Outside, but with all the comforts of home
The outdoors-bound may find the living is easier with these products.
Double vision
Xtra-Wide 5x25 Compact Binoculars: Binoculars are great for bringing the view closer, but usually that substantially narrows the field of vision. Bushnell’s compact 5x25 Xtra-Wide binoculars have a wider field of view, nearly twice as wide as regular binoculars with the same magnification. The center-focused prisms have soft rubber pop-up eyecups. A padded, zippered carrying case and sports strap are included. The binoculars weigh less than a pound.
Xtra-Wide 5x25 Compact Binoculars (13-0552) lists for $112. For information, Bushnell Performance
Optics, (800) 423-3537, www.bushnell.com.
Chaise daze
La Napoule Lounge Chair: This is the most comfortable portable outdoor chaise I have ever sat in. It’s popular with sunbathers along the Riviera. The imported lounger glides into reclining positions ranging from slightly back with feet on the ground to fully reclined with legs almost parallel to the ground. Levers under the padded armrests lock the chair into the desired position. The polyester mesh fabric is laced onto the powder-coated steel frame with elastic cording, which provides soft suspension and good back support. The chair comes with an adjustable, removable pillow. It folds down to 39 1/2 by 30 by 6 inches and weighs 18 pounds. It’s available in black, green, denim, white and yellow.
La Napoule Lounge Chair (67821) is $199.95 from Hammacher Schlemmer; (800) 543-3366, www.hammacher.com.
Cutting edge
Altimeter Plus: Victorinox’s latest Swiss Army knife has some new tricks on its base. The Altimeter Plus has a computer chip that measures temperature and altitude, making it ideal for hikers and campers. A small LCD display embedded in the red translucent handle displays altitude in feet and meters, and temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius, with a touch of the cross-and-shield insignia. The knife also comes with a slew of other tools, including a wood saw, large and small screwdrivers, large and small blades, bottle opener, corkscrew, wire stripper, can opener, reamer, scissors, toothpick, hook and key ring. The digital display works on a lithium battery, which slides into a pop-out slot.
Swiss Army Altimeter Plus is $102. For information, (800) 442-2706, www.swissarmy.com.
Mini aid
GO! Outdoors: Adventure Medical Kits has introduced a palm-size first-aid kit that packs a lot of products into a tiny nylon case. Stashed in three clear vinyl pockets are five adhesive bandages, two antiseptic towelettes, one foil pack of antibiotic ointment, two moleskin squares, two butterfly closures, splinter forceps, two antihistamine tablets, two Motrin caplets, two Tylenol caplets and two insect sting-relief medicated pads. The case folds like a trifold wallet, secures with Velcro and slips easily into a hip pocket. Or hang it on a belt loop with the built-in plastic snap hook. It’s available in a several colors.
GO! Outdoors (product number 182) has a suggested retail price of $10. For stores that carry it, call (800) 324-3517, www.adventuremedicalkits.com.
Alfresco heat
Stainless-Steel Tabletop Heater: Chilly evenings needn’t keep you inside. Frontgate’s tabletop outdoor heater can keep you toasty on a picnic while you dine alfresco. Operating on one 16.4-ounce propane gas cylinder (not included), the 3-foot-high stainless steel heater provides 7,000 to 11,000 BTUs of radiant warmth in a 4- to 7-foot radius. A few twists of the pilot igniter get the heater going. The heat can adjust from low to high, which determines how long the propane will last. Have a spare on hand so you don’t get caught cold. Also comes in a floor model that uses a 20-pound propane tank (not included) for more heat and coverage.
Stainless-Steel Tabletop Heater (19289)
is $159 from Frontgate; (800) 626-6488, www.frontgate.com.
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