2 more products to check out from the Outdoor Retailer

2 more products to check out from the Outdoor Retailer


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SALT LAKE CITY — There is enough really cool hiking and camping gear available on the market to overstuff the largest backpack. Since I fall into that category of buying a bigger pack to carry more stuff, I wanted to see how I might reduce my load.

At the 2016 Outdoor Retailers Summer Market, there were plenty of solar-powered devices to meet almost any need. From collapsible lights to small solar windows on devices to extended battery power packs, smaller, lighter weight and more versatile items were along every aisle.

ToughTested battery pack ========================

Solar-powered devices are really beginning to take hold for hiking, camping and emergency applications. Keeping enough power on hand for overnight hikes or weekend camping trips has been made even easier thanks to a new battery pack developed by ToughTested products.

This battery pack is no bigger than an iPhone, but holds enough reserve to recharge a cellphone many times over, as well as a camera or GPS unit. Tom Buske, involved with national sales and marketing said their solar-power packs will charge a cellphone four to five times before it needs to be recharged.

“The solar panel charger is designed as a trickle charger, not a rapid charger,” Buske said.

If you put that into perspective for time in the backcountry, after five hours of exposure to sunlight this solar battery pack can fully recharge your cellphone. And if you leave the charged solar pack in your hot car for a week, it will still have the same fully charged load ready for delivery.

“Everything we do is geared toward extra durability, extra safety and compatibility,” Buske said.

COAST headlamp

COAST has developed a new LED light source and optics fitted for headlamps, flashlights and other light devices. What caught my attention about these lights were the updated LEDs. Brighter, longer lasting and easier on power consumption, these new lights are a real prize.

One of the biggest pluses is that LED lights mean fewer spare batteries in your pack. These well-crafted light sources have also started using rechargeable batteries so that means even less spare batteries needed in the backpack for longer trips.

“You get a more powerful flashlight compared to a traditional flashlight,” said Elliot Ball, director of marketing. “Almost all of our lights use either AA or AAA batteries to keep it standardized and easy to replace.”

An LED light source offers a fuller range of equal light than a traditional light source too. This means the light is equally bright for the entire circumference of the beam.

“We have patented optics which shape the beam just like water through a fire hose,” Ball explained. “We shape the beam so that it has a crisp edge to the spreading light. So it’s the same light brightness all across the light circle.”

Light sources are necessary for many reasons. For safety, it has even more value.

“Lighting has become so advanced with high quality optics and beam control that it is more of a tool. It is now more a part of a gear kit,” Ball said. “You shouldn’t be going out without a headlamp or flashlight. Our lights focus on making all of your activities easier, safer and more enjoyable.”

From my backcountry experience I can certainly attest to the value of a good, reliable headlamp. It lights the way and keeps your hands free to help maintain your balance, move branches out of your path and keep you on the trail in the dark.

Casio G-shock watch

One final gadget upgrade for me was replacing my first Casio G-shock watch. I bought it in 1985 when I was a member of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team. That watch went with me on hundreds of late night rescues. It even went to the top of the Grand Tetons. But it was time to retire it.

Watches have become more than simply something to tell you the time. Now your watch can alert you to emails, and just about everything your cellphone can do. I took my old reliable watch to the Casio booth and talked with the experts. After a moment of silence in appreciation of a well-crafted timepiece, they brought out a new model of what my watched looked like when I first bought it 30 years ago.

My replacement was still going to tell me what time it was, but it could now also provide me information on barometric pressure, ambient temperature, timers, alarms and other “essential” features. The experts suggested I consider the new GG-1000 series.

It’s beautiful. It has real arms to tell the time. It has all of the features that today’s watches need to perform in the rugged conditions I intend to use it in.

Like any hobby and devoted hobbyist, we try to keep up with the latest trends and vital gear and supplies. The outdoor retailers show has provided a wonderful window into what we can expect next season.

Always research and test products when you can. Whether it's s new backpack or hiking boots, learn what you can first. If you sink a lot of your money into something you really want, make sure you are getting the best you can afford.

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UtahOutdoors
Michael Radice

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