Integrating Technology Into a Long Trip? 89
xsalmon asks: "I am about to undergo a long trip around the continental United States, via hiking/cycling/walking and other self-propelled means of transportation, to raise money toward AIDS/HIV research. What kind of utilities/devices would you bring to increase safety/security? I'll be hauling enough in my backpack as-is, so any suggestions would have to be lightweight and portable enough. Any ideas?"
Security? (Score:2)
The mugger of course might have already made off with those two.
Re:Security? (Score:2)
Re:Security? (Score:2)
Well... Its called a 400 volt TASER [taser.com].
Re:Security? (Score:2)
Rather give him the gear and save yourself.
Re:Security? (Score:2)
Sure, its illegal in some areas, but would you rather be dead or explaning to a judge? some areas of the country you dont get a second chance out there 'on the street'.
Re:Security? (Score:2)
I don't know wether to mod it as Informative or Funny.
Where are you CmdrTaco when we need you?
Re:Security? (Score:2)
I have two phones in my pocket right now. An old, battered pay-as-you-go phone in such a state that no mugger would touch it - it's scarcely worth the time it would take to fence - and a new, flashy, expensive contract phone which they'd grab without a doubt.
This isn't actually done out of paranoia, just because I haven't got around to transferring the number from the old phone to the new yet. Security through laziness, the new paradigm :-)
A few links (Score:3, Informative)
Re:A few links (Score:2, Informative)
Re:A few links (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:A few links (Score:2)
Re:A few links (Score:1, Insightful)
Re:A few links (Score:2)
Taser screams "take this and use it on me." Much better to carry a S&W or Glock. However, in either case (Taser, gun) you won't be able to go into D.C. and other non-gun owner-friendly states.
Re:A few links (Score:2)
I think taking note of the Asperger's in the sig line wou
Re:A few links (Score:2)
Exactly my point- though there have been a few incidents rec
Re:A few links (Score:2)
I know the concept of just about any weapon saying that- but here's my argument for the Taser. Unless the guy is high on PCP or Crack, it's non-leathal, thus I have NO ethical qualms whatsoever about "shock first, ask questions later".
PCP/Crack of course means that their heart is already racing, and the shock will put them over the edge into a heart attack- but then again, they're so pain free at that point you could put a clip of rounds from your Glock or S
Re:A few links (Score:1)
Re:A few links (Score:2)
The built in camera even has the options to but the GPS data on the photos.
Some kind of solar charger for it might be useful.
For security I vote for mace.
My two suggestions: (Score:1)
and
http://www.garmin.com/products/etrexVenturecx/# [garmin.com]
and
Cell phone of your choice.
These should keep you safe and keep you from getting lost. Of course, you will have to manage to keep fresh batteries in the GPS, but if you turn it on occasionally, you should get several days out of one set. Also, a solar panel can help keep the phone topped off.
Of course, you also have the option of getting a higher-end cell phone with GPS built-in, and then
Re:My two suggestions: (Score:2)
Re:My two suggestions: (Score:2)
Re:My two suggestions: (Score:2)
Re:My two suggestions: (Score:2)
safety (Score:3, Insightful)
Other items though that I would say are critical would be: some form of flashing (strobe?) beacon if you are in distress that will make it easy for others to find your locaation, portable radio (ham radio 146.52 if you have a license), cell phone, GPS, and a PDA with appropriate maps. (some of these items can easily be combined (phone, gps and pda) if you have the funds. And the other big one is water purification system.
PS dont forget something for power
Things to improve safety... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:safety (Score:2)
I don't see the point in a strobe beacon for a bicyclist. If you're lost in the middle of the woods, sure. (Get a whistle too.) But if you're in trouble on a road, being found is the least of your problems.
Re:safety (Score:2)
Also, he doesn't really make it clear what kinds of places he'll be travelling - out in the woods, or along urban areas, etc. If he keeps to the roads, I doubt he'll ever need a water purification kit.
I would also
Re:Planning safety (Score:2)
First, the obvious (Score:3, Interesting)
Also, check out this site:
http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/touring/laptop.
It's entitled "Bicycle Touring with a Solar Laptop".
Re:First, the obvious (Score:2)
The evidence suggests that a four-leaf clover or other talisman would be more useful (and take less space).
http://www.cyclehelmets.org/ [cyclehelmets.org]
Seriously... (Score:1, Insightful)
Re:Seriously... (Score:1)
Re:Are you serious? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Are you serious? (Score:1)
safety/security (Score:1, Insightful)
Plus make sure you also have these:
Re:safety/security (Score:1)
Some stuff (Score:1)
Wristwatch Computer: Suunto x9i [tinyurl.com]
Media Player: iRiver H10 [iriveramerica.com]
Cell phone: Sony Ericsson K800/K790 [sonyericsson.com]
Notebook...
Suggestions (Score:2)
HP4700 / Cingular 2125 combo (Score:1)
Last Summer we went east for a few days. Shortly before the trip I got an HP4700. Bluetooth, WiFi, email, web browser, well under a pound and can easily fit in a shirt pocket. 640x480 resolution, I stuck a 1GB SD and a 2 GB CF in it. Panera Bread, and Fudruckers offer fr
"Technology," eh? (Score:2, Insightful)
I don't recommend bringing much in the way of gadgets because on a trip like that your es
Make a device (Score:1)
Speak to the xmas lights guy for technical hints
As an extra thing to take, you could mount several webcams and a robotic arm onto your bike, then when you rest for the evening we can investigate the surroundings.
It would be like a cheapo geekified NASA experiment.
All this will give more people reason to visit your webpag
Re:Make a device (Score:1)
A pocket .22 (Score:5, Informative)
Seriously, though, the handheld GPS > the PDA with GPS. My PDA with GPS could never handle the elements.
When I've done long hikes, I actually carried an old car inflatable tube tire and a mini CO2 canister. You can inflate the tube in an instant (about 12 inflations per 6 pack of CO2 cartridges) and float down the river. I'm lazy.
The CO2 cartridges also come in handy if you want to cool down, just remove the inflation adapter and am at your chest -- instant cool down.
I always bring along an extra few pairs of socks, too, they can get pretty grotty if you forget extra sets. And lots of protein and fat packed bacon is my friend on long hikes.
Re:A pocket .22 (Score:3, Informative)
Here's a picture of mine beside my cell phone, pda, etc. [vehiclehitech.com]
It also happens to be pretty cheap at ~$200.
It isn't a revolver (which is nice because it can shoot out of a pocket without jamming up - something like a SW 342PD would be a good choice for a small revolver) but it is tiny.
If you are going to carry, check out packing.org for informat
Re:A pocket .22 (Score:2)
Re:A pocket .22 (Score:2)
Re:A pocket .22 (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
The best tech is low tech. (Score:3, Interesting)
Solar Power! (Score:1)
More info... 9 weeks is not enough (Score:5, Interesting)
Travel light and don't underestimate the rigors of this journey, especially if you're going by foot part of the way. I'm hoping you'll drastically shorten your route, unless you're extremely well prepared.
AP, not CNN journalist, solly (NT) (Score:1)
. NT = no text
. . NT = no text
Re: 9 weeks is not enough - yes it is (Score:2)
I would be more concerned about the desert in the summer. As a friend of mine that has riden in race across america said - you measure milage in miles per gallon (of water) and the results are in the range of 4-5 miles/gallon.
Re: 9 weeks is not enough - yes it is (Score:2)
Re: 9 weeks is not enough - yes it is (Score:2, Informative)
How about... (Score:1, Funny)
Especially if you're planning on also carrying a small Japanese woman. [theage.com.au] (Which I might also reccommend.)
Safety. (Score:1)
Read some journals (Score:3, Interesting)
I would recommend a Pocketmail [pocketmail.com] device. You can compose email and upload it to a toll-free service from practically any phone with the built-in acoustical modem. (Just hold the device up to the handset.) Also, bring a good phone card; payphones can be a bitch, and collect calls [consumeraffairs.com] are risky.
Tech + Long Trip == Loads of Batteries (Score:1, Informative)
Everything else I could've wanted would have been a pain to maintain. Camera? Cellphone? MP3 player? PDA? GPS? The problem comes down to one word: batteries.
Consider this: anything I take will get used enough that the batteries will lose charge. How will I replace or recharge them? Your cellphone -- and possibly your camera and mp3 player -- will require its
Re:Tech + Long Trip == Loads of Batteries (Score:2)
get a multi-voltage capable PV system. A windup radio or flashlight
is probably good for all-weather use.
What every away team needs (Score:2)
Re:What every away team needs (Score:1)
t
APRS (Score:2)
One or two short duration Road flares (Score:2)
Light.
Scares away animals. Personally used by me to scare a bear in Alaska pre-bear spray, which by the way is completely ineffective on moose, who seem to be capsaicin resistant, again from personal experience. No, road flares do not cure prostate cancer. No goatse jokes please.
Can be used for signaling.
Can be used to start a fire even with wet wood.
Likely will scare away even a persistent attacker.
Police WILL stop when they see one.
Absolutely will not go out when lit, even underwater.
Will destroy ev
From a Tour Cyclist (Score:2)
B: A cheap candybar cellphone. It should be relatively new, so that it has good battery life, but it should be cheap because these days cheap=durable in a phone. Be sure to switch to a nationwide plan before leaving.
C: Spare LED blinkers. Never run out of night-
Re:From a Tour Cyclist (Score:2)
Amateur Radio (HF / VHF / UHF) comms gear (Score:2)
In a tiny box of electronics, with removable front panel for the dash
(eg, ICOM IC-706 Mk.IIG, Kenwood TS-2000 or Yaesu FT-897D or similar) is:
- monitor various VHF/UHF stations (emerg. services, etc.)
- Shortwave receiver
- AM [ & FM ] broadcast receiver
- VHF/UHF comms with repeaters all over the country/world - US, Canada & beyond
(each provides
Traditionalist's approach (Score:1)
technology to make you safer!? (Score:3, Informative)
Every gram matters when hiking, you will be able to spread the load better with three hikers. Plus should anything go wrong you will not be alone, not to mention how useful the company will be. The best measure of your hiking pace is to be able to walk and hold a conversation simultaneously, you'll look schitzo talking to yourself.
Also I hate to be blunt about it but your site is pretty poor if you plan to use it for fund raising. Look at this example [youguysarestupid.com] for ideas (about the site and about the trip itself).
Basics (Score:2)
In the interest of not getting too complex, I suggest the following:
Other things you might consider:
If you do bring a GPS receiver, don't let it become a crutch. You should know how to read a map and how to dead-reckon, or you shouldn't be out wandering.
acid trip? (Score:1)
Same thing goes for 'shrooms.
Low-tech (Score:2, Informative)
You WILL be travelling ON the roads I hope?
Regarding safety, my best recommendation would be to bring a friend. Not only are you less likely to get mugged if there are two of you, but any medical situations that might arise are probably more easily taken care of if there are two of you.
It's not like you're going to be able to stave off a band of highway bandits with a 9mm anyway...
You do NOT need a laptop on a cross-country bike ride. The goal of which
depends on where you are going to be (Score:2)
Screw the PDA's and high-tech gadgets.
How the HELL did this make it into a Slashdot story?
News for idiots, people who don't know how to travel? Stuff that doesn't matter, especially if you don't care where this guy goes "walkabout" to.
From a casual, but well-informed hiker: (Score:2)