I ran across this item. There out of stock which may or may not be a problem?

For the trippers who bring a lot of electronic gear this might be something they like?

Doesn't rely on wind/solar, just human power.
A few or maybe one for every paddler in your group might just be what your looking for?

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if you'd rather crank than pull
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The challenge with these type devices appears to be generating voltage that is appropriate for the device you are charging.  Cell phones, which many of us use in conjunction with InReach Minis, etc., for navigation purposes, are apparently notoriously "picky" receptors when it comes to receiving voltage.  It's usually best practice to charge your battery storage system, THEN charge your cell phone &/or other devices from that power bank.  It seems most energy storage systems/power banks for USB systems are far more tolerant when it comes to actually making use of the energy generated when cranking or pulling.  Another concern I read about for some of these devices is long-term dependability.  The last thing I need is to haul yet another item into the wilderness that soon becomes dead weight.

Don't get me wrong; I'm no electro-dude (ie. expert)... and I'll certainly defer to anything that MagicPaddler might have to say on the subject.  However, ST's & BC's posts got me interested in the possibilities.  This past paddling season I had considerable power generation & energy storage issues during my adventure in Manitoba's Atikaki Park.  First of all, my battery storage system died early on.  Nanabozho was on our butts a lot of our time there, wreaking havoc with our devices, our portage boots, our fishing poles, etc. & so on.  He even generated some serious cloudy weather for many of my 17 days in the park.  Therefore solar charging was "intermittent" at best.  Fortunately, he didn't mess up our fishing. Anyway, a dependable, portable, light-weight "hand-crank" (or pull) back-up system sounds appealing (& a possible nice last minute "stocking-stuffer" recommendation).  So, I dug into the subject a little bit and found the caveats/drawbacks I've mentioned.  It also apparently takes a fair amount of cranking to add up to just a few minutes of power.  There are more issues but I won't get into them here (mostly because I don't understand much of the techno-craperoo involved).

I'm not saying "don't buy" these products.  I'm simply saying "beware of their likely limitations" before depending upon them.  I'd love to hear from someone who has had actual experience with similar devices out in the wilderness.  What has their experience been?  What devices, if any, do they recommend?

As for me, I recently acquired a new Goal Zero power bank to use in conjunction with my solar panels.  I might be willing to invest in a hand-cranking system to help charge that bank IF I heard positive reviews from actual users.

Why not?  It seems I can always dream up an excuse for stuffing yet one more thing into my overflowing packs.

Later,

Jimbo   8-)

Here's another item to add to the mix  ;) ;D

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Yank it, Crank it, Tow it. Or just leave all the electronics at home IF you can.

I don't take much electronic gear, and nothing I rely or use much.

The main device I charge is my cell phone.  I use it in conjunction with my InReach Mini for navigation & communication with outside world.  I resisted communication capabilities for a long time, until the time came when I had relatives/close friends with threatening health situations back home.  Don't have so many of those situations going on these days. It's now more about having "spoiled" those outsiders with the notion that I AM reachable.

I may start taking my Kindle along.  It's far lighter than the danged thick books I usually bring.  Since I'm now committed to bringing solar panels & a Goal Zero battery, I figure "What the heck, why not?"

Yeah, I know.  I've opened Pandora's Box.

Jimbo   8-)

Quote:

Yeah, I know.  I've opened Pandora's Box.

  Does Pandora have a Portage Monkey in that Box ;) ;D  You're going to need one!  ;D ;D

I resisted a tarp and a chair for years. Then came good raingear and a stove and FD food...

It's a slippery slope alright.

Jimbo wrote on Dec 16^th, 2022 at 1:19pm:

I may start taking my Kindle along.  It's far lighter than the danged thick books I usually bring.  Since I'm now committed to bringing solar panels & a Goal Zero battery, I figure "What the heck, why not?" Yeah, I know.  I've opened Pandora's Box. Jimbo   8-)

The e-ink Kindles' (black and white, text only) batteries last for weeks of use without a charge (unless it is below 40) and carry hundreds of books at 1/6 of the weight of a single paperback. On some trips I read a great deal, on others not at all.

Will not work as emergency fire starter.

As an aside a secret pleasure of solo tripping was reading paperbacks, burning the  pages as I finished them. Subversive.

Solus wrote on Dec 16^th, 2022 at 8:46pm:

Jimbo wrote on Dec 16th, 2022 at 1:19pm: I may start taking my Kindle along.  It's far lighter than the danged thick books I usually bring.  Since I'm now committed to bringing solar panels & a Goal Zero battery, I figure "What the heck, why not?" Yeah, I know.  I've opened Pandora's Box. Jimbo   8-) The e-ink Kindles' (black and white, text only) batteries last for weeks of use without a charge (unless it is below 40) and carry hundreds of books at 1/6 of the weight of a single paperback. On some trips I read a great deal, on others not at all. Will not work as emergency fire starter. As an aside a secret pleasure of solo tripping was reading paperbacks, burning the  pages as I finished them. Subversive.

Yeah, in recent years I had pretty much converted to bringing magazines (vs. books) for that very purpose.  Can't seem to cross the line to burning books, even paperbacks.  That's silly, I know.  In fact, I have one old paperback that I brought so many times into the wilderness that it's pages have fallen apart.  So, I collected the pages, put them back in order, and then into a plastic baggie. Then, I continued to take that very book into the parks with me.  It was a trip ritual of mine to reread the danged thing every year... and I enjoy it, every time.  Some stories never get old and I take comfort in reliving this one, time after time.  So, I'm probably overdue to bring that baggie with me yet again, so maybe the Kindle gets to stay home next summer.

The book?  It's an obscure volume⁹ written by a fellow named Hugh Fosburgh, entitled "The Sound of Whitewater."  I've written about it in the QJ books forum.  It has an "early Hemingway" vibe about it.  Anyway, time to bring it again... and, no, not for combustion purposes. Yet.

I'll let them toss it into the combustion chamber when I get cremated, I suppose.   I'll leave instructions that the whole mess should be re-bagged, then dumped somewhere in Quetico ( I have a couple spots in mind).  Might ask ST, MagicPaddler, & a few other QJ buddies to serve as honor guard and guide my sons to the right spot.

Best stay in shape though, guys; that ceremony is still a few decades off.  Got a LOT of wilderness reading to do between now & then.

Later,

Jimbo   8-)

I think having your ashes spread in the Q would be a great spot to spend eternity. As you know some of my Dad's ashes are in Walter Lk.

  I want my ashes mixed with Native Wildflower mix.
  I like to paddle in the Spring, so something bright/colorful would fit that time of year.

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Yeah, that story about your dad (and the rabbit!) definitely crossed my mind as I posted that note.

My notion ran along the lines of that third episode of the "Lonesome Dove" mini-series.  You know, when Gus charges Captain Call with hauling his remains BACK to Texas.  That chore had a purpose, more for Call than Gus.  I like to think my boys would derive similar benefit... depending upon how challenging I make their trek AND the characters I ask to tag along with them.

That's why they'll need a few good guides.  Might invite Wally13 & Kingfisher to keep the caravan fed with walleye along the way.  Probably would ask Old Salt to tend to the catering... I'm thinking classic Pink Flamingo Chowder at my wake, OS.  Portage Dog should still be spry enough to haul a few packs and fix a few fancy desserts.  I'd ask DentonDoc along to assist with meals AND especially so he & Magic can argue about smoky campfires and how best to keep skeeters away.  THAT is always entertaining... which means we'd have to have PineKnot around to keep them straight about proper firewood to use and how to properly stack it in the pit, etc.  AND, just so HE would be happy and feel safe, we'll ask TomT & Luna along so she can keep those nasty, vicious red squirrels at bay.  Finally, just in case this bunch forgets to bring something, Mossback can serve as official quartermaster.  Geez, I thought I carried a lot of crap on trips; if THAT boy doesn't have it, nobody does.

Dang, this proposed ceremony has become something of a circus, hasn't it?  Seems appropriate, somehow, to save the best "Jimboree" as the last one.

Maybe I'll change my plans and stick around for it.

Jimbo   8-)

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Quote:

Maybe I'll change my plans and stick around for it.

  When my Dad's older brother was fighting cancer and knew his time was limited, he threw a WAKE at the local VFW where he was a long time member.

He paid for all the booze/food. He and his two sons played their banjo's/guitars and a fiddle. At one point they had a Bagpiper come in. My Uncle had a grand old time. He summoned the energy to dance with all the ladies and drink toasts with the men. Wouldn't let anyone shed a tear. Said he had a good life and there was nothing to be sad about.

2 weeks later he passed peacefully in his sleep.

  Attending your own going away party sounds good to me.

solotripper wrote on Dec 17^th, 2022 at 4:23pm:

Quote: Maybe I'll change my plans and stick around for it.   At one point they had a Bagpiper come in.   Attending your own going away party sounds good to me.

Ok, ST, you just made the case for inviting PJ along.  We'll put him in charge of music & Scotch.

Jimbo.  8-)

Will he be bringing the Merman suit?
I'd pay good money to see that in person  ;) ;D ;D

I'd be interested to see how he manages to play the bagpipes in that outfit.

Jimbo 8-)

solotripper wrote on Dec 17^th, 2022 at 5:06pm:

Will he be bringing the Merman suit? I'd pay good money to see that in person  ;) ;D ;D

Jimbo wrote on Dec 17^th, 2022 at 6:28pm:

I'd be interested to see how he manages to play the bagpipes in that outfit. Jimbo 8-)

Piping in the merman suit costs an extra $100 and an old-school Nalgene bottle full of Yukon Jack.  Also need help keeping my kilt up.  Any takers?

Quote:

Also need help keeping my kilt up.  Any takers?

  How do you feel about Super Glue in your nether regions  ;) ;D

Jimbo wrote on Dec 17^th, 2022 at 12:56pm:

In fact, I have one old paperback that I brought so many times into the wilderness that it's pages have fallen apart.  So, I collected the pages, put them back in order, and then into a plastic baggie. Then, I continued to take that very book into the parks with me.  It was a trip ritual of mine to reread the danged thing every year... and I enjoy it, every time.  Some stories never get old and I take comfort in reliving this one, time after time.  So, I'm probably overdue to bring that baggie with me yet again, so maybe the Kindle gets to stay home next summer. The book?  It's an obscure volume⁹ written by a fellow named Hugh Fosburgh, entitled "The Sound of Whitewater."  I've written about it in the QJ books forum.  It has an "early Hemingway" vibe about it.  Anyway, time to bring it again... and, no, not for combustion purposes. Yet. Later, Jimbo   8-)

The volume that I brought with me for years (until it too began delaminating and it was an old sewn in hardcover) was Faulkner's Go Down, Moses. My contention being The Old People, The Bear and Delta Autumn being three of the greatest wilderness stories ever written, and that despite the wilderness that is the subject being the Atchafalaya swamp the opening of  The Old People was always deeply reminiscent of waking on a cold fall morning in the Q. "At first there was nothing. There was the cold and constant rain, the gray and constant light of the late November dawn.." Despite his reputation for difficulty the stories made for great reading out loud at a campfire in the evening. Brilliant.

May have permanently damaged my son after reading The Bear out loud when we were stranded for two days  and nights on Elk in October when he was 3 and the wind screamed out of the NW at about 35 degrees with spitting rain and snow depending on the temp.

Still make sure it's on the Kindle whenever I go.

I recall reading an article, I think it was last year, about a certain wildlife biology major doing research for his dissertation. The topic was something about bears being attracted to the smell of warm electronics.

Haven't heard of any results to date.

The data is in his stomach ;)

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db wrote on Dec 20^th, 2022 at 8:24pm:

I recall reading an article, I think it was last year, about a certain wildlife biology major doing research for his dissertation. The topic was something about bears being attracted to the smell of warm electronics. Haven't heard of any results to date.

Opportunity for the excuse; "my subject ate my data"