Comments on: Gadgets Galore

By: megan

megan — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 06:42:57 +0000

the bag is cool, but i just ordered everyone on my shopping list this bag: reusablebags.com they’re much cheaper, but they aren’t a shoulder bag… the shoulder bag would be nice… hmm.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 14:20:15 +0000

I think the Steripen I linked to comes with a filter, so you can filter dirty or gritty water, then use the pen. We’ve spent so much time in REI over the past few years (Grand Canyon trip, every sale they have, planning this trip) that I feel like I could work there, since we have talked to someone in the store about practically every single product at one time or another. We even have this one woman there that we like to call our personal shopper, because seriously, she assists us every single time we’re there. I think she thinks we hide out in the tents and live there.

As for the spork + knife, the knife is pretty wimpy. It is plastic after all. On our usual adventures, we rely on the good ol’ Swiss Army Knife whenever we have to cut anything, and we’ll do that again here. But with the 4 pack, we’ll each have 2 and could use the fork and knife at the same time if we chose. Though really, I just love cutting things with the Swiss Army Knife. I’ve even used it as a fork before, stabbing things with it and eating them right off the knife. So far, I haven’t severed my tongue, so I think I’ll trust my luck with the plastic knife not doing any real damage.

Joyce–quit losing and breaking things! And post something new on your website, will you? I know you have Internet access if you’re writing comments here, so give us a post! I want to hear about New Zealand/Australia or wherever the heck you are.

By: Joyce

Joyce — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:42:39 +0000

Ok, the spork idea was awesome. However, if you check it out in a store, you’ll quickly notice that the fork/knife end could be relatively dangerous…. Just image putting a whole mouthful in and then cutting one side of your mouth because that happened to be the side with the knife? Ouch! Jack and I decided to go with a metal option, three different utensils that all connect together so they won’t get lost. Also, sometimes you need all three: fork to hold food down, knife to cut, and spoon to stir a drink.

We also had a tripod, which fell out of a backpack in Peru. Opps.

Jack is in charge of all gadgets. I know we have two kinds of water purifiers. We have the steripen, with a solar charger (awesome) and a very simple purifier, because, as you may infer, if you use the steripen it does not mean the water is grit free. Plus it won’t work unless the water is clear, or something. Jack knows more about this.

Jack also bought this water proof video camera before we left. It was quite high tech and we were so psyched to use it; however, it broke. Hence no video! Ah, the stuff that will and does happen.

By: Gregory

Gregory — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:58:09 +0000

Why do I feel like I’ve used a renewable flashlight before? It was either that or I shook the hell out of a regular flashlight because the batteries weren’t working, or the light was too dim. And if the spork is also a knife, I feel as though the knife needs better representation in the name…say kspork (silent k of course) or sporkfe…I don’t know.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:00:45 +0000

OK, Theresa, but don’t expect me to be lugging any of your heavy batteries. You’re on your own with that. Cool bag though huh?

By: Theresa

Theresa — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:16:33 +0000

Um, I know I’m weak and all, but my arm would get tired from shaking something for three straight minutes. Interesting concept, but I don’t think the payoff is that great: three minutes of shaking, twenty minutes of light. And how strong is the light?

I think I’ll just carry extra batteries. You can shake all you want, however. I’ll just pop in my extra batteries and shine my light on you for three minutes while you shake, shake, shake.