Avenza has morphed into a really great mapping tool. I used to use the previous free version (PDF Maps) in conjunction with bought versions of Vicmap topographical maps but abandoned it in favour of Paper Maps a few years ago. Today I took a fresh look at it. Now it has a vast swathe of […]
Litesmith have recently utilised the 21700 Lithium battery to make perhaps the most compact and lightest (at 73.5 grams) 5000 mAh power bank. These batteries are available to 5800 mAh so expect some improvements still.They are selling for US$22 (Sep 2023). This size should allow you to charge (once) the largest mobile phone around (usually
Available now on Kickstarter the new Unihertz Jelly (Star) phone for US$169ea (or US$310 for two). I have been using the Jelly 2 for a couple of years now and found it just great. I will be ordering this new model because of the (much) improved camera. From 16 Megapixels to 48! Wow! Huge! I
‘Waste not, want not’ was another of my mother’s favourite maxims – one I have certainly taken to heart, as my wife will attest as I have fill our house and sheds up with all sorts of ‘mathoms’ – hobbit for ‘junk’. I had two ‘dead’ laptop batteries which I probably ought to have binned
I know the old John Donne map store in Little Bourke St Melbourne used to sell a brush on (wax?) product for waterproofing paper maps (topos etc) called perhaps ‘Map Seal’ or the like. I admit I have never used it, or a spray on silicone normally designated for raincoats, boots etc (eg ‘Camp Dry’)
This device can power your phone in a blackout or when you are camping: ‘When the power is cut, modern life is thrown into disarray. But thanks to a new project you may not have to worry about your smartphone dying. The Candle Charger is described as an “indoor power plant for smartphones,” providing USB
The 14.8 gram 650 lumen glow in the dark Awesome Flashlight I wrote about recently which can be made into a head torch like this can also be converted into a cap light by using the supplied 1.9 clip. This A5X model is absolutely brilliant. You could just use the side LEDs (without the silicone
I will be using the Nano A5X (glow in the dark) 14.8 gram 650 lumen rechargeable torch for this mod though the pictures here are for the A1 which I already own (which is a whole gram heavier and does not glow- alas!) I have often added a simple O-ring, a length of 1mm dyneema
DIY 20 Gram Rechargeable Head Torch + Tent Lantern Read More »
These ‘Nano’ rechargeable (lithium) torches are quite amazing. I thought I would try the A1X (weight 16.8 grams = 650 lumens) just to see how it turned out and I must say I am delighted. I will probably buy a three pack now of the A5Xs to go in my hiking pack as my go-to
Nitecore’s NU25 rechargeable torch is very hard to beat – though no doubt it will be (by their next model). It weighs around 28 grams without the band (which weighs another 23 grams). You can save 22 of these grams (as I have done here) by fitting a piece of dyneema cord and a micro-cord
