The SPOT X is a two-way satellite messenger that can send and receive SMS messages and emails with friends and family or search and rescue services anywhere in the world. It is a big step forward from SPOT’s Gen 3 satellite communicator …
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The Princeton Tex Helix Backcountry Rechargeable Lantern is an excellent luxury item for camping that’s lightweight enough for family or couples backpacking. It’s also a remarkably well-designed product that can be used in many ways: as a hanging lantern, a spotlight with …
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I originally bought the Black Diamond Spot headlamp for use on winter backpacking trips where I need extra light for melting snow after dark, but I like it so much I use it the rest of the year. It is great for …
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The Black Diamond Ion is a cute little headlamp powered by two AAA batteries that has a built-in dimmer switch, red light mode, strobe, and an electronic lock. Getting a headlamp with a locking on/off switch is a must-have if you know …
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I’ve been testing the Powermonkey Extreme Solar Powered Charger since early spring for keeping my Android cell phone charged on backpacking trips where I use it for a off-trail navigation and to read ebooks at night. While the Powermonkey Extreme is a …
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When the weather starts getting a little colder and darkness falls before 6PM, I add a few luxury items to my pack on overnight backpacking trips, like a mini-lantern and a paperback book to pass the time at night. On my last …
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I do a lot of solo backpacking in some out of the way places and my wife, understandably, worries about my safety. This year she asked me to bring along a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) on my more remote trips where a …
Read More »There’s nothing worse than having a having a stubborn rain jacket zipper that won’t zip when it starts to rain heavily. To prevent this, I lubricate all of the zippers on my hiking coats, sleeping bags, and shelters at least once a …
Read More »The Photon Freedom Microlight is an ultralight LED light weighs a mere 6 grams (0.2 oz) and can easily replace that clunker of a head lamp you are wearing today. It comes with a detachable hat clip that you can wear on …
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