The Convertible HDL is a comfortable, convenient, cost-effective and technologically advanced way for runners to capture runs.
As avid runners, we relish the good vibes that come from a great run. Truly, running fuels our passion. And it is that passion that provided the inspiration for a technology that will transform those magical moments pounding the pavement or chasing the trail into an experience that will live on forever.
The Convertible HDL is a comfortable, convenient, cost-effective – and “cool” according to our founder Mike Haedrich – way for runners to capture and share their most memorable runs.
“Anyone who runs on even a semi-regular basis has stories about those rave runs,” Mike says. “About the sun setting at an incredible angle and lighting up the sky, about a breathtakingly beautiful trail far off the beaten path, or about some crazy occurrence that is beyond simple explanation. Our initial vision was to create a device that could capture all of these and more.”
The result is the Convertible HDL. A headband that converts to a skull cap, the device also carries a high definition camera and an LED headlamp that can illuminate even the darkest of runs. While wearable lights and cameras are not new, the Convertible HDL brings the devices together in an easy to use, comfortable to wear package.
“We have put our everything into the development of the Convertible HDL,” says Jean Haedrich, Mike’s wife and a key member of the development team. “We have taken feedback from runners across the country to be sure it addresses an unmet need in the running community.”.
Those who run share a special connection with nature. Whether early in the morning, mid-day or in the evening, the act of running is experiential. From the feedback provided by our bodies to the sensory experience of being immersed in all that is around us, it is only natural to develop a device that takes in our environs and allows us to share it with the world.
What runners also share is a bond with one another. It is easy to strike up a conversation with someone who shares your passion for testing your limits and accumulating mileage. But what if you could go beyond the chit-chat and show them a clip of your start at Boston, or your trail run at Big Sur, or your surreal experience of getting in maintenance miles on the Great Wall of China?
Those are the experiences the Convertible HDL is designed to capture.
No more fumbling with the phone. No more breaking stride to capture a “once in a lifetime” scene. No more clunky get ups to try to retrofit the current cameras on the market to the unique needs of the running community.
The Convertible HDL offers three distinct features, each designed with the runner in mind:
All of the tech features – including the video camera, still camera and high-powered light – feature voice activation/recognition and are controlled with an easy-to-use app on your smartphone. Full analysis of your run and real-time data is collected from the on-board GPS and altimeter.
Intrigued? Read on as we get in-depth with the features and benefits of the Convertible HDL!
With the Convertible HDL you don’t have to sacrifice quality for convenience. You can capture your run in Full HD (1920×1280) or Standard HD (1280×720) format. Additionally, you have access to still photography using single shot, burst mode, or time-lapse mode. Controlling the camera through the app has been engineered to ensure it is simple and easy – even when you are running – by using the built-in voice command function.
Blasting out more than 400 lumens, the Convertible HDL clearly lights your path ahead. Additionally, the app allows you to customize the brightness to meet your needs in any condition, while ensuring battery life is conserved to last throughout your run time.
While the high-powered light is designed primarily to ensure a safe run on a well-lit path – even in the depths of the forest or in the middle of the night – it also allows for something novel: quality video captured in low-light environments.
In fact, the app allows you to choose your light settings from one of four pre-sets:
This means that where other action cameras fail (they are really poor at night time filming) the Convertible HDL excels. Now, bring on those night time and early morning runs!
Not just a headband, but so much more than only a skullcap, the Convertible HDL features high quality sweat-wicking material that is lightweight and as comfortable in the warmer months as it is in the cooler. Not to mention, it looks GREAT! The Convertible HDL smart module is a feather light 3.0 ounces including headlamp, camera and microphone. It’s an amazing piece of technology fused with high quality and stylish running gear (in one very affordable package!)
Runners have struggled for years to find a wearable that is comfortable and easy to use. Believe us, we know firsthand.
“I think I’ve tried everything that is out there,” Mike says. “But my first run with the prototype of the Convertible HDL convinced me that we had developed something incredible, specifically for runners. We can’t wait to get into full production and witness the growth in use. I may be as excited about seeing runs from others as I am about sharing my own.”
“We are well aware that the Convertible HDL carves out a well-needed niche in the market,” Jean says. “As such, we are happy to reward our early adopters with deep discounts during the Kickstarter campaign to get our product into the running community.”
With the support of runners like you, we are excited to see the Convertible HDL go into full production and change the way we relive our runs!
The efforts of some of the brightest minds in apparel design, app development, and product development have joined forces with Mike and Jean to develop the Convertible HDL. The synergy of the group made the decision to launch this campaign an easy one and made clear that this is a product that the market not only wants but needs.
You stand to benefit from us exceeding our funding goal! We have these awesome enhancements planned as stretch goal levels. Remember to share this campaign – and the fact that YOU have supported it – with your friends, family and all over social media!
From vision to development of a prototype, we have made a large investment in bringing the Convertible HDL to this point. Your support will make it possible to finalize testing and packaging, further develop the app, and push the Convertible HDL into manufacturing.
There are all kinds of obstacles when trying to create a new product, but we have an outstanding team of very hard working people and we’re ready to tackle any challenge that may come our way. You should be very confident after reading each team member’s expertise that your pledge will be in the best possible hands to ensure we deliver the Convertible HDL on time and at the highest quality.
It’s been an expensive process to get to where we are today. We have already made significant investments out of our own pockets and need your help to get us to and through manufacturing. The design has been finalized and the initial prototypes have proven our design works as we expect it to. We now need to take our design into manufacturing. Through Kickstarter, we plan to use the funds to purchase tooling and pay for the initial manufacturing run.
Our goal is to ensure we provide our backers with an incredible experience. We realize there will be obstacles between now and the time you receive your Convertible HDL and that is why we created a timeline with buffer. Success will be measured by you. We need to ensure you are satisfied throughout the process. You have taken a chance by investing in us and our goal is to ensure we take care of your investment and return to you a product that exceeds your expectations.