Modern Exploration Gear:
5 Non-traditional Essentials for Today’s Explorer
The moment you are inspired to begin an expedition - searching for a shipwreck or re-tracing the journey of a world renowned explorer, you are joining the ranks of the world’s great adventures, with one advantage: it’s 2015 dammit and we have hundreds of years of innovation on our side. Whether you are headed up into the High Arctic or bound for sub equatorial islands, here are 5 modern essentials worth the investment.
GPS Enabled Device
For an expedition which falls within the range of a global navigation satellite system the Spot Satellite Messenger is a popular choice. With the push of a button you can send a 40 character, pre-written message to a list of emails programmed into the device ahead of time.
For anyone who spends a more serious amount of time further offshore or physically in the water, I recommend a GPS integrated with an EPIRB emergency transponder and a dual channel marine radio so you can communicate with your boat on a local channel, or broadcast on Channel 16. Sound too good to be true? Take a look at the Nautilus Lifeline, I never head offshore without mine.
Pros: The Nautilus Lifeline records your GPS locations as you travel. These positions can later be exported into Google maps and shared on social media through the their online program. The unit is waterproof to 425 feet, dust proof, drop proof, and very rugged. As a well know expedition clutz, I put tech to the test.
Cons: In many countries marine radios require a Radio Operators Permit, transmitting coordinates to social media must be done with the device plugged into a computer, not from the device itself. Takes familiarity with emergency protocols to operate responsibly.
Phone apps for navigation
NOAA updates their nautical chart database exclusively on digital platforms now. As of 2013 they no longer update and publish paper charts but instead offer Print On Demand services or purely digital versions of their weekly updates.
There are apps which tap into alternative charts, I recommend Memory-Map for Android, which is more affordable, but not an officially sanctioned navigation tool.
My top recommendation is the iNavX application for iPhone. This mobile device app taps directly into NOAA’s official database and is reliable for navigation.
Pros: Official Charting Software, integrates tides, NMEA data export, waypoint marking and plotting, weather forecast, speed and telemetry tracking.
Cons: Relatively expensive and may be overkill for anyone who doesn't mind combing the use of several free or cheaper apps.
Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
Having a bulky orange life jacket somewhere under the seat cushions on a boat is not my idea of safe boating practice. I always pack my own PFD, which fits me comfortably, and I wear it before I even step off the dock. This West Marine offshore PFD is not wildly expensive and automatically inflates when the the tripping mechanism dissolves in water.
For working in more extreme or very wet conditions, the Mustang class V PFD has an auto inflate system based on a hydro static release rather than a dissolving chip, and will only inflate when the pressure from being fully submerged in water trips a hydro static release.
Pros: The hydro static release will not auto inflate inconveniently around wet conditions, it is comfortable even for those with medium or short torsos, and it’s rechargeable, so it’s pretty good for the rest of your life. Also, it will keep you slightly warmer in cool conditions, no joke.
Cons: I just don’t think there are any cons to having and wearing one of these.
Pico Projector
How many times has it felt like a mere 3 or 4 people is a crowd when you are looking at one little laptop screen? Save your space bubble, and get an Ulta-light LED projector that will display whatever you want to discuss and even gather a crowd. There are times on expedition when it is surprisingly convenient to set up a little projector where expedition members can sit comfortably and debrief on the day’s plans and media.
Pros: The comfort of not crowding around a laptop, it’s super portable, it makes anything you are working on into a collaborative event.
Cons: It’s not even slightly water resistant. Note: Make sure you have all the adapters you may need to hook up to a PC, a mac, or even a phone!
Down Booties
It may sound silly, but having these in your kit can be a game changer. Soft shell down booties are going to warm you back up almost instantly. Whether you are walking around a dusty campsite after a long day of climbing, warming up after SCUBA diving, or simply getting comfortable at your workshop/office, slip-on boots are quick to put on and potentially life changing.
All the Pros.
