Boulder, CO, November 10, 2011 – According to Outside magazine, every winter there are a few products that are so cool and so outlandish that the magazine recognizes them with the Radical Design Awards. Zeal Optics’ Transcend GPS SPPX claimed one of eight recent awards for what the magazine described as using technology that you’d see in “one of those badass European roadsters James Bond drives.”

Based in Boulder, CO, Zeal launched the world’s first ski goggles with a built-in GPS system in the Transcend line. “At Zeal Optics, we have become the global leader in goggle technology,” said Joe Prebich, director of marketing at Zeal. “But, this is not just something that is for a guy like James Bond, this is also for the everyday skier or snowboarder that looks to get more out of the products they support.”

“Other companies in this industry have not been able to adapt to their consumers needs like we have been able to do at Zeal,” continued Prebich. “People are asking for this technology because it makes sense! It works with the user, and helps them to get more out of their day on the mountain. We are so proud of this award, because it is the realization of the risks you take when you venture out to be different than the rest of the marketplace. “

The Transcend GPS SPPX goggles feature an adjustable vertical odometer and provide real-time access to performance statistics going down the hill, including speed, altitude, temperature, and time. Transcend GPS SPPX has a wide vision screen in a Carbon Matte Black frame. The polarized lenses, with a photochromic lens option, cut 99.9 percent of glare and 100 percent of UV rays from the sun and slopes to reduce eye fatigue. They also include enhanced performance statistics, including a patented, real-time Jump feature. Transcend GPS SPPX goggles come with a downloadable software application that allows users to transfer all data from their goggle to their PC and Mac computers. Users can see their fastest and slowest speeds, review individual runs, and see vertical distance covered. The software allows users to manage and “playback” ski runs overlaid on Google Earth and share information on Facebook and Twitter.

According to the editors at Outside magazine, “It seems like technological tomfoolery. A GPS-powered digital display embedded in the lens of high-end, polarized, photochromic goggles? Foolish, but for the fact that the Zeal Transcend GPS SPPX works exceedingly well. Better, actually, than anything you could wear on your wrist or download to your smartphone.”

Transcend Line Blazes Trail for New Z3 GPS Goggles Debuting in 2012

Zeal Optics’ goggles line will be enhanced in 2012 with the debut of the Z3 GPS Goggles that have new features, enhanced style and comfort, ease-of-use and data-capture capabilities.

“You’ll immediately notice the difference in comfort and ease-of-use of the Z3 GPS,” said Prebich. “These goggles really put the rider in charge of the real-time data they want to see. Plus, it’s easier to flip through the data, now that the controls can be placed where it’s most comfortable for them. Overall, the Z3 is much sleeker. It’s just a great all-around experience.”

With the more advanced optics, improved head-mounted display technology and new 3-D data-capturing features, Z3 GPS has enlarged polarized in-molded anti-fog lenses that automatically adjust to varying light levels, going from a light yellow tint in low light, to a dark rose/brown tint in brighter light.

Like its predecessors, Z3 GPS is armed with technology that provides real-time access to performance statistics including speed, altitude, temperature, and time during your run down the slopes. The monitor inside the goggles has been redesigned to be less obtrusive. The system has a stopwatch and chromos mode and runs with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a seven-hour run time. These goggles now capture ski jump data for analysis of vertical maneuvers. Controls for the system have been moved to a wireless remote that can be worn on the wrist, arm or goggles strap.

In addition to the Carbon Matte Black, Z3 GPS also comes in Carbon Matte White and Carbon Matte Gold.
Zeal Optics’ Transcend GPS SPPX goggles are priced at $500 and will be available at specialty retailers and online stores worldwide, including www.zealoptics.com.