sensor: Every thousandth of a second, a sensor measures the gap between your heel and a magnet on the rubber outsole. The data is relayed to a microcontroller.
Microcontroller: A 20-MHz microcontroller uses the data to analyze changes in compression and directs a mechanism to gradually adjust cushioning over the course of four footfalls.
Motor: A motor spins at 6,000 rpm, gaining torque through four gears to turn a screw, which loosens a cable to soften the midsole and tightens it to make the sole stiffer.
Wired: Electronically adjusts cushioning to match your weight, pace, fatigue level, and surface hardness. Tired: Heavier (15.3 oz. each) than regular sneakers. $250, www.adidas-1.com
Gas Grills to Go
===================
Whip up feasts anyéwhere. The best rigs balance portability and power. - Thomas Goetz
Thane Q Grill A space-age portable, the Q’s slick, fold-up design is great for traveling light - but the split cooking surface can’t handle large meals. And with no raised edges, there’s a constant risk of food falling (lamb overboard!). The Q packs adequate heat, but it’s definitely a triumph of form over function. $99, www.thane.com
Solaire Anywhere Portable This box is one of a new breed of grills that uses an infrared heating element instead of a flame. It reaches a scorching 14,000 BTUs and sears like a dream, but it’s overkill for foods that require a lighter touch. We had to maintain constant-vigilance to avoid incinerating our vittles. $314, www.solairegrills.com
Weber Baby Q Long the gold standard for the charcoal set, Weber also makes gas grills that are well engineered for optimal cooking. The Baby Q features a closable lid - vital to fine-tuning temperature. This, plus precise control over propane flow, meant that steak, chops, and veggies all turned out perfect. $149, www.weber.com
Bring Back the Draft
=======================
Minifridges modded to hold beer kegs used to be frat-boy DIY projects. Now you can buy kegerators as minimal-assembly, CO2-powered kits. You’ll be ready to slide in a keg and start pouring in no time. - Chris Baker
Danby DKC644BLS Taste suds chilled by this model and you’ll never drink from a bottle or can again. While all the fridges here have wheels, only the Danby coddles the coils with a protective shield on the back. It’s also the only one with a temperature readout and adjustment controls on the front panel.
Wired: Raised shelf for C02 bottle makes adjusting pressure easy. Recessed top contains spills. Tired: No cleaning kit. Chintzy drip tray lacks a grate. Smudge-prone door. $549, www.danby.com
Sanyo BC-1206 Beer Cooler Wired: Compact, similar in size to a standard mini-refrigerator. Tired: Less interior space than the Danby. Temperature dial on back of unit - you have to pull it away from the wall to actually see which way you’re adjusting it. CO2 canister held in place with a hazardous spring: It can go flying, and we got sliced and pinched when switching out kegs. $565, www.beveragefactory.com
Haier Brewmaster Wired: Metal door resists palm prints and beer stains. Standard fridge shelves included for when you go on the wagon. Tired: Cramped interior makes keg insertion tricky. Temperature dial located on the lower left of back panel, so you always have to pull it out from the wall to adjust. Over $200 more than other units here - you can get two kegs for that! $799, www.haieramerica.com
Now That’s Hot
=================
Is it done yet? Grillmeisters have many strategies to make sure a steak is rare, medium, or well-done. Traditionalists may poke at it with a finger. Pros have their classic Insta-Reads. Others use their cave-person instincts. The more evolved among us go digital. - Philip Ferrato
Redi-Chek Remote Cooking Thermometer This thermometer is the multitasker’s dream. It has two programmable components: a probe that sticks in your grub and connects to a small transmitter, and a wireless reader that lets you specify protein type and target temp. You can check on your pork loin from 100 feet away.
Wired: Works in ovens and outdoor grills. Beeps and flashes when meat is done. Tired: Programming can be daunting. $60, www.maverickhousewares.com
Polder Deluxe Smart Grill Fork Wired: Simple and sturdy. Looks like a fork, thinks like a chef, with programmable cooking times and temps. Prongs detach for cleaning. Tired: Dorky (and easily lost) caps on the prongs. Backlit LED is hard to read in dim light. $25, www.polder.com
Bonjour Chef’s Digital Thermometer Wired: Sleek and easy to clean. Length keeps your hands away from the meat - and the heat. Tired: LED and labeling are inexplicably upside down. Awkward! $20, wwwww.bonjourproducts.com
Nu-Temp Dual Sensor BBQ Thermometer Wired: Slim fold-up design with pocket clip. Tired: Promises probe, surface temp, and propane level readings, but instructions are cryptic and incomplete. Convoluted operating procedure. $45, www.nu-temp.com [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Pop the Cork
===============
If you consider opening a bottle of wine to be a utilitarian act, a $5 corkscrew will do the job. But if you treat every uncorking as a revelation, you’ll need a tool with the proper authority. - Jeffrey M. O’Brien
Chateau Laguiole Waiter-Style Corkscrew & Clef du Vin Wine-Tasting Tool Forged by a French cutlery manufacturer and accented with barrel oak, the Chateau Laguiole is the nexus of 15th-century design and 21st-century enology. The Clef du Vin extension is tipped with a dot of copper alloy that ages the wine one year for each second it’s submerged in the glass. A three-second dunk took the edge off a 2003 pinot noir.
Wired: Snob appeal in spades: Wield this at a dinner party and your friends will see you differently. Tired: Spendy: You’ll be sorry if a guest walks off with it. $200, www.wineenthusiast.com
Metrokane Rabbit Deluxe Die Cast Wired: Two quick movements and you’re ready to pour. Solid build. Great for high volume. Tired: Bulky. Called "rabbit" for its looks, but it’s quite a breeder, too: The suburbs are teeming with them. $80, www.metrokane.com
Rogar Estate Wine Opener Set Wired: One of just a few openers on the market that will easily recork an unfinished bottle. Smooth operator. Tired:-berbaroque design. Takes up a lot of counter space. $176, www.rogar.com
Icon Ratchet Action Corkscrew Wired: A rethink of the cheesy two-armed corkscrew, and about as inexpensive; looks cool from a distance. Fun to say "ratchet action." Tired: Flimsy, clumsy, and unintuitive. No fun at all to use. $20, www.prodyne.com
Sundae Best
==============
Hankering for homemade ice cream? Forget the rock salt and sore triceps. Today’s top-of-the-line electric ice cream makers use internal cooling compressors that can freeze up a confection in as little as 30 minutes. - Whitney Wright
Cuisinart Supreme Ice Cream Maker Tested against chic Italian gelato makers, we expected the American Cuisinart to be outclassed. But the underdog triumphed: In addition to having a classic stainless-steel look, it turns out 1.5 quarts of ice cream in 45 minutes. Not the shortest time we clocked, but it produced the most consistently smooth, firm batches of the bunch. And unlike some models, the Cuisinart is a snap to take apart for easy cleanup.
Wired: Easiest unit to use and clean. Uncomplicated analog timer. Small (16 x 10 x 10 inches). Tired: Makes only 1.5 quarts (still enough for a party of 10). Fairly loud. $400, www.cuisinart.com
Gelato Pro 4090 by Lello Wired: Made 2 quarts of ice cream with great consistency in 30 minutes. Quietest unit tested. Tired: Almost unmovable - 37 pounds and no handles. Ingredients hopper is at rear, so pouring in the mix is awkward. Difficult cleanup. $400, www.800-espresso.com
Musso 4080 Lussino Dessert Maker Wired: If you like soft-serve, this is your model. It makes incredibly smooth ice cream. Tired: Pricey. Hard to clean: no removable tub. Cycle takes 45 minutes, but ice cream never solidifies. $600, www.makeicecream.com
Nemox Gelato Chef 2200 Wired: Smaller (9 x 14 x 12 inches), lighter (28 pounds), and cheaper than any other maker tested. Relatively quiet. Tired: Lid frequently popped off while motor was still churning. Does not freeze evenly. $359, www.italiancasa.com 
credit David Clugston, Stylist: Shannon Amos/Artist Untied,Groomer: Brynn Doering/Artist Untied, Background: Getty
Clockwise from arm: Rio Forge 512MB Sport, Samsung YP-MT6X (512 Mbyte), iPod shuffle (1 Gbyte), Oakley Thump (256 Mbyte)
Sony PSP
Nintendo DS
Gizmondo
Nokia N-Gage QD
JBL On Stage
Bose SoundDock
Altec Lansing inMotion iM3
MacAlly IceTune
Panasonic DVD-LS55
Toshiba SD-P2700
Audiovox D1750T
GoVideo DP8440
Test
>
Time Trials
Camera
Startup time (seconds)
Picture speed (shots/sec)
Indoors Outside
Canon
1.9
0.37 0.63
Casio
2.1
0.37 0.47
Nikon
3.6
0.47 0.55
Sony
2.3
0.33 0.65
