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The Video Round Up: October 31st 2015

Video Round Up
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The Video Round Up is a new series highlighting videos and multimedia content that caught our eyes. Getting stoked on travel, good food, and extreme sports is best when shared with friends, so we’ll be posting a bi-weekly series on our favorite videos we find from every corner of the web. Have a tip or some awesome footage? Shoot an email to support@themanual.com

PAKPOD

PAKPOD super-versatile tripod (KICKSTARTER project movie preview)

We received this fun little product in the mail a few weeks ago to test during Pakpod’s Kickstarter. Since then, our pakpod has been hung from bridges while fly fishing, wedged into narrow cracks on gnarly rock climbing routes, and stashed in our day packs every single day. The genius is in the stake design – each leg can grab onto just about anything, and lock down, providing you more versatility in getting the right shot in tight spaces or less than cooperative weather. Originally designed with underwater shooters in mind, this mighty little tripod will become an indispensable tool for seasoned pros and amateurs alike.

Sony Action Cams: Travis Pastrana

Action Cam | Legend of Action Sports - Travis Pastrana | Sony

You’re probably familiar with Sony’s new action cams from our very first Round Up and behind the scenes look at Robbie Maddison’s Pipe Dream film. Sony continues to march on and recently signed action sports legend Travis Pastrana to the team. We can’t wait to see what his Nitro Circus crew comes up with, so stay tuned for some craziness.

Cannibal Canyon

Cannibal Canyon | Downhill Skateboarding on Donner Pass

Sector 9 Longboards and Redbull Media found a group of longboarders crazy enough charge down the 2.4 miles of Highway 40 through Donner Pass, CA. With top speeds of up to fifty miles an hour, and a total elevation change of more than 2,000 feet, this race to the bottom is way beyond our meager abilities on a board.

Birchbox’s Movember Ball Exam

7 Guys Perform a Testicular Self-Exam On Camera (SFW)

Not going to lie, watching this video made us feel more than a little awkward. Birchbox is an official partner in the Movember, so they are invested in keeping every man healthy, one testicle at a time. While don’t advise that you take a video of your own cancer screening, you should definitely check out their Movember Survival Kit while you get ready to grow your stache for the next few weeks.

Tactivate Wingsuite World Record

Tactivate Wingsuit World Record Attempt for Special Operations Warrior Foundation

On November 11th Jimmy Petrolia, a retired USAF Pararescueman, will jump out of a plane from above 30,000 feet in an attempt to break multiple wingsuit world records. His stunt is not just for bragging rights, but will raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which provides support for the children of American Special Operations personnel who fall in the line of duty. Our hats are off to Jimmy and the entire Tactivate team. We’ll be following his efforts closely.
Austin Parker
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Austin Parker is a former contributor at The Manual Parker is a powder skier and sport climber and is no stranger hauling…
The Night Agent season 2: Everything we know so far
We'll get you ready for The Night Agent season 2!
Luciane Buchanan and Gabriel Basso in The Night Agent.

The Night Agent may not be everyone's choice to be among the best shows on Netflix, but it's in the top ten for us! The Shield creator Shawn Ryan adapted Matthew Quirk's spy action thriller, The Night Agent, for Netflix in 2023, and it proved to be a hit out of the gate. By Netflix's internal metrics, it's the sixth-highest viewed series in the history of the platform.

Those kind of numbers mean that a second season was inevitable, and Netflix made it official just over a week after The Night Agent premiered. Since the series is back in production, the details about what's coming up on the show have started to trickle out. To help you stay on top of this series, here's everything we know about The Night Agent season 2.
What is The Night Agent about?

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The 10 best Dominican cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024
Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

Every seasoned cigar lover has a preference for where their cigars come from. Cuban and Cuban cigars are the more obvious choices, but there is also Nicaraguan tobacco, Central African, Indonesian, Mexican, Ecuadorian, and Dominican. Some tobacco is even grown in the United States. Each region has a distinct flavor profile that adds a little something extra to the tobacco grown locally, as well as the cigars made there. The Dominican Republic is prized by many connoisseurs because of exactly this -- a rich, unique profile that enhances Dominican-grown cigars. That's in no small part due to the fertile soil and thriving climate of the region, which is ideal for tobacco growth and cultivation. If you've never tried a Dominican cigar, you're in for a real treat, there are some fantastic options out there.
The best Dominican cigars I've tried

Out of all the cigar guides I've put together so far, this one was one of the more interesting experiences for me. I had a great time trying out Dominican cigars, and I've definitely come away with an appreciation for blends made in the region. I'd also like to point out that Corey Suarez helped recommend some of these. If you haven't tried the JR Cigars or Cigars.com concierge service yet, you really should. Here's a little more about all of the best Dominican cigars I've tried:
Ashton Symmetry

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The 12 best Connecticut cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024
Best Connecticut cigars up close and personal

Connecticut cigars are the clear winner for smoking on a hot summer day, in the morning with some coffee, or when you just don't want a swift kick in the teeth (of pepper). There's no shortage of options, either. Connecticut shade wrappers are one of the most prevalent in the world of cigars, and it's certainly the most common natural shade. Maduro is also popular, but the two wrapper types couldn't be any more different. Connecticut wrappers, and by proxy Connecticut cigars, are typically mild to medium in strength and brimming with creamy, smooth flavors. They're composed of tobacco leaves grown in the Connecticut River Valley in the United States -- which is where the name Connecticut comes from. Consistent and flavorful, some of the best beginner-friendly cigars are Connecticut-wrapped, but you should never sell them short. A Connecticut shade cigar can be just as refined, elegant, and premium as any other. If you know where to look, you may even find some of your favorite blends in the category across a wide range of brands and cigar makers.

I'm about to take you on a magical, doughy, and delicious trek through the broad range of Connecticut cigars. In short, here are the best Connecticut cigars tried and tested by a genuine enthusiast of the craft: yours truly.
The best Connecticut cigars I've tried and tested
While the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is considered a Connecticut shade, I did my best to steer clear of recommending them for this list. They're better classified as a Maduro shade or darker cigar. That doesn't mean you should avoid them, quite the contrary. But for this list, I wanted to stick to smooth, relaxing smokes that are strong on flavor but not quite so strong on pepper and spice. I also tried not to choose a lot of repeats. If you see your favorite cigar missing, that might be because it was recommended on another list or it just didn't make the cut. If you have any recommendations of your own, I'm always available through social media or email. Without further ado, let's get this thing started.
Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut

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