Everyday we’ll suggest original stocking fillers for the active person in your life.

Today Waterproof Action Cameras

Today’s suggestion isn’t a product I own or have reviewed but rather something I want (Hint to Santa). Cameras are getting smaller and cheaper so I have been looking for another camera that is particuarly happy getting wet and knocked about whist filming adventurous activities. I have found two such cameras at different ends of the price bracket, but both with great promotional offers this Christmas.

5MP Underwater Digital Camera

If you are not looking for a special underwater camera for scuba diving but just want one for pool parties, the beach, messing about on boats or even just enjoying the snowy wet weather then the Speedo Aquashot digital underwater camera at £100 is a good budget option.

It has a 4x digital zoom held in a highly resistant and waterproof casing allowing you to take any image in water in depths of up to 3 meters and also has video capabilities.

The crystal clear 2.4” TFT LCD screen displays a preview of the image that you are about to capture meaning that none of your images are taken blindly, allowing you to take the best shot possible. It has all the usual features you would have come to expect in a digital camera including flash, self timer, scene settings and auto exposure.

There is also a 9MP version available for £125.

Christmas Offers

Speedo International has 5 Christmas offers which mean you can get some great deals if you are buying a camera as a present this Christmas.

One offer is that you can get a FREE Black 1GB Speedo® Aquabeat Waterproof MP3 player worth £65 when you buy green 5MP Aquashot by using the promo code XMAS5.

A second offer is that if you spend over £100 you can get a FREE green 5MP Aquashot by entering the promo code XMAS3. Meaning that you can receive two for the price of one. The other option could be to buy a 9MP version for £125 and get the 5MP free.

Of course if you are looking for an MP3 player and camera then better use of the promo codes could be to buy a 2GB MP3 player for £90 and an additional item such as a £15 MP3 player armband or a £10 sports towel to make the basket value up to £100 and then get the 5MP camera free.

Ultimate Action Camera plus GPS

But for the ultimate action camera I would love to get my hands on the latest launched by Oregon Scientific: The world’s first HD All Terrain Action Camera with G Sensor and GPS. The New ATC9K HD  is described as being specifically designed for extreme sports enthusiasts and professionals who want to capture every high action moment, on the slopes, on the waves or on the road.

Not only does the camera capture 1080p professional quality high definition video and takes photos of 5MP, its built-in G-sensor can also measure the force of gravity during acceleration, deceleration and hang time. This makes it perfect for extreme sports enthusiasts, sport trainers, professional sportsmen and those who wish to record and review every detail of their performance. Additionally it’s the only action camera water proof to 20m without external casing making it ideal for scuba divers, the self-contain design is also shock resistant.

A built in LCD screen and laser pointer help you line up the camera , with the LCD screen also allowing you to play back the videos where ever you are. The camera also comes with a full set of mounting accessories that enables users to mount it on any handles, bars, and helmets and use it for a wide variety of extreme activities. Simply mount it onto anything such as you bike, car, helmet or attach it arm, strap or sleeve. Recording straight onto a Micro SD (up to 32GB) the all in one design is the ATC9K is you perfect companion, hands free, shock resistant, water proof tough enough to follow you into the most extreme conditions.

As a special offer to celebrate the beginning of the Ski Season Oregon Scientific are offering a free GPS unit worth £50 with every ATC9K.

I love linking my Garmin Forerunner data from my running races to Google Earth and so my favourite part of this bundle is that it comes complete with a unique GPS plug-in that enables you to map your location, speed and distance travelled using Google Maps or Google Earth. While watching the video clip playback on a computer, you will also see your corresponding location, acceleration and altitude on Google Map. Keep track of each trail and race with this useful tool designed for trainers and sports lovers.

The ATC9K including free GPS unit is available for £249.99

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This week from 13-21^st June however, is Bike Week, the biggest nationwide cycling event in the UK. The focus of Bike Week 2009 is to encourage families to take up cycling as a regular activity. There are many events happening around the country to encourage everyone, including people like me to either, dig out their own bike or buy, hire or borrow one and explore the local community.

Cycling has many benefits to both our health and the community. There are many health problems associated with being overweight and not exercising enough, but cycling is great for keeping us fit and helps fight obesity. Whilst also being an effective form of aerobic activity cycling contributes to weight loss, burning about 5 calories a minute. Cycling for everyday journeys such as commuting to work or school is an easy way to increase you physical activity, whilst also reducing congestion, road danger, noise and pollution. A person making an 8 mile round trip to work would save half a tonne of carbon dioxide if they switched from driving to cycling. Cycling is often quicker than driving and with rising fuel prices the additional benefit is that once you have your bike your journeys are free.

People are often scared to cycle to work or allow their children to due to the dangers of the roads from traffic travelling too fast or irresponsible drivers. However there are now many designated cycle paths and this week the sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, announced that the Nations Cycle Networks carries over one million journeys every day, half by bike and half by foot. The network which is 12,000 miles long now runs within 1 mile of 55% of the population.

There are many events being held during Bike Week ranging from cycle to work breakfasts, adult beginner rides, free cycle safety checks, cycle skills training to time trials. Halfords are also offering a one year half price Bike Care Plan with all bikes purchased during bike week. To find out what is taking place in your local area, visit www.bikeweek.org.uk and enter your postcode. If you’d like to take part but don’t have a bike, this shouldn’t stop you – you can find your nearest bike rental outlet on the website. To find your nearest cycle trainer call 0800 849 1017 or look at Bikeability.org.uk.

Maybe this will be the summer I remind myself how to ride a bike and get to enjoy the scenic cycle routes of Britain.