By Jean-Jacques DeLisle, contributing writer
With the time off and winter storms on their way, many will find themselves engaged in adventurous holiday and wintertime activities, both planned and unintentional. But the holiday season is the time to fuel each other’s passions with great new gifts, and supporting one another’s adventures is the way to go. The following is a select pick of portable life-hacking gadgets and tech that make great gifts for those seeking outdoor, hunting, survival, or preparedness fun.
goTennaMesh Portable Private Communication Network Devices
Smartphones have become an extension of our bodies and a great way to capture previously uncapturable moments, but the biggest liability for this new device is the communications technology being tied to cellular towers and Wi-Fi. goTenna has worked hard to free the adventurous of this hindrance, with a Bluetooth-connected VHF radio extension for a smartphone that includes an app that enables point-to-point and mesh networking capable of texting and GPS. The best part about the goTenna Mesh devices is that they are inexpensive, long-range, low-power, and work with our already all-too-familiar smartphones.
Image source: goTenna.
NOCO Genius Boost HD GB70 2,000-A 12-V UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter
Having just had my car come to a sputtering halt last night on the Grand Central Parkway in New York City near LaGuardia Airport, this little beauty strikes me as both ironic and extremely useful. Short of keeping a spare battery fully charged in the back of your car, a portable jump starter is a great solution when unforeseen electrical issues leave you stranded. The latest generation of portable jump starters leverage lithium-ion battery technology with many new smart safety and convenience features. For all those who have said “never again,” the NOCO Genius Boost jump starter lines offer compact and ultra-safe jump starting and cost less than a single short-range tow.
Image source: NOCO.
Goal Zero Lighthouse 250 Lantern and USB Power Hub with Nomad Portable Solar Panels
Goal Zero has been working hard to provide a wide line of portable battery power and solar charging devices, two of which, the Lighthouse 400 Lantern & USB Power Hub with Nomad 14 Plus Solar Panels, are exceptionally useful for those traveling off the grid or when the grid lets you down. The adjustable lithium-ion battery lantern can be charged from a USB charger, a solar panel, or even a hand crank, giving more than enough ways to ensure that the darkness is kept at bay. The lantern also doubles as a USB charger and can charge smartphones. Pair this with the portable solar panels from Goal Zero, and a backpacking adventure or cold night without power during a storm can carry the promise of having vital light and electronics chargeable and close at hand.
Image source: Goal Zero.
RunningSail Emergency Hand Crank Self-Powered AM/FM NOAA Solar Weather Radio with LED Flashlight and Power Bank
An Amazon number-one best selle, the RunningSail Emergency radio, flashlight, and powerbank is just too useful to pass up at its price range. This handy, multi-purpose emergency and survival tool comes with an LED light, AM/FM NOAA solar weather radio, a 100-mAh power bank for charging USB electronics (including smartphones), and a hand crank to keep it all going. Enough said!
Image source: Amazon.
Spy Tec STI GL300 Mini Portable Real-Time Personal and Vehicle GPS Tracker
Sometimes we all need to keep track of important assets, vehicles, and even ourselves. That is where this handy GPS tracker comes into play. Compact and durable, the Spy Tec STI GL300 is paired with an internet-based service that enables real-time tracking over the internet, complete with phone and email alerts. The pricier monthly plans offer more features and a faster GPS location update tracker for those looking to pinpoint what they are tracking. So if you need to keep track of your kids, spouse, expensive gear, or off-road vehicles/ATVs, this GPS tracker could eschew the need for bloodhounds and private investigators.
Image source: Spy Tec.
Streamlight 650018 Stylus 3-AAAA LED Pen Lights
When dark situations arise, a light is only as useful as our ability to keep it on hand. The Streamlight Stylus LED Penlights somewhat solve the dilemma of having to carry a light on hand at all times. About the size of a normal pen, these Stylus lights can easily click in any bag or pocket for quick illuminating relief of dim situations.
Image source: Amazon.
OtterBox Rugged Cases for iPhone 7, iPhone 8, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S8, and Other Smartphone Brands
Though many of the latest smartphones feature sleek bodies, those bodies are also very susceptible to become much less useful and fast in adverse conditions. Smartphones are fragile; just look at the iPhone X drop test . Hence, OtterBox, a leading maker of rugged smartphone cases, makes very durable cases. With many new emergency, survival, and outdoor devices working with smartphones, it only makes sense to keep these precious lifelines intact.
Image source: OtterBox.
Looking for engineering gift ideas this holiday season? Check out the ultimate engineering gift guide for 2017.
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