Don't want to worry about the weather? Need a few gadgets that don't require perfect sunny conditions? TODAY Tech editor Paul Hochman highlights the best new technology able to handle the heat, rain, ice, sand and more:
Atlantis Weathergear
The "Microburst" Jacket is among the lightest waterproof-breathable jackets on the market and is eminently packable — unlike many jackets designed to keep you dry in severe weather, the Microburst's shell material is soft and pliable, making it easy to jam into a bag for a quick trip. Adjustable elastic cuffs keep the water out of your sleeves, and armpit zippers help you release excess heat when you're working hard. $150; www.atlantisweathergear.com
Crocs
Crocs are now a frequent sight at the beach, thanks to their easy-on, easy-off nature and their waterproof design. But one of the company's first design goals was to make their shoes out of a “sticky” nonslip polymer/plastic called Croslite that makes walking on wet surfaces more stable. Crocs has just introduced the Georgie, a boot for wet weather; we also have the Hydro, which not only floats if dropped in water, the neoprene upper section of the shoe allows a snug fit and lets the Hydro function like a flipper. Georgie: $39.99; Hydro: $49.99
Olympus 770 SW Waterproof/Crushproof/Freezeproof/Shockproof
This may be the most durable digital camera on the market. It can be dropped from 5 feet, submerged to 33 feet, frozen to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and even sat on by your hefty Uncle Larry. The camera's stainless-steel body and internal suspension frame are specifically designed to not only keep out the elements, but also withstand sudden shock without dislodging its sensitive electronics. And incidentally, the 7.1 megapixel camera has lots of nice features — it has image stabilization (which means if you jerk the camera, the picture won't blur), a 3x optical zoom lens, and 27 shooting modes for specific photo situations like taking a portrait or shooting sports. $379; http://www.olympusamerica.com
GoPro Hero Waterproof Camera
One of the nicest things about the GoPro Hero is that its neoprene wrist strap lets you take the camera along with you on even your most active adventures — the camera pivots up to allow you to make one-handed shots and then pivots back down on the strap to tuck away and avoid getting whacked when you don't need it. The shockproof polycarbonate case protects the 16MB internal memory, microphone and lens from most impacts, and the camera even has a 2 gigabyte SD card slot for storing huge numbers of photos. The camera even records video; and a built-in USB cable lets you download pictures to your PC. $139; www.llbean.com
Otterbox iPod Nano and BlackBerry 8800 waterproof box
Otterbox makes rugged, waterproof plastic cases for lots of electronic gear. We have a waterproof, dustproof, dirtproof, sandproof, and drop-proof case for an iPod Nano and BlackBerry's new 8800 smartphone, each of which is waterproof to a depth of 3 feet. So while the case is not designed to hold up under scuba-diving depths, the sealed, tough-plastic box floats if dropped in water, meaning you can take it to the pool or even sailing without worrying that your iPod will sink. Also great for protecting your electronics in your handheld luggage when you travel. $39.95; www.otterbox.com
EGO Waterproof Soundcase from Atlantic, Inc.
The EGO Soundcase can not only keep water off your iPod, it also floats in water and still creates beautiful sound — at the pool, at the beach or anywhere there might be water but you still want to play your music. The EGO's rechargeable battery will power your iPod for up to 30 straight hours and has a slim surface click-wheel membrane that allows you to control all the iPod's functions from outside the plastic. The EGO won lots of design awards at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. $199; www.lovemyego.com,
Samsung Micro Compact Camcorder
The Micro-Compact SC-X300L DivX Camcorder lets you capture the action — even while you're in it — thanks to a weather-resistant external clip-on lens that lets you shoot hands-free. An SD/MMC slot allows you to add memory to ensure that you capture all the action, which can be previewed on the 2-inch LCD screen, and then downloaded to a PC at high speed. A 10x optical/100x digital zoom, 680K pixel CCD and electronic image stabilization deliver crisp visuals. This camcorder is water resistant, so can't be submerged underwater. $406.99; buy.com
Oregon Scientific Waterproof Camcorder
Play hard, record everything — even underwater with the ATC2K, the ultimate waterproof self-contained action cam! Weighing in at half a pound (with batteries), this hands-free action cam delivers full-color digital video in 640 X 480 VGA at 30 frames per second. The ATC2K works seamlessly with most video editing software. Expandable up to 2GB, the ATC2K mounts easily and all mounting hardware is included. Wipeouts in a whiteout or an unexpected barrel roll? No worries— the ATC2K is waterproof up to 10 feet! $129.00,;