OK, all you folks out there with cabin fever, it’s time to gear up, and get out into the wilderness and enjoy all the upcoming beautiful spring weather! This roundup will cover 10 fun and effective camp gadgets that will tickle the fancies of novice explorers and seasoned adventurers alike.
Freecharge 12v Charger:
The Freecharge 12v Charger is a very handy little hand crank backup power generator that provides its 12 volts via a standard cigarette lighter adaptor socket. It is highly reliable and produces power on demand. This is very useful in stormy, low light situations where solar chargers fail to meet users power demands. One of the things I like the most about the Freecharge is how extremely simple it is to operate.
There are no switches or buttons on the Freecharge. The user simply plugs in their 12v car charger cable for their various devices. After plugging in, all that is left to do is to crank the fold out arm at a brisk RPM. A convenient green LED will light up to let you know you are rotating fast enough to generate 12v. A word of warning however, if you plan on relying completely on the Freecharge to keep all your gadgets charged up, you better be prepared for a workout.
After several tests while charging an iPhone 4S, I was consistently able to increase the battery percentage by 1% for every 1-2 minutes of cranking. The rate of charge increase will depend on whether you are in airplane mode or not. For a faster charge, turn your gadgets off before charging. For iPhones, just put it in airplane mode. I recommend purchasing a small 1A USB car charger to keep with the Freecharge as one does not come with it. This is a great product for anyone going on any kind of adventure as well as a perfect addition to an emergency pack. I highly recommend it.
Made in China
Price: $39.99
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Scrubba Wash Bag:
One of the biggest problems of traveling for any considerable amount of time is being able to pack light. Of course, the problem with packing less clothing than the amount of days you will be traveling is that you will have to deal with washing them every few days. Yes, you can wash your clothes in a laundry mat, hotel sink, camp bucket, creek, or lake. Sinks and buckets use lots of water and make a big mess no matter how careful you are. Natural bodies of water are fine if you are lucky enough to be near one. The problem is access to many of them involves trudging through mud and using soap in said body of water is not great for the environment.
The Scrubba Wash Bag solves this by allowing you wash a few clothing items without using a lot of water or making a mess. Plus, nobody enjoys paying to sit in a laundry mat while on vacation. The Scrubba Wash Bag looks deceptively like a waterproof dry bag. However, it has two features that make it very effective as a wash bag for your dirty clothing. First is the built-in internal raised washboard that helps agitate your clothing. The second feature is the air release nozzle that allows you to get the remaining air out of the bag after you have sealed it up.
While testing, I brought the Scrubba Wash Bag along on several trips, and I found it highly effective and easy to use. It’s a great way to limit how many clothes you need to pack for your next adventure as well as reducing how much water is necessary to get your clothes clean. I definitely recommend it for those who pack light and enjoy camping, backpacking, road-trips, or world travel.
Designed in Australia
Made in China
Price: $ 59.95
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GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Soloist cook set & ultra light kettle:
GSI Outdoors makes a wide variety of really cool camping cookware gear. Amongst them are the Pinnacle Soloist cook set and the ultra-light teakettle. The Soloist can hold 14 fl. oz., weighs in at 10.9 oz., and has the following dimensions: 5.00" x 5.40" x 5.50". Made with a rubber coated folding handle and a non-stick Teflon coating, it also comes with a vented plastic lid/strainer, insulated plastic bowl, collapsible plastic Spork, and a carrying pouch that doubles as a sink. Even though I would have preferred that the lid and bowl be made of metal and not plastic, they both seem quite sturdy.
The teakettle can hold 1 qt., weighs only 5.8 oz, and is 6.30" x 6.00" x 3.20" in size. Both the teakettle handle and the lid handle are rubber coated. If you want a teakettle for camping, this is the one to get.
Both of these cookware items seem to me to be well-made, lightweight, and durable. If you need camping cook gear that just works whether it is used for tailgate camping or backpacking, you should consider checking out GSI Outdoors.
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iCap Solar LED flashlight hats
This is probably one of the most indispensible tools you will ever own. Not only is it useful for camping trips but also for all kinds of everyday use. The iCap Solar Powered LED hat, like other LED hats has LEDs built into the bill of the cap. What makes this cap stand out from the crowd? Unlike the others out there, it doesn’t require users to ever replace the batteries. This is accomplished with a solar panel embedded below the surface of the top of the bill of the hat, as well as Nickel Metal Hydride batteries and even an 8-bit microprocessor to manage the power systems. The LEDs provide more than enough light to easily accomplish tasks in the dark leaving the wearer free to use both hands.
There are two brightness levels, High & Low. Holding down the button after turning on the light will put it in low power mode. On high brightness level, the battery will last for 3+ hours of use after 12 hours of direct sun or 2 hours of use after 6 hours of overcast sun. On low power, the battery will run the LEDs for around 12 hours. I tested these performance claims, and they are accurate. There are various blinking mode options on these hats as well. By double tapping the button after the light has been initially turned on, you will cycle through the different modes which include: High visibility slow/fast flashing, S.O.S Rescue Signal with accurate timing, and 10Hz strobe with auto shutoff after two minutes.
During testing, I left these hats out in heavy rain for 3 days straight. I even swam underwater with them in a lake and a dove into a river while wearing one. Not one of these hats failed these tests. They are very water-resistant and you won’t have to worry about them getting damaged by heavy rain, splashes, or temporary submersion. Try doing that with any other LED hat light, and it will be ruined.
There are 4 versions of these hats and unfortunately they all only come in black. There is the Traditional model that is styled like a regular thick cotton baseball cap with small metal grommet vent holes. There are two versions of the sport model (white or green LED color light) both of which are made out of a very thin lightweight synthetic material with a large mesh ventilation strip on either side of the hat. The fourth model is the visor, which is cotton and offers maximum ventilation. The bills of all the hats are identical, only the cap portions differ from one another.
If you are tired ending up in the dark without a light, frustrated with attempting to cook your meals after sunset while camping, annoyed with lugging around large heavy lanterns, or discouraged with only being able to have one hand free while setting up camp, then I definitely suggest you consider the iCap Solar powered LED hat. I found it to be a rugged, reliable, and indispensible tool for any occasion.
Made in China by a USA company (Designed in New Zealand)
Price: $19.99
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Toasty Tush insulated camp chair cover
Anyone who has been camping in less than perfect weather conditions and has used those collapsible camp chairs knows how poorly most of them are insulated. Yes, you can drape a blanket over the chair, but you inevitably end up with half the blanket in the dirt and mud, and it never works very well.
The Toasty Tush solves this with its internal layer of aluminum-backed insulation filled with air pockets. Trapped air works as a great insulator and is used in all kinds of cold weather gear. What really sets the Toasty Tush apart from other chair warmers is that you don’t need batteries, and you don’t have to microwave it (nor should you with that aluminum in there!). The layer of aluminum reflects your radiated body heat back at you, keeping your previously icy backside nice and toasty warm. The Toasty Tush is 36”x 24”x 4” weighs in at less than a pound and will fit most adult camp chairs. The fabrics used are 65% polyester and 35% cotton. A wide variety of colors and patterns are available, and there are even junior and mini versions.
I found the Toasty Tush quite comfortable and easy to install on any camp chair. It also rolls up quite nicely and has built-in elastic straps to keep it rolled up. On one occasion, I used it as a makeshift sleeping pad when I forgot to bring one on a trip. It actually worked better than I had expected and definitely better than no padding at all. I also found it to work well on nearly any kind of chair or car seat, not just camp chairs.
If you never want your keister to get cold while sitting in your camp chair again, then the Toasty Tush is your best bet. I highly recommend getting one for each camp chair you own. You won’t regret it.
Made in Canada
Price: $30.00
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MSR Alpine Deluxe Kitchen Set
MSR makes all kinds of great gear for backpackers, but every now and then, it’s nice to just do some simple tailgate camping with a few creature comforts - such as a dinner made from scratch instead of those pre-packaged camping meals. Yes, you can bring along your various large kitchen utensils, but they take up lots of space, weigh more than they need to, and you typically won’t have a convenient way to carry them all.
This is where the Alpine Deluxe Kitchen Set from MSR saves the day. It comes with the following items: folding serving/measuring spoon, folding spatula, folding strainer/grater, salt & pepper shaker, dish brush/scraper, kitchen knife (with protective sheath), dish towel (with built-in hanging loop for drying), folding cutting board, 2 squeeze bottles (for your secret dressing/sauce), Bottle opener/corkscrew, and a zippered, semi-rigid case with two large zippered mesh pockets. All these items (including the case) weigh 1 lbs. 6.6 oz., and the case measures 9.0 x 6.0 x 2.75 in.
I would have preferred that the case were not the color red because I think it looks deceptively like a first aid kit. The case has a nice built-in handle strap which can disconnect to allow you to attach/hang the case from something such as a backpack, tree, table or whatever you can think of. The little zipper pull-tab, unfortunately, came apart almost immediately. It is easily repairable with some well-placed Shoe Goo though., In the photo on the MSR website, the salt and pepper shakers are shown as double ended: one end for salt, the other end for the pepper. What was included in the kit I received was entirely different. There was a single shaker included, but it only had one storage compartment. As for the rest of the included items, they all seem well designed, are easy to use, lightweight, and most importantly, they just work.
If you are looking to cut down on how much space/weight your cooking gear takes up and/or you want to start making some fun camping meals from scratch, then the Alpine Deluxe Kitchen Set from MSR might just be the setup you are looking for.
Made in Taiwan
Price: $54.95
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Killer Shark ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass) Wristwatch
The Killer Shark ABC by Freestyle is a must have tool for those who choose to venture off the beaten path. It features digital sensors such as an Altimeter, Barometer, Thermometer, and Compass. I still advise having a GPS with you as well though. Many people have GPS built into their cellphones these days and some still even have a dedicated standalone GPS for hiking. Having a GPS is always a good idea. But what do you do when your GPS or smartphone batteries go dead or you forget it at home or in camp? This is where having a compass and altimeter with you all the time really comes in handy. Of course, having a paper map with you as well as a working knowledge of how to read it, and how to read a compass is also required for any compass to be effective for navigation.
After calibrating the compass, altimeter, barometer, & thermometer, I found each mode to be very accurate when compared to similar sensors. You do need to pay attention to a few things to ensure each sensor is functioning properly. The thermometer, for instance, will be very inaccurate if left on your wrist. This is due to your body heat. Also the compass needs to be held very level to give an accurate reading. The barometer and altimeter will also need to be calibrated whenever you travel far from the last calibration location. Each sensor should be calibrated before any expedition/adventure.
The Killer Shark ABC is also water resistant down to nearly 100 feet. The band is a very soft rubber and makes this watch very comfortable to wear. The plastic face of the watch is recessed to protect it from scratches, which is nice. However, I would have preferred that the face not be made of plastic, but be made of tempered glass, crystal, or something else more durable than plastic. I do think the negative LCD display looks pretty cool. There is a night mode, which activates the backlight when any button is pressed.
This watch has all the standard features including dual time, date, 5 alarms, chronograph, countdown timer, and a 99-lap memory. In addition, the barometer is capable of showing you the pressure trend. This is one of the main measurements that weathermen still use today to forecast the weather, and you can do the same with this watch. Just remember it will only be accurate if you stay at the same altitude for 6-12 hours.
If I had to be picky, I would say I would have liked to have seen a tidal info feature included on this watch as well as a built-in Atomic Clock receiver and solar panels. These are features that are becoming more and more common in this category of watch. That being said, this is an awesome watch. It’s a perfect fit for any avid adventurer. Try one on for size.
Made in China
Price: $195.00
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ThermaCELL Portable Butane Mosquito Repellent Appliance
If there is one thing that every single person hates while camping: it’s suffering through a never-ending swarm of mosquitoes. Most people would rather deal with a torrential downpour or miss a meal than deal with those pesky blood suckers. They spread diseases, make you itch like crazy, and are just plain annoying.
I never enjoyed having to coat my skin with lotions and sprays to keep bugs off. Even when I do, they don’t always work! The “Mosquito Repellent Appliance Camper’s Starter Kit” by ThermaCELL eliminates the need for that old ritual. It does this by safely burning butane gas internally to heat a plate on which blue mosquito repellant mats are placed. As the mats heat up, they release a nearly odorless smoke that repels mosquitos, black flies and many other biting insects. While operating an area of 15’x15’ feet will be protected after it has been running for 10-30min. This is, of course, as long as there is not a breeze.
The Camper’s Starter Kit includes 9 repellant mats, each of which will last approximately 4 hours. 3 butane cartridge are also included and will last up to 12 hours of use each. A holster with an integrated rotating clip is also included in the Camper’s Starter Kit. The device weighs 0.7 lbs. and will easily fit in any backpack. Just make sure you turn it off before packing it up and only use it outdoors. ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent products are registered with the EPA and are used by the US military.
After testing it on a two-week camping trip, I found it to be very effective and easy to use. You can either roughly keep track of how long you have been using each blue repellant pad in order to know when to switch it out for a new one, or you can just wait for each pad to turn white which indicates it has run its course.
For those that frequently deal with mosquitos or other annoying insects while camping, I suggest you seriously consider checking out ThermaCEll’s repellent products. They work great and are worth every penny.
Made in Thailand (repellant mats made in Italy, butane cartridges made in Philippines)
Price: 44.99
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The Pocket Grill
OK all you big time BBQers, it’s time to take it up a notch! The Pocket Grill is here to save your meals from the horror of those grotesque grills built into campfire pits. Never again will you be stuck grilling on top of some unknown sticky substance. Also, as the name states, the Pocket Grill folds up ridiculously small and can fit in most pockets. This capability is amazing since most camping grills are typically not collapsible thus making them more difficult to pack.
The Pocket Grill looks a little intimidating when you first try to set it up. It’s all folded up on itself and certainly doesn’t look anything like the fully assembled photo. After reading the instructions and making a few attempts at assembly, it all starts to make sense. Setting up the Pocket Grill seems to get easier and faster each time you set it up. The grill legs do seem fairly wobbly at first but this can be easily remedied by repositioning, shortening them by folding in one section of each leg, propping it against the rocks of your fire pit, or even digging each leg into the ground.
The Pocket Grill is capable of holding up to 10 lbs. of food on its 2 ft. x 1 ft. x 1 ft. grill surface. It is made of stainless steel, which is built to be very rugged. It can even be washed in a dishwasher when it needs cleaning after a trip. When collapsed, it measures in at under 6 in. x 4 in. x 2 in. When fully set up, it can optionally be 15 inches tall and weights in at 1.5 lbs.
The Pocket grill will also save you money. Since you can just use dead wood from the area you are camping, you won’t have to spend your hard earned cash on any propane or charcoal. Although, if you want or like to use charcoal, the Pocket Grill will still work awesomely for that as well.
I have been going camping for decades and have used a wide variety of gear. When it comes to grills, the Pocket Grill is the most compact and durable grill I have ever used. Every family should have at least one of these things. It should last for years and years. I highly recommend it.
Made in USA
Price: $39.99
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Nokero Solar Powered Light bulbs
Everyone hates it when the camp lantern batteries go dead, especially when you forgot to bring a set of spares. Plus, when it’s time for bed, most lanterns are either too heavy to hang inside your tent, or they don’t even have a decent clip to hang from.
The Crestone (N200) & the Shavano (N220) Solar Powered Light Bulbs by Nokero are a great addition to anyone’s camping or emergency gear. I have used them on several camping trips now, and they have performed wonderfully so far. These lights are cleverly shaped and styled after an incandescent bulb.
Both lights have high and low brightness output settings. The N200 uses a single 800mAh NiMh AA battery, has 4 LEDs and puts out 13 lumens on high, 5 on low, and has an average run time of 8 hours with a full charge. The N220 uses two 1,200 NiMh batteries, has a single LED and puts out 31 lumens on high, 14 on low, and has a run time of about 10 hours after a full charge.
Each light comes with a small carabineer like clip, which comes in handy to either hang from the inside of a tent or outside for charging. There is an optional stand to allow the use of the light from a tabletop.
I used both the N200 and N220 in heavy rain conditions for a nearly a week straight. Even though it is stated that they are rainproof, I did notice that one of the N200’s had accumulated a small quantity of water inside the bulb, yet the light was still fully functioning. This happened to only one of three of the N200 I tested in the rain, so it may be entirely possible that it happened to have a fluke defect with its weather seal.
These lights have one feature that I think make them indispensible. This feature uses the solar panel as a sensor to only allow the light to turn on when it is dark. This allows you to turn on the light during the daytime without the lights actually being on, and as it gets dark, the lights will illuminate automatically. I think this is a great feature that allows campers to find their camps again after an evening hike that lasts past sundown.
If you like the idea of going green with your camping, and you don’t mind saving money by cutting down your spending on disposable batteries, then I recommend you take a closer look at these and other fine products by Nokero. They are definitely worth your time and money.
Made in China
Price:
- N200 Crestone - $15.00
- N220 Shavano - $25.00
