First Look Friday is an introduction to the products that we are currently testing for review. This week we’re featuring the Camelbak Palos 4LR, Turbine, and Jaybird X2.
Camelbak Palos 4LR
The Palos 4LR forms part of Camelbak’s new Low Rider range of hydration packs. It uses a 1.5l bladder (think of it as two 750ml bottles) and has enough cargo space for a multi-tool, tube, a small hand pump or CO2 inflator, phone, keys and an energy bar or two in several, cleverly designed, pockets.
The hydration tube with their signature bite valve wraps around the front of the pack and is held in place with Camelbak’s magnetic Tube Trap and can be routed from either side to suit user preference.
I’ve used Camelbak’s “Lumber” hydration packs the last couple of years and am very interested to see how this one compares as both have the bulk of the weight sitting lower down on your back.
Features
Key Pack Features: Integrated tool organiser, lumbar compression, magnetic tube trap, dual waist belt pockets, secured zipper pocket, zippered essentials pocket, air mesh back panel, blinker tab.
Designed to Carry: Multi-tool, CO2 pump and cartridges, spare tube, energy bar, phone, keys.
CamelBak Got Your Bak Guarantee: If we built it, we’ll Bak it with our lifetime guarantee.
Recommended Retail Pricing: R1,100.00
From the Manufacturer:
The Palos 4 is the industry’s reservoir-based waist pack designed specifically for mountain biking. It’s the ideal option for hard-charging riders who need more than a water bottle, but who don’t want to carry a full backpack.
The Palos™ 4 is the industry’s reservoir-based waist pack designed specifically for mountain biking. It’s the ideal option for hard-charging riders who need more than a water bottle, but who don’t want to carry a full backpack.
As part of our Low Rider MTB collection, the Palos keeps your water and cargo centred around your waist, leaving your shoulders and back free. As a result, you’ll have a lower centre of gravity and more mobility on the trail—plus, no more sweaty back and sore shoulders at the end of the day. The Palos also includes a 1.5-litre reservoir, storage for keys and a phone, an integrated tool roll to keep you prepped for last-minute repairs, and overflow storage that lets you fasten soft armour to the outside of the pack.
Turbine
“The aim of the Turbine is not to deliver more air to the lungs, it’s actually to deliver the same amount of air with less energy cost. Reducing the work of breathing — that is, the energy cost of breathing, thereby allowing you to concentrate more energy on your working muscles rather than your breathing.”, says Dr Mitch Anderson, Sports Medical Advisor for Rhinomed (creators of Turbine). On top of making breathing easier, the Turbine also boasts an increase in airflow by 38% through the nose.
Starter packs include one Turbine of each size (small, medium, large) to assist determining which size Turbine suits your nose. Retail price R195 for each starter pack.
Size packs: once you have found the size of Turbine that suits you, the size packs will contain 3 Turbines of your chosen size. Retail price R365 for each size pack.
Each Turbine can be used up to 10 times for hygienic and effectiveness reasons. Why can you only use Turbine up to 10 times each?
- Risk of bacteria accumulation and the maintenance of hygiene standards.
- The dilation mechanism and ratchets will wear and may not hold its dilation effectively.
We’ll be sticking the Turbine in our noses to test out the claimed benefits.
Jaybird X2
Jaybird Sport’s X2 are the company’s top-of-the-line Bluetooth wireless in-ear headphone model. Available in several colours, the X2 offers a couple of significant improvements over their predecessor, the BlueBuds X. These include more comfortable design, better sweat proofing, a new matte finish, a better carrying case and, most importantly, up to 8 hours of battery life from it’s higher rated 100 mAh battery.
To help you with a secure and comfortable fit for your ears, the X2’s come with three different-sized silicone buds and three of Jaybird’s “wings” that were designed to keep the earphones in place while on the bike or during workouts
Specifications:
Audio
Type: In-Ear Style
Noise-isolation: Passive
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Speaker sensitivity: 103 +-2dB At 1KHz
Output 12mW RMS (with level limit)
Total Harmonic Distortion <5% (1KHz, 1mW)
Audio Format: 16-bit Stereo
Codec: Shift™ custom SBC implementation
Response Bandwidth 20-20000Hz
Driver Size: 6 mm
Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth Class 2.1+EDR
Frequency Band: 2.4 GHz
Profiles: Handsfree 1.6, Headset 1.1, A2DP 1.2, AVCRP 1.4
Battery
Play Time: 8 Hrs*
Standby Time: 250 Hrs*
Charging Time: Less than 2.5 hrs
Type: 100 mAh Lithium Polymer
* May vary dependent on usage & device
In The Box
X2 Wireless Buds
Comply™ Foam Ear Tips
Silicone Ear Tips
Secure-Fit Ear Fins
Cord Management Clips
USB 2.0 Charging Cable
Silicone Sport Carry Case
Recommended retail price: R2,999.00
More information on the Jaybird X2 click here.
Yeah, in an organised event like that I definitely wont. I know the Cape Town Cycle Tour does not allow the use of earphones.