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New community project. Smart ski poles, made locally in Salt Lake City.

post #1 of 28
5/21/12 at 11:25am
Thread Starter 

This is a self promotion... if its in the wrong place please let me know. 

 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/slopescience/neva-evolution-of-the-ski-pole

 

Would people please weigh in on my Kickstarter project? I am trying to get feedback from the community and see what additional features/functions should be included or what should be stripped entirely. I want to start manufacturing these locally in Salt Lake City. (This is why I chose Kickstarter instead of venture capital) 

 

Ski pole idea.

 

IMG_3232 (Small).JPG

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post #2 of 28
5/21/12 at 11:45am

An answer to a question that was never asked! I LOVE it! beercheer.gif

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post #3 of 28
5/21/12 at 12:03pm

Really cool idea.  If I was looking for a feature on the poles that would make a difference for me, it would be a break-away strap system.  I'm sure you have experienced getting a pole snagged, and understand the danger of having your hands potentially trapped.  It's the one feature of the current Goode poles I really have an appreciation for.

 

Will the Neva module be able to be separated from the pole handle for repair or replacement?  Having a system that can be separated could reduce costs in the inevitable returns, and might make the module mountable in other applications such as motorcycles and snowmobiles where the same features are very useful.  Also being able to remove the module could help deter theft.

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post #4 of 28
5/21/12 at 12:21pm

Sell the grips and bag the poles.

 

Every higher end pole company and ski shop would be your client.  

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post #5 of 28
5/21/12 at 12:43pm

One think I see as a possible flaw...I know whenever I stray away from whatever bluetooth toy I am using...I need to re pair it whenever I come back to it. If I have to do this every time with the poles, it would be a PITA and I would stop using the feature. 

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post #6 of 28
5/21/12 at 12:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stranger View Post

Sell the grips and bag the poles.

 

Every higher end pole company and ski shop would be your client.  

I'd add detachable grips to prevent theft and for the better business model offered by Stranger above.     FWIW, having an app to automatically program important numbers into the iPhone from each resort (e.g., ski patrol) , couldn't hurt.  It would be cool to just scroll down your ski pole grip and click on "Ski Patrol" or "Order from Food Shack Near Lift 8" without pulling out your phone.

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post #7 of 28
5/22/12 at 7:30am

I'm sure that they will sell, and I will hate them.

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post #8 of 28
5/22/12 at 7:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Philpug View Post

One think I see as a possible flaw...I know whenever I stray away from whatever bluetooth toy I am using...I need to re pair it whenever I come back to it. If I have to do this every time with the poles, it would be a PITA and I would stop using the feature. 

 

I've never had to do that with my Droid X and Jawbone Icon.  I can leave the phone in the house and go out of range with the Jawbone and it sort of whistles at me when I do but then re-connects automatically when I get back in range.  If you need to go through the pairing process every time you go out of range there is something wrong with your equipment.

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post #9 of 28
5/22/12 at 7:43pm

I like the digital clock especially for those (like myself) who switch off their phone while on holiday.

 

What are the available lengths?

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post #10 of 28
5/23/12 at 6:37am

I'm not sure I see the value.  Would the ski pole merely have a display?  If so, I would pass.  Is it more than that -- mic & speaker?  I'm not sure how useful that would be compared to an earpiece.

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post #11 of 28
5/23/12 at 9:18am

Possibly an inclinometer. Lay the pole on the trail and it tells you the slope, or hold it at a right angle to the slope.

Temperature. G force indicator for turns could be interesting if it worked.

Weather input from some source?

              edit: I just checked out the kickstarter page and it's got all that and more. Pretty cool. $120 gets a functioning pair if they raise the money. $60 gets a pair of 'dumb' poles. He's at 14% of goal to 100k.

 

As for the strap, I agree. I don't know what ever happened to the Kerma break away strap feature of 35 years ago. Very simple. One side of the strap clicks into the adjuster. When there's enough force it comes out. You could make it non releasable sort of also.

Maybe Phil's got a photo.

 

Here's the thing. The more this thing does and the more expensive it is, it's got to be removable. A 100$ pole handle needs to be removable or it won't be replaced when stolen. Even if it's just the smart part of the handle and not the whole thing.

 

This reminds me of Pebble, the kickstarter watch idea that's raised like $10million and they were only looking for $100k.

 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/597507018/pebble-e-paper-watch-for-iphone-and-android

 

This is the same watch. Has e-ink dislplay.Bluetooth 4.0

 

email1.jpg

 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/597507018/pebble-e-paper-watch-for-iphone-and-android

 

trio2.jpg

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post #12 of 28
5/23/12 at 10:00am

heated grips

 

Temperature, Time, altitude (as suggested)

 

vertical

 

Speed,   max. etc. 

 

stop watch, timer etc

 

GPS enabled to upload daily activity,

 

GPS to locate other skiers

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post #13 of 28
5/23/12 at 10:04am

Finn, he's got pretty much all that. check out his link above.. Given that, would you buy them?

 

Heated?? Dude, are you getting soft rehabbing or what? ;-)

Answering the phone on the pole seems to be the big thing. I guess one wouldn't be a pole sitter on the lift anymore if you had them.

 

You can contribute/buy right now. It's Kickstarter, pretty cool.

If they raise the money, the project goes through. If not, you get the t-shirt, poles, whatever you bought.

That pebble watch is the most ever. Gosh, just like two weeks ago they were at 7 million, now it's 10mill$.

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post #14 of 28
5/23/12 at 10:12am

just went up now.  Yeah, got it!  I didn't see but I am sure its there but a 911 locator would be a cool thing.  it could be used to let others find you if you are lost or injured or to find a stolen or lost pole.

 

 

heated grips?  Just think who is most likely to buy these and those with Raynauds (or however its spelled) syndrome. 

 

would i buy a pair?  How much?  probably not. Gotta imagine how long they would last skiing trees with them.  How careful do you have to be with them; throwing poles into the car at the end of the day. skis slamming against them on the rack etc. 

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post #15 of 28
5/23/12 at 10:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Finndog View Post
 
Gotta imagine how long they would last skiing trees with them.  How careful do you have to be with them; throwing poles into the car at the end of the day. skis slamming against them on the rack etc. 

 

 Probably no different than an iPhone protected by an Otter Box.

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post #16 of 28
5/23/12 at 10:43am

Useful: some sort of tree - well saving device. A loud alarm? emergency signal to gps?

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post #17 of 28
5/23/12 at 10:53am

do you ski with your phone in your hand?

Quote:
Originally Posted by quant2325 View Post

 

 Probably no different than an iPhone protected by an Otter Box.

now that's an interesting idea; tree-wells only allow about 15-20 minutes until that becomes a "here's my dead body signal"   I did suggest the 911 transmission and incoming signal for finding but an alarm is interesting...  but now you are adding a speaker and power unit to amplify the sound.  How about a radar system that detects encroaching skiers/snowboarders and sounds a warning?  I bet Kneale would want this biggrin.gif

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tog View Post

Useful: some sort of tree - well saving device. A loud alarm? emergency signal to gps?

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post #18 of 28
5/23/12 at 10:58am

Well if you're dead in 15-20min, you're probably dead and it doesn't matter. (The pole might give a time of death though....lol)

However, when you're stuck in there and breathing but can't get out, it could be useful.

 

Grappling hook that shoots out like James Bond's watch?

Flare gun?

Spark shooter for signaling?

 

 

1999 'World Is Not Enough' Omega Seamaster
Dual Laser/Grappling Hook Watch
http://watchismo.blogspot.com/2006/11/james-bond-gadget-watch-history-q.html

aaOmegaWorld.jpg

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post #19 of 28
5/23/12 at 11:04am

AVALUNG......    seriously.  Yes, I am paranoid but when skiing evergreens I always wear one.

 

how about secret safety meeting stash compartment and pole doubles as a bong?

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post #20 of 28
5/23/12 at 11:21am

You have the avalung in your mouth when skiing in the trees?

 

Ski Pole pipe?

So these skiers in Iran could take it with?

 

photo Steve Crisp/Reuters   http://thewe.cc/weplanet/news/americas/us_terror_state/fake_news.htm#this_is_real

Iran Generations Young skiers smoke water pipes outside a chalet on the slopes of Shemshak, a ski resort near Tehran, March 16, 2008. The skiers wear Western-style ski gear, and many women ski without the headscarf. Photo: REUTERS/Steve Crisp

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post #21 of 28
5/23/12 at 11:44am

no, its right by my mouth, you would probably passout with it in your mouth.

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post #22 of 28
5/23/12 at 11:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by quant2325 View Post

I'd add detachable grips to prevent theft and for the better business model offered by Stranger above.     FWIW, having an app to automatically program important numbers into the iPhone from each resort (e.g., ski patrol) , couldn't hurt.  It would be cool to just scroll down your ski pole grip and click on "Ski Patrol" or "Order from Food Shack Near Lift 8" without pulling out your phone.


Adds a whole new unwanted dimension to the butt dial 911 problem. 

 

I'm a proponent of as little phone use beyond the ski lodge, or better yet parking lot, as possible.  The day everyone on the lift is engrossed in their little screens and clicking stuff rather than absorbing all the wonders that nature offers beyond the ski lift I'm probably giving up lift served skiing.

 

 

So, my opinion of this product is..icon13.gif

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post #23 of 28
5/23/12 at 11:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Finndog View Post

heated grips

 

Temperature, Time, altitude (as suggested)

 

vertical

 

Speed,   max. etc. 

 

stop watch, timer etc

 

GPS enabled to upload daily activity,

 

GPS to locate other skiers


Instant deploy ice ax for self arrest and self defense from angry grizzly bears.

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post #24 of 28
5/23/12 at 12:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by crgildart View Post

Adds a whole new unwanted dimension to the butt dial 911 problem. 

 

So, my opinion of this product is..icon13.gif

What about the pipe?  or the gps, temperature etc.

 

I kind of agree with you about the phone situation, but it's inevitable.

 

Strobe light for rescue might help. If you're stuck in a tree well, you could push it to the surface and set off the strobe/alarm. That is if you're not already dead, but that's a given in life I guess...

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post #25 of 28
5/23/12 at 3:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SlopeScience View Post

This is a self promotion... if its in the wrong place please let me know. 

 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/slopescience/neva-evolution-of-the-ski-pole

 

I backed the Pebble watch, and I already have a pair of ski poles I really like (K2 Lockjaw adjustable). Therefore, I *would* buy a removable smart-grip to use with my existing poles, but I would not buy the entire pole at >$100 just to get the Pebble-like functionality without having to fish around under my jacket and gloves to see the watch.


Edited by jeff2010 - 5/23/12 at 4:17pm
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post #26 of 28
5/24/12 at 9:51am

icon14.gif  tell me about it. you saw the ruthless attack I sustained last summer with Don & Betsy?

Quote:
Originally Posted by crgildart View Post


Instant deploy ice ax for self arrest and self defense from angry grizzly bears.

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post #27 of 28
5/31/12 at 1:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff2010 View Post

I backed the Pebble watch, and I already have a pair of ski poles I really like (K2 Lockjaw adjustable). Therefore, I *would* buy a removable smart-grip to use with my existing poles, but I would not buy the entire pole at >$100 just to get the Pebble-like functionality without having to fish around under my jacket and gloves to see the watch.


There are quite a few different types of poles, all with different diameters.  That kinda makes the logistics of selling the grips separately pretty difficult, especially with regard to online sales.  Think of all the spit they're going to have to take back because folks ordered crap that didn't fit their brand/model/year combination of pole.  Might I recommend just duct taping your watch to your pole?th_dunno-1[1].gif  I guess the feature that would hopefully really differentiate the grip from the watch for skiing would be that the pole grip probably has buttons that are easy to manipulate with gloves on. 

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post #28 of 28
5/31/12 at 9:31pm

As an instructor I feel like these would be a gadget that I'd be likely to buy...will they still get produced if they don't make the funding goal?

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