SPLASH
10/4/2007 5:19:28 PM by Wave Editorial Staff
ROAD WARRIOR
Always one to combine the right amount of ruggedness on the exterior with a smooth ride inside, Land Rover is introducing its newest model, the 2008 Land Rover HSE. With a a sportier stance than the LR2 SE due to body-color bumpers and side sills, a rear spoiler, titanium door handles and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, it still carries over its best feature from previous models: a 3.2-liter inline-six engine that goes from zero to 60 in 8.4 seconds. Drive off in one starting at $34,700 at LandRover.com.
TOTAL TIMEPIECE
Simple, sleek and understated, the Movado Series 800 is a modern classic. With a performance stainless steel case and bracelet, black dial with stick marker and Swiss quartz movement, it makes a statement beyond its time. See it at Series800.com.
RAD RADAR
With a range of 72 nautical miles and 1.1-degree beamwidth, the Garmin GMR 406 open array radar allows you to scan more of what’s out there while you’re on the water. Whether ships, shores, birds or weather, you’ll see it sooner with this powerful six-foot scanner. Get one for $1,626.67 at Garmin.com.
GOLF GLASSES
Sure, they look good, but the best part of these glasses is that they help your golf game. The Golf Ball-Finding Lenses, which block out 90 percent of dark colors such as greens and browns and let whites and yellows pass through unimpeded so that golf balls are easy to locate, saving you not only time, but penalty strokes as well. Get a pair for $39.95 at Hammacher.com.
SUNNY SIGHT
A slim design, eight megapixels and a three-inch wide LCD panel make the new Sony Cyber-Shot T-series Camera worth a look. What makes the T200 and T70 exceptional, though, is the new “smile shutter” function, which automatically detects and zooms in on smiles so you don’t miss a single tooth. Once captured, you can play back the photos in full hi-def by plugging it into an HDTV set, so your pictures will look better than ever. Available in silver, black, white and pink at Sony.com.
COOL KAYAK
This isn’t your normal kayak ride. The Surfango Adventurer GT has a four-stroke, 9.5 horsepower electric start engine that redefines traditional kayaking. Powerful, spacious and easy to maneuver, paddles are totally optional. Get one for $3,299 at Surfango.com.
FUN FISHING
Nature Vision Inc’s new ShowDown Digital Fish Finder displays the water column naturally: Top is top, bottom is bottom, just as it should be, so there’s no confusion. Unlike previous “flasher” technology that spun the underwater environment into a dizzying circular configuration, ShowDown is straightforward and easy to operate, especially for first-time sonar users. And its liquid display of 720 vertical pixels on a brilliantly crisp screen is an added bonus. Get one for $229 at NatureVisionInc.com.
SHORE SHOE
We love a shoe that goes from day to night seamlessly. Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Pilot Pleated Venetian Shoes go from boardroom to boardwalk, and keep you comfortable every step of the way. With handsewn detailing, soft smooth leather and rubber outsoles for wet/dry traction, they’re the perfect pairing with any outfit. Get a pair for $79.95 at SperryTopsider.com.
WOW WATERCRAFT
Taking the thrill of off-roading onto the water makes for a real rush. JRuiter Design Studio’s Front-Runner is a full-size watercraft with twin forward-mounted jet-drive motors that features an airplane-like steering system that allows changes in heading, pitch and bank. Featuring two 215 hp motors, it can navigate waters that are usually inaccessible. The concept isn’t too far from reality, and we can’t wait. Find out more at JRuiter.com.
CALCIUM WATER
There’s nothing easier to do than to sip healthily, and Cole Natural Calcium Spring Water, featuring a wide range of natural flavors including cranberry, raspberry, pomegranate, pineapple and citrus, does just that by offering 60 milligrams of highly absorbable calcium per bottle — with zero calories. Boasting the National Osteoporis Foundation Seal of Approval, Cole is currently available exclusively at select Target stores in the Upper Midwest prior to its national distribution launch. For more information, visit ColeWaterCo.com.
CRUISER KING
With its recently developed NanoXcel hulls, decks and liners, the Yamaha FX Cruiser is 25 percent lighter but significantly stronger and faster than previous models, resulting in a personal watercraft that’s only mean in appearance. Yamaha makes other models with NanoXcel including Yamaha’s High Output models. All models start at $11,599 at Yamaha-Motor.com.