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Bonus Item- Smartphone or Google  Nexus 7 Tablet  - The Baker’s Dozen of Outdoor Gear, Gadgets, and Gizmos from Worthless to Essential

11/12/2012

5 Comments

 
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Bonus Item – Smartphone or Google Nexus 7 Tablet  


SCORE 18        MSRP: ~$200


http://www.google.com/nexus/#/7 






NOTE: This is the last in my series of The Baker’s Dozen of Outdoor Gear, Gadgets, and Gizmos from Worthless to Essential.   For a table of the rankings and links to the entire list CLICK HERE. I appreciate your comments. Keep them coming. Thanks for following along.
Jack


Okay, some of you may think I’m crazy but I’m going to experiment and take my smart phone (I have an android-based phone) or my Google Nexus 7 (a 7 inch android-based tablet) on my next trip. Why would I bring a smart phone or tablet on a trip? There is no phone service where I travel so why take a phone? The battery won’t last very long without needing a charge. Here’s why; Apps! Imagine having a bird guide with bird calls or a star map allowing you to figure out what’s what in the night sky by geo-location, and so much more. Even without a phone or data connection you can have a world of resources with you like a wildflower guide with color pictures or a video of how to tie that important knot that you haven’t been able to master. It would be like having all your nature guides with you except that not only would you have the text and color photos but you could have video and audio. You wouldn't have to walk by a flower without learning what it was. You wouldn't have to listen to a bird call without know what bird it was.  I’m taking my Google Nexus 7 on my next trip and I’ll let you know how it works.

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Here’s a list of a few apps I might bring with me. Keep in mind that I have only used the Google Sky Map. I do not have any experience with the others. Let me know what your favorite outdoor apps are. (The links are for the Android version of these apps but iPhone versions of these apps exist as well.)

  • Google Sky Map – A star map that allows you to figure out exactly what each star is thanks to the use of GPS technology. Bring a book like Jonathan Poppele’s Night Sky if you want to learn the mythology and history behind the stars and constellations. We’ll have to wait for an e-version of Night Sky.

  • Nature Share  - Nature Share produces an entire series of nature guide apps for Audubon

  • Scats and Tracks of North America – Includes the scats  and tracks of nearly 150 critters found in North America

  • Sibley Birds of North America – If you are a fan of Sibley’s Guide to Birds, and who isn’t, this pricey app might be for you. It has 2300 selected audio files to help you ID that bird you can hear but not see.

5 Comments
karen smith
11/12/2012 08:42:11 am

Take Ted Mack instead, he'd probably go for just $50! :)

Reply
Doug
11/12/2012 08:53:59 am

More fun to be with too.

Reply
Doug
11/12/2012 08:52:57 am

Well, this one caught me off guard, but it shouldn't have knowing what a tech weenie you are. I get all the points you make about this, but lately I have been working to take less technology with me not more. I feel like there are way too many electronic devices in my life and I really enjoy the wilderness without all that stuff. Sorry buddy.

Reply
Jack
11/13/2012 10:43:58 am

No need to be sorry. I respect your opinion.

This is a gadget that I think will open doors of knowledge and will replace another gadget I already bring, the Kindle. As long as technology and gadgets don't preoccupy one's journey into the wilderness I embrace them. They are just another tool in a traveler's tool bucket. We have been taking advantage of technology since we first started traveling in the outdoors and traded our wool garments for fleece ones and traded our Grummans for kevlar. (and previously wood canvas for Grummans)

I can rarely bring enough nature guides with me because of the weight. This would allow me to bring all that knowledge with me. I would draw the line if I did have a phone connection. I DON'T want to bring a phone on my trips unless mandatory as it was in the Barrens.

Reply
Doug
11/22/2012 09:56:13 am

I really do get the rational on this issue and I do use a GPS sometimes, I even used my 12 year old cell phone during a bushwhack this week, but I know that electronics in the wilderness are a definite distraction and I don’t welcome them when part of my goals are to escape civilization.




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