MacWorld 2014: Surviving Your Next Campout with High Tech Gear [Live Blog]
If you think the best multi-tool for the great outdoors has to have a corkscrew on it—think again. Mac Observer Contributing Editor and TrailCamper.com Publisher Chuck La Tournous is back for a fun, fast-paced, updated look at the gadgets that can turn you into a cross between Bear Grylls and MacGyver. Turn your iPhone into a full-featured GPS receiver, a homing beacon, survival guide and more. Purify water with a beam of light, charge your gear with the sun, fire — even with water!
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Crank chargers? Work well, but lots of work for intense power needs of iOS devices.
http://www.trailcamper.com/presos
@ChuckLaTournous
Audience questions
PowerPot uses heat to charge devices and cook.
Carrying your gear – ScottyVest (pants, jackets, vests). Many, many pockets and good outdoor use.
SteriPEN water purification uses UV light, fast, small.
Hydrogen powered charging even. PowerTREKK
Charge external battery with solar panel, then use external battery to charge device. Not direct from solar panel due to fluctuations.
External batteries like GoalZero or solar panel packs
Conserve battery use by adjusting settings like wifi, bluetooth, etc.
Bluetooth receiver embedded in gloves which pairs with the iPhone. “Talk to the hand”!
Capacitive gloves: metallic thread allows touch screen use while keeping hands warm.
Rugged camera cases, tripods, Go-Pro types of cases, scuba diving compatible cases
LifeStream waterproof cases, Ollo Clip for camera
Multiple cases for different applications, no universal case.
Brightly colored cases increase visibility and more practical for outdoor activities.
Protecting your gear: to protect from water, shock, scratches, etc. Don’t use belt clips, too flimsy and will break and lose device.
Emergency Beacon – if you have a cellular connection, $0.99 app, uses SMS
SPOT Connect – $170 + $99/year for search and rescue, emergency situations, for serious adventurers.
Journals – don’t go digital, use handwritten notes.
Sharing – PhotoStream, Skype, FaceTime, Hangouts, etc. if connections allow.
Geocaching – high tech treasure hunt. iPhone app $10.
Various Apps to store on iPhone: knot tying, first aid, survival, bird watching, recipes.
Stargazing app – Star Walk
Trail Maps: download and store on device, but waterproof the device in a Ziploc bag.
GPS receiver or MotionX GPS app. $300 vs. $0.99.
Flashlight on iPhone, but compass not so much – stay old school for a compass.
To tech or not to tech?
