#keeping track of everything relevant is become nearly impossible and the pace of work is quite frankly insane sometimes

[themusicenthusiast]

Sunday, September 23rd, 2018 – Clutch Shares Tales From ‘Book of Bad Decisions’ and Then Some During a Fiery Performance at Dallas’ Gas Monkey Live

Photos by Jordan Buford Photography The fact that Clutch has managed to remain such an indomitable force in the music world doesn’t seem to be talked about often enough. At least not as much as the band probably deserves. During a career that has spanned well over a couple of decades they’ve managed to avoid any of the drama that often befalls other groups, the original core lineup having remained intact. Their early records were clearly products of the ‘90s era of music, the brash traits that defined Clutch’s early years never being lost completely even as they ultimately refined their sound, those heavy tendencies transitioning into more of an alt-rock/hard rock sound. One that is distinctly their own. The point is that Clutch has managed to evolve and grow with the ever-changing industry. One could even say that the outfit has constantly been at the forefront of it, helping to shape modern rock ‘n’ roll; and they have consistently remained relevant to it. That’s no truer than now. They are still a staple on the festival circuit, and their last few albums have scored some respectable positions on the charts, including the two-week old Book of Bad Decisions (out on Weathermaker Music), which debuted at the number sixteenth spot. An impressive feat to say the least, especially when considering their company on the Billboard 200 is largely pop artists. Neil Fallon, Tim Sult, Dan Maines and Jean-Paul Gaster weren’t wasting any time in taking to the road to support their twelfth studio album, having embarked on the Book of Bad Decisions Tour within the past week. Texas was one of the first states they were visiting; and on this particular Sunday night they were returning to Gas Monkey Live in Dallas to treat their North Texas fans to some of the new stuff they had created.

One thing is certain, the significant of Clutch’s music doesn’t escape their loyal supporters, droves of which had turned out to Gas Monkey Live to witness the spectacle that was transpiring on this Sunday night. It was a relatively diverse crowd, comprised largely of the longtime fans one would expect to see, though there were also quite a few kids, ranging from teenagers to legitimate kids whose parents had brought them out to experience a band that had been important to them. And said kids were giddy about it. Clutch has assembled an eclectic lineup of acts to support them on this tour, though extremely talented ones, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown getting the night off to an electrifying start, while Sevendust brought the intensity during their brief, heavy set. By the time both were through, to say spectators were pumped up for Clutch performance would be a massive understatement. It was 9:51 when Fallon, Sult, Maines and Gaster strolled out onto the stage, and the manner in which they did made them all the more appealing. There was no grand or theatrical entrance. Instead, the four of them just casually assumed their spots, looking more like a bunch of average guys preparing to go to work rather than rock stars. Which only strengthened that rock star quality.

“Welcome to the party!” Fallon declared as he paced about the stage and surveyed the hundreds and hundreds of screaming fans, properly greeting everyone before they unleashed their adrenaline pumping assault on them. Nearly half of their 81-minute long set was comprised of cuts from Book of Bad Decisions, the lead track from the record, “Gimme the Keys”, setting everything in motion. The casual demeanor they had exhibited during those initial moments quickly gave way to chaotic actions as the wall of sound they proceeded to crank out collided with the concertgoers’ ears. That number provided a sensational start to Clutch’s performance. Live listeners were able to fully appreciate the nuances of the powerhouse track, such as the way the percussion and bass coalesced around Fallon’s voice, particularly as he belted out, “Gimme the keys!”. It made him sound even more authoritative; his booming voice portraying that more as a command than a request, while the eye contact and intense stares he gave made it feel as if he was speaking directly to every soul in the room.

They didn’t require any time to warm up, flooring it from the get-go and already appearing in excellent form; their hold over the spectators being absolute. You had to be there to fully appreciate it, but it was incredible. The floor shook slightly due to the sonorous drums and blaring guitar and bass; the spirited performance making it impossible to look away. Rock ‘n’ roll at its finest. “Vision Quest” allowed them to hit with a one-two punch, the frantic pace it keeps further energizing everyone. Sult’s mastery of the guitar was apparent on it, his methodical and intricate manner of playing – the tones he painstakingly crafted – shining through at various moments.

“If you didn’t get the memo, we have a new album out…” Fallon declared afterwards, informing the audience that they would be hearing plenty more from it and promising to pull some “old ones out of the pantry” as well. Quickly delivering on that, they launching into a string of songs found on their self-titled record, much to the delight of the fans. All were gems, though “Escape from the Prison Planet” stood out as an early favorite, thanks to it highlighting a more primal Clutch. The instrumental end (which felt like something of a jam) was nothing short of epic, Gaster going all out as he hammered away at his kit with a splendid mix of passion and precision, not merely loving it but getting a euphoric rush from knocking that one out.

The music was the primary focus of the night, though shortly after that one Fallon, in tune with the crowd, took a moment to discourage any rough antics such as crowd surfing. He began by saying he didn’t want to police anyone and whatever was fine by him, though he did point out that several young kids (many of whom were proudly sporting Clutch attire) were front and center, and he didn’t want to see this become their last rock show. “Your parents are cooler than mine were…” he then quipped, enjoying the fact that some of their longtime fans were turning their love of Clutch into a family tradition. Their set list was well structured, old and new material being spread evenly throughout, so regardless of if people loved it all or were only all about the classics they were going to be appeased. In regards to the new, “Ghoul Wrangler” was perhaps the most stunning of the Book of Bad Decisions material. Stunning because like a lot of the stuff they did from the new album, it could be considered something of a deeper cut, yet they made it out to be a definitive song from it. For those who hadn’t spent much time with the new album yet it was the perfect introduction to that exhilarating number, its gripping dynamics only enhanced by the live environment. Fallon’s pronunciation of “Ghoul Wrangler” alone is fascinating; the way the song blends a sort of Southern edge to its driven hard rock style yielding something unique.

As amazing as the first half of the set had been, the second half saw Clutch kicking it into overdrive as they constantly seemed to outdo themselves. The fans relished the rare treat that was “El Jefe Speaks”, the oldest song of the night being revamped in a way that spliced together the sounds of where they were at then with what they’re creating now. It only made it more potent, Maines and Gaster guiding the song between its ominous verses and pulse pounding refrains, while the tones emanating from the guitar proved intoxicating. The throng of supporters were already well-versed with some of the weeks-old stuff, most collectively shouting the final “WEAPONIZED FUNK!” of “In Walks Barbarella” when Fallon silently directed them to assist. And as Clutch’s initial 66-minutes on stage began to wind down, the people were elated to see a cowbell and harmonica brought out on stage, knowing just what that meant. “D.C. Sound Attack!” provided a fiery end to what had been a powerhouse set -- one certainly not lacking in the rock department; the track being made all the more riveting thanks to the instrumental outro that concluded it.

After the musicians disappeared a couple of minutes passed, the ensuing fanfare done in hopes of drawing them back out, while others shouted their requests of what they still hoped to hear. There was no way Clutch could appease everyone, though Maines, Gaster, Sult and Fallon did have a few more in the chamber, including the final track from Book of Bad Decisions. “We appreciate y’all coming out,” Fallon stated before they got back to it. He was sincere in his gratitude to everyone for coming out, stressing that they didn’t take it for granted and knew that if those supporters weren’t there then there was no way they would be. A moody, even atmospheric rocker, “Lorelei” was as impressive as everything that had preceded it and highlighted just how mighty Clutch is, that in terms of quality every new track they had performed was at least on par with their most revered hits, if not even surpassing them. It made for a proper bookend of sorts, given they had begun and practically ended their show with the first and final tracks from the release.

And speaking of hits, they dusted a couple off of From Beale Street To Oblivion, resulting in one last raucous sing-along for the night. Clutch left having delivered the quintessential concert experience, making it thrilling throughout, their robust and even somewhat brash way of conducting themselves being utterly compelling. That’s what makes them such a force to be reckoned with, the fact that Fallon, Gaster, Sult and Maines do everything possible to invigorate concertgoers, the way they handle themselves being conducive of everyone else letting loose, succumbing to the music and just relishing the reprieve from everyday life that is provided. That can largely be attributed to the creative nature of their writing, everything about their material being cutting edge, sounding familiar enough to be appealing but also setting them apart from their contemporaries. However, the overwhelming charisma they wield isn’t to be overlooked either.

Fallon does bear the bulk of that responsibility, given that he is the most capable of moving about and interacting with onlookers, and he excels at it, his boisterous, at times even eccentric movements and behavior only enhancing their riveting hold. And after all of these years, they’re arguably better than ever. My first time actually catching a Clutch show came a few years ago and I was immediately struck by their raw power, something that seemed to be even more prevalent on this night. Maybe it was because the Book of Bad Decisions Tour is just getting underway, or possibly they’ve been eager to start playing these songs live and are enjoying finally being able to. Either way, they were spectacular, their energy seeming limitless, and for the duration of their time on stage they never relented. Bands of that caliber are hard to come by, ones that deliver a straight up rock ‘n’ roll show, no frills needed. Together, the four of them acted as if they had something to prove. At the very least they just further solidified their stature, their immense passion and unwavering dedication to their craft reminding all of the loyal supporters why they were so drawn to Clutch’s music in the first place and why they still hold it in such high esteem. The group even enamored fans of newer generations in the process, ensuring the legacy of Clutch will live on for some time to come.

Whether you have never seen Clutch before or catch them almost every time they come to your area, you owe it to yourself to check out one of the dates of the Book of Bad Decisions Tour. There is no telling what songs you might wind up hearing and their already impeccable form is sure to be bolstered by each additional show. The tour will roll on for another month, concluding in Philadelphia, PA with a show at Electric Factory on October 28th. Other notable stops include a visit to the Ogden Theater in Denver, CO on October 2nd; Showbox SODO in Seattle, WA on October 7th; and Los Angeles, CA’s El Rey Theater on October 12th. Additionally, they’ll be in Tulsa, OK on October 17th at Cains Ballroom and will be making a two-night stand at the Irving Plaza in New York, NY on the 26th and 27th. They’ll then bring the show to Europe in late November for a nearly month-long stint. Clutch’s complete listing of events and additional details regarding each one can be found HERE. And if you haven’t gotten it yet, do check out Book of Bad Decisions on iTUNES or GOOGLE PLAY. Set List: 1) “Gimme the Keys” 2) “Vision Quest” 3) “Texan Book of the Dead” 4) “Escape from the Prison Planet” 5) “Spacegrass” 6) “Emily Dickinson” 7) “Ghoul Wrangler” 8) “Earth Rocker” 9) “X-Ray Visions” 10) “El Jefe Speaks” 11) “How to Shake Hands” 12) “Sonic Counselor” 13) “In Walks Barbarella” 14) “The Mob Goes Wild” 15) “D.C. Sound Attack!” Encore 16) “Lorelei” 17) “Electric Worry” / “One Eye Dollar”

[agilenano]

Agilenano - News: The Best Workout Headphones of 2021

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. Working out is a struggle for many of us. Between work, hobbies, and maintaining a semblance of a social life, it can be tough to stay committed to a regular workout or gym schedule. Plugging in a pair of headphones, however, can transform your exercise routine into an opportunity to catch up on podcasts or dig into some new music. And if you’re looking for the best buds for the job, you can’t go wrong with our favorite workout earbuds, the Jabra Elite Active 75t (available at Amazon for $179.99). The Elite Active 75 have it all: a rugged and water resistant form factor, tons of features (including both transparency mode and active noise cancellation) and easy-press controls so you can keep that heart rate humming. But there are plenty of other great earbuds primed for for your workout routine, and we’ve put dozens to the test so you can find the perfect pair for you, no matter how you get your sweat on. Here are the best workout headphones we tested, ranked in order: Jabra Elite Active 75t JLab Epic Air Sport ANC Sony WF-SP800N JBL x Under Armour True Wireless Flash X Jabra Elite Active 65t Beats Powerbeats Pro Beats Powerbeats Bose Sport Open Earbuds Credit: Reviewed/Jackson Ruckar The Jabra Elite Active 75t are the ultimate workout earbuds, and much more. Best Overall Jabra Elite Active 75t The Jabra Elite Active 75t are a great set of wireless earphones for just about anyone. But they're particularly suitable for folks who spend a lot of time running or working out, thanks to their nimble design and their hearty, IP57-rated dust and water resistance, allowing you to safely rinse them off after a workout. The Elite Active 75t will net you nearly every bell and whistle you might be hoping for, from a finder function so you won't lose track of them to transparency mode, which allows you to hear the world around you so you can stay aware in nearly any situation. Jabra even added solid digital active noise cancellation (ANC) to their already impressive passive noise isolation, which helps make these already versatile buds even better. The Elite Active 75t sound good, though their heavy, bass-forward sound signature won't be for everyone, and it might take some tinkering in the accompanying app to find an equalization setting that fits your playlist. Still, their sound performance will satisfy most casual listeners and power users alike—especially for those pounding workouts—and it's bolstered by around 7 hours of battery life per charge (or 5.5 hours with ANC). That's especially impressive giving their ultra-micro form factor. We also love the Elite Active 75t’s playback controls; their buttons are easy enough to press without needing much force, yet firm enough that they rarely get pressed accidentally. Jabra’s intuitive controls and customization (thanks to the loaded Jabra Sound+ app) make for one of the best user experiences in the true wireless game. One small point of caution: Their small size and rigid plastic design isn't a perfect fit for everyone, and they also may wear on those with smaller ears after a few hours—though that's the case with the majority of true wireless earbuds to some degree. All in all, the Jabra Elite Active 75t are a great pick for folks looking for superb performance, durability, and a well-rounded workout companion. In addition, if you don't see the need for your earbuds to be fully submerged in water—and you want to save a few bucks—the Elite 75t earbuds are nearly identical to their cousins, but with a less-rugged IP55 dust/water-resistance rating. Either way, you'll be getting a great pair of durable earbuds, armed for virtually any scenario (workout or otherwise) that you can throw at them. Pros Durable, dunkable design Sleek and small Loaded with features Cons Sound lacks balance Fit may be tricky for some $179.99 from Amazon $179.99 from Best Buy $178.00 from Walmart Credit: Reviewed/Geoffrey Morrison The JLab Epic Air Sport ANC are an exceptional value and perfect workout companions for those on a budget. Best Value The JLab Epic Air Sport ANC JLab's Epic Air Sport ANC may look like they're sport first and everything else a distant second, but looks can be deceiving. Not only are they great for your daily workout grind, but they're also well suited for anyone worried about getting a good fit, especially those who struggle with traditional earbuds. They’re IP66 rated, meaning they’ve got good dust and water resistance—but don’t submerge them. One big reason they work great for high-impact workouts is the over-ear loop design. It’s a soft silicone we never found annoying, fitting comfortably even with glasses. Some people aren’t a fan of this style, but it allows for a far more secure fit than any other option—we never once felt that they’d fall out and get lost. That makes them a great trade-out if our options like the Jabra Elite 75t won't work for your ears. The loops aren’t removable (see the non-Sport sibling), but the Epic Air Sport come with multiple silicone ear tip options, plus a very comfortable foam tip. Overall the sound is a bit bass heavy, but JLab's app allows for extensive EQ options to help you fine-tune your preferred sound. Battery life was slightly less than claimed. We measured around 13 hours per charge to JLab’s claim of 15, but still, that’s a ton for true wireless headphones. If you enable features like noise canceling, you’ll get less battery life. Speaking of noise canceling, like most affordable true wireless options, it’s pretty mild. It doesn’t hurt to have it, of course, but if you’re looking specifically for noise canceling, you’ll want to look at the top picks on our best wireless earbuds list, or our best noise-canceling headphones list. Like the majority of newer true wireless earbuds, the Epic Air Sport ANC also offer adjustable transparency mode, which JLab calls Be Aware, letting you hear your environment in high-traffic areas. The case, a bit larger than the others in this category, also holds a big battery, offering about 3.5 additional charges. It has an attached USB cable, which is either a strength or a weakness depending on your gear. More importantly, it has wireless charging which is a great touch. If you’re headed out for a walk or hike, these are a fantastic pair to grab, and at this price, they're very hard to pass up. Pros Secure, adaptable fit Multiple sound options Very long battery life Cons Over-ear loop isn't for everyone $99.00 from Amazon $99.99 from Best Buy $99.99 from Target How We Tested Credit: Reviewed.com / TJ Donegan True wireless earbuds all come with two individual buds—no wires between them—and a charging case. For this list, we focus on several key pain points that consumers typically run into when buying both wireless and “true wireless” earbuds (those completely free of any wires): battery life, ease of use, controls, wireless range, sound quality, sound isolation, water and dust resistance, and comfort, among other features. For sound quality tests, we put earbuds through some basic audio tests in our labs in Cambridge, MA to give us data on a few things such as max volume, passive and active noise attenuation (including active noise cancellation), and how well each earbud blocked outside noise. We use all the earbuds extensively, playing a wide variety of test tracks ranging from classical to hip-hop, rock, jazz, and more. The other features are all tested in real-life situations, including sweat proofing, short- and long-term comfort, battery life, microphone quality, and connectivity over distances and through obstacles like doors and walls. For sports options, we also put them through their paces in a variety of workout situations. Perhaps the biggest missing link in all headphone reviews is durability. It's simply impossible for us to test a single pair and come to a meaningful conclusion about how well they'll hold up over time and with regular use (and abuse). To account for this, we noted any major issues that popped up in user reviews (where available), though this didn't impact the final scoring. We also use these earbuds over a prolonged period and update their firmware when available to test out the latest features and update relevant articles and reviews with our findings. The truth is that wireless earbuds across the board have struggled with durability, so this is a major cause of concern for us. Since some of these models are quite new, we are reserving the right to re-evaluate our conclusions as we become aware of any major issues or pain points as time goes on. What You Should Know About Workout Headphones You've probably seen a bunch of different headphones in your everyday life. While they have a number of different selling points, headphones are primarily categorized into three types: in-ear (including all earbuds), on-ear, and over-ear. For this article we'll be focused only on in-ear models. These are primarily designed to be inserted into your ear canal and, apart from audiophile options or professional in-ear monitors, the vast majority will connect to your source device wirelessly. Credit: Reviewed Three popular types of headphones: in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear. Knowing the basic terminology of modern headphones is the best way to estimate what you need, which will guide you toward deciding on where you may want to compromise to fit your budget. Below are a few important terms to know before you shop. Bluetooth/wireless: Do you want wireless headphones? A pair of Bluetooth headphones will let you unplug from your source device, while a set of "true wireless" earbuds are even more minimalist, offering totally wire-free listening with no cable between the earbuds. If you're looking for an experience that won't tether you to your phone, tablet, or laptop, Bluetooth headphones are what you need—and fortunately, they're ubiquitous enough these days that you can find them in every style and price range. Active Noise Cancellation: Noise-canceling headphones, i.e those with active noise cancellation (ANC) aren't just for frequent flyers. Originally developed for pilots, these headphones reduce the volume of ambient noise around you. Over the last several years they've become a mainstay for travelers, public transit commuters, gym-goers, and those working in distracting environments in the office or at home. Most of our top picks include ANC as the feature has become more popular and widely available.You can also check out our guide of the best noise-canceling headphones we've tested. Transparency mode: This feature goes by many names, including HearThrough mode, ambient sound mode, Be Aware, etc. All of these phrases refer to the same technology, which uses tiny microphones on the exterior of your headphones or earbuds to filter in sound from your environment. The purpose is to keep you aware of your surroundings, letting you play tunes while you jog or hike, while still being aware of dangers or alerts. Not all transparency mode is created equal, though, and how a headphone’s hardware and software handle things like wind gusts can make a serious difference in the feature’s utility. IP: You'll encounter an "IP" rating across a wide array of electronics but the term is perhaps most important (in the headphone world anyway) when it comes to products designed to take on the elements. You'll often see the code "IPX" with a number at the end, or you may see codes like IP67, etc. The first number is dust resistance—how much the product stands up to ingress, essentially, and the higher the number the better. The second number is water resistance. The highest you'll likely see for headphones is "7" which means the product is certified to withstand being fully submerged in one meter of water (freshwater only) for 30 minutes. For workout headphones, anything from IPX4 (meaning the headphones can withstand splashes from any direction) and above is solid. For more info check out our IP guide. Other Workout Headphones We Tested Sony WF-SP800N Sony's WF-SP800N are formidable workout earbuds, offering an embarrassment of features for their price point, along with impressive sound, a strong and stable connection, and a sporty, water-resistant design—something Sony's flagship WF-1000XM3 true wireless earbuds don’t have. Packing everything from light noise cancellation and transparency mode to location based audio adjustment and Bluetooth 5.0, the SP800N are impressively well-appointed for their cost—especially since you can often find them on sale. They're also highly tunable thanks to Sony's Headphones Connect app, including a five-band EQ with a separate bass control so you can easily pull back (or ramp up) their booming "Extra Bass" feature. As for negatives, the SP800N’s noise cancelation is nothing to write home about, the buds are fairly bulky, and the charging case stores only one extra charge, though their 9 hours of playback per charge makes this more palatable. In addition, we found a tear in one of the silicone ear fins after just a few days, but based on over 1,000 user reviews, we’re inclined to write this off as a fluke. Because their fins are fairly involved, it can also be a pain to put them in and take them out, but that’s also what makes them so stable for high-impact activities. Their incredible playback time of 9 hours on a single charge with noise cancellation—and a whopping 13 hours without it—helps make up for their charging case's shortcomings. Add in their wealth of other features and the SP800N are steeped with value, making them a great choice if you're looking for action-ready sports buds. Pros Smooth, detailed sound Up to 13 hours playback time Virtually ever feature you need Cons Chunky design Single recharge in case $199.99 from Best Buy $198.00 from Walmart $199.99 from Target $27.95 from B&H JBL x Under Armour True Wireless Flash X If you're an athlete or a fitness enthusiast, you probably know Under Armour and its lauded range of workout clothes and wearables. More recently, UA has lent its fitness expertise to wireless headphones in a partnership with the audio experts at JBL. The True Wireless Flash X are actually the second-gen baby of this fruitful collaboration, and they're a stalwart audio companion for your workouts. The True Wireless Flash X are excellent for workouts or jogging. They have multiple useful sound modes for hearing what's going on around you, and the earbuds and case are extremely robust and impact-resistant. They're a bit on the pricey side for headphones that might not be your go-to choice for non-workout situations, but if you've got the budget for a more purpose-built pair of headphones that can moonlight for other use cases, they’re an excellent choice. Where the Flash X really stand out from the pack is in the details of their design and physical components. The earbuds (and stabilizing wings) have been carefully built to be extremely firm and durable, composed of a firm but gently yielding rubber that makes for an extremely tight fit/seal. This is important for both keeping out exterior noise and stability in workouts. You can jump around, drop to the ground, or (we daresay) do a cartwheel through a waterfall and the True Wireless Flash will stay put. While they can become uncomfortable over time, and forego some desirable features like active noise cancellation, they make up for it in terms of sheer stability. Combined with the fully aluminum charging case—a product that should be able to withstand even the most grueling situations—the Flash X might just be the saviors of your workout universe. Pros Super durable Excellent water resistance Good battery life Cons Sound could be better for the price Fit can be uncomfortable for some ears $129.99 from Best Buy $169.95 from B&H Jabra Elite Active 65t The Jabra Elite Active 65t are nearly identical to their predecessor, the Jabra Elite 65t, except that they're much better equipped to deal with rain and dust, similar to the newer Elite Active 75t. They have great sweat resistance, too. In our testing, the Elite Active 65t performed similarly to the standard Elite 65t: mostly distortion-free sound with great isolation and a fair amount of “oomph” on the low end, all for a great price. While the AirPods get all the glory, Jabra’s aging 65t lineup helped kickstart the modern true wireless revolution, and they’re still solid workout buds (and earbuds in general) today. They offer the basics you want, including transparency mode for keeping aware of your environment (though they don’t have any active noise cancellation). And more importantly, these days they can be purchased for a song, especially when compared to most competitors. They're not perfect, of course: we had some mild connectivity issues. We sometimes found ourselves needing to remove the Elite Active 65t from our phone or computer’s saved devices list and re-establish a connection. That said, if you're just looking for a solid pair of wireless headphones that won't break the bank, the Jabra Elite Active 65t sound great, stand up to the elements, and offer desirable features alongside a stable fit. As such, they’re a great value, especially if you’re looking for an ultra-affordable, well-vetted pair of earbuds to help you master your workout. Pros Excellent sound Workout ready Cons Bluetooth issues Some sound artifacts $94.96 from Amazon $99.99 from Best Buy $113.00 from Walmart $99.99 from QVC Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro Priced similarly to Apple's AirPods Pro, the Beats Powerbeats Pro are impressive true wireless earphones in their own right. Though they've lost some luster in recent years with heated competition, they offer impressive playback time per charge, great sound, and a durable, sporty design that stays put under duress. They're relatively stylish (as you might expect from Beats), available in ivory, black, navy, or moss colors, and their adjustable ear hooks help to keep them in your ears during just about any workout. This is where the Powerbeats line turned the corner. They offer great water resistance and vastly improved sound quality over previous Beats earbuds, making them a good choice for general use, though their ear-hook design can get uncomfortable over time. They come with a pocketable charging case (due to their ear hooks, it’s a lot larger than most), but their impressive 9 hours of battery life per charge allows you to leave the case behind. The Powerbeats Pro are less minimalist than Apple's AirPods, and come at a premium price point—especially for headphones that don’t include active noise cancellation or even any form of transparency mode. This makes them less-than-ideal for jogging in busy areas, but you can use just one of them at a time in such cases to keep aware of your surroundings. Their price point has also dropped a fair bit over time. If you’re looking for fitness first, and don’t hold transparency mode as a must-have feature, the Powerbeats Pro are a fine choice—especially if you grab them on a good sale. Pros Water-resistant Available in a number of colors Long battery life Cons Bass-forward sound not for everyone Ear hooks can be uncomfortable $199.95 from Amazon $188.99 from Walmart $199.99 from Target $199.95 from B&H Beats Powerbeats (4th Gen) The 4th-gen Beats Powerbeats are basically the same headphones as the Powerbeats Pro—they simply aren't "true wireless," featuring a small cable that runs between the two buds and behind your neck. However, what you're sacrificing by way of true wireless freedom, you're making up for in cost. People love the Powerbeats Pro, but they're often just too darn expensive (at full price anyway) for many budgets. The Powerbeats are a great stand-in, priced well below the Powerbeats Pro's suggested retail price, and their price tag is only falling. Not only that, but you'll also get longer battery per charge (though there's no charging case for a top-off). Outside of the wire situation, Beats fans will be happy to know that the connected Powerbeats sound just as good as the "Pro" model, and offer similar levels of flexibility and style (i.e., they come in a bunch of colors). Like other Beats headphones, their sound profile is still bass-forward, but it’s thankfully restrained here for excellent clarity to power you through your workout. As you’d expect for fitness headphones, the Powerbeats are also sweat- and water-resistant so you won’t have to worry about going for the gusto. They also offer shockingly good connection quality that outdoes their siblings, as well as any other true wireless earbuds we've ever tried. Seriously, they've got such good range you may actually forget where you put your phone. We do wish Beats included transparency mode to keep you safe on the road, but if you’re mostly looking for gym buds or don’t mind pulling out one earbud in dicey areas, the Powerbeats are a great buy. Pros Incredible wireless range Clear, powerful sound Workout ready Cons No transparency mode Ear hooks can get uncomfortable $149.99 from Best Buy $119.00 from Walmart $119.00 from B&H Bose Sport Open Earbuds Bose’s Sport Open Earbuds finish low in the rankings, partly because they simply don’t have the features that many of our favorites offer. But that’s also because the Sport Open are unlike virtually any other earbuds in existence right now, and given the right use case, they could be the perfect choice for your workout adventures. So what makes the Sport Open so different? Quite simply these are open-ear headphones (as the name helpfully spells out) meaning they don’t go in your ear canals, but sit above them to beam sound in from tiny speaker vents. What’s remarkable about this technology isn’t so much that you can hear things clearly, or even that it offers very minimal “bleed” into the world around you. No, what’s most impressive is that the Sport Open Earbuds actually sound good. And when you don’t have ear cups or even ear tips, that’s a feat in itself. The Sport Open use an advanced version of Bose’s OpenAudio technology, which can also be found in the company’s distinctive audio sunglasses, the Bose Frames. The sound has been upgraded, however, adding the crucial element of full and rich bass to their already impressive upper register. The result is an enjoyable audio experience that also keeps your ears fully open and free to explore (and keep you aware of) the world around you. This makes them great for running and hiking, but especially good for cycling, where the transparency mode of traditional wireless earbuds is rendered almost useless. Bose adds to the package with impressive design, including simple setup, a relatively hearty chassis for each bud, and (crucially) IPX4 water resistance to protect them from the elements. They also offer around 7-8 hours of battery per charge alongside a minimalist, but relatively effective control system accessed via a small button on the bottom of each earbud. There are some drawbacks to being different, though, starting with the fact that, unlike every other pair of true wireless earbuds we’ve tested, the Sport Open don’t come with a charging case to top off their battery on the go. They also have a relatively austere feature set (as you can imagine, there’s no way to add active noise cancellation here), including a pretty bare-bones app. And, for our ears anyway, they became relatively uncomfortable over time, making their use cases all the more limited. That said, if you’re looking for groundbreaking buds that sound good and keep your ears naturally free in any environment, the Bose Sport Open Earbuds stand alone. Pros Impressive sound for open buds Excellent for cycling Slick, relatively rugged design Cons No charging case Heavy frame can wear on ears Limited use cases $199.00 from Best Buy More Articles You Might Enjoy The Best Truly Wireless Earbuds The Best Wireless Earbuds for Running The Best Earbuds The Best Affordable In-Ear Headphones

Agilenano - News from Agilenano from shopsnetwork (4 sites) https://agilenano.com/blogs/news/the-best-workout-headphones-of-2021

[gloieee]

To glo et al.

It seems appropriate in many ways to start off this playlist with Dr. WHOEVER, an introspective and unexpectedly slow-paced track by Amine that has stayed with me since a dear friend sent it to me towards the end of 2018. I remember the moment so clearly. It was a typical cold Boston winter evening, when the sun had set well before 4 pm. I was living in my stifling apartment in Longwood mere minutes from my work and feeling empty after putting my all into a process for a year +, and yet still under so much uncertainty about the future. Mentally and physically, I felt so heavy, and since I finally had time, got a work-subsidized gym membership. That particular day, I had mustered up all my energy to change into my gym clothes after work to head to the dingy Bodyscapes, which really just felt like an extension of the Longwood hospitals. (It didn’t help that it was literally nestled in one of the research buildings.) Walking the few minutes back home, my body hot and the night air cold, I listened to this song and got shivers at how much it felt like an anthem for the confused mid-twenty-year-olds going through shit. Sad on your motherfucking birthday, cause you know you’re getting older and not happier. It hit even harder because my birthday always comes with the new year, and that only exacerbates the reflecting and processing I do. 

This song seems still more relevant this year, now. Indeed, it’s been crazy, for everyone, and it’s been laden with moments when you question, “what the fuck is my life.” I’ve been trying to be my own Dr. WHOEVER for the first time. It’s ironic that it’s my first, given that I’m trying to become a doctor for other people, perhaps even exactly the person you go to to tell all your problems. I’ve always been almost too good at telling a friend what I’m going through, contrary to the trope of the emotionally reticent young person, putting up a front of happiness. I’ve been having some illuminating conversations recently, mainly with the same friend who sent me this song years ago (who I have been so grateful towards, even more so these past few weeks), and been evaluating this funk that I’ve been in since Spring 2019 from a step back. 

Up until last year, a source of my agony was being understood by others. I knew what I wanted, even though I also knew that from the outside, that didn’t always seem to make me “happy” nor appeared to be the easiest route to take. Hence, I would find myself constantly explaining/ defending what I was going through because I wanted others to “get it.” I’ve always deeply wanted to be understood by others, ever since I was an adolescent. I’ve always felt “different” in some way from other people around me, and I never liked that feeling. Hence, I am/ have always been so touched when someone “gets me”. It’s no coincidence that I have what I have etched onto my left forearm for eternity. So, when ~da funk~ started in 2019, I did what I always do and talked to people about it. I have amazing friends (thanks to my thick “General eyebrows,” which indicates “people luck” in Korea), and everyone has been so validating throughout this perplexing situation where I feel so unmotivated and unlike myself. 

I realized recently that my situation right now may be pointedly opposite of what I’ve felt before—everyone else thinks I’m doing fine (many friends have said that it seemed like I was having the time of my life in LA—and I did from a certain lens), but I’m entirely unhappy with where I am. What I need right now doesn’t seem to be validation from anyone else, but from myself. I need to understand and accept where I am, and tell myself it’s okay. I’ve always been about facing the brute reality, bucking up, and making it through. This revelation has called for an entire change of pace—I am not used to being kind to myself, unless I’m going through something that I objectively consider difficult (i.e. debilitating chronic pain in college), superhumanly impossible, or at least deeply meaningful. I hold myself to such a standard that I never hold to my own friends or others. So as Amine says, I’m trying to let my feelings settle in and take my own advice. 

My mother told me that no one can fully understand who I am, because there is no way for anyone to know everything that has happened in my life and what significance it holds for me. I’m the only one that can perhaps truly understand where I’m coming from, because I’m the only one who knows my life in its entirety. She told me that as she gets older, she realizes more and more that at the end of the day, our own self is all that anyone has. It’s a balance, but I am trying very hard to take care of myself, to be kind. I have felt, for the first time ever perhaps, that it doesn’t really help to talk to people about what I am struggling with right now. I like updating them once I have a breakthrough, or asking for specific advice after I wade through and organize my own thoughts, all the leaves and flowers strewn about the waters, but active problem solving with people (read: in real time freak outs) feel burdensome to everyone and lead me to also feel worse about myself. I don’t feel very good after talking about myself to other people right now.

I do feel bad because I also don’t really have the capacity to be there for others, and I don’t feel like I have a legitimate reason to be in that state. Even when I was going through objectively difficult things, I was able to (I thought) be present for my friends. This isn’t a good excuse, but for those who are reading, I apologize for not being present. The following songs are a letter of sorts to myself, all the different parts and voices of glo, a progression of me into my own mind. As I’ve mentioned before, I have sought to be a sort of muse to someone rather than my own whatever. I feel like I am seeking to be my own muse at this time. I could not explain to you what this really means, but I am listening to these songs with a different perspective than usual. Perhaps this means I am just blithely self-centered, but I’m not imagining other people to be singing about me anymore, but feel like this is me singing about me? 

I am hopeful though. I think this could be something. 

9. 20. 2020  

_______________________________________________________________________

Is what I wrote nearly a month ago, a few weeks into these realizations, my purported ~self- care journey~ that I can’t say without a laugh (although it’s truly extremely important). And I was right. This WAS-IS SOMETHING. I feel more grounded and stable than I’ve felt since the dreaded March 2019. Grounded in a different sense, because I have let go of the notion that my feet need to touch the ground for me to feel stable. 

My superficial mood is still what it is, but I don’t feel it racking me to my core anymore. I feel like I know who I am, for the first time since March 2019. I still can’t put it into words, but I know that I I know. 

Open Wide- Spencer .

I hope you like the way I like to keep you in my head Same thoughts keep haunting me, while I am sleeping in my bed You've got me open wide Just come inside 

2much – Spencer  

Who let you make the rules? Summer's gone Win or lose, you still bruise Bring it on  I put my little truth in this song   Up too late, you're heavy on my mind now Lying to myself, I need to lie down Tearing down the walls, I need to cry now

Spencer’s music is like a beautiful, dreamy snapshot into vulnerability and honesty. An appropriate second intro for my journey with and within myself. God knows the same thoughts have been haunting me for a while, especially in the evenings laden with insomnia (which is ever so often these days), when my mind is not strong enough to fight off the negative thoughts and the burden of a day where I haven’t done nearly enough as I “should have.” But perhaps these repeating haunting thoughts actually show that I might as well invite myself into my own world, rather than forcing myself out. I’m already here anyway; might as well get comfortable. I’m too in my head a lot of the time, and this phrase is often used negatively. We need to be out in reality, in the real world; you just need to turn off your mind and get shit done. I’ve always believed in this firmly, which has led me to dislike myself a lot of the time. I like myself better when I’m action-oriented; I like others who are action-oriented, perhaps having been burnt hurt by people who are all thought and no action. But, at the same time, I need to recognize that I have never been that paralyzed to inaction so that I have lost something dear to me as a consequence. Of course, that could happen to me, as it can to anyone, but maybe I just need to cut myself some slack. Instead of forcing myself out of my mind, and feeling agonized when I find myself there inevitably, I would like to open wide and kindly invite myself in.  

And what better way than with some good old honesty. … Summer’s gone, win or lose, you still bruise. BRING IT ON. This line carries courage that I’ve felt I had lost for a while. I’ve been so afraid of, it boils down to, regret. A certain type of regret. 

Fun Girl - Summer Walker 

I remember what you told me Said I wasn't made right Said I wasn't cut right That's why I'm so lonely, mm Can't turn a ho into a housewife   Is it cause I love who I want and fuck who I choose to Don't take no shit and won't be used But I guess that makes me undesirable   Life's unfair

 I love Summer Walker with her ever raw, melancholy, crooning vocals. This mixtape-like track reminds me of an average post-grad apartment set up: soft beige carpets, and a girl singing into a mic surrounded by blankets on a second-hand plushy sofa. I listen to this song and think, what a dick this kid is for treating Summer this way when she’s baller. These queries are so relatable and I get so worked up until I realize—no one has ever said these things to me or made me feel this way really. It’s really just me saying it and doing it to myself. Funny to what extent you’re your worst critic. 

On a separate note, her life’s unfair outro just pulls at my heart. Each time she says it it’s as if I can accept that fact a little bit better. 

I Was Sad Last Night I’m OK now - Tobi Lou

I was sad last night, I'm okay now  My bad lil' bih went missin' on me All my confidence sure went missin' on me Ain't seen you in a while, are you checkin' on me?   I was hungry as fuck, I just ate now But the state that I'm in got me anxious again

Sometimes I ignore you too - Tobi Lou 

 All these things I don't need (A lot) Giving me anxiety (Stop)   (I need you to escape I'm like light years away I’m here, you’re there  It’s no fair    You think you make all the rules My insides are royal blue Sometimes I ignore you too)   Took a step back but, didn't go backwards I wanted things but they didn't happen

Tobi has been my soul food for the past few months. I was sad last night I’m OK now has been the mantra I’ve been trying to chant into existence. It’s all right you sad right now, but tomorrow, it’s gonna be better. It’s okay you were sad last night, but right now you’re ok. I play this song in the morning after I do my meditation. The cycle of trying to fulfill my basic needs/duties of the day, but the anxiety just popping up for no f- reason has really been my days lately. But I’m trying not to dwell on it too much. I constantly am reminding myself that I “took a step back but, didn’t go backwards.” I’m trying to live by it.  

Tobi is a prolific artist and just so accurately captures the spirit of your twenties, these particular turbulent and unsure times, in so many other songs too. He just owns his vulnerability in a funky way; he’s sad but boppy; insecure but also knows he’s still hot shit, and honestly just goals. He just matter-of-factly states what he’s going through, and shows me that all these emotions can coexist at the same time and that’s fine and beautiful. I can be sad sometimes, but be okay; I can feel doubt while also thinking my insides are royal blue; I can miss someone but also ignore them; I can feel like things aren’t fair but move on; I can take a step back but move forward. 

Dr. WHOEVER - Amine

I sit here and tell you my problems That's how this work, right? I'm s'posed to be open and honest But I got time, right Let your feelings settle in

I want war (but I need peace) - Kali Uchis 

My mind and my soul is the weapon And every failure was a lesson See, I just wanna grow into my greatness I wish I had the time that you takin'   I want war, but I need peace And they kept on callin' me crazy But maybe, that's how God made me

On the note of accepting myself, maybe this is how God made me. I’ve tried digging into why it was I was in such a funk when things were objectively fine, other than the obvious of what happened in Spring 2019. But I haven’t really* been able to get down to it, and I’ve felt a bit crazy and frustrated. And yet, I have been pressuring myself to get out of it for so long. The overarching theme has been that I’ve felt that I have no time, as Amine seems to question in Dr. WHOEVER. I feel so old, so behind in life, but can’t muster up the motivation to do even the basics for a while. Hence the loop-de-loop of doom. I’m maybe realizing that personality-wise I approach things like a war—something to conquer, to overcome, to achieve—when what I really need is peace—kindness, a steadier state. And instead of seeking that from external things—career, marriage by a certain age (which seem to be the standard these days)—I need to find that in myself. 

I do think I’ve reached a point where I can’t justify why, but I can put words to why the slump has lasted this long. It’s because I felt like I just wasn’t making progress in any core pillars of my life. Even the good things were arbitrary and by chance, and it just made me feel like I wasn’t earning anything or moving forward. An interesting and random event has made me realize though, that every failure has been* a lesson, even though it’s taking much longer & more effort for me to feel it and realize it in my life. My mind and my soul has been a weapon that I’ve used against myself for a while, and I’m realizing I still can* use it for myself. I’m trying to grow into my greatness, and I think I am getting there, slowly but surely. Maybe I do have the time that you takin. 

Instead of ruminating on why and what went wrong on multiple fronts, I am trying to cut my losses and accept, much like JID does. Sometimes you try for shit and shit just doesn’t work out. I need to just use how God made me to deal with whatever it is I’m going through, and be satisfied, even feel a sense of appreciation, instead of focusing on what I’m not:  

Workin Out - JID  

(Mama call, "Where the fuck you at?") -the story of living in Korea with my parents at age 26.    I gave everything and got nothing back    'Cause I been working hella hard, shit ain't really working out I been praying to the Lord, shit ain't really working out I been looking to the stars, keep my head up in the clouds Shit ain't really working out, shit ain't really working out   Quiet Don't explain What is there to gain   Searching for a purpose, I see what you on Difference in how you be using your gifts In the midst of the shit that you dealing with

And a brief interjection to actually embrace the vulnerability that I so admire in Tobi and these artists. Despite these realizations that you need to stop lingering too much and move on, you still want a hot tub dream machine and want things you can’t have, and want to croon about it for a bit. “Honesty is better when it’s practiced”: this line hits me most saliently these days. It’s one of those lines that hits you and you’re like wow, what an interesting way to phrase a truth. We always talk about honesty and the value of it, and harbor our honest thoughts it in ourselves. Yet we rarely fully voice it, to ourselves nor to our families, friends, partners and it leads to a lot of strife. Honesty not about what we want or want to reach, but where we’re at right now. A failure to do this has been a central part of how things went further south last year. I’ve been taking this to heart, and trying to practice this form of honesty these days. 

Hot tub DREAM machine - tobi Lou 

Ayy, I need a hot tub time machine Then I can go back and fix everything Same old you, but a different me  Maybe we can be human beings   Still struggling with a whole lot of things I'm still down here spiraling   But you know there's something about you  That makes me happy, but makes me so sad too  Makes me so damn sad  I don't wanna fall asleep, I don't wanna say good night I don't wanna get too weak, I don't wanna slip your mind   'Cause lately you so UFO You don't come around no more You visit me in my dreams Like why on Earth you do that for?

Cheap Vactions – Tobi Lou  

I'm just waitin' on you, on you I got a window seat with your name on it I got the red eye cheap, we could fade on it   I-I-I do not think I'm ok  Sometimes I think I can fly  You know I hate being lonely  Don't keep me waiting too long 

 Stolen Moments - Cautious Clay  

Honesty is better when it’s practiced Don’t stress your confidence in subtleties Cus no better half can satisfy A wasted alibi

Ultimately, despite the meandering journey I’ve been on, the dips of frustration and self-questioning, I feel it like a faint hint in the backdrop that has gotten more salient over the months: I’m proud of myself. I remember listening to PROUD OF U by EARTHGANG (feat. Young Thug) while doing some dumbbell rows at the gym and feeling a pang in my chest and perhaps, a tiny tear in my eye. Something about Young Thug’s cracking voice as he says he’s proud of you that got to me. These past few months, I’ve truly realized how hard on myself I normally am and it feels like a big step for me to be proud of myself, not for an external achievement that everyone validates or something that I think is impossible, but for working on myself in a silent way, even if parts of it may appear incomprehensible or silly to both myself and others. 

And my lighthearted spirit anthem. I’m addicted to “taking care of myself” in all ways these past few months, and a funsie way it has manifested is exactly and literally the following: an obsession with skincare. No matter the topsy turvy tribulations of the day, I wrap up the evening slapping on some new toners, serums, and creams, maybe peeling off a sheet mask pack, and feeling myself to this song. There’s something that feels affirming about taking care of my skin even if “the world gonna end,” and I see no one. It’s a symbolic, tangible, but also random act that keeps it all in good fun. The interweaving of cursing out the doom of 2020, the anger directed towards multiple sources yet no one at all, the sadness, the confidence, the indignation, the sass, the resolve, the twinkly dancing alone in my room, the laughter, all in no particular order, it all me right now. 

I really do feel like if I continue down this road, circling back to Dr. Whoever, I’ll be on track in my life. This may actually save a life:

SKIN CARE TUTORIAL 2020 - Tobi Lou

I'm irrational, I'm too passionate I don't give a fuck, I just popped a zip Mirror on the wall, who the baddest bitch? Oh yeah right that's me How could I forget?  Vengeance on these hoes, 2020 shit Real sad shit   God damn bitch, I'm beautiful Have you ever seen a - like me? Let me answer that for you, no you haven't   I'm takin' care of my skin, ayy I'm drinkin' water and shit, yeah I moisturize like a bitch, ooh   Fuck 2020 by the way, yeah   (Bitch, this might fuck around and save a life) 

 Updated mid-Oct & mid-Nov 2020 

[albinohare]

Can augmented reality really give us a vision of the future of sailing?

See further, see more and sail faster… Will Bruton investigates the navigation benefits that augmented reality is bringing

High definition cameras can provide the live image for the plotter, stabilised by a separate sensor to counter pitch and roll

Google’s mission statement is ‘to organise the world’s information.’ This almost impossibly ambitious declaration of intent underpins the technology giant’s ventures into everything up to and including Space. The message is clear: in a world where information is abundant, how we organise and access it is fundamental to it being useful.

Step on board a yacht equipped with an early electronic plotter and you can quickly find yourself the slave to a complex and far from intuitive menu system. It can take forever to get to what you need to know, making it quicker to pick up the almanac, and do things the old fashioned way.

Fortunately, things have improved since those first electronic plotters. We are now entering an age of innovative and user-orientated design where the influence of mainstream consumer technology has finally reached marine electronic products. But what does it all mean for the sailing we stepped on board a boat for in the first place?

Knut Frostad carefully considered where sailing information was positioned on his Outremer 5X

Make it relevant

Former Volvo Ocean Race CEO and Olympian sailor Knut Frostad bears rather more brutal scars of marine electronics than mere frustration, once nearly losing his eye to an errant antenna while racing offshore. Since leaving the shore-based role of CEO at the Volvo Ocean Race he has taken the helm at Navico as head of digital products. Navico is the parent company to three marine electronics brands, including B&G.

On a particularly revealing video on the company’s YouTube channel we see how the ex-Olympian uses technology on his family’s yacht, an Outremer 5X. Screens are positioned precisely at eye line height, electronic plotters are visible from all (four) helming positions and everything is carefully refined to show only the information that is useful.

It’s an attention to detail more likely associated with a German luxury car, where everything sits just right. The take-away is one we can all learn from; by filtering out what’s not necessary, the sailing experience is optimised. Retaining a firm grasp on the technology is what empowers successful sailing, not an abundance of raw data.

The challenge faced by designers is not simply to provide data, but to make information useful. Raymarine currently employs around 100 people in its development team. Improvements in how software is developed have changed things. Marine brands now design plotter interfaces on the same platforms as mobile phone software; making the process of development faster.

The result is interfaces that are inherently more intuitive to use, making the much thumbed paper manuals of the past redundant. The less obvious and more exciting prospect is the scope for increased capability of a single piece of hardware as time goes on, adding capability as new external components are released.

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All of this has made the marine electronics market more competitive, with each manufacturer driving hard to capture the market at the point of purchase. After all, once purchased, you often commit to that brand of electronics throughout your yacht.

Augmented reality, something achieved by linking cameras, GPS, image stabilisation and software technology, is perhaps the most exciting realisation of how the humble electronic plotter has become much more than an interactive chart. It’s changed my sceptical view of how much more can be done to make things better. By presenting data overlaid on a live camera view, we see much more, without having to connect the dots.

Military precision

For many years Raymarine’s parent company FLIR has been building military and aviation technology. Unsurprisingly, this knowledge has percolated through to consumer marine electronics. In the sky, the possibilities of augmented reality became mainstream years ago, giving pilots what they call ‘increased situational awareness’ or information about the stationary and moving objects they must negotiate their way around.

The Raymarine FLIR system’s ability to track targets with thermal imaging has many potential uses

What is striking about how this has manifested itself in Raymarine’s yacht systems is how chart and traffic information appears in a three-dimensional format that is genuinely intuitive. Unlike relating the chart to what’s seen with the naked eye as we have always done, with augmented reality, the relation of a buoy or vessel is done for you; bridging the gap in a way that seems entirely natural. No brain power necessary.

Everything appears automatically, in the place you would expect it, supplemented with data that’s directly relevant to that specific point up ahead. How much information you see is easily controlled by choosing what data you wish to see. Furthermore, on the screen, buoys are visible before you see them with the naked eye.

The view on the screen in a busy Southampton water, even with all data points (AIS, buoyage and waypoints) switched on, is clear rather than crowded. A high definition camera fuels the system with a live image, while AIS data, buoyage and waypoints are overlaid on top.

Augmented reality places information about a vessel or mark in the same place as you see it with the naked eye, removing the need to interpret from a standard plotter view

“What you see on the screen is a feed from a fixed camera, however the image is digitally stabilised,” explains Richard Marsden from Raymarine. “Our independent sensor is taking into consideration the pitch, roll and yaw of the vessel, so when the seas get rough the image remains stable. There’s a lot of vessel data being processed to achieve such clarity.”

Sure enough, as we encounter wake from a passing tanker, the image is noticeably smoothed out whilst the boat continues to pitch and roll. Coupled with Raymarine’s Axiom plotter, which is available up to a whopping 24in screen, it’s a far cry from the greyscale interrogation exercise many of us were familiar with from using older plotters.

Coming into a channel is where the augmented reality system really comes into its own. It would be easy to discount a technology that quite literally alters what we can see as something likely to produce the tunnel vision so many experienced instructors warn us against.

Valuable nav data is displayed in an easy to understand format

But because drawing information from augmented reality is so instantaneous, I found myself using it to confirm my own visual navigation rather than the other way round. I had to squint at a channel marker in the distance, yet I could confirm what it was on the screen with a half-second glance, while keeping my eyes up rather than down. Being able to see further than the naked eye makes navigation a more predictable exercise, because everything is seen earlier.

A step forward for safety?

The US Coast Guard cites the most common contributing factor to sailing yacht accidents as operator inattention, followed by improper lookout and operator inexperience.

When it comes to active navigation, doubt about our position leads our attention away from the immediate indicators surrounding us – like buoyage – and onto other sources of information that might take longer to process. Augmented reality, though, is an instant reference tool.

Augmented reality software can identify and label the high definition view from a boat’s onboard camera

Raymarine has also added other complementary technologies that work fluidly as part of the system. In a MOB situation at night a rotating camera with thermal imaging technology can track a target automatically in the water, based upon the temperature difference it can detect. The Axiom plotter then tells the helmsman which way to steer towards it. Unlike many bits of kit related to that worst of worst-case scenarios, this potentially lifesaving tool takes no time to set up. It just works.

What next?

With a change of pace of development for marine electronics comes a market that is working harder than ever to be first to the next big thing.

Garmin, a company whose products cover many sports, is paying an increasing amount of attention to body-worn technologies. Though not strictly speaking augmented reality, their latest Nautix kit places key sailing data directly in front of one eye. Mounting to your existing sunglasses frame, this eyepiece is similar to those worn by combat helicopter pilots. It is also wireless, perhaps making it the next big thing for racing crews, including those usually left in the dark at the bow.

Garmin’s Nautix system monitor links wirelessly with the yacht’s instruments, making data accessible to anyone wearing the headset

Will such a Star Trek like device draw ridicule amongst a crew of old hands? Perhaps to begin with, but if it delivers results, that will quickly fade. For Raymarine, linking cameras to onboard systems is something being explored even further, using them to develop automatic berthing in marinas – a prospect that, once refined, will certainly be embraced by the motor yacht market.

For sailing yacht owners, blindly adopting the latest electronics innovations has sometimes been a fast track to running hard aground. But what augmented reality does is bring aboard essential information and present it in a more concise and effective way than ever before. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!

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