Camping Gets A Whole Lot Brighter

The new line of lanterns and headlamps from COAST LED Lenser make camping quite a bit easier. On our last camping trip we took our two youngest girls (8 and 10) to El Capitan campground for a long weekend. We gave the Personal Lantern (TT7100) to the girls (nighttime frolickers) and I (as Fire Master and Head of Campsite Security) used the Revolution Headlamp (TT7468).

I do have to say that one of the things that I really don’t like about preparing for a camping trip is the checking of the flashlight and lantern batteries. With the Coast LED products, that job becomes a whole lot easier as the battery life on the headlamp is about 35 hours and on the personal lantern it ranges from 9 to 50 hours. That’s a lot of camping!!!

On the first night, the girls found the perfect spot for their little lantern…suspended from the center pole, inside their tent. It lit the whole tent on the bright setting and served as a great night light on low. They said that it made their tent look and feel comfortable, safe and FESTIVE!

I on the other hand, found both good and ….fun ways to use the headlamp. It was, indeed, a great help in gathering wood, going to the bushes bathroom safer, as there was a few spots with Poison Oak around. I was also able to have a bit of fun annoying people with the lamp on high and seeing people look away and hide their eyes from it’s strong beam.

All in all, both of the products that we tested got thumbs up all around. I would recommend to all of our readers to go out and get a few COAST LED products and cut down on the continuous changing of the batteries.

These products can be purchased through the manufacturer’s web site http://www.coastportland.com/ or directly from http://www.lightsandknives.com/ each product retails for $59.99

Briefly, about the products:

Revolution Headlamp
• Beam visible up to 3,000 yds.
• High-intensity 1.25-watt LED; white beam
• Patent-pending Prism Reflector System
• Up to 48 hours of light from one set of batteries
• Hinged attachment to position beam
• Adjustable straps
• “Revolution” dimming switch system
• (3) AAA batteries included

Personal Lantern
• 3.55 – watt power
• 45 lumens
• battery life of 9 to 50 hours
• weighs 12oz.
• 6 inches high
• takes 4 AA batteries

Top Notch Sleeping Bags For The Tent Camper

When it comes to tent camping there are a few things to keep in mind as far as sleeping bags go. I know that for me, comfort is the key, and then comes warmth. That may be because I live in Southern California and it really does not get THAT cold. With the differing terrain that we camp on; desert floors, rocky hillsides, hard, packed dirt, pine cones and sticks, etc., etc. I, for one like to have a nice even layer of padding between my sensitive, aging body and earth’s hard floor.

We had the opportunity to review two of Sierra Design’s new sleeping bags, the men’s Verde 20 and women’s Dé Jà Vu 20. Not only did the bags keep us nice and toasty at night, both in the desert and cliff camping on the coast, but they also provided an evenly distributed layer of Climashield insulation. It is also quite nice to know that these bags incorporates Sierra Designs’ Green Effect program; The Climashield Green insulation is post-consumer recycled polyester. EcoSensor Recycled Shell material is spun from recycled materials, too. The Cocona Woven liner incorporates sustainable, all-natural Cocona for improved moisture management and odor prevention.

Now, when you talk about sleeping bags, most people don’t tend to talk about “bells and whistles” or extra features, but I’d like to just mention a few that I feel are worth a side note. These sleeping bags feature a pillow pocket, so that you don’t wake up at 3AM with a rock forming a hole in your head. Your camping pillow will stay in just the right position all night long. They also feature, one of my favorites, the snag-free zipper. I can’t tell you how many sleeping bags I have had to operate on as a result of snagged zippers. I also liked the chest pocket. It is a convenient place to keep a cell phone, light or a watch while sleeping.

As I have had the ….pleasure of camping in quite an assortment of sleeping bags and I can say that Sierra Designs is most definitely in my top list. Get out there and pick up one of these bags so that you can really get a good night’s sleep in order to enjoy all of your fun adventures during the day.

Sierra Design’s most sustainable sleeping bags, can be purchased for $179 (reg.) and $194 (long)
And are available at: http://www.sierradesigns.com/

Eureka's "Blast From The Past"

Eureka! has hit the stake on the head, when it comes to the old school tent concept. The Timberline 4 is as close to wheat I remember camping in as a child as I have seen in recent years. The A-Frame shape and its dark green color are what come to mind when I think back to camping in the 70’s. Well, that and VW’s, tie-dyes and headbands.

Obviously, the materials that are used in the Timberland are significantly lighter, and much easier to work with than the 70’s canvas and 1 ½”aluminum pole monstrosities that I first camped in.

Weighing just over 7 ½ pounds, the Timberline went up in about 8 minutes to reveal its 7’2” x 8’ 7” floor space. This tent could accommodate 4 people but we had just two. Due to the severe rain that we encountered, we had to stow all of our gear in the corners. It would have been pretty tight if there were 4 of us (plus gear.)

Throughout the evening and into the night, we got hit with quite a hard rain storm. We were a bit concerned as we had to put up some tarps in some areas of the campsite and the tarps were having a hard time keeping out the rain. The ground under the tent was basically a mud puddle and we talked about sliding a tarp underneath the tent so that we did not wake up in the middle of the night completely soaked. We opted not to use the tarp so that we could really see how the Timberland and its polyester taffeta floor would protect us.

At sunrise, as we crawled out of the tent, we felt the floor and our sleeping bags and much to our surprise, EVERYTHING was dry! After making some hot coffee, we did a basic inspection of the campsite to see what needed to be aired out or dried off. To make this easy…everything that was not inside the tent with us ….was drenched.

That being said, the Timberline gets an “A” from me for nostalgia and keeping us warm and dry during a storm.

Timberline 4
5 pole A frame tent
1/2" aluminum frame
Twin-track side opening door
Shockcorded eaves increase stability and absorb wind stress
Hooded fly front and rear allows windows to remain partially open during rain for ventilation
Large rear window and areas of uncoated fabric maximize air flow
Optional vestibule and annex add extra storage and rain protection
Sleeps - 4
Floor Size - 7'2" x 8'7"
Pack Size - 7" x 24"
Min Weight - 7 lbs. 13 oz.
Seasons - 3
Tent Area - 63 sq. ft.
Center Height - 4' 10"

The Timberland 4 (available in 2-person as well) can be purchased at http://www.eurekatenets.com/ for $189.99

Sperry Top-Siders - A Great Fit

Not having heard of Sperry before, I was not expecting much prior to getting the samples. We received both the men’s Barracuda Sport Fisherman and the women’s Spectra for review. Looking at the shoes, I became a bit more eager to test them out. The Barracuda is a great looking shoe. It is very light, which concerned me when thinking about foot protection, but it seemed to be well constructed.

I first wore them camping. We did a lot of hiking along trails and the inevitable security patrols around the campsite. They were exceptionally comfortable and actually felt as if I were wearing sneakers. I did notice that on the cold nights and mornings that for once I was not complaining about my feet being cold.

The next test was fishing. As these top-siders are made for fishing and boats and I already knew the comfort and warmth of the shoe, I only had a few things to review; traction on wet surfaces and how dry my feet would stay. All that I can say with regard to fishing is that my feet stayed perfectly dry and warm and not once did I slip on the deck!!!!

The final test for the Sperry’s was my hiking adventure deep into the Santa Monica Mountains yesterday. As I had become quite fond of the new Barracudas, I had to give them one last test instead of wearing my heavy-duty hiking boots.

Gearing up for our trip, I ran into the first (and my only) dislike (flaw) of the shoes. While I was lacing them up, one of the riveted eyes for the laces popped right out. The laces could still be tightened as there is another strap holding the eye in the right general location. I proceeded to wear them for the hike as I knew this would be another great test.

I have to say that I was not disappointed. We spent 4 hours in some of the most difficult terrain that I’ve been on in a long time. We hiked on mud, gravel and dirt paths, climbed steep rocky hillsides, jumped and climbed boulders along a streambed, scrambled up and down ravines with absolutely on footings and climbed steep, slick riverbed rocks. At no point did I loose traction, hurt my feet or feel anything but comfort and security with the Barracudas.

Mariah reviewed the Spectra and was quite happy with them. She wore them in a number of circumstances including; camping, fishing, kids’ soccer games and on errands.
The Spectra slip on shoes by Sperry are not like your grandfathers old topsiders, these are stylish and comfortable. She barely felt like she was wearing shoes at all! They were very comfortable and kept her feet dry … and when they did get wet they were quick to dry.

With the exception of the construction quality issue I ran into, I have to say that I LOVE these Sperrys. I give them a big BOA thumbs up!!!!!

The Barracuda retails for $90.00 and the Spectra for $80.00
Both are available at: http://www.sperrytopsider.com/

Some Specs:
Barracuda
Waterproof Construction Keeps Feet Dry in Wet Conditions
Ultra-Light Construction Reduces Foot Fatigue
Stain & Water Resistant Leather Provides Durable & Lasting Wear
Padded Tongue and Collar for Added Comfort Around the Foot
Removable and Full Length Molded Footbed with Wave-Comfort System for All Day Under Foot Comfort
Molded EVA Cushion Midsole for All Day, Under-Foot Comfort
New Hydro-Grip™ Rubber Traction Compound Offers the Ultimate Performance Traction Outsole Compound
Non-Marking Lugged Rubber Outsole with Wave-Siping™ for Versatile On/Off Water Traction
Spectra
Low Water Absorption Materials are Quick Drying
Removable, Full Length EVA Footbed for Full Foot Shock Absorption
Outsole Drainage Ports Promote Water Drainage
Elastic Lace with Locking Toggle Adjusts for a Secure Fit
Non-Marking Rubber Outsole™ with Razor Cut Wave-Siping™ for Ultimate Wet / Dry Traction

The Trailfinder Line By Energizer

The Little Pink Bunny Goes Camping

Energizer, you know…that company with that crazy pink bunny that never stops, has once again outdone its competitors. Energizer’s new Trailfinder series of lighting for outdoor enthusiasts has thoroughly impressed me. I recently had the opportunity to test out a few of the products in that line and although I don’t much like fumbling with batteries before a trip, this new line, featuring LED technology has sparked my interest.

When the batteries in a full strength lantern outlast my trusty, favorite camping flashlight, thoughts of retiring it fill my head. It is a sad thought…I love my flashlight, but with this new LED lighting option, the battery life-span is more than tripled. The thought of changing batteries has never been one of my favorite things and now I can let those thoughts slip right to the back of my head.

The Energizer products that we tested included (in the order that I liked them): 6-LED Headlight, 2-in-1 LED Light, Dual Power Lantern and the 3-LED Headlight. Surprisingly enough, I was thoroughly impressed with all of them.

The 6-LED Headlight features a 4 function light, which was great for me. It ranges from a red, night vision light all the way up to the 6-light spot/flood combo that illuminates everything around you. Running on 3 AAA Energizer MAX batteries, this “Super Headlight” can last up to 50 hours (as does the 3-LED Headlight). I actually gave my old headlight to Mariah as I wanted this one for myself. “Sorry Mariah.”


Secondly, the cute little 2-in-1 LED Light was a great bonus among the products that we got. It is a palm sized LED flashlight that when extended, serves as a great little lantern, good for inside a tent, on the table while eating or set in a box or trunk while looking for something at night. When I finally was able to get the kids to stop playing with it, it came in very handy for bathroom runs and missing garments around the campsite.

The Dual Power Lantern is also pretty cool as it offers a car adapter so that when car camping, you can plug in into the cigarette lighter and save on having to pack extra “D” batteries.
All in all, this new line from is going to make me keep going and going and going….back to Energizer.

Visit the Energizer site (http://www.energizer.com/pages/where-to-buy-online.aspx) today to see where you can pick up any of the above recommended products…Brighten your next camping trip!


We can’t wait to get our next bundle of goodies from Energizer’s amazing product line.

Motorola Has Proven That They Are A Company To TALKABOUT

Having an opportunity to review Motorola’s new TALKABOUT T9580RSAME two-way radios was a great experience for us. Motorola has succeeded in packing clarity, ease-of-use and the latest technologies into a stylish and durable package.

These new radios are amazing. We took the units on several camping trips and were impressed that no matter where the kids snuck off to, we had a way to clearly communicate with them. The units performed much better than I had previously experienced with two-way radios. It did not seem to matter what the terrain was; campground, beach, hiking in the mountains or on the highway in two separated cars…the TALKABOUTS were quite handy to have with us.

One of the best things that we ran into while reviewing the units was the fact that they were at points, our only way of communicating while on trips in areas where there was no cell phone coverage. Camping and hiking in very remote areas with children between the ages of 9 and 16, it is nice to know that they can reach us if they need to.

On the lighter side, these radios can also provide hours of fun, as was proven to us by our youngest and her friends. While camping or just running around the neighborhood, they have spent ours playing secret agent, spy games, etc. Loaded with their convenient, rechargeable batteries and their tough casing, I have the radios out where they can be used by anyone at any time.

These radios also incorporate a great bundle of technology which allows users to monitor weather and emergency services in their area. “The Motorola TALKABOUT EM1000 and T9580RSAME series of two-way radios enable today's active families to enjoy the great outdoors without missing important emergency and weather alerts with convenient, total emergency preparedness for the home," Marjon De Groot, Director of Marketing for Giant International, a Motorola distribution ally. “The radios integrate the best of two-way FRS/GMRS functionality with reliable weather and emergency warnings to deliver a powerful communications tool."

The T9580RSAME radios also help warn users of emergencies through Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) technology. SAME technology helps filter out distant warning broadcasts and monitors only programmed localized area, helping reduce the chance of false alarms. Leveraging this technology, the Motorola TALKABOUT T9580RSAME radios display a three letter code for the type of emergency, and a voice message plays when an alert is broadcast from the National Weather Service. The T9580RSAME radios are the first in the industry to offer this service together with two-way FRS/GMRS communications.

The T9580RSAME radios allow users to maintain clear connections with the convenience and flexibility to fit every lifestyle. With 22 channels, each with 121 privacy codes, users have 2,662 combinations of communication channels to choose from. Additionally, hands-free communication is available by using the iVOX speech-activated feature, which provides outdoor enthusiasts and active families the freedom of mobility in even the most remote settings.

If you and /or your family enjoy exploring the outdoors, going on adventures as much as we do, log onto the Motorola store http://www.store.motorola.com/ or go directly to the product page at: http://www.store.motorola.com/mot/en/US/adirect/motorola?cmd=catProductDetail and get yourself a pair of these unbeatable two-ways. They are GREAT!!!!!

The Motorola TALKABOUT T9580RSAME has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $89.99 per pair.

The Three Thieves- Eco Wine

Bandit wine by Three Thieves comes in a clever eco-friendly “box” , whoa, don’t be scared because it is “boxed” wine… this wine is as good as any bottle of wine that I have had. The best part of it is the handy box that it comes in, it won’t break, it’s recyclable and if you are camping, you can just throw the box in the fire when you are finished with it.

The Cabernet was smooth and delicate without any harsh aftertaste or smell, it was my favorite. My sister, however, preferred the chardonnay and proclaimed that it was “buttery smooth” We took the smaller versions (approx one glass each) with us on a hiking trip and they fit perfectly in our backpacks without the weight or hassle of the glass bottle… Plus no need to bring a wine opener, you simply pull off the foil covering and voila you are drinking wine on a mountain with your sister. When we were done we literally crushed up the box and brought it back down the mountain.

The Three Thieves have created a wine for the rest of us, their one liter jugs were an instant hit and the Tetra packs are becoming increasingly popular because of their size and convenience.

This is a wine that is definitely a must for anybody on the go!

Bandit wine and more of The Three Thieves Wines are available at www.threethieves.com or
wherever all great wines are found!

Visit the Thieves and enjoy the wine!

The Best In Outdoor Cookware

Family camping, with all 4 kids, is one of our favorite things to do. It is so nice to have everyone running around, enjoying all that the outdoors has to offer.

The problem with this kind of camping mostly comes from the packing stage. With two adults, a 9 year old, an 11 year old, a 13 year old and a 16 year old, there is a lot to consider when readying for a trip. Between the food, drinks, plates, cups and pots and pans, it makes for a lot of figuring out.

Luckily, one of the above just became much easier. With the introduction on GSI Outdoor’s new Bugaboo line, we now have a complete set of pots and pans that can handle pretty much any of our campsite cooking needs. The Bugaboo Cookset LG is a lightweight, compact set of two pots, two pans (that double as lids for the pots,) two cutting boards and a removable handle that attaches to all four items.

We used the cookset on the last few trips that we went on and have cooked everything from steak and potatoes to soup, eggs, grilled cheese and stew. On every occasion, the food came out perfectly over the set’s even-heating cook surface… Although, we did have one of the best campsite chefs with us. One of the coolest things about the set is the DiamondBack Gripper. This handle is interchangeable so that when leaving a pot on the stove, you can remove the handle and then when your food is ready, clip it back on and not have to worry about hot handles or the need for pot holders.

Weighing under 3 pounds combined, the whole set is stackable which allows it to fit snugly into the accompanying mesh bag. This set is all that we have to pack for cookware on any of our trips. In addition, the set is made of lightweight, non-stick coated aluminum and comes in a stylish blue exterior color.

GSI Outdoors, started in Southern California in 1985, has an impressive line of cookware and dining products for just about any outdoor activity.

The set stows in a compact mesh bag measuring 10.75” x 10.75” x 5.75” The set includes a; 2.5 qt. pot, 4 qt pot, 2 dual-use frying pans/lids, 2 cutting boards and a diamondback Griper (removable handle)

Available for $64.95 at http://www.gsioutdoors.com/ I would highly recommend this as an upgrade to your camp set.