Obviously camping in the woods (even if it’s in a designated campground) might mean you won’t have access to electricity or a signal to power your smart phone or GPS. The good news is there are a number of gadgets (solar and “other” powered) that can pick up the slack and keep you rolling without having to pack or use extra batteries or electricity. And I even stumbled across a product that won’t be available until spring of 2012 but it’s so cool I just had to share!
If you do some digging around online I’m sure you’ll come across a lot of similar or better treasures that you can use to green your camping but here’s my brief list of gadgets to check out:
1. The Solar Light Cap. This looks like your typical baseball cap but the top part of the visor has a solar panel sewn into it that powers 2 LED lights that live on the left and right underside of the visor. The lights are angled downward so they won’t shine in your eyes. It has full beam or variable dimmer settings you control with one button and back-up reserve NIMH batteries. If baseball caps aren’t your style you can purchase a visor-only version and there’s even a polar cap version for colder climates. Prices range from $39 to $58. Check them out here.
2. The Bio Lite Camp Stove. This amazing gadget will revolutionize the way you cook when you backpack because it requires no fuel. The manufacturer claims it will quickly and cleanly cook meals using just the underbrush you collect while hiking or camping. Apparently you just fill the main compartment with a bunch of twigs or small sticks and light them with a match or lighter. Once they kindle you add your pot or kettle to the top and you have a fully functioning stove that can boil up to 1 Liter of water in 2.5 minutes! And it’s so compact and light you can take it on a plane to use when you travel without worrying about finding the right kind of fuel when you get to your destination. According to their web site this wunderkind will not be available until March 2012 and no information yet on what it will cost. But if it lives up to the hype then this will be the 2012 “Must Have” gadget for camping. Intrigued? Watch this demo video at their site (requires a Quicktime plug-in).
3. Esbit Coffee Press/Mug. If you’re anything like me, then a good Cup a Joe first thing in the morning when camping is an absolute requisite. Here’s a double-duty item that serves as both a coffee/tea press and a mug. Make sure you fill it with some quality Fair Trade Organic coffee or Tea! You can find this item along with a variety of camping tools and gear at www.expedtionoffroad.com.
4. LightCap 300 Solar-powered Lantern/BPA-free Water Bottle and Waterproof Container. This neat device is a BPA-free water bottle whose screw-on cap contains a solar-powered light turning your water bottle into a bright LED lamp. Check the SolLight web site for all the details.
5. Solar Ovens. If you’re serious about cooking while you camp then try a solar oven. Like a solar or sun shower, you leave your oven out in the sun and eventually its internal temperature will reach as high as 400 F. Most are lightweight and compact but they do vary so choose wisely. And of course they require a lot sun to work properly, but well worth considering because of their low-to-no impact on the environment. Browse a selection here.
6. The HYmini. Last but not least is this universal charger/adapter device that harnesses either renewable wind power, solar power OR conventional wall plug power to recharge almost all your 5 Volt digital gadgets. HYmini is like a hybrid mini green power station that fits in the palm of your hand. Visit the HYmini site for more information.
And for other cool solar powered gadgets you might use on a camping trip check out Goal Zero web site.
