Love em or hate em, Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns are one of the ways new and existing companies choose to launch new products. Every day I receive numerous requests to talk about new campaigns, so I’ve decided to group the news all together into one weekly post. This week’s notable crowdfunding campaigns includes both interesting and kooky products that are worth checking out. Click through to see this week’s list of crowdfunding projects.
Peak Design Everyday Backpack, Tote, and Sling
What is it?
Peak Design is expanding their line of products after their very successful Everyday Messenger Bag campaign from last year. I reviewed that bag and am using it as my everyday gear bag. This new campaign adds a backpack, tote and sling bag to their line of bags.
Why do I like it?
I already know that Peak Designs knows what they are doing when it comes to designing bags. I love their Everyday Messenger Bag and use it every single day. These new bags have the same design style and great attention to detail. Now you can have the same gear organization features in your favorite bag type.
Where can I find more info?
With 37 days left in the campaign, the Peak Design Everyday Backpack, Tote, and Sling campaign has already wildy surpassed their funding goal of $500,000 by over 1,500,000 dollars! You can pre-order an Everyday backpack starting at $189, an Everyday Tote for $145 and a Sling for $115. After the Peak Design Everyday Backpack, Tote, and Sling campaign ends, the rewards are estimated to ship in December 2016. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
Wolffepack Capture
What is it?
The Wolffepack Capture is a backpack that features Wolffepack’s signature “swing your gear around to the front” feature that they introduced in their Omni backpack which Dennis Moore reviewed late last year. The new Capture bag has been designed with photographer’s in mind and has special organization features for cameras, lenses and other photography gear.
Why do I like it?
I already know that they make quality backpacks because Dennis loved the Omni backpack. I’ve not tried one, but the whole swing the bag around to the front feature looks great for mobile photographers who don’t want to miss that once in a lifetime shot because it takes too long to get to their gear. This bag gives you quick and easy access to your camera without needing to remove your backpack.
Where can I find more info?
With 25 days left in the campaign, the Wolffepack Capture campaign has already passed their funding goal of $19,844. You can pre-order a Wolffepack Capture backpack starting at $131 and $165 with all the accessories. After Wolffepack Capture campaign ends, the rewards are estimated to ship in November 2016. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
Zakistar Flip Flops
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/177100654/zakistar-comfortable-and-classy-pebble-covered-fli
What is it?
Remember my news post a few weeks ago about the grass flip flops? Well, Zakistar Flip Flops are another take on that concept, but with rocks instead of grass. The idea is that they make you feel as if you were walking barefoot on the beach because each flip flop has pebbles embedded in the sole.
Why do I like it?
This is one of those kooky products that make me scratch my head. I personally wouldn’t wear them because I don’t find flip flops to be very comfortable. But I have to hand it to people who come up with an idea no matter how out of the box it is and go for it. Would you wear flip flops with rocks embedded in them? What’s next, LEGO flip flops?
Where can I find more info?
With 40 days left in the campaign, the Zakistar Flip Flops campaign has quite a way to go before reaching their funding goal of $10,000. You can pre-order a pair of Zakistar Flip Flops starting at $15. If the Zakistar Flip Flops campaign is a success, the rewards are estimated to ship starting in September 2016 for the super early bird pledges and March / April 2017 for everyone else. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
baKblade 2.0
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/328582971/bakblade-20-the-ultimate-diy-back-and-body-shaver/?
What is it?
It’s a wet or dry use razor with a long handle attached to it so men can shave their back by themselves instead of asking their significant other to help them.
Why do I like it?
It looks like a back scratcher but it helps hairy dudes keep their sasquatch back carpet under control. It kind of makes me cringe thinking about it but I can understand how useful it might be. 😉
Where can I find more info?
With 23 days left in the campaign, the baKblade campaign has already passed their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order a baKblade for $24. After the baKblade campaign ends, the rewards are estimated to ship in December 2016. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
Omega2 Linux Computer
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/onion/omega2-5-iot-computer-with-wi-fi-powered-by-linux
What is it?
It’s a $5 IoT (Internet of Things) tiny Linux computer.
Why do I like it?
It’s super tiny, super affordable and is super easy for beginner makers to use for projects using Node Red visual drag-and-drop programming interface. It has built-in WiFi and is expandable with stackable docks/expansions that add more capabilities like Ethernet, Bluetooth, GPS and more.
Where can I find more info?
With 20 days left in the campaign, the Omega2 campaign has already passed their funding goal of $15,000. You can pre-order an Omega2 starting at $5. After the Omega2 campaign ends, the rewards are estimated to ship in December 2016. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
Bycle
What is it?
Bycle is an iPhone mount for your bicycle that integrates mapping and video.
Why do I like it? – Howard Sneider
A couple of weeks ago I reviewed the MiniWing Camile R100 bicycle camera & GPS. I found that the GPS was not as reliable or as quick as my iPhone’s and realized that if I could include a prism or mirror on the iPhone camera, so that I could record the road while viewing the phone’s screen, that the phone itself would be a much better device for recording video, displaying speed, and mapping my route. Well, I was beaten to the United States Patent and Trademark Office by the folks at Bycle. The Bycle mount includes an iPhone case and mount with a prismatic camera lens and another case and mount with a prismatic camera lens and integrated 3000 mAh battery.
Where can I find more info?
With 10 days left in the campaign, the Bycle campaign has some work to do to reach their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order a Bycle mount for $55. If the Bycle campaign is successful, the rewards are estimated to ship in November 2016. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
