Eton Raptor is Camping Gadget of the Week

If you are looking for one gadget that does everything but put up your tent, put this  

Camping Gadget of the Week on your shopping list.

 It is the Eton Raptor.

There are a lot of features to this small little gadget, so many in fact, we list nineteen reasons why this is our gadget of the week.

Top 19 features of the Eton Raptor:

1.      Monocrystal solar panel w/ solar charge indicator

All photos from etoncorp.com

2.      Solar powered USB cell phone charger (5V, 500mA)

3.      Digital display

4.      Altimeter (altitude information)

5.      Barometer (pressure and temperature)

6.      Compass

7.      Chronograph **

8.      AM, FM, WB digital radio tuner

9.      NOAA weather alert ^

10.  10 AM / 10 FM station presets

11.  Digital clock w/ alarm

12.  IPX-4 splash proof

13.  Audio line input

14.  DC input with mini-USB plug (5V, 500mA)

15.  1800mAh, rechargeable lithium ion battery

16.  Battery charge indicator

17.  Bottle opener

18.  Thin form factor

19.    Carabiner ***

** This is an instrument for constructing triangles in marine surveying etc  (Don’t think I will ever need it, but nice to know its there).

*** A carabiner or karabiner is a metal loop with a sprung gate used to quickly and reversibly connect components in safety-critical systems.  (Thanks Wikipedia for that answer – I called it a metal thingy up till then)

^  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin    (in case you were wondering...)

The Raptor is nice and compact, weighing in at only 320g!   

 As you can imagine with all those built in gadgets, a 42 page manual comes with it to help you navigate your way around use.

The Raptor comes in 3 colours – orange, green and black.  

Cost:

Retails in USA for $100, but if you are buying in Australia, well, of course, that’s a different story......Expect to pay around AUD165.     So the moral of this story is – shop around online.

Would we get one:

Yes, because it is a pretty cool gadget...Just like last week’s gadget, the headlamp (read about that one here).

Want to read about all the gadgets you missed?   Click here to see them all!   Otherwise, don't forget to leave a comment below on your opinion on this gadget of the week.

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Surviving the elements in your backyard

When was the last time you did it?

Backyard camping I mean.

It is a childhood tradition, and even actor Will Ferrell gets in on the act in this short clip below.

We have camped in our backyard over past few years with varying degrees of success....

Good points:   A nice clean toilet is never far away, and if it all gets too much, you go inside to your own bed.

Bad points:  Street lights, noise and tent pegs that end up  puncturing the watering system.

I recently even read of a company that has been designed to help you with backyard camping.  Yes, they will come to your backyard and set up a camping experience for you - and you have to pay them to do it!   

You don't need much for a backyard adventure - just a tent, a sleeping bag and you are good to go.   Drag whatever you think you might need from inside to make the experience a little more comfortable.

If it is a success, you may be ready to go further than 10 feet from your back door.    Just make sure you have the right gear.   These posts could help you prepare (or brush up on some basics)

- Tips to choosing a tent
- Essential gear for beginners
- Tips for beginners

But if you haven't camped in backyards before, its  never too late to give it a go.   Add your backyard experience in the comments section!

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World's Smartest Headlamp is Camping Gadget of Week

So you think you have a good headlamp?  

Not as good as this one we bet, which is being called the

“World’s Smartest Headlamp”.  

That is a big call.

And that is why the Petzl NAO Headlamp is the  

Camping Gadget of the Week.    

Photo taken from Petzl.com

Why is it so special?

This headlamp has an integrated light sensor which is oriented in the same direction as the eyes.  

What that means to you, is that the sensor measures and analyses the light already around you, and automatically adjusts the headlamp to suit you and what you are doing.

It is reactive lighting technology.

From 7 to 355 lumens, this lamp is going to offer some serious lighting when its needed - and react appropriately when you don't need to light up the world.

For example

Reading a map?   The headlamp, will make the beam wide and give a less powerful light on your map.

On a night hike or jog around the block?   The beam will be wide and medium strength light, so you can see what is ahead of you.

Need to see some distance ahead, say for a trail marker?   Increased light output and focussed ahead.

You don’t need to do a thing.    All instant and all automatic.   How cool is that???

Photo taken from Petzl.com

 Another important fact

Because the headlamp adjusts to your needs, the burn time is going to be longer.    

The rechargeable battery is being used to its best advantage – the lighting has adjusted to suit your needs.   Instead of having your lamp on fully for an extended time, this headlamp is only going to go to full strength when its needed.    There is  no waste.

How is it charged?

Via a rechargeable Lithium ION battery with USB connection

Other cool facts

-           

• Switch that allows you to change modes; so you stay in control should you want    
• ZEPHYR headband
• Programmable by USB (set it up for your needs)
•  Burn time from 1hr 20 up to 20 hours
• Weight:  187grams
•  Water resistant
•  Lock switch
•  Optional belt kit

-           

The ad says it  "will change the way you move through darkness".

How can you get one?

Available in July 2012.   Price unknown at this stage.   I doubt it will be cheap though.  But Petzl is a quality manufacturer of quality gear, so you will get what you pay for.

Would we get one?

Yes!   Sounds fantastic.     We would love to get our hands on one!!!

What do you think?  Is this really the smartest headlamp?  
Or are we just getting a little too excited?

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iPhone app for Australia

Are you keen to seen more of Australia?    

Tired of your iPhone 4s assistant, Siri, not understanding when you say "camping spots at Uluru"? (I put on an American accent to help her, but even that doesn't work)

Then you might want to check out this app for your iPhone very soon.

Because travelling in Australia and learning more about this amazing country and all it has to offer, has just become a whole lot easier.

We review an app designed for anyone - local or tourist- who is keen to know where to go, how to get there and what you will see when you do!

Click here to read our review and why you should think about getting this application for your smartphone.

The website for Australian Road trips can be found here

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Online shopping rip off continues

Further to my post  on online shopping for camping gear (read it here) the Sydney Morning Herald today has published an article stating: 

AUSTRALIAN consumers will be forced to pay substantially more for their favourite fashion brands as a growing number of local importers reach agreements with international brands to stop selling their clothes to Australians on overseas websites or to lift their web prices.

This will affect not just outdoors goods which I discussed in my previous article, but so many other shopping experiences we have online with overseas retailers.

May be good for the retailer, but for the consumer here in Australia, we are again penalised by being Australian.

Read the SMH article here.

Your thoughts welcomed.

Photo: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=851

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MSR Microrocket Review

Hikers and campers who count grams when travelling might want to peruse this review.

We have not seen any Australian retailers selling this yet, but it is one stove you should check out soon!

Review is on our website www.gocampingaustralia.com

MSR Microrocket

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Helio Shower is the Camping Gadget of the Week

Camping in the great outdoors is about to become a lot more civilised with the Camping Gadget of the Week...

Helio Pressure Shower

I can’t go camping for more than say, 2 nights, without a shower.

Unlike some of my travelling companions (and they know who they are) who don’t feel the need to wash their hair or themselves as regularly as I would like, showering is a must for me.
 

We use our reliable Thumper to power an electric hand help showering system, solar heated water bag, bucket,  all inside a VERY sturdy pop up shelter (I don’t want a gust of wind to expose me in all my glory to whoever may be nearby).

But here is another product for showering, designed to help out people such as myself who do not want to stink when camping.   It is the Helio Pressure Shower.

(FYI:   another handy product to assist in smelling sweet when in the outdoors  is the Scrubba)

What is it?

The Helio Pressure Shower, developed by Nemo Equipment (makers of the really cool looking Isopod tent) comes in a sturdy ventilated carrying case, weighing around 750g.  It is designed for those who may not be car campers and therefore not have all the equipment I mentioned previously.

How does it work?

Instead of the pump that is powered by your battery or electrics, this comes with a Nemoid Foot Pump.

Stepping on this foot pump, you apparently get an even pressured stream of water from the spray nozzle (with a 7ft/2.1m hose).

Five to seven minutes shower time is expected from the 11L bag.

The manufacturers recommend that you can also use it for washing dishes or anything that might need a hose down.

Where does the heat come from?
 

Like the old fashioned method we have used – black bag heated by the sun – this too, needs the sun for heat.

Who would it suit?

Campers and hikers -  this small, compact showering system is something that might suit you.

Weighing only 750g, it makes it an option for hikers and non-car campers to consider.   Me, I need a pop up shelter as well, so someone  (ie. not me) would have to carry that on any long hike plus the shower.

But even as a car camper, anything that saves space is a good thing!

So would we give  this showering system a go?   We would -  as we would try nearly anything once -.and definitely encourage some of my fellow travellers to use it as well!.

Leave us your thoughts below.  Something you would be interested in?

All photo credits:  http://www.nemoequipment.com/

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Campervan for sale

Do you have a spare three million dollars?   

 If you answered yes, then do we have the campervan for you.

This campervan is the eleMMent Palazzo Mobile Home manufactured by Austrian firm Marchi Mobile.

 What do you get for your 3 million dollars?   The list includes:

• 40 foot long/12.1m van 
•   fully automatic liftable flybridge Skylounge
•  Slideout area with bar giving 80% more room
• Underfloor heating
•  40-inch TV
• an en suite bathroom off the master bedroom
• rainfall shower
• separate toilet
•  driver's cab complete with bunk bed.

Bedroom

 

Reading about this vehicle I came across this amusing quote by Marchi Mobile:

“Park in front of your favorite restaurant and monitor your van via an additional control unit. Remote video access allows you to show your friends the exterior and interior and also permits to pre-set the lighting and temperature for your return to the vehicle.”

 Because everyone wants to park an enormous campervan outside of a restaurant. 

Like campfires?  Not a problem with this vehicle.  It comes with its own working fireplace.

Lounge area

Drivers area - leather seats naturally

And if its dark outside and you have wandered away from this vehicle, you will be able to get back there safely, as it has glow in the dark paint on the exterior! 

Glowing vehicle

Skylounge and automatic gangway

So, if you are planning to take glamping to a whole new level, this is the vehicle for you.    

Leave us your thoughts below.  Love to hear from you!

All photo credits:  Marchi Mobile

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Best campfire explosions

What are you doing sitting at your computer inside a comfortable building with food and toilets nearby?

You should be camping.    

This video might just inspire you to get out there (or may be enough to keep you indoors a bit longer).

If you enjoyed this video, leave a comment below!

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