Going green for campers can be a challenge for those who have never done it before. In a world of instant, disposable items, having a green camping experience can be jarring for people who used to modern conveniences. Nevertheless, it is possible to go green while camping. Here are five devices that makes the going a little easier for the environmentally-conscious.

2C Solar-Powered Baseball Cap

The 2C Solar Cap

1) The 2C Solar-Powered Baseball Cap has a solar panel on the top that collects sunlight and stores it in a small battery. On the bottom of the cap rim there is a series of LED lights, which provide a light source useful for such things as reading maps at night that is always available as long as the sun is out during the day.

Lightcap 300

The Lightcap 300 Solar Powered Light

2) The Lightcap 300 is an innovative gadget that combines a water bottle with a solar-powered LED lantern. The bottle can be used to store water or sensitive documents in a watertight container that also boasts a powerful light source. This combines two functions in one, making it another green camping must-have.

Solar Pocket Shower

Solar Pocket Shower

3) The Eco-Friendly Solar Pocket Shower heats up water by using the sun’s energy. It consists of a portable bag with a plastic nozzle that holds up to ten liters of water. All the camper has to do is full it with water, let it sit in the sun for a while, and then hang it over a tree limb and shower. The holding capacity should make for about seven minutes of shower time.

Freeloader Globetrotter Kit

Freeloader Globetrotter Kit

4) The Freeloader Globetrotter Kit is a collection of supplies designed to charge portable electronics. It comes with the Freeloader, which charges a wide range of electronics, from Mp3 players to GPS locators. In addition, the kit comes with the Supercharger, a flexible weatherproof solar panel that can be attached to a backpack or bike rack that makes it easy to use with the Freeloader.

EyeMax Wind Up Solar-Powered Radio

The EyeMax Wind Up Solar-Powered Radio

5) The EyeMax Wind Up Solar-Powered Radio with LED Torch Light combines a radio powered by a wind-up winch and a solar panel, depending on whichever is necessary. Thirty seconds of wind-up gives thirty-five minutes of listening time. In addition, the LED torch light provides a powerful light beam that can provide a powerful light source at the cost of decreased battery life.

So there you go! Five really cool eco-friendly gadgets so that you can enjoy the great outdoors with a touch of style!

This article on outdoor eco gadgets was written by Dan Harrison of EnviroGadget.com. Dan and his team write reviews on all kinds of energy saving gadgets on a daily basis. Other eco-friendly gadgets they have reviewed includes energy saving photo frames, indoor food waste composters, wind-up torches, solar-powered iPod speakers and loads more!

Image credit

Top 5 Eco Gadgets for Green Campers is from Campr - Everything Camping

Festivals are a time when camping gadgets come into their own.

Everyone brings a few items that make a weekend away from home comforts a little more bearable, so as the 2010 festival season bursts into life we have assembled a list of some essential gadgets that make camping amongst thousands of fellow revellers a little more enjoyable.

Travel John Disposable Urinal

Travel John Disposable Urinal

Toilets are synonymous with festivals and whilst the quality has increased in recent years, (Glastonbury’s long drops are open to the elements but far nicer than portaloos) the thought of a dash through guy ropes at 3am does not appeal.

The Travel John (RRP £4.99) disposable urinal solves this midnight dilemma, each bag is filled with the stuff you find in baby’s nappies and can be thrown away in the morning. Suitable for boys and girls!

Gelert Roll up Water Carrier

Gelert Roll Up Water Carrier

If the Travel John helps you get water *out* of the tent the Gelert Roll Up Water Carrier (RRP £6.75) helps you get it in. Bottled water is expensive at festivals and there is the inevitable fight every morning to fill scavenged plastic containers, sidestep this with the easy to carry and store water carrier.

Sky Lantern

High Flyer Sky Lanterns

Don’t forget festivals are supposed to be about fun and abandonment, a few camping gadgets are great but you don’t want to turn up looking like a boy scout when all your mates are writhing naked in the Stone Circle. The High Flyer Sky Lanterns (£8.99 pack of 10) are a little bit of festival magic you can pre-prepare. A  tea light fills the paper bags with hot air and they gently float into the sky like little pixies.

Coleman Constellation Quad Camping Chair

Coleman Constellation Quad Camping Chair

A chair is something you will curse every second of walk from the car to your pitch but worship over the next three days. Having a chair can score you free drinks and all the rizla you need as your furniture starved mates crave a little sit down. The Coleman Constellation Quad (RRP £16.99) is sturdy enough to last a whole festival and has the vital drinks holder.

Dolphin Windup Torch and Phone Charger

Dolphin Wind-up Torch and Phone Charger

You don’t want to spend half a day queuing to charge your phone and you don’t want to blunder into someone else’s tent (maybe you do) on the way home, kill this two birds with one wind-up shaped stone – the Dolphin Windup Torch and Phone Charger. (RRP £10.99). Crank that wrist to generate enough power to text mum and find the party.

Image credit

Festival Camping Gadgets is from Campr - Everything Camping

The outdoors and gadgets do not always mix, if it’s not the elements it’s the inconvenient lack of powerpoints thwarting our attempts at twittering, texting and talking (electronically) whilst camping.

But as we become more dependent on our battery powered second limbs, the day or so an average smart phone will last away from civilisation just isn’t enough. The Nexus Powerpack PRO comphrensively solves this problem by acting as a backup charging device for pretty much every gadget you’re likely to own in 2010.

The Nexus is a small and light, slightly smaller than an iPhone and comes with connectors to charge all major mobile phones and other popular gadgets like the Nintendo DS, Sony PSP plus any USB powered device.

Almost every phone and gadget can be charged

Charging an iPhone 3GS with the Nexus Pro was as quick as charging it from the mains, and there was enough power left to get a Sony Ericsson mobile phone going. The Nexus includes a charge meter to show remaining power and is sturdily built enough to survive most casual camping trips.

The only problem with could see is the ease with which one of the many adaptors could be lost. But if you leave the excess bits at home this shouldn’t be a problem.

As a bonus the Nexus Pro includes a presentation pouch that will save it from light exposure to the elements.

The Powerpack (RRP £29.99) is available from Mobilefun.co.uk for £19.99

Nexus Powerpack Pro on eBay

NEW HTC G1 MYTOUCH NEXUS ONE TOUCH POWERPACK CHARGER

US $13.99 End Date: Monday Aug-23-2010 18:02:48 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $13.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Nexus Powerpack PRO Review is from Campr - Everything Camping

Love camping? Love gadgets? Camping has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last few years. The rise of festivals as a mainstream activity, the coining of ‘glamping’ and the emergence of the cool camping generation have transformed camping from a cheap holiday option into a fashionable lifestyle choice.

Some old-school campers may baulk at these developments but anything that encourages nights spent under canvas/plastic tent stuff chimes perfectly with our more eco-concious times.

If you’re one of the new breed of campers check out these  gadgets to make camping a little more ‘cool’.

5 Cool Camping Products

Handpresso Wild Outdoor Set

Hanpresso Wild Outdoor Set

If your twin passions in live are camping and good coffee then you may have resigned yourself to the twain never meeting.

Never fear! The Handpresso Wild Outdoor Set solves the dilemma of a good coffee verses the dawn chorus under canvas. A beautiful object itself, the Handpresso makes quality outdoor coffee and comes complete with 4 ‘unbreakable’ espresso cups, 2 travel mats and your very own thermo-insulated flask.

Light my Fire Outdoor Meal kit

Light my Fire Outdoor Meal kit

The Light my Fire Outdoor Meal kit is a perfect for triangle loving campers looking for a practical way to store a complete meal kit.

Available in a range of funky colour sure to match the shade of your canvas, the Outdoor Meal kit boasts everything you need to dine al fresco in relative style including the famous ‘spork’.

Carabiner Mug

Carabiner Mug

Carabiners are somehow inherently cool yet practical, attach them to a mug that can hold tea or the favorite beverage of your choice and you have the ice cold Carabiner mug.

Made of stainless steel, the carabiner will clip to your rucksack and you can jauntily pretend you’re the type who climbs things.

Trekmates Single Expedition Hammock

Trekmates Single Expedition Hammock

Teepees and yurts are so last decade. 2010 is the year of the hammock. The Trekmates Single Expedition Hammock is a great beginners example, it’s lightweight and generously sized.

Twin layered with room for a sleep mat you just need two good strong trees. And a cocktail.

Swedish Army Firesteel

Swedish Army Firesteel

The Swiss have their knives and the Swedes have firesteels. Whilst every second rate scout sports a penknife you won’t find many with a Swedish Army Firesteel.

Its 3,000°C spark makes fire building easy in any conditions and you’re going to look much cooler whipping one of these out than a petrol station lighter.

5 Cool Camping Gadgets is from Campr - Everything Camping

Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you have to slum it. Gillian Hook brings refined cooking and fine dinnerware to the table

Traditional gas camping cookers tend to have two settings: off and I’ve-burnt-the-beans-again. But if you’ve got electric hook-up, an induction hob could extend your campsite cuisine repertoire.

The Judge portable induction hob measures about a foot square and has just one ring, but is more controllable than your average camping gas stove and has a built-in safety feature: it can’t heat up until a suitable pan is placed on the ring.

The science bit

The Judge Portable Induction Hob

Plugged in, a strong magnetic field is created under the ceramic plate and the resulting induction current generates heat in pans capable of being magnetised. Remove the pan from the hob and the current – and heat – vanish instantly. This means no scorched fingers and spilt food spilt won’t burn onto the surface.

There are ten different heating levels, ranging from 60degC (ideal for simmering) up to 240degC, and it can be altered by simply pressing plus and minus buttons. The digital display shows the temperature and is also a timing feature.

You have to use pans that are capable of being magnetised – if a fridge magnet sticks to the base, it’ll work – so the only drawback could be that you have to fork out for new cookware.

If you do, a steamer would work well with this hob, giving you a tasty, healthy meal that’s a million miles from slightly burnt beans.

Portable Induction Hobs on Ebay

Portable Induction Hob Comparison

Judge Portable Induction Hob Review is from Campr - Everything Camping

“Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink”.

Surprisingly, for a ubiquitous substance, we are quite often left without any safe source available to us except for that which we have carried with us.

Well, that worry may now be over, with the portable water purifier, “Super Delios”.

The Super Delios is a filter capped design with a soft polyethylene bottle sitting underneath the filter. The filter itself comprises of a fibrous activated carbon layer, along with a hollow fiber filter. This Japanese made device can filter up to 1,000 litres of water, though this is largely dependant on the water quality.

How the Delios works

The filters claim to eliminate harmful bacteria, molds, protozoa (microorganisms) as well as iron rust (so don’t use it on your ‘IRN-BRU’ or you’ll end up with just fizzy water), small particles and floating organic materials from the water.

It is however, important to note that the filter is not suitable for water that may contain toxic substances, organic solvents, agricultural chemicals, heavy metals, detergents and other harmful substances, salty water (seawater etc.), calcium, magnesium etc.

That said, as long as you’re not trying to drink the discarded water from your washing machine or sucking the remaining drops from a fertiliser sprayer, you will probably find that this little bottle could be very useful to you.

So, what can it be used for? Tap water, underground water, well water, rivers and lakes in which fish and other aquatic life inhabit, bath water that does not contain any bathing powders or liquids, standing water in plastic tanks or water in plastic containers that has passed its expiration date, water from toilet tanks, etc. swimming pool water, rainwater, snowmelt (the infamous ‘yellow snow’ is not specifically featured in the manufacturers notes, so I would suggest avoiding it where possible) etc.

As a rule of thumb, if you normally wouldn’t even dream of touching the water, that’s a good instinct, stay away from it; if there’s something that you would be weary of, this little device can clean it up enough for you to feel comfortable having a swig.

One of the things I really did love about this product is the bottle design, simple in itself, but the ability to be able to fold up the bottle and it not to crease and split means it’s not going to take up valuable space in my already overcrowded pack; instead, it gets shoved inside a mug ready for use (note: the bottle must be empty for this to work!).

Weighing in at 55g (1.9oz), you’re not really going to notice this; until you need it. It also comes with a nifty little carrying pouch and full instructions on how to use, clean and store.

I’m not one for instruction-reading normally, but let’s be honest, when it comes to something you’re going to ingest, you don’t take chances!

Delios has been the favoured supplier in Japan of water filtration systems for over 10 years, and it’s not surprising having seen this. More generally speaking, you can use this in place of bottled water, it’s more environmentally friendly and you know you always have it with you.

For the ‘Camprs’ among us, it means being able to rely on your surroundings more which can open up whole new areas for you to set-up base. For those times where you’ve been uncertain whether you could, or should, fill up from that stream; now you can!

So how much is portable water filtration going to set you back? There’s a couple of different items in the range, the Super Delios that we took a look at costs £34.99 with replacement filters at £29.99 (direct from www.delios.co.uk).

When you offset that against the cost of water purification tablets, the convenience of design and the volume of purification, I think the Super Delios comes out way ahead.

Ending soon on eBay

CONSPIRACIES Nick Delios PC Game CD-ROM Adventure

US $9.99 End Date: Wednesday Aug-11-2010 17:28:06 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $9.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Strategy For Success In Asia by Andrew Delios (2005)

US $10.00 End Date: Friday Aug-13-2010 23:06:21 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $10.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Alternate water filters

There are several alternatives on the market with the biggest consideration is frequency of use. If it’s an emergency a delios or similar is perfect but if you’re going to regularly encounter unclean water it may be worth ‘splashing’ out a little.

Gadget Review: Delios Portable Water Filter is from Campr - Everything Camping

Unwilling to put her beer down while cooking, Gill Hook checks out a couple of kitchen gadgets that only need one free hand

Cooking is all part of the camping experience – sometimes fun and creative; other times I’m-starving-so-I’ll-eat-straight-out-of-the-tin basic. But whatever your masterchef ambitions, you can never have too much help, and so welcome a battery operated can opener and jar opener that you can use with just one hand.

The can opener is a similar size and shape to a computer mouse. You simply sit it on top of your tin, press the button and it rotates around the top, cutting through the seam until the lid is free. The jar opener is bigger and heavier but works in the same way: place on stubborn jar lid, press button, clamps grip jar and apply 25lb of pressure and hey presto, lid opens.

Some will see them as a camping luxury too far, but if you have mobility problems or your grip just ain’t what it used to be, these gadgets could be worth adding to your kit.

Product information

Both items are part of the Culinare One Touch range. Both cost between £15 and £20 and are available from Amazon and Argos.

Gillian Hook is a freelance journalist. For more information see www.gillianhook.co.uk

Buy now on eBay

NEW ONE TOUCH CAN OPENER JAR OPENER FREE SHIPPING!

US $14.99 End Date: Friday Jul-30-2010 20:55:34 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $14.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW ONE TOUCH CAN OPENER "AS SEEN ON TV " FREE SHIP

US $14.89 End Date: Friday Jul-30-2010 20:55:38 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $14.89 Buy it now | Add to watch list

One Touch can and jar openers is from Campr - Everything Camping

The PRIMUS EtaExpress Gas Stove is a lightweight one-man gas stove aimed at backpackers. Designed to be ultra-efficient with a ‘heat exchanger’ system that increases the surface area so the pan absorbs heat more quickly. The EtaExpress includes a anodised aluminium one litre cooking pot, frying pan and wind shield.

As well as being highly efficient in use, the EtaExpress burner and gas cannister packs down inside the pan to save a bit more room. Whilst it’s aimed at the more adventurous outdoors type, it’s reasonable price (£59) puts in the sights of anyone who wants hot food on the go without the inconvenience of a heavy stove and fuel cannister.

Ending soon on eBay

Primus Eta Express - light & compact cooking stove

£58.79 End Date: Friday Aug-06-2010 20:44:34 BST Buy It Now for only: £58.79 Buy it now | Add to watch list

PRIMUS ETA EXPRESS STOVE SET CAMPING FISHING

£59.95 End Date: Wednesday Aug-18-2010 10:22:30 BST Buy It Now for only: £59.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

PRIMUS EtaExpress Stove is from Campr - Everything Camping

Solar powered camping gadgets are going to be big in 2010.

With back to basics camping championing the need to leave no trace and wild camping growing in popularity, we have the quandary of how to power our gadgets whilst leaving our campgrounds unspoiled.

We’re more eco friendly but also more gadget dependent. It is truly glorious to wake up in a pristine meadow with only the birds for company but after brewing the first tea of the day wouldn’t it be great to read the day’s headlines on the iPhone?

Enter the Freeloader Globe Trotter, the big brother of the Freeloader Solar Charger we’ve previously covered in our gadgets roundup.

Solar POWER!

The Globe Trotter includes the original Freeloader along with the Supercharger, a large panel designed for the outdoors that will clip to a rucksack or pannier. Water resistant (vital with our fickle weather), the Globe Trotter will take around 5 hours of sun to receive a full charge. The Globe Trotter is compatible with most handheld devices including the Nintendo DS,  iPod, PSP, Tom Tom, digital cameras and most popular mobile phones. It’s also light at 185g for the Freeloader and 200g for the Supercharger.

It won’t survive the roughest expeditions but if you want to bring a little electronic comfort to your summer camping in a relatively green way the Freeloader Glober Trotter is an ecologically sound solution.

Ending soon on eBay

NEW Freeloader Solar charger With FREE GIFT

US $49.00 End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 2:39:36 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $49.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW Freeloader Solar & Battery Charger FREE GIFT

US $71.39 End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 3:07:59 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $71.39 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Freeloader Globe Trotter is from Campr - Everything Camping

If fresh water is in short supply while you’re camping, you can still keep your teeth clean and healthy. Gill Hook has a brush with ion power!

If you wake up in your tent feeling like a bear slept in your mouth but there’s no fresh water for miles, you’ll feel pretty smug if you’ve got the hyG toothbrush with you. This nifty little device needs neither water nor toothpaste to clean teeth and gums thoroughly – and the makers say it will even get rid of plaque.

All you need to do is wet your thumb and place it in contact with the metal plate on the handle, then brush your teeth as normal. And it works – my teeth felt really clean and there even seemed to be a minty, toothpaste-like aftertaste.

So how does it work? The hyG uses ‘iontophoretic’ action: there is a strong attraction between teeth and plaque, so the brush reverses the polarity of your teeth from negative to positive. Since plaque is positively charged, it is repelled from the teeth and onto the negatively charged toothbrush. Got that? There may be a test later…

Washbag wonder

The hyG is slightly heavier than a normal toothbrush because of the battery, which the makers say will last three to four years – there’s even a button on the brush to test the power level.

Other than that it looks just like any other toothbrush, so just sling it in your washbag and, with your sparkling pearly-whites and fresh breath, you’ll be the envy of fellow campers.

Product information

The hyG Ionic toothbrush costs £9.99 and is available from Waitrose stores and independent pharmacies, health food shops and dentists. It’s also available online from Amazon.

Ending soon on Ebay

Ion Ionic Toothbrush -May Reduce Plaque, Bacteria - RED

US $14.95 End Date: Saturday Jul-31-2010 0:21:37 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $14.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Ion Ionic Toothbrush -May Reduce Plaque, Bacteria- AQUA

US $14.95 End Date: Saturday Jul-31-2010 14:04:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $14.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

- Gill Hook is a freelance journalist and can be reached via www.gillianhook.co.uk

Hy G Ionic toothbrush review is from Campr - Everything Camping