Trek Tech

Ok. It’s time to set the record straight. There are two kinds of GPS. One that’s really GPS and one that fakes it, often called “Assisted GPS”. One you want to trust while your out and about and the other, ehhhh, maybe not so much.

This is very important when it comes to Apple’s iPad, slated for an April 3rd release. Here is a cool video of what Penguin UK is building out for the iPad (fast forward to about 2:11 mark to see the bit on travel books). Many many publishers are looking to the iPad to provide the needed hardware to present enhanced books in a preferred way.

I love my iPhone it’s a no-brainer for travel. All that computing power tied to GPS satellites, in my pocket… terrific! But the iPad doesn’t have an active GPS receiver. It’s not there. All it can do is triangulate your position by which cellphone towers it can “see”. Here’s how (not) good that system is:

collects information from the nearest cell-phone tower to estimate a person’s location within a distance of about 1,000 meters.

1,000 meters? Really? That can’t even be used for driving directions much less hiking or biking. Can you imagine trying to follow a twisting trail via an iPad map that may or may not 1,000 meters off at any given time?

Now the iPad will also use the IP address for any WiFi network connection the device is using. This is actually more accurate than the cell tower method, but if you’re always on that WiFi connection… then you’re not traveling.

Please note that you also need the $629 version of the iPad to use these features, not the lower-cost $499 cousin.

I’m not slamming the iPad by any means. In fact, I’ve been saving my pennies for months and I will have one. It’s just too cool of a device not to. I just wish that they would clarify what “GPS enabled”, “assisted GPS”, etc. means for all the would-be buyers. Too much confusion and cloudiness leads to frustrated travel book/app buyers…

and neither Apple nor the publishers win when that happens.

I try out all of the travel apps that I can. It’s hard to deny the usefulness of all that gps-aware computing power right in your pocket. But I have to wonder, why is Google Earth the number one free travel app? Yes, it’s cool. Yes, it’s neat. But how are people using it that keeps it in the top spot?

Other than the cool factor and nice graphics, I haven’t found it as fast, intuitive and local as many of the other offerings out there. What am I missing?

I tend to do more hiking and less of the helmet-required kind of activities, but this is AWESOME and makes me want to go hang gliding, skiing and skate boarding all at the same time! In a few weeks you’ll be able to buy an HD camcorder that straps on your helmet/goggle straps for $300. It’s slim enough not to get in your way and thanks to the swappable memory cards you can get 8 hours of HD footage or 16 hours of SD footage.

The snap-on snap-off ContourHD even sports a 135-degree rotating lens. So you can’t miss your buddy’s wipe-out as you shoooowsh down the slopes.

(via Gizmodo)

Now, this is pretty cool. Not near as flashy as James Bond’s watch (which he always seems able to swing into action with) but just as effective. This is the Survival Bracelet and packs 20′ of 550# paracord onto your wrist ready to unravel in a moments notice. And for the color conscience outdoor adventurer, the 1.25″ Survival Bracelet comes in 30 colors. Based on the cord you choose and the size these wrist wrapped ropes will cost you between $17 and $25.

The best part: if you have to use your bracelet, in an emergency situation, just send them the unraveled cord and the story of how you used it and the will wrap it back up for you! Thank goodness, becuase I’d be that guy, in an emergency situation, stressed the whole time of ‘how in the heck am I going to recoil this thing’.

Now this is the way to cruise down a lazy river! But I have to admit, as fun as this looks I can’t imagine how tiring it’d be to try and run around in the water. I bet it gets hot too. But still Waterwalkerz has made my list of fun outdoor gear I’m just going to have to try. But at about $700 per ball, plus $200 for the electric blower (because it would take all Summer to blow this up without one) I may just have to try to find a place to rent one for the afternoon.

Here’s the latest in the world of walking sticks. They call it the Multi-function Crutch (not very catchy) and it’s battery powered (3 AAA - not included). What does a $31 battery-powered stick do? It has a built in flash light, red signal lights and an alarm. It also has a built in suspension system! One they say will let you cruise in comfort. You can even toggle the anti-shock suspension system, if you wanted to go all ‘old school’.

But then you’d just have a stick… with a light on it. And where’s the fun in that?

(via gizmodo)

The TankChair seems like one of those “are you kidding me” ideas, at first. But then you dig deeper and read up on it and come to the realization that a lot of people out there really could use one of these. Imagine all the trails and hills one could conquer with a pair of treads?  TankChair has announced a new 2008 model and even has one called The Speedster.

This is one atv that seems to serve a lot of disabled people very well and seems to be a ton of fun to folks like me. The TankChair in the snow video just makes it seem so cool!

Ok, treehugger has scared the bejesus out of me. Basically, the danger is Bisephenol A or BPA. It is a chemical that can mimic human estrogen and can be linked to early puberty and breast cancer in women. The concerns for men are having their hormones feminized which leads to effects such as breast enlargements and low swimmer count.The most dangerous foods tested were Chicken soup, infant formula, and ravioli. Links to more detailed descriptions below:

• BPA Danger may be greater from Tin Cans than Water Bottles
• Don’t Buy A Nalgene Water Bottle Until You Read This

I drink lots of water from plastic bottles (my eyes are up here) and enjoy the occasional soup, but luckily am cold turkey on the baby bottle.So I guess stay away from plastic bottles, food in tin can (especially acidic stuff like tomatos and those yummy fruits), and don’t read stuff about health. It never says keep doing what you’re doing.Here’s what the don’t worry crowd had to say:

• Chemistry World
• NalgeneBisphenolA

So let us know if you use plastic bottles, tin cans, or only drink from mudholes.

There is always someone missing on the news. Sometimes it is a jittery bride or disposed dictator, but more often than not it is the outdoor enthusiast who excels at getting away from it all and not finding their way back without help.

The above item is the 406 MHz GPS Personal Locator Beacon for someone who wants to make sure they get found. This handy gem will upload your Latitude & Longitude to a satellite when activated. Then contact the proper authorities to your location and who you are since it requires you to register so it will be uniquely coded for you. Boasting pocket-size portability, waterproof and a floater for you slippery handed river rats it sounds great for any outdoor adventurer that can afford the luxury.

The PSD Tools Personal Safety Device by Life + Gear is probably a little more affordable and helps you work with what you got to get out. One minute of cranking equals one hour of flashlight power and it can also be used to power your cell phone (adapters included). If that weren’t enough it packs a screwdriver and bits, flashing emergency light, am/fm radio, and a 130 decibel siren for $36.95.

Of course you can always just tell someone to check on you ever so often, warn a park ranger you’ll be in their park, pack a flare gun, or perhaps you’re perfectly confident in your screaming skills. But where’s the tech in that.

I am going to go out on a limb here, and say that this would be one of the most fun ways to camp outside.

It gets you off the wet ground (though that puts cold air under you) and you can tether it anyway you like to maximize (or minimize) your swing-ability. This tent is made in England and will take about $600 out of the trail-mix fund.

It is rated to hold 150kg of camper (that’s about 330 pounds for those of us on this side of the pond) and is almost 5′ square around the bottom. So some might have to curl around a little to fit. Though for the camping kiddies… it’d be great.