For the last five years, our 1990 Toyota Pickup has utilized a Redarc BCDC1225D as its DC-to-DC charger and solar charge controller. The BCDC’s diminutive size makes it an ideal choice for small battery banks in small vehicles. But, as electrical loads grow, battery capacity must keep up, and charger power output must follow. Redarc’s…
Overland News of the Week
Scout Campers and 10 Barrel Partner to Brew Camp Coldie, the 5% IPA Camp Coldie—a classic West Coast IPA with a lower ABV—pays homage to overlanding and camping with its medium-body, subtly sweet tones with a gentle bitterness reminiscent of citrus, mango, and grapefruit. In celebration of Camp Coldie’s debut, Scout Campers is giving away…
Redarc Has Launched the Redworks Quickfit Power Panels
We recently completed installing a Redarc-based electrical system in our Defender camper, and we could not be happier with the result. Well, we thought we couldn’t be happier until we saw the launch of the Redarc RedWorks QuickFit power panels! This all-in-one power system will surely be a game-changer as it offers a simple and…
T-Mobile and Starlink Expand Satellite Comms Options
Staying connected in remote locations can be a significant challenge for adventurers of all stripes. Traditional cellular networks frequently fall short in delivering coverage where overland travelers often find themselves. In the ongoing race to offer more satellite-based communications options, T-Mobile has partnered with SpaceX’s Starlink to introduce mobile satellite phone service to a huge…
The Top 10 Overlanding Game Changers
Significant engineering and communication advancements have transformed domestic and international overlanding in the past few decades. These innovations have made the process safer, easier, and more connected than ever, promoting a lower cost of travel and the ability to work remotely in a vehicle from anywhere on the planet. Factory Overland Vehicles Original equipment manufacturers…
Sena Technologies Talkie Mesh :: Field Tested
Running unmapped trails in Arizona, my wife, pooch, old Land Rover, and I have learned a new respect for the southern Sonoran desert. A smooth and easy plateau trail often heads through stock gates, down into washes, or up into the mountains, and all it takes is one wrong move, and we could be in…
Bikepacking Crete :: Top 10 Gear Picks
I grit my teeth and take a few more steps. Sweat drips down my nose as my heart pounds. Progress is measured in feet, not miles, on these ascents. The goats make it look so easy. Occasionally, a shepherd will pass in a beat-up Toyota Hilux; a simple nod is sufficient. It may be December,…
Overland News of the Week
Apply for RealTruck’s Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program This week’s Overland News begins with RealTruck. Throughout 2025, RealTruck will award $20,000 in grant funding, with one $5,000 grant awarded each quarter to organizations that align with the program’s mission. Grants are designated for use to aid education, stewardship, legal fees, or any other activity advocating…
iOverlander 2.0 Debuts with Major Updates
When my wife and I left North American shores in 2017 to explore Africa, the mobile app iOverlander had only been in circulation for about two and a half years. The crowd-sourced travel software launched by Jessica Mans and Sam Christiansen was still only in its infancy, but as we toured the continent over the…
Field Tested :: Ultimate9 evcX Throttle Controller
The contemporary 4×4 is a high-tech wonder, packed with a staggering amount of computing power that controls nearly everything in the vehicle: from operating cabin mood lighting and hands-free phone calls to crucial driving functions like fuel delivery and anti-lock braking. Even the humble gas pedal operates via ones and zeros, relaying driver input through…
More New Garmin Nav and Moto Tech for 2025
Garmin has recently expanded its offerings for adventure enthusiasts with the introduction a revised and updated version of its popular Montana 700 series handheld GPS units and the all-new zūmo R1 Radar system for motorcycles. These devices are designed to enhance navigation and safety for off-road travelers and motorcyclists alike. Garmin Montana 700 Series Handheld…
15 Black Friday Gifts for the Overlander in Your Life
Presented by Slinky Stove, the Collapsible Smokeless Fire Pit While Black Friday traditionally takes place on the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, many retailers are offering discounts now and will continue to do so throughout the holiday season. The coming weeks may be an opportune time for shopping before the onslaught of tinsel,…
Renogy IP67 Charger and 100 Pro Lithium Battery: Field Tested
Renogy has been relentlessly innovating its vehicle-based energy products since 2010. While the dual battery system I put together with Renogy products in 2015 functioned flawlessly for three years and 54,000 miles around Africa, Renogy’s latest round of products are more efficient and durable while being smaller and lighter. By incorporating customer feedback and real-world…
Hasselblad X2D 100C :: Field Tested
When NASA needed a camera to capture Apollo 11’s landing on the moon, they trusted one brand—Hasselblad. Chances are you and I will never get to traverse the Sea of Tranquility or crawl out of a lunar crater, but that shouldn’t stop us from wanting to immortalize our own history in the making. Like the…
Colfax Design Works Q.D. Camera Strap :: Field Tested
Colfax Design Works (CDW) has set a new standard with its latest Q.D. camera strap. Built with rugged 1-inch MIL-SPEC nylon tubular webbing and equipped with the proprietary anti-binding CDW Quick Disconnect swivels, this strap is the epitome of versatility and durability. The intuitive design features a push-top button on the swivel that allows for…
Overland News of the Week
Meet the New KC Hilites Solar Charge Hub This compact, plug-and-play charging solution directs solar panel energy to 12- and 24-volt vehicle batteries for easy charging and maintenance. Requiring no permanent installation, the hub features magnetic feet for easy placement and Bluetooth connectivity for monitoring and updates. At the heart of the hub’s weather-sealed aluminum…
Nissan Unveils Project Trailgater, Built for the Overlanding Sport Enthusiast
As avid Rugby fans, we learned early on that traveling overland will often conflict with important matches and planned weekends away. A difficult choice had to be made: head out or stay home to catch the game. Nissan has unveiled the Project Trailgater, a one-of-a-kind custom build based on the refreshed 2025 Frontier, showcasing a…
KC Hilites Unveils the Solar Charge Hub: Portable Power for Any Adventure
KC Hilites Solar Charge Hub is a portable, weather-sealed solar charging system designed to power 12-volt battery setups in off-grid environments. This system seems perfect for those who require a rugged and simple solar charging system that offers flexibility and performance in an off-road environment. It may also be perfect for overlanders who outfit their…
Video :: Iridium Go! Exec Field Tested
One of the swiftest evolving segments of overland gear is undoubtedly off-grid communications. The rapid democratization of global satellite networks over the last half decade has put many highly accessible and portable communication devices into the hands of the everyday adventurer and has proven to be a boon for both safety and simply staying in…
Overland Expo Mountain West :: Top Gear
The 2024 overland show season keeps churning, and the most recent stop for its marquee event, Overland Expo, was in Loveland, Colorado. Every Overland Expo has its own character, and the show owner, Emerald Expositions, is trying hard to lean into those differences: Expo West is where the travelers gather, Pacific Northwest feels the “crunchiest,”…