Dapper Scout – A lifestyle web magazine for men

Benjamin Franklin once sagely observed that nothing in this world was certain except for death and taxes.  And had mobile devices been around during his day, we’re fairly certain he would have added the inevitability of dropping your cell phone to the list of certainties in life.  Whether you use a BlackBerry or iPhone, there’s a custom-fit Wrapsol ultra (available at Wrapsol for $30) that will keep them (and just about any other mobile device out there) protected against drops and scratches.  Virtually transparent when applied, the Wrapsol ultra is an exceptionally thin and optically clear scratch-proof screen protection film that’s been cut to accommodate every button and slot of your mobile device.  A patent pending matte finish provides additional impact protection against concrete, keys and sand while masking blemishes and eliminating the dreaded fingerprint smudge.  The ultra’s unique finish will also improve your overall grip without any diminished touch sensitivity or responsiveness (which should help against future drops, butterfingers).

Gear, iPhone Accessories, iPod Accessories

If you’ve ever wondered how your dog spends the day when you’re busy at work (or just feel like checking to make sure you turned off the stove before you left the house), the Avaak Vue (available at Avaak starting from $200) is the personal video network that lets you to access up to 5o wireless video cameras from any web browser of flash-enabled mobile device.  Each battery operated camera is easily set up anywhere you like (using peel and stick camera mounts) and transmits wireless video to a gateway device that’s connected to your internet router.  You can view, record and share video and still shots from your secure video network which includes a personal account with 2GB of storage space (which should be more than enough to stockpile plenty of snapshots of the shenanigans that take place while you’re away).

Computer Accessories, Gear, Loft, Webcams

For whatever reason and however loose the connection, when we consider how the Sony Dash (available at Sony for $200) seamlessly integrates the best parts of the internet via a slick 7″ LCD touch screen, the editors at DS are inexplicably reminded of a certain Homer J. Simpson, who once questioned how pork, bacon and ham could all come from the same wonderful, magical animal (and by no means are we suggesting the Dash is porcine in any way shape or form).  The Dash is what Sony calls a Personal Internet Viewer, one that wirelessly delivers music, video, TV, and movies as well as news, games and social networking through your choice of 1,000+ free apps (e.g. Netflix, YouTube, Slacker).  The Sony Dash also happens to have alarm clock functionality, making it a highly intelligent and informative means of starting your day off on the right foot with access to what we’d consider fairly relevant information (e.g. news, weather, traffic and time).  However you view the Dash and whatever you use it for, there’s little question that it’s just as singular an amalgam (of the internet) as the magical pig (of all its disparate and delicious parts) is to Homer.

Clocks, Electronics, Gear, Loft

The fact that you need to go through a felony background check before you purchase the TASER X26C and M26C Electronic Control Devices (available at TASER starting from $500), should tip you off to the fact that you’re getting your hands on something quite serious.  And last we checked, your own personal security is never a joking matter.  Similar to their law enforcement grade counterparts, both the X26C and M26C leverage Neuro Muscular Incapacitation (NMI) technology to deliver an incapacitating pulse that renders even the most threatening of potential assailants temporarily disabled.  Discharging either of these devices fires two small probes (able to penetrate up to two inches of clothing) connected to 15 feet of insulated wire along which the NMI pulse is transmitted from 5-10 seconds each time you depress the trigger.  And for additional insurance, the X26C and M26C can be used in direct contact stun mode in case your would-be attacker is already in close proximity.  Needless to say, with these two consumer TASER products, the term point and shoot just took on a whole new meaning.

Gear, Security

It’s easy (and a common pastime of ours) to sit there and daydream about all the high-end vehicles we covet (almost all of which come with a price tag of over $100K).  Now, it becomes significantly more challenging when you try to figure out what would get your adrenaline flowing in the same manner for under $25K.  Our recommendation: subtract two wheels and a roof, and you’ve got the definitive answer in the Deus Ex Machina Grievous Angel (available from Deus for $23,000).  The Grievous Angel is but one (though our clear favorite) of many custom motorcycles that Deus designs and fabricates, inspiring the original motorcycling ethos of the founding partners (a group of Australian motorcycling enthusiasts) in those individuals that may never have even considered riding a motorcycle before.  Between the alloy bullet fairing in black, NitroHeads ducktail seat and the aggressive front headlight, the Grievous Angel is the perfect combination of beauty and beast, all stunningly packaged into one custom motorcycle.

D, Gear, Motorcycle

Inexorably inevitable from Monday through Friday (for most of us), the morning alarm is one of the most unwelcome sounds known to mankind.  Soothe the abruptness of the morning routine (i.e. waking up in a groggy panic) with the dulcet tones of the Vers 1.5R Clock Radio (available at Vers starting from $200).  This AM/FM clock radio is handcrafted with a real wood cabinet and features a 15 watt full range speaker and iPod compatibility.  The adjustable back lit LCD displays the time clearly, and as an iPod dock, the Vers 1.5R functions as an ideal compact sound system and dual alarm (wake up either to the radio or your iPod).  Available in six finishes (editor’s choice: bamboo), the Vers 1.5R is an impressively designed clock radio that even has us looking to upgrade what’s been sitting on our nightstand for the past decade or so (yeah we know, it’s time).

Clocks, Gear, iPod Accessories, Loft

Sometimes we like to travel in style, and other times, we just want to get from point A to point B without much fuss.  But why even choose one over the other?  Riding the Biomega Copenhagen (available at nestliving for $2,000) means you’ll never have to worry about getting your pants caught or scuffed in a chain (given a completely enclosed shaft drive) and with its frame (designed by Marc Newson and machined from a solid piece of aluminum), 26″ wheels, Shimano eight-speed rear hub, and disc brakes, the Copenhagen is a high performance bicycle with a beautifully understated design.  Whatever color you choose (all intriguingly named and hued), there’s no question the Biomega Copenhagen is a prime example of Danish design (on two wheels) at its very best.

Bicycle, Gear, Outdoors

Sure, we used to drink from public water fountains all the time when we were kids, but these days, we just get a little uneasy with the quality of the water (and that metallic taste certainly never helps the situation either).  Good thing for those of us who are always on the move and like to stay hydrated, there’s the bobble Filtered Water Bottle (available at bobble for $10).  Made in the US (with a minimal carbon footprint), the bobble Filtered Water Bottle is certified BPA-free and made from recycled plastic (and is in turn fully recyclable).  Simply fill up bobble with water and as you squeeze it for a drink, the activated carbon filter’s electro-positive charge draws in impurities, organic contaminants and chemicals.  With its simple transparent design and six colorways (filters only), bobble is the one water bottle that ensures clean tasting, odorless drinking water pretty much wherever you are (although we’d suggest filling it up with water from the tap, not straight out of the East River).

Gear, Going green, Outdoors, Water Bottle

Sometimes the English language is simply inadequate.  There just aren’t enough ways to say the word “badass” and that leaves us at somewhat of a loss when looking at the Confederate B120 Wraith (price TBA).  Founded in 1991 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by Matt Chambers, Confederate Motor Company does one thing, and does it exceptionally well: make motorcycles.  The B120 Wraith channels an ethos that’s simultaneously compelling and a bit abstruse, the end result of which is nonetheless powerful.  It celebrates the defiance of convention through a design process that embraces integrity and singularity from a holistic vantage point.  So whether you’re looking at the B120 Wraith from afar or down to its smallest detail, there’s not one part of this motorcycle that hasn’t been meticulously thought out.  From its aircraft grade aluminum swingarm to its 125 hp counter-balanced twin cam 45 degree radial twin engine or its Brembo brakes and carbon fiber wheels, the B120 Wraith is a mechanized rara avis (i.e. stunner).  And with only 25o Wraiths being produced, this highly limited edition motorcycle is one you won’t be seeing too much of (but when you do, you won’t likely forget its haunting image).

Gear, Motorcycle

Having housed munitions in a former life (as its casing is sourced from an actual ammo box), the thodio A-BOX (available at thodio starting from $339) is undeniably the most battle-ready iPod dock we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing.  However, with a 1mm thick steel plating that’s reinforced with another 6mm of vibration dampening material, the thodio A-BOX isn’t meant to stop bullets as much as play your music with clarity and a decidedly bellicose attitude (at least on the surface).  The A-BOX has an integrated rechargeable battery and comes in two different models: a “light” version with a 2 x 25 watt RMS amplifier and woven glass fiber speakers in a carbon color, and a “heavy” version (editor’s choice) with a 2 x 70 watt amplifier and woven Kevlar speakers in a yellow color.  And whether you choose to connect your iPod to the A-BOX from the outside or keep it safely hooked up from the inside, you’ll have the flexibility of taking your music with you just about anywhere you go, even if it means going behind enemy lines (or in your case, just outside of the apartment).

Electronics, Gear, iPod Accessories, Loft, Music System