New Kickstarter: ski pole inclinometer sticker

[grayson]

Just launched a Kickstarter project I thought y'all might be interested in:

PoleClinometer™ – the ski pole inclinometer sticker

It's a sticker you put on your ski pole for measuring slope angles.



Like it or blast it (or both); I know how it goes here.

[butterscotch]

Are you retarded? You couldn't drum up the funds to get some stickers printed? Can't your parents lend you $50?

[Adski]

Looks reasonable. I'm in. Will be interesting to compare to the life link inclinometer I always have in my pocket.

[Timberridge]

Will be interesting to compare to the life link inclinometer I always have in my pocket.

...and the dozen free apps for your phone.

[Adski]

I trust an inclinometer more than my phone, for many reasons. Though I can't listen to dedmaus on the lifelink , so there's that going against it...

[Benny Profane]

Wait, what?

[Danno]

Cool idea, good luck.

Are you retarded? You couldn't drum up the funds to get some stickers printed? Can't your parents lend you $50?

You didn't click the link and watch the video, did you? It's more involved than just a run of stickers. Not super complex, sure, but it's not a $50 investment.

[Quicksilver]

I think it's a cool idea. For $8, it seems like a worthy investment!

So what's the PM schedule on this thing? When do I send you back my pole for re-calibration?

[butterscotch]

You didn't click the link and watch the video, did you? It's more involved than just a run of stickers. Not super complex, sure, but it's not a $50 investment.

Here's what the kickstarter page says:

Complete installation kit includes:

PoleClinometer Stickers
(three sizes to fit all standard pole shaft diameters)
Clear Protective Skin
(ultra-durable heat-shrink over-wrap protection)
Alcohol Wipes
(to clean your dirty ski pole before applying sticker)
Easy-to-Follow Instructions for Installation and Use
Every backer gets a kit!

I stand by my comments.

[::: :::]

and remember to clean your dirty pole

[pipedream]

I gave this a cross-post on TAY because I think this is a useful tool. Esp. when combined with an AvySticker.

I'm a major proponent of low-tech, analog, difficult-to-fail tools in the BC. Because everything that can go wrong on a tour will.

[fortort]

One that fits a probe might be a good idea too. I think they're usually 11mm.

[NW_SKIER]

my snoboarder friends will apply it to their dick pole, condom style.

Are the stickers small enough?

[Danno]

my snoboarder friends will apply it to their dick pole, condom style.

including the heated shrink wrap?

[muted]

"will only fit 14mm, 16mm, and 18mm upper shaft diameters"

Hee hee.

[muted]

"involves sliding it up from the bottom of the pole, and it might not fit over features on your pole shaft"

Snoooorkkkkkk.

[grayson]

Oh man you guys crack my shit up. Thanks for the laughs. Plenty of material there.

And thanks for the various positive comments too.

I gave this a cross-post on TAY because I think this is a useful tool. Esp. when combined with an AvySticker.

Hey, appreciate the cross-post! Out of curiosity, what's TAY? I like the look of the AvySticker! Simple analog all the way.

One that fits a probe might be a good idea too. I think they're usually 11mm.

Good idea. Just two problems:
1. On smaller diameters, it's inherently harder and harder to read, and less and less accurate. 11mm is just too slim to be effective (oh, I lobbed that one for ya).
2. Your pole is your vertical reference, so ya gotta let it hang freely from a loose grip near the top of the pole to ensure it's vertical. Don't know how tall you are, but I don't think I could do that with an 8-foot probe unless I brought along a stepladder!

[LeeLau]

Here's what the kickstarter page says:
I stand by my comments.

Look at 0.50 to 1.00. It's quite simple and looks very effective.

...and the dozen free apps for your phone.

Many issues with phone. Battery. Hard to see in bright light. Doesn't have the virtue of simplicity.

With phones inclinometers etc, for me personally I won't use it as much as this little sticker on the pole. So, again for me, I see the appeal


Grayson when it comes time to get this going let me know and I'll get it out to Avalanche Canada to tell the subscribers

[PNWbrit]

Good idea.

Better done than some of the painted/anodised on ski pole slope gauges I've seen.

Avy centers is a good idea Lee. Make a great "free slope-sticker with your donation" type thing.

[grayson]

Grayson when it comes time to get this going let me know and I'll get it out to Avalanche Canada to tell the subscribers

Thanks Lee! It's "going" now. The Kickstarter is live and I'm pretty pleased with the initial flurry of funding. I know it won't keep up though without continuing to actively get the word out, so I appreciate your offer to pass it along to folks at Avalanche Canada for their subscribers! If you want to put them in touch with me more directly, I'm grayson (at) snowander (dotcom).

If any of you have ideas for outlets like this and want to help out, please let me know, or spread the word yourselves.

I'm also looking at putting together a flyer that anybody can print out and pin up at your local resort, bar, ski shack, whatever. If you'd like a copy, let me know.

[LeeLau]

Avy centers is a good idea Lee. Make a great "free slope-sticker with your donation" type thing.

That's actually a really good idea there Brit. I'll talk that over with Avalanche Canada as they're doing a fundraising campaign

[eskido]

I'm in

[LeeLau]

Just backed it for 10. You sold out the 4 pack which looks like the most popular but I'll give the remaining stickers away to guides etc. I'll see if the guides here in Whistler are interested in it too.

Not singling you out butterscotch but this looks like a very good, very simple idea that will help propagate good habits. I'm reminded of my old avalanche sensei who always got me in the habit of estimating slope angles. Then he would badger me to wear a compass with clinometer around my neck to check my estimates. How I miss Frank's nagging

One thing I have noticed is that myself and most people are terrible judges of slope angle, something about the perspective of white snow, foreshortening, and other factors gives people an illusion they know the angle.

I think having something like this on a pole, which is almost always out when in tour mode will help promote good habits - ie thinking about and hopefully improving ability to estimate slope angle.

[pipedream]

Out of curiosity, what's TAY?

This other online forum full of backcountry, year-round skiers that PNWBrit is banned from: http://www.turns-all-year.com

my snoboarder friends will apply it to their dick pole, condom style.

hey, if it gives the ladies a visual representation of how excited we are while they're looking down from on top of it, I'm all for it!

"will only fit 14mm, 16mm, and 18mm upper shaft diameters"

Hee hee.

This has made me realize I need to go home and measure the girth of my pole(s). Then do some division over a pi(e).

In conclusion:

[Full Stoke George]

Backed. Ive actually been looking for something JUST like this, with the phone apps being unreliable and annoying, or carrying round extra equipment can be a problem. This is a really simple solution. Good idea!