Being outdoors is where you normally disconnect from technology and spend time in nature, not taking a look at screens, not worrying about answering emails or scrolling through social media. Of course, some people prefer their camping trips to be completely technology-free, but there are still ways to integrate useful gadgets without taking away from the natural beauty and experience of oneness with nature.
As an avid camper, I’ve rounded up the whole lot you need to upgrade your camping trip with technology and gadgets that may charge your devices, light up when and where you need it, and let you communicate in the midst of nowhere.
Power bank or power plant
Any device you take with you camping will need to be charged during your trip, whether it is a weekend getaway or an extended hike. The best solar chargers or power banks are an important way to power your devices without having to connect them to traditional sockets. And if you need more power or the flexibility to run larger devices like an RV or a CPAP machine, the most effective portable power plants for camping will give you much more energy.
This portable power station is flexible for camping trips due to its port options. On the front, there is a 100W and 60W USB-C port and 4 USB-A ports, so all your devices are protected. There’s also a 12V automobile socket that may produce 120W of power, and 6 AC outputs, each rated at 1,500W or 2,400W within the event of an influence surge.
It also has an ergonomic design, so despite the fact that it weighs 43.9 kilos, its handles distribute the load well.
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Portable Bluetooth speaker
Whether you prefer campfire music or listening to your favorite true crime podcast, you’ll need a durable and portable speaker to get the job done. Make sure the speaker you pack is waterproof, dustproof and has an extended battery life to withstand the unpredictable nature of outside conditions.
This JBL speaker has an IPX7 waterproof rating – certainly one of the very best – and might be submerged in up to three feet of water for half-hour, making it perfect for taking to the lake. Flip 5 also provides 12 hours of playback on a single charge.
The speaker might be easily carried with a backpack because it only weighs 1.2 kilos. And it sounds good too: the sound is evident and shiny, and the bass is powerful but not crackly.
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Headlamp or flashlight
It’s getting pitch black within the forest. You’ll need a lightweight like a highlight when you’re cooking over a fireplace late at night, or a shiny flashlight that may shine a whole bunch of meters in front of you to see what’s stirring the leaves in the gap.
This flashlight will illuminate the complete campsite and its surroundings at night, radiating up to a distance of 1,500 meters. Turbo mode delivers 55,000 lumens for 42 seconds before dropping to 11,000 lumens, which might be maintained for 50 minutes. With such a high lumen value, it’s greater than shiny enough to temporarily blind an attacker or perhaps a bear wandering into your base.
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Satellite phone or fast messenger
Your regular smartphone might work in the midst of nowhere, but for campsites which are very far off the grid, you might want to consider a satellite phone or fast messenger in case you need to contact someone in an emergency. These devices use satellites as an alternative of cell towers to communicate, making it easier to send messages in areas with little or no cell service.
Garmin inReach Mini 2 is a compact, lightweight handheld GPS receiver with built-in satellite communicator that permits two-way messaging, interactive SOS and TracBack routing. Users may even share their location with family members back home and get accurate heading information using the digital compass.
The Garmin Explore app can be used to download maps, plan trips, and connect to compatible Garmin watches, on-board navigators, aviation systems, and more.
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Portable hotspot
For those that want to be slightly more connected than the common camping trip requires, a conveyable hotspot device can provide a wireless Internet connection when no such service is accessible nearby. These devices are compatible with laptops, phones, etc. and work like a mini Wi-Fi router that matches in your pocket.
This networking device helps protect your devices with strong encryption, two Ethernet ports, a gigabit port and a USB 3.0 port. The Nighthawk M6 can use available networks to replenish to 2,000 square feet of camping space with high-speed Wi-Fi for up to 13 hours using the built-in battery.
Sharing your web reference to devices can also be quite simple – the built-in display gives you easy accessibility to network names and passwords.
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You might also need:
In addition to the above gadgets, the next products and accessories can even make your life easier while enabling contact with nature.
Solar chargers are also useful on cloudy days because they will capture even the smallest light rays. While solar chargers and solar energy banks are best known for making efficient use of sunlight, many models also allow charging via a standard wall outlet or other power source.
Additionally, ensure to review the manufacturer’s user manual for best practices when using a solar-powered device. This will give you an idea of how much charging capability you can expect on cloudy days.
Your regular cell service probably won’t cover some camping spots. In this case, you can use a hotspot that may create a private Wi-Fi network. Just keep in mind that these devices can use a variety of power and data, so ensure to turn them off when you’re not actively using them.
Credit : www.zdnet.com