After first catching our attention with a pair of low-profile Bluetooth headphones a few months back, Outdoor Technology has us once again fixated on another wireless device. This time around it’s the Turtle Shell, a brazenly designed, Bluetooth-enabled speaker hitting Kickstarter today. Built to handle a range of sophisticated technology, the extremely portable speaker is shock-proof, dust-proof and water-resistant. The real perk, however, on the shell’s underside, is a threaded mount for any standard tripod or similar camera-like mounting accessory, and a reinforced latch for attaching carabiners.
With just one switch and three buttons, the Turtle Shell makes changing songs and controlling playback pleasantly simple. The device is also equipped with a built-in microphone for receiving and making phone calls—even conference calls. Claiming hi-fi audio and deep bass, the small, palm-sized speaker delivers clear sound that we found better suited to, say, the variable melodies of Beach House than the heavy beats of the new G.O.O.D. Music album.
The Turtle Shell comes stock with a rechargable lithium-ion battery that lasts for more than nine hours, and is available in an impressive range of colorways. Set to retail for $150, the speaker is up for pre-order now with a Kickstarter pledge of $99. Considering its durability and portability, the futuristic-looking little speaker seems well worth its modest price tag. For more information see Outdoor Technology online.
Images by Graham Hiemstra