10 BEST WATERPROOF GADGETS - The Independent, 17 August 2005

As chosen by technology expert Mark Harris

Waterproof remote control £50
There’s nothing more civilised than listening to great music in the bath – and nothing more dangerous than balancing a radio on the edge of a slippery tub. Have a soak without the shock with this universal zapper, able to control up to four devices from beneath a mountain of bubbles. It works with most TVs, CD and DVD players, videos and cable/satellite boxes (though not Sky+).
Waterproof TV (0116 2705777; www.waterprooftv.co.uk)

Pentax OptioWP £210 ------ BEST BUY
At last, a waterproof camera that doesn’t look and feel like a plastic house brick. The OptioWP is slim, stylish and simple to use, with a 3x zoom lens and a bright 2-inch screen. It’s happy splashing around in the surf down to a depth of 1.5m and delivers crisp, colourful five megapixel snaps bursting with life.
Pentax (01753 792731; www.pentax.co.uk)

Fliklite Aluminium torch £30 ---- BEST BUDGET BUY
Divers will take a shine to this well-designed waterproof torch. There are no clumsy buttons to fiddle with; just make a flicking motion to active its internal switch, then enjoy up to 25 hours solid illumination from ultra-bright LEDs. A simple tap on the base turns it off again. The standard torch is safe down to 30 metres, or invest in the £60 LS:3 version for 100m descents.
Paramount Zone (0870 011 3206 ; www.paramountzone.com)

H20Audio SV-iMini Case £105
Now you can listen to Fish while you’re swimming or the Beach Boys while you’re surfing, with a waterproof housing for your Apple iPod mini (from £150). The plastic case lets you use all controls (including the scroll-wheel) but the headphones are the really special part – designed to latch firmly to your ears through falls, splashes and even swimming tumble-turns.
iPodWorld (web orders only; www.ipodworld.co.uk)

Nokia 5140 mobile phone £free with contract, £150 pay as you go
If the Swiss Army ever gave up yodelling for mobile phones, they’d choose the gadget-packed 5140. As well as the usual camera and talky stuff, this Nokia has a digital compass, thermometer and even a torch. Its user-changeable shell repels water, dust and scrapes, and a built-in FM radio turns it into the perfect gadget to take up an Alp or down to the lake.
Nokia (0870 055 5777; www.nokia.co.uk)

Bose 151 Environmental speakers £250
Take your music outside with these durable all-weather speakers. They can resist rain, sun, snow, ice and salt-water spray, in temperatures ranging from -40ºC to 70ºC. The speakers can be mounted horizontally or vertically, and can even take a coat of paint to blend in with their surroundings. Bose’s unique Articulated Array design helps you hear stereo sound over a wider area than conventional speakers, too.
Bose (0800 107 4999; www.bose.co.uk)

Speedo FSII Heart Rate Monitor £100
Track your swimming or running performance with a wrist-mounted fitness computer. This advanced model doesn’t need a cumbersome chest strap – just touch two sensors with your fingers to get a read-out of heart rate, calorie count and fat burn. It’s water-resistant for swimming or diving and will even alert you when it’s time for a run.
Speedo (0115 910 5267; www.speedo.co.uk)

Steiner Commander Jubilee binoculars £600
Forget peg-legs and eye-patches, no self-respecting mariner will set sail without a pair of binoculars. These autofocus 7x50 spotters have a non-slip rubber coating to lock them safely to your hands, plus an ultra-buoyant floating strap and waterproof housing in case they get washed overboard. A pressurised nitrogen lens system promises fog-free viewing, whatever the weather. Also available without the built-in compass for £400.
Intro 2020 (01628 674411, www.intro2020.co.uk)

Surf watch £6.99
The vogue for all things wristbandy reaches a high water mark with this roll-on latex timepiece. Just 1cm thick and 3cm long, the Surf watch is tough, light and waterproof down to snorkel-friendly 3 metres. Although there are two sizes to choose from, watches come in a selection of random colours, so you might have to buy a few before you get one in cool lifeguard-orange.
I Want One Of Those (0870 241 1066; www.iwantoneofthose.com)

Aquavision 23-inch TV £2800 ------ BEST LUXURY BUY
This biggest screen for the littlest room lets you immerse yourself in your favourite shows while you shower or brush your teeth. The widescreen LCD panel requires installation in a wall but includes video inputs, stereo speakers, teletext and a waterproof remote control. Opt for the smoked mirror finish and you’ll even be able to shave in it when it’s turned off.
Waterproof TV (0116 2705777; www.waterprooftv.co.uk)


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