Category — MOBILE

Base camp for gadgets

Some survival gadgets are on display at CES, and a handful of them are surveyed in this report from outdoor website Gear Junkie.
I love a gadet as much as the next guy, but I notice my own list of must-carry gear includes things that need no battery or charging cable, so don’t qualify for CES. Here’s the top ten – what would you add? (more…)

As the housing crisis continues to inflict havoc on families across the USA and Europe, the option of living in a vehicle is sometimes the only one available.

For a good, reliable intro, check out Roll Your Own: The Complete Guide to Living in a Truck, Bus, Van, or Camper.

Matt Howe’s web guide to Van living is refreshingly practical.

His key advice: stay organized. “Nothing is more frustrating than trying to find something you desperately need and not being able to because your van is a mess.”

A YouTube film features a guy who lives in a Walmart parking lot going over the details of his van conversion, from carpets to extra lights.

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Its in the bag....

Even when your cell is switched off, it is still a mobile tracking device in your pocket. Now a new invention promises to give you back control over who can call you, or track you.

The MIAmobi SilentPocket is a simple bag, with a special lining,  into which you drop your cell phone, router, pager or any other wireless device.

It blocks all comms signals — in or out. through its “99% Nano-Silver lining.” (more…)

Off the Grid and On the Cloud

Give yourself net access everywhere for Christmas – these little gizmos fit in your handbag and provide four or five wireless internet access points out in the middle of the boonies

While most like having a data plan on their iPhone and iPad so they don’t have to have one tethered to the other to get a 3G connection, the bills add up quickly.

In North America Novatel or Sierra Wireless’s little hot spots (buy it here for UK and Europe) can provide a connection that covers all with a single monthly payment (more…)

You can even use your cellphone while filling up

Nissan’s electric car, The Leaf is being repositioned as a mobile charger for off-grid homes in Japan.  Even grid-tied homes will be able to reduce their energy dependence via Nissan’s new Home Charging Unit will go on sale in Japan by mid-2012 the company forecast today at a car show in Tokyo.

There is a fair amount of greenwash in Nissan’s claim, but it is significant nevertheless because it is offering a way to import energy in your car, rather than have a standalone energy supply to each house with the additional infrastructure that requires.  If anyone has driven in a Leaf please post your experiences in a comment.

Nissan says the average daily energy consumption in a Japanese home is around 10-12kw, (more…)

Keep talking, texting tweeting in the boonies

The much-maligned Blackberry has emerged as the best phone for off-grid users.

Although Blackberry customers were left without a service for days earlier this year, the phone is way ahead of current competitors when it comes to battery life, the key factor for those generating their own power.

The longer battery life comes about because the phone draws less power than Android or iPhone models. Although that does not solve the problem of getting a signal in remote locations. (more…)

I'll even include a free signed copy of the first edition

Nick Rosen, author of HOW TO LIVE OFF GRID, is selling the Camper van featured on the front cover of the book.

Its a Renault Master Long Wheel Base – diesel with power steering. The price, £2500

In Chapter 2 of the book he tells how he chose the vehicle: (more…)

Everybody has to veg out sometimes

A lot of people go off the grid to get away from TV and other symptoms of the consumer society.  But we all have a weakness for some aspect of TV entertainment, whether its the  movies, documentaries or bonnet dramas.

However, living with solar power, or in an RV,its essential to choose the right kit to save energy and reduce the amount of space and clutter from the multiple wires and  gadgets needed for your viewing pleasure. So we set about finding the ideal off-grid TV. (more…)

There are backpacks for the weekend, then there are backpacks for life.  If you are one of the many living off the grid above the snowline, or if you prefer carving lines beyond the boundaries of safety, you’re all too aware of the risks involved with avalanches. Float Backpacks ($685-$785) from Backcountry Access are designed to minimize excavation time — which is the biggest factor in avalanche fatalities — through an affordable and reusable avalanche airbag system. Here’s how it works: (more…)