Interesting New Backcountry Navigation Device

Although not directly related to climbing it looks like something that could be very useful in the backcountry.

uncrate.com/stuff/earl-back…

What do you think?

Nifty I suppose. Map and compass works just as well, plus I don't have to recharge them.

Jonathan Dull wrote:Nifty I suppose. Map and compass works just as well, plus I don't have to recharge them.

Great for doomsday preps lol

For those serious backpackers heading into the backcountry thru-hiking this will be useless. NOTHING beats a topo in the backcountry. That device fails just once and you don't have a map you are SOL up shiat creek. You will have to carry a topo anyhow just in case so what is it good for?

My watch and a topo are sufficient. For those needing extra piece of mind or a panic button I think they would just get a spot or other GPS?

PRRose wrote: Your map and compass is also a solar-powered emergency lantern, AM/FM/SW/LW radio tuner, and two-way radio?

PRRose wrote: Your map and compass is also a solar-powered emergency lantern, AM/FM/SW/LW radio tuner, and two-way radio?

Kind of a cool idea, but I doubt it'd work well. Especially, their "weather sensors". Sounds like a jack of all trades and a master of none device. If someone came up with a hack for Kindle that included a weatherband radio, I may buy that gadget - weather forecasts (I don't need to know the current weather, I'm already there duh!) and a collection of good reads, that's all you need when you're out in the backcountry for a long time...

Emergency and tablet should not be used in the same sentence unless you are talking about a water purification tablet.

Pretty cool concept. I'm not going to knock something I didn't create or think of. Would probably have good SAR/LE/Mil use.

In every case your brain is your primary weapon. One should build as much a knowledge base in the ole' noggin first and then if things like this are needed buy it if you can.