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Thuraya Skyphone

Talk Among the Stars :: Thuraya Skyphone

Several tech outlets have been reporting about the imminent release of UAE-based Thuraya’s Skyphone—a universal smartphone/satellite phone hybrid. Apple introduced satellite connectivity hardware in much more run-of-the-mill devices with the iPhone 14 but with only limited one-way messaging for emergencies. The Skyphone promises full integration of traditional terrestrial smartphone communication with two-way satellite messaging and…

Full Power: The Wescotts’ Turtle V Gets a Solar and Electrical Upgrade for its Next Adventure

Think back to 1972. Some of you may remember when The Turtle Expedition, Unltd. was exploring the backroads of Mexico and Central America in our trusty 1967 109 Land Rover. At that time, we had one battery, and its functions were to start the 6-cylinder gas engine (that choked on Mexican Pemex Nova regular), turn on…

The Best Remote Communications for Overlanders

The historian Hellanicus recorded the first reference to letter writing, a handwritten note sent in 500 BCE from the Persian Queen Atossa, mother of Xerxes and the Achaemenid Empire (Roberts, 1843). There is little doubt that messages were sent across longer distances in earlier times, but they are lost in the sands. The process changed…

25 Holiday Gifts for the Overlander in Your Life

Presented by Küat Racks Have you heard a Mariah Carey song blasting over the speakers at your local grocery store yet? If so, it’s probably time to start thinking about the quickly-approaching holiday gift giving season. From ADV riders to bikepackers, vehicle aficionados, and tent campers, there’s something for everyone in this Expedition Portal gift…

25 Black Friday Gifts for the Overlander in Your Life

Presented by Nitto Tire Now that Halloween ghosts have been replaced by twinkling reds, greens, and golds, it’s time to start thinking about the fast-approaching holiday season. Luckily, the Expedition Portal team has been busy amalgamating our favorite gear picks just in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While Associate Editor Steve Edwards has…

Top SEMA Products According to One of Our Bosses

Brian McVickers is the Overland International CBDO (Chief Business Development Officer), partner, contributor, highly experienced overlander, and one of the most genuine guys you will ever meet (brownie points, please, boss!). Brian took to the fields of hard carpet at the SEMA event held in Las Vegas last week and returned with sore feet and…

Top Overland Products at SEMA 2023

SEMA has in the past focused primarily on high-performance vehicles with jaw-dropping customizations; however, with the upward trend in overlanding, the Overland Experience at the SEMA show continues to grow year on year with innovative gear, accessories and impressive overlanding builds. In this article, we showcase new products introduced into the overlanding scene for seasoned…

SEMA Best New Products Awards Round-Up

The world-famous annual SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) showcases all things auto-related. SEMA has revealed the winners of its prestigious Best New Products Awards during the 2023 SEMA Show. These awards celebrate the most innovative and forward-thinking automotive aftermarket products that will become available in 2023. These products are evaluated across 18 award categories, with…

Overland News of the Week

Overland News: Let’s Go Aero Introduces E-Motorbike Carrier This week’s overland news begins with the V-Lectric Folding Rack (VFR). The VGF integrates a tray mount and ramp system that can withstand up to 80 pounds per bike and features a folding V-formation structure that handles various bike sizes, shapes, and geometries. To secure anything from…

Portable Power Stations :: Buyer’s Guide

Portable power stations, also known as portable generators or battery packs, are becoming increasingly popular for travel and RV use, especially when conventional power sources are unavailable. They are also superior to gas-guzzling generators that generate unwelcome noise pollution and require propane or gasoline to run. Portable power stations offer a dependable and practical supply…

Goal Zero Yeti Pro 4000

Goal Zero Launches Yeti Pro 4000

Goal Zero continues to add larger and more technologically capable power stations to its extensive Yeti lineup. Its latest is the Yeti Pro 4000, boasting a brawny 3,600 watts of continuous power and up to 7,200 watts in surge capacity. With the optional Tank Pro LiFePO4 expansion battery packs, 20,000 watt-hours of capacity is possible….

Jackery Solar Generator Pro 1000

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro :: Field Tested

It’s a rare product that changes everything about the way you travel. The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro did just that in ways that continually surprise me. I spent six months building out (well, overseeing the build of) my 2018 Ram Promaster, which is outfitted with three stellar 100ah batteries from the Utah Company Lion…

Overland News of the Week

Barbara Toy’s In Search of Sheba Returns to Print with Introduction by Lois Pryce Barbara Toy, famous for her solo overland travels by Land Rover in North Africa, Arabia, and beyond, set off in 1959 to drive from Libya to Ethiopia. The result: her travel memoir, In Search of Sheba. Thanks to the persistence and…

Zero Breeze Portable Air Conditioner

Zero Breeze Portable Overland Air Conditioner

I took two months to explore the West in my AT4 Sierra with a Scout Kenai camper. The goal was to work and live in the slide-in nearly daily, with only occasional nights in other accommodations. For that to work, I needed a way to take a shower, pack out human waste, and to be…

Redarc Launches the Alpha150 Lithium Battery for Extreme Conditions

It makes sense that Redarc should finally release a lithium battery in North America to complement an already extensive range of electronic products, including monitoring and management systems for outdoor and military applications. This new product brings the company closer to being a “one-stop shop” with a complete range from relatively basic to highly advanced…

Gear Round Up Overland Expo PNW 2023

There are three main reasons to visit any of the Overland Expos including the PNW and other nationally, and those are (in order) the people, the vehicles, and the gear. While the people and the vehicles are generally easy to spot, even if some do insist on being clad in camouflage, finding the newest, best…

Field Tested :: Renogy DCC30S Solar Charge Controller

Editor’s Note: This Fieldsheer article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2023 Issue. Dual-isolated batteries have been a fixture of overland vehicles for decades, and in recent years, the price of solar and lithium batteries has dropped enough to become the go-to choice. Correctly isolating batteries is essential to preserve the vehicle starting battery, and keeping batteries…

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