Communications
The latest
Archive
It’s like biathlon, but for geeks
Inundated by text messages, one millennial decided to exclusively converse through this more classic form of communication
These days, a bad fall or hospital visit can cost you thousands of dollars. But new on-demand accident insurance for adventurers gives you backup.
A public condemnation of the SHIFT Festival's attempts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion is indicative of broader issues in the outdoor industry
Gear for next-level adventure, no matter how far afield you’ll be
The bestselling author talks to Tim Ferriss about the changes we can all make to transform our lives
Once again, our gear editors head to the industry's largest trade show to scope out the latest, greatest outdoor tools and toys
A new bill would strip the president of designating new monuments in the state—an idea that has already come to fruition in Alaska and Wyoming
Digital tools to help you get into (and out of) the backcountry
The messaging device uses a pay-as-you-go model that’s more flexible than the monthly contracts required by other companies
An association of automotive and bike industry bigwigs is betting that bicycle-to-vehicle communication will make cycling safer
Crowdfunding was intended for startups. Should they keep using the platform when they grow up?
The family has long argued that the government was willing to bend the rules to put the family away—now a judge seems to be listening
Pro athletes on the gear they want to unwrap this Saturday
Sometimes, technology can actually help you get off the grid.
Oakley partnered with Garmin to make the new Airwave 1.5 HUD goggle. We have to admit, it's pretty cool.
This small gadget transforms what it means to communicate off-the-grid
You're overworked, overstressed, and overconnected. But don't worry. We're here to help.
Guess what? The grid is expanding and we predict in the next five years, you won't be able to unplug—even in the backcountry.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear from Outdoor Retailer's 2013 Winter Show, including the Backcountry Access BC Link.
Sharing powder shots, filming your friend's huck, and keeping in touch have never been easier with gadgets like Fujifilm's XP170 and the DeLorme InReach communicator.
I’ve already sung the praises of digital distractions—in moderation—when traveling with young children. But even the best kids’ apps are useless if your toddler keeps pushing the home button and navigating away. Not only is it annoying, but it’s also dangerous for your data. The last thing…
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Contour+ POV camera.
Five accessories to turn your iPhone into a supergadget, including the Snow Peak iPhone 4 Titanium cover.
Aimed squarely at the Gen Xbox crowd, the Sidekick looks and feels like a game controller. If you’re all thumbs, you’ll be all right with the more than 30 downloadable games from T-Mobile.com, e-mail sync, contact manager, and instant messenger. And should you find yourself locked up in a Turkish…
The original Rolodex killer will now call the office about your, um, plumbing emergency, check the online snow forecast, provide a soundtrack for your climb (via an onboard MP3 player), video your epic descent, and then e-mail your friends to brag about it. Beat that, three-by-five index card! Off the…
Research in Motion wraps all of the classic BlackBerry features—e-mail, Web browser, personal organizer, phone/QWERTY keypad, and more—into a sleek, palm-size package that doesn’t make you look like you’re using a butter dish to make calls. Should your trekking porters turn tail on you, odds are your worldwide-roaming BlackBerry will…
When used within earshot of civilization, the iPaq bridges the gap between handheld and notebook PC. On offer: 64MB of real computing power—think miniature versions of Microsoft Excel and Word—and integrated support for wireless local area networks for lightning-fast downloads anywhere you can pick up a Wi-Fi signal. Farther afield,…
Thanks to the popularity of two-way radios, it’s getting harder to find a quiet channel in some of our nation’s more popular national parks. MOTOROLA solves this chatter glut by offering 99 subcodes in its TALKABOUT T6500 ($79 per pair). The rechargeable NiCad-powered handsets have one watt of power, good…
Satellite-telephone time ain’t cheap, which is why the handset of the GLOBALSTAR GSP-1600 ($599, plus monthly subscription fee) switches over to a regular cell network whenever you roam within range of one. In the backcountry, the 13-ounce phone patches in to the company’s fleet of birds for direct-dial via outer…
For adventurers in trouble, the ACR TERRAFIX 406 GPS I/O ($750) is among the first personal locator beacons with an internal GPS receiver, to bring help faster. When triggered, the eight-ounce waterproof device sends a distress signal to rescue teams, along with your lat/long coordinates, accurate to 100 yards.
COBRA’s PR 4000 DX radios ($120 per pair) have range in spades: They reach across seven miles of unobstructed land or water. Add ten weather channels, a digital compass, and vibration alert and you have one serious expedition tool. FCC license required.
The iPad adds 3G connectivity to the debut version’s wi-fi so you can Web-browse, watch movies, or read the new issue of your favorite outdoor magazine from your car or a park bench. No, it won’t replace your laptop just yet, but in our go-everywhere testing, it lived up to…
Some cities are magnets for groundbreaking industries. Here are 13 that have put themselves on the map.
Ever wonder how it feels to get attacked by a shark? Spend seven weeks lost in the jungle? Get buried by multiple avalanches? Brace yourself for 10 of the hairiest survival stories ever told—and the life-saving tips you can learn from them.
My girlfriend and I like to ski the steep trees inbounds and out. Naturally, as we seek out and destroy helpless powder stashes, we often become separated. Two-way radios are ineffective because of their line-of-sight requirement and yodeling is often obtrusive. Is there a GPS system that monitors the position of multiple transceivers and communicates their relative positions to each other? Mark Aspen, Colorado
I’m thinking of renting or purchasing a personal locator beacon (PLB) for winter backpacking trips as an added safety measure. What’s your opinion of PLBs? Bill Billerica, Massachusetts
Safety First The Bottom Line Guidelines to make the most of winter: » If people start debating skiing vs. snowboarding, walk away. » Ski in La Grave, France, at least once. » Much better in theory than in practice: getting drunk midmountain. » In your pockets: ID, credit…
I getting back into backpacking and hiking after a 12-year hiatus, and I'm appalled at some people's apparent need for technology like cell phones and two-way radios out in the backcountry. Is this stuff necessary and desirable in the wilderness? Gary Denver, Colorado
Would there be any advantage in having a small two-way radio system attached to your rock-climbing helmet? Basically so you and your partner can talk to each other easily while climbing. Tim Dunedin, New Zealand
Presenting our just-discovered Periodic Table of ϳԹ Elements, a breakthrough in mapping the scientific building blocks of big, bad fun. We've alchemized gold, steel, titanium, wood, leather, wool, silicon, plastic, and carbon fiber into an array of 56 high-design gifts that you'll definitely want to give. And, just as important, get.
My wife keeps bugging me about getting a phone so I can keep in touch with her when I'm out backpacking for several days. Is there something light and somewhat affordable available? Peter San Carlos, CA
I've seen quite a few hikers with two-way radios on the trail. What's your take: recreational gimmick or worthwhile piece of equipment? Our family of four hikes together a fair amount, so I can see their worth. But, then again, does trail etiquette mean this is akin to using a cell phone on the bus? Philip Burlington, Vermont
I looking for a two-way radio. I don't know much about them and need some advice on a dependable and weatherproof model for outdoor activities such as camping and boating. So it would need to be. I hear you need a license for anything that has range of over five miles and would like to avoid that. KJ San Diego, California
What is your opinion of two-way radios for climbing and skiing? What features should I look out for when selecting one? Tjaard Breeuwer Eindhoven, Holland