The Silva Hand Held Compass

Silva has refined and perfected the design and build of the best quality hand help compasses over the years to be the firm favourite with outdoor enthusiasts. The great thing about the magnetic compass and why it is so popular is that it goes on being a reliable tool for finding your way about for many years without the need for any batteries.

Silva Compass Range

Silva do a variety of different purposes in many different ranges. You will definitely find the right compass for your need with Silva compasses. There are about 8 different Silva ranges which are listed below:

• Silva Field Series
• Silva Ranger Series
• Silva Expedition Series
• Silva Voyager Series
• Silva Eclipse Series
• Silva Adventure Series
• Silva Carabiner Series
• Silva Orienteering Series

Silva Starter Compass

The starter compasses can be found in the Silva field series range. These compasses are nice and simple and are suitable for an introduction to compasses and for young children. If you are just an occasional campers or walker then this range is also for you. The most popular compass in the world most likely is the Silva field 7 compass. The filed 7 is just so simple to use and it gets the job done nicely. Other compasses in the field series are the field 26 that is a nice compact compass that can actually float and the Silva field 11 compass that again is a small compact compass. The field 11 has a built in dual tone safety whistle and is good to keep around a life-jacket.

Features of the Silva Field 7 Compass

• Easy grip compass
• Compass housing made from dryflex
• Friction free movement of needle
• Sapphire jewel bearing compass
• A nice rounded base plate
• Map measuring scale of 1:50k and 1:25k

Silva Carabiner Compass

The carabiner range is when the compass has a built in carabiner with the compass. On these models the compasses are not really for advanced navigation but they still can be used as a reference. Models included the carabiner 9, carabiner 10, carabiner 40 and carabiner 28.

Summary Silva Compass Review

The Silva Compass has the most recognised and popular compasses in the world. If you need a basic compass or a very advanced model the Silva should have what you need.

The model is called the MoFlow which relates to “more flow”. Normally with hydration packs you need to suck on a hose to get your fluid from the pack. Well forget all that malarkey with the MoFlow. This hydration system comes with a air pump so to get some water you just need to bite on the tip and voila you get a wicked blast of pressurized liquid from the Polarpak Mo Flow, its pretty cool.

This innovative design makes the MoFlow hydration system very attractive for campers as the pack can be used for a variety of tasks and not just as a hydration system. For example you can clean your gear with the water blast or wash your dishes. There is also a nice addition so that you can use this polar pak hydration system as a shower.

MoFlow Polarpak Hydration System Features

• Reservoir capacity – 70oz fluid
• Dimensions – 6.75″w x 15.2″h
• Pump system
• Pressurized Water blast
• 2 internal baffles prevent liquid sloshing about
• 100% antimicrobial
• Bite Valve has 360 degree rotation

Summary Polarpak Hydration Systems Review

We think that the MoFlow Polarpak Hydration System is a great bit of kit to take camping, it can even be used for day outings, walking the dog and loads of other stuff. Please be aware you will need a backpack with a hydration slot. With a hydration system you ensure your getting the correct fluids which is important, the MoFlow also helps increase your intake as its so effortless to work with.

Multifunctional Ortlieb Water Sack

The sack can be used to store water for drinking but that is not the only function that the Ortlieb has to offer. The Ortlieb water sack also makes a great pillow that you can sit on in your camping tent or as a pillow to sleep with giving you a comfortable sleep.

The Ortlieb water bag is also good to use as a dry bag to store clothing in or as a compression bag for sleeping bags. You can also get additional accessories for the Ortlieb water sack. There is a shower valve which turns the sack into an ideal camping shower. If you go for the black sack then you have a great solar shower as the black will attract the sun heating up the water. Another great accessory is the Ortlieb drinking tube. This will transform the sack into a hydration system.

Features of the Ortlieb Sack

• Handy roll’n snap closure with buckle, serves as a handle
• Loop to hang up the water sack, on maybe trees or in tent
• Large opening for easy water filling
• Waterproof fabric
• Tear resistant fabric
• Folds into a small size
• Can be used as a pillow
• Can be used as a camping shower
• Easy to clean
• Can use as a dry bag for any clothing
• Shower Valve accessory available
• Ortlieb drinking tube can be used with the sack

Summary Ortlieb Water Sack Review

The Ortlieb water sack is a great alternative to lugging around bottles and containers. The water sacks are easily stored when not in use, they are light and also very robust due to the tear resistant fabric.

We do advise that you change your water as soon as possible and also that the valves get regularly cleaned.

Not sure who would use one of these machines but I imagine it could be used if you were on a camping or caravanning holiday that you used your car to get to the destination. I can’t really see many people strapping a portable washing machine on their back on a hike to a camping destination, ha-ha. If you have a large family and plan on being on a long camping trip then maybe a sunncamp appliance could be used to ensure your kitted out with clean and dry clothes.

Sunncamp Portable Washing Machine

The washing machine from Sunncamp is mains operated and is a nice compact washing machine for camping use. The washing machine needs to be filled up with water before use, this can be done with a hose or a by a jug.

• Washes up-to 1.5kg weight (dry)
• Drain hose is included
• Washing Timer of 15 minutes
• Weight – 5kg

Sunncamp Twin Tub Washing Machine

This mini twin tub washing machine is more expensive than the model just shown as it has two chambers to wash in. Again you have to fill the washing machine with water using a hose or jug before starting. The mini tub version also takes 1.5kg of clothes and has a timer of 15 minutes for washing. This model also has a 5 minute spin timer and the weight of the compact washing machine is 10kg

Sunncamp Portable Tumble Dryer

This tumble dryer from sunncamp is a very basic and compact tumble dryer. Here are some features:

• 2 program setting
• Loads of up-to 1.2kg
• Easy to set timer
• Suitable carry handles
• 420 Watt
• Safety catch on the door

Summary Sunncamp Appliances Review

The Sunncamp portable washing machine and Sunncamp tumble dryer are really a convenience option that a lot of people will not need on a camping or caravanning holiday.

If you are someone who really likes their creature comforts though then you can check out the Sunncamp products to get your jobs done.

A camping coffee maker can give you a great cup of coffee matching what you could do at home, it may even taste better way out in the great outdoors taking in the great country air and views whilst sipping on your coffee.

Obviously taking along a camping coffee maker will mean extra weight and space used up in your backpack, any avid coffee drinker though I’m sure would be more than happy to sacrifice these things.

The Coleman Camp Coffee Maker

The Coleman camping coffee maker is one of the most popular coffee makers for camping. With the Coleman coffee maker you do not need to compromise the quality of your coffee and you will be able to enjoy as great cup of coffee first thing after sliding out of your sleeping bag. Be warned you may even get other campers asking for their morning coffee fix from your Coleman!

The Coleman is a drip coffeemaker which is a bit to good to be true for being a camping coffee maker but it’s very cool you must agree. The Coleman can produce about 10 cups from a single brew. When the coffee is ready it’s best to take it off the stove or flame so by doing this you will find your coffee can get cold pretty quickly. The best thing to do would be use a thermal insulated container like a thermal flask/carafe. This will allow you to have nice hot coffee all day long.

Upon reviewing the Coleman camp coffee maker one big flaw which is also a bit of a fire hazard is that if the handle is not put back correctly and lies slightly to the side then the handle can get burnt and melt. This will leave the carafe unusable.

Coleman Camping Coffee Maker Features

• solid steel base
• easy pouring glass decanter
• 10 cup capacity
• Swing out filter basket
• Brew pause and serve features
• 14″ x 11.25″ x 9.25″ Dimensions
• 1 year warranty

Camping Coffee Maker Summary

Whatever coffee maker you decide on taking on your camping trip make sure its not too big, bulky and can withstand lots of knocks and bumps. To get your daily coffee fix then definitely take a camping coffee maker on your trips if you have appropriate space too.

The Coleman powerchill cooler is a fantastic little cooler which can be used in both vertical and horizontal modes (upright or chest) giving you more options than some other camping coolers.

The main selling point of the Coleman powerchill thermoelectric cooler is the ability to be able to cool your food and beverages to 40 degress farenheit below the surrounding temperature. Although we have found it to be more like 30 or so degress lower. Even so the cooler cooled drinks to a nice coldness.

The cooler can be used with a D/C plug to plug into the cigarette lighter of your car or you can also use an A/C adaptor for use at a camp site. It must be said though that if you use through your car you will get a flat battery if the engine is not running.

With this cooler its possible to change how the door opens, so either open to the left or the right. This is a neat feature as it enables you to choose your location for the cooler and not be tied to certain positions as the doors in some coolers only open in one direction.

The shelves within the coleman powerchill cooler can also be adjustded and the cooler has moulded handles allowing the shifting and moving of the cooler to be easily achieved.

Benefits of the Coleman Powerchill Cooler

Using the coleam chiller you will not need to constantly get bags of ice so you will save some money on this. It’s also nice not to have to handle ice all the time on camping trips as your hands can get very cold.

One benefit for the blokes out there is that the coleman power chill can hold about 40 cans of beer!

The coleman power chill cooler is also a great cooler that can be re-used for say parties when back at home so you will definately get your money back and use out of the coleman cooler.

Summary of the Coleman Power Chill

A great little cooler which is perfect for camping, cars, campers or RVs. The coolers can be used on a variety of occasions and the storage and flexibility of the cooler is ideal.

If your looking for a versatile cooler then check out the Coleman powerchill cooler – 40 quart model.

What’s the Best Tent Heater for Camping?

A tent heater that is used in camping need to match some criteria to make it a top choice. Probably some of the top criteria would be that it must be a safe tent heater and a light weight tent heater.

The heater must be designed specifically for use in a small space like a tent. If you use just any old heater then it can be very dangerous, we can’t stress this enough. Heaters emit and produce gas and fumes and could kill you so please seek a specialised model like the Zodi tent heater.

Tents are said to be flameless. Normally you would have a small flame but tent heaters are made in a way that the flame will not come into contact with anything. This is important as the tent has many flammable materials such as sleeping bags, pillows and even the tent itself.

Zodi Hot Vent Tent Heater

The Zodi tent heaters are a small propane tent heater and where the first in the market to be designed to tackle the concern of carbon monoxide. These heaters are hooked up from actually outside the tent and the heat is delivered through the tubes into the tent.

The hot vent heaters deliver instant hot air into your tent making your camping trip a comfortable one. You can adjust the heat controls allow you to manage your perfect temperature also.

The Zodi heaters have a small quiet fan and this can connect to any 12 volt battery. There is a sealed heat exchanger which is designed to keep the smelly gases and odours out of the tent.

With a 16 oz propane cylinder you can expect about 3-8 hours of heat.

The Features of a Zodi Tent Heater

Here is a recap of the main features of the hot vent models

• Adjustable air temperature
• Lightweight tent heater
• Safe tent heater
• Small propane tent heater
• Connects to any 12v battery
• Available in 10,000 BTU or 20,000 BTU models
• Keeps smelly gases out
• Great for camping and also in RVs

If you are looking for a tent heater to take on your camping trip and add to your outdoor camping supplies make sure its designed for the job as your safety is the most important thing. The Zodi tent heater is a good choice to take on any outdoor trip.

Caplio 500 SE Features

The reason we like the Ricoh Caplio 500 SE is the fact that it has high resistance to the elements like water, dust and shock. This enables you to enjoy your trips and focus on taking some nice memorable snaps instead of worrying about damaging the camera.

The 500SE has a 28mm wide angle zoom, this enables the camera to capture a larger area than what a 35mm lens of a normal digital camera could.

A neat feature also is that the zoom lens doesn’t extend from the sealed housing unit which gives greater protection from any dirt or dust.

One thing we found upon reviewing the 500SE camera was that it was better than the Olympus 790 sw in sunny conditions. This is because the Caplio 500 has a anti-reflection coating which helps with the viewing of the LCD in sunnier conditions, this is also helped out with the optical viewfinder.

Here are some further features of the Caplio 500SE digital camera:

• Has bluetooth and wireless capability
• 8 Megapixel resolution
• 3x optical zoom
• 28mm wide angle zoom
• Reinforced glass shielding over the lens
• JIS protection grade of 7
• Blurring reduction function
• Super long battery life
• High resolution 2.5 inch LCD monitor

We found the Caplio Ricoh 500SE to be a nice camera to take on any outdoor activities, its well made and designed to stand the toughest conditions.

The outdoor adventurers of us really do need what is classed as a “tough camera” and that’s exactly what this Olympus model is.

Olympus mju 790 sw review

The best features offered by the Olympus 790 camera is that it’s shock proof, waterproof and also freeze proof. These features are what you would buy this digital camera for really. The screen is a bit of a let down and also it would have been nice to have a view finder in addition to an LCD screen as the sunlight makes it hard to see the pictures you are taking sometimes if you use it a lot outdoors which we do.

The camera does take some nice pictures with its 7.1 mega pixels and its face detection technology makes sure you get the optimal focus in those areas you really need. For the outdoor users there is also plenty of scene modes to choose from to help with taking the ideal photograph. In total the 790 model has 23 scene modes which includes a beach mode, snow mode and 4 modes dedicated to underwater use.

Further Olympus 790 Digital Camera Features

Here are some specifications/features that the Olympus 790 model boasts:

• Waterproof up to 3m
• 23 scene modes
• Face detection technology
• Brightcapture technology
• High ISO settings giving less blur
• Movie recording with sound option
• Truepic III image processing

If you wanted to increase the scope of using the Olympus stylus 790 underwater then you can combine the camera with a PT-041 underwater case which will allow a shooting depth then of up to 40m in depth.

We think the Olympus 790 digital camera is a good choice for the outdoor junkies and it will provide you with a robust camera to lug around with little worry. You can get the camera in a few fetching colors which include a bright orange and pink model, should be helpful locating it if dropped on a trail or in the snow even!

Your feet, hands and face are nice and toasty but your back and butt feel a bit chilly. I’m sure we all have faced this scenario if you’ve been camping on a cold evening. Well we have found an invention made by an avid camper to solve this problem.

The bakglo is a product which is made of a highly reflective metalized PVC. It is able to clip onto most chairs or you can install some wooden steaks. The bakglo will reflect the heat from the fire back towards your bottom and back.

Bakglo is a nice little camping accessory for those chilly evenings around the campfire. The bakglo can be found at pfcampinggadgets.com.