Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Been using Anker phone charging cables for quite a while and they never disappoint.

 

Thank you all.

Good to have the Garmin/Delorme item names clear.
Garmin inReach (new) Delorme inReach (old).
I know about the purchase, but the product name clarification slipped by me.

 

I've been using the Outdoor Tek Kodiak battery for a couple of years now, 20+ trips and its been very reliable. I get 3 phone charges from the 10,000 mA and that gets me trough 5-6 days. Its waterproof and weighs just under 10 oz.

 

I see that here.
https://www.rei.com/product/111378/outdoor-tech-kodiak-plus-20-power-bank

 

Delorme had better maps and the satellite communication set-up. Garmin was still using 50 year old maps

 

I actually preferred the old Delorme software, too. Better mapping and fully editable. You could merge/split tracks and do all sorts of things before importing into your device. I still have my old Delorme kicking around somewhere.

 

Just so yall know garmin will stop supporting the Delorme models very soon. I found one on sale at sportsman's warehouse. I called garmin to see what's up and they said "do not buy that model, it was supposed to be taken off the shelf, we won't support the Delorme software much longer". This was about 5 months ago.

 

I'm still not sure which Garmin model to get. I'd like to have a map on the unit but not sure it is necessary. Then the newer smaller unit looks pretty good too.

 

Oops, that's the big one I have that I prefer not to carry (the Amazon thumbnail on my phone looked like the right shape... ). The small ones we use constantly are the 5000-6000 mAh ones. Haven't used the 10000 one but like everyone's saying, I wouldn't hesitate to get it if it's what I needed.

 

I own the 20100 Anker and love it, it has some leftover grip tape on it to keep it from sliding around in the picture below. I think that size would be too heavy for backpacking, but Anker is a reliable brand. I have charged and discharged the 20100 many dozens of times. I would buy one based on the device(s) you are charging, the number of recharges you anticipate, minus some loss (10%?) during charging. I stick with what I think are 18650 battery powered packs ( at least their shape indicates this is the case) Some of the cheapo backup battery packs I have bought, or received as "free add-ons" like the 5$ silver "8k MaH" below have not been accurate as to their capacity. They also swell and deform often during charging. Anker has good Q.C., accurate capacity and I use their cords as well. The newest Anker large capacity banks also have dual input charging if minimizing downtime is a concern, say if you are on a multi leg backpacking trip like a thru-hike with a town run.
https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/22/...y-charger-amazon-empire-steven-yang-interview

 

Anker Support:
I inquired which portable charging device to use for my needs.
One need: Delorme inReach SE.
They said .. What are the charging parameters?
Garmin said 5V/1A are the specs of the wall charger/USB micro connector.

I am waiting for a reply from Anker.

The portable devices, except the 5000, all have higher ampere ratings for output.
2A and more.
>>> Does that matter? My electronics knowledge is long gone. (Navy in the '70s)

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Garmin Support:
He said he had not heard of Garmin stopping support of my Delorme inReach SE.

 

No, the device will take what it needs. The 2+ amp output is just what the port can provide at a maximum.

 

Thank you for that.

 

Thank you very much.

 

On the subject of satellite messaging I hadn't noticed until just now that SPOT has a new two-way option the SPOT X:

https://www.findmespot.com/spotx/lander.php

Unfortunately it looks pretty half baked based on the sole review on REI which indicates multiple interface and device problems. Of course that one user might just have a bad device.

The SPOT X also lacks a low utilization subscription option - minimum of $20/month (which can not be deactivated for months you don't plan to use it) or $200 per year. The minimum inReach plan is $144/yr or $15/month and the monthly plan can be suspended in months you aren't going to use the device.

It is larger than the inReach Mini and heavier. It does at least use a rechargeable lithium unlike the other Spot devices.

Lastly while it probably really doesn't matter for the locations I visit, in the end I would ten to choose Iridium (inReach) over Globalstar (Spot) for SATCOM.

Anyway, yet another option. Right now though it looks pretty likely I'll switch from my SPOT (one-way) to an inReach Mini before my next Spot renewal this fall.

 

For guys wanting built in maps or not I have some advice. The units with built in maps usually cost more than just outright buying a detailed map on a memory card, and a less detailed.

What I am trying to say is, you get more for your money if you buy a regular model and pay the $60-$70 for a good map seperate.

 

All of the newer map apps for the Rockies have hundreds of trails that don't show on USGS maps. If I'm looking for mt biking trails, ski trails, moto trails, etc. there is no comparison. For hiking and backpacking only, its less of a factor as many of those trails are based on old mining use and are on old maps. The trails I volunteer on (Weminuche Wilderness) were once mining roads and rail routes for the ore. I use the InReach for communications, not maps. I use newer paper maps or phone apps and link the phone to the InReach for SAR.

 

Unable to edit

 

When you're out of cell range, put your phone in airplane mode to save a ton of battery. Otherwise your phone is always roaming for cell signal. I run Backcountry Navigator for offline GPS and it's very battery-efficient on my Samsung S8. I can run it all day even in tracking mode and I only use about 35% of my battery. That's also using my phone as a camera.