Is the new Starlink satellite internet from SpaceX the mobile broadband data solution that travelers have been looking for? Well, if we’re being honest, not quite yet. We previously featured the Starlink in our Overland News of the Week column and one astute reader was quick to point out the lack of support for users…
Category Archives: Electronics
Dometic Acquires Zamp Solar
Dometic, a global market leader in branded solutions for mobile living in the areas of food and beverage, climate, power and control, and other applications, has a warranted reputation for quality within the overlanding and outdoors community. It’s therefore exciting news that on May 26, 2021, the company acquired Zamp Solar, thus broadening its position…
Overland News of the Week, May 21st, 2021
Trestle Aeropress K-cup Adapter Let me ask you a question: are you really an overlander if you haven’t added aftermarket parts to your Aeropress? The Trestle Aeropress K-cup adaptor allows you to utilize K-cup coffee pods with your trusty coffee syringe. Advantages? Well, to start, K-cups are pre-portioned and pre-ground which makes measuring or adjusting…
Scottoiler V-system—An Auto-oiler Overview
With the dusty days of summer inbound, chain lubrication should be at the top of every rider’s motorcycle maintenance list. In fact, some experts say motorcycle chains should be lubricated every 300-600 miles, though this is debatable and depends on riding conditions. Why Do I Need To Lubricate My Chain? Lubrication will increase the longevity…
Overland News of the Week, May 7th, 2021
AEV Jack Base for Jeep Wrangler JL or Gladiator AEV’s jack base for Wrangler JL or Gladiator provides an additional 3.5 inches of height for the factory JL or Gladiator scissor jack. This lets users easily change tires as large as 37 inches with their factory jack. In addition to providing extra height and being…
Overland News of the Week, April 23rd, 2021
Osprey Talon Pro 30 The comfort of Osprey’s backpacks is well known amongst outdoor enthusiasts, and their new Talon Pro 30 brings that comfort to the world of ultralight backpacking. A lightweight wire frame and injection-molded framesheet provide support for this 30-liter pack. Osprey lists a recommended maximum payload of 15-25 pounds for comfortable carying….
Nitecore FSP100W IPX5 Rated Waterproof Foldable Solar Panel
Nitecore is on a mission to bring durable tech to the outdoors, and their FSP100W promises to be a solar panel you can depend on in the backcountry. I currently own the Goal Zero (GZ) Yeti 1250 and their Boulder 100-watt panels and love them, but I’m intrigued by some of the cheaper alternatives. That…
Tribit StormBox Micro and FlyBuds NC
Music has always been a huge part of my life. I can’t remember a time when our house was silent growing up, whether we were listening to Radio Caroline, the pirate radio station that inspired the film The Boat That Rocked, or my dad’s records. As a young kid, I was first drawn to the…
Can Portable Power Packs Replace Dual Batteries?
For decades, dual-battery systems have been the go-to solution for anyone seeking auxiliary electrical power in their four-wheel drive or camper van. They make it possible to run accessories like refrigerators without draining the vehicle’s starter battery, but they’re also costly, permanent, and complex systems that can be prone to failure or even fire unless…
Overland News of the Week, April 2nd, 2021
Helinox Toasty Lightweight camp furniture has come a long way, and the brand Helinox is a perfect example of the intersection between smart design and modern materials. For instance, their Chair Zero is a 17-ounce camp chair that adds huge amounts of comfort in the backcountry despite its diminutive weight. But this week, it’s actually…
New Compact Sony G-series Lenses: 24, 40, and 50mm Focal Lengths
Sony has just announced three new G-series prime lenses which are compatible with their E-mount cameras, including a 24, 40, and 50mm focal length. These new lenses offer modest apertures ranging from f/2.5 to 2.8, but make up for speed with smaller than average form-factors and weights. But as with all Sony lenses bearing the…
Nitecore NPB4 Power Bank
There’s no shortage of portable power banks on the market, but there are fewer focused on the Great Outdoors. The new Nitecore NPB4 is packed with features designed to embrace rough treatment in the field whilst still integrating all the latest technical specifications and functionality. This 20,000 mAh Li-ion battery pack showcases multiple fast charge…
Overland News of the Week, February 12th, 2021
Mac’s Tie Downs Monkey Face Mac’s Tie Downs’ latest offering is a nifty little device called the Monkey Face, designed to make securing cargo even simpler for folks with stake pockets. The .375-inch laser-cut steel tie-down interface is welded to a .1875-inch square steel tube (which secures in stake pockets with an included linchpin), and…
OtterBox Travel Charging Solutions for Overlanding
OtterBox has recently expanded its product line and is now providing power bank options for charging your mobile devices on the go. Well-known for cell phone cases and dry boxes that can take a beating, do their power storage batteries and cables follow suit? The slim Mobile Charging Kit can be stored in any vehicle…
Garmin inReach Explorer Satellite Communication
Product Review—Garmin inReach Satellite Communication First off, a disclaimer: my husband and I used Garmin inReach Explorer Satellite Communication during a round-the-world motorcycle trip that lasted 708 days. DeLorme inReach (bought out by Garmin in 2016) gave us two Explorer devices—one we received on loan; the other we paid for at a 50-percent discount. The company…
The Kevlar-Armored M10-P “Reporter” is Leica’s Newest Collectable M-series Rangefinder
I don’t care that the new Leica M10-P Reporter costs $8,795, I still want it. After all, the experience of using a Leica transcends any possible cost, or so I’m led to believe. Ok, let’s be real. Yes, it’s obscenely expensive, but it’s also a thing of beauty. Leica’s new M10-P “Reporter” edition rangefinder digital…
Sena’s New 3S Plus Boom and 3S Plus Universal Has Arrived
Digital communication for riders is vital. Nothing is worse than hearing “failure to connect” when your riding partner is going down the wrong side of the road in a left-side-drive country. Or when they can’t tell you to merge right in time for the next exit. I know—not everybody likes to fidget with gadgetry on…
OnX Goes 3D for Pre-run Planning
Like myself, many of you have enjoyed the OnX Offroad app since it launched in 2019. They have now expanded their service to include 3D mapping for unique trails and roads for planning and viewing purposes. The benefits of diving into your route before you even turn off the pavement include viewing technical features on…
Overland News of the Week, December 11th, 2020
Scout Leather Co. Hex Bit Driver If you’ve worked with high-quality hand tools, you’ll appreciate Scout Leather’s titanium hex bit driver. It accepts 1/4-inch hex bits and makes detailed work a pleasure, thanks to a ball bearing assembly that sits snugly in the palm. The knurled thumb grip provides purchase when you need to put…
Be Seen In These Darker Months, Day And Night
Sometimes we have to—or even want to—ride in the dark or at other low-light times of the day, which makes it hard to be seen. What can we do about it? Light up that machine! Before we get into some tips for being seen better while riding, let’s first look at some free or low-cost…