Electronic's Checklist?

MrMullen · Post by **MrMullen** » Thu Jan 29, 2004 11:07 am

I have been checking out the checklists and I think they are good. However, I don't see an Optional Electronic Checklist anywhere. So here is mine.

These are things, I think you might bring if you could, but it would not kill you if you left them behind. Some might view them as a sign of being spoiled or weak. Note, all of the below devices should be a cheap and inexpensive as possible as sometimes the Playa is known to make things grow legs and walk off.

- CD/MP3 player with decent headphones. Because listening to BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM all day and night is not as enlighting as you thought it would be. A good two hours of listening to your own music might save a relationship or two.
- GPS. Well, the Playa is large and well, GPS's are just the coolest thing in the world. You can get cheap ones (>100$) and can mark where your camp is and lead you back in a sand storm.
- Small radio so you can get news off the Playa. I'm going to the Playa to get away from the real world, but some people need that information.
- TV and DVD player. Someone recommend that if I go in an RV (Which I would not) that make sure I could get away and relax with a movie or two. Again, might save a relationship or two. I'm against this, but it comes from two people that have been many times.
- Generator. Have power the night time lights and other things. I don't know about this. I guess if you were in a big camp, night lights would be nice.
- Blender. Margaritas. Enough said. Does anyone know of non-electric (Hand crank?) blender that can make Margaritas?
- Flashlight. I think this is a requirement. I have heard people say they have gotten away without one. I think they are nuts.
- Cell phone. Forget it. Probably won't work on the Playa.
- Gameboy and like devices. Falls under the same category as TV/DVD, and CD Player. A good couple of hours "away" from everyone might be good for all parties involved.
- Electric Cooler. You know, you plug it into a car battery or a generator. I think this one might even be on the required list. Having your cold food kept cold will make your experience better. Having cold beer on the 5th day on the Playa will make you happy.

I would love to hear more and your general ideas on the subject.

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Thu Jan 29, 2004 6:03 pm

Every CD player I have ever taken to the playa has died on the playa or very soon after I brought it home. My suggestion is to not bring any electronic devices that you wouldn't mind breaking on the playa.

dj_john69 · Post by **dj_john69** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 4:48 am

I bought a (cd & tape player) boombox 8 years ago from a pawnshop here in Reno, its made it every year to the Playa and back...the key is all about canned air !! Blow it out everyday and you shouldnt have any problems.

The GPS idea is a good one...i know i get lost especially once ALL the damned signs are stolen. Thanks for the idea.

~John

MrMullen · Post by **MrMullen** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 9:21 am

dj_john69 wrote: The GPS idea is a good one...i know i get lost especially once ALL the damned signs are stolen. Thanks for the idea.
~John

I recommend Gecko or Garmin. You can get this for about $20 less and I imagine that when Burningman comes around you could get either of these for $60.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 9:34 am

I plan to bring my industrial AM/FM radio headphones- they take the edge off the Thumpa and allow 25 Db noise reduction. Duluth Trading Co. website.

bushonk · Post by **bushonk** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 4:17 pm

GSI Outdoors makes a handcrank blender called the Vortex. I got one from my brother and sister-in-law... now I'm just working on how to mount it to my bike and weld an extra sprocket to provide non-handcrank power for it... and maybe an icecream maker or two...

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 4:29 pm

This one runs on gas

here are some cool links that night help
blender bike
http://www.eya.ca/mainresources/resourc ... lender.htm

12v. blender
http://www.mountainzone.com/gear/suv/roadpro.html

Pedal power blender
http://www.humboldt.edu/~ccat/at/pedalpower/blend.html

bushonk · Post by **bushonk** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 4:33 pm

I've actually got more of a head start than I may've let on, here's a picture of the blender...

you can see that the handle goes onto a square protrusion (can you tell I spend more time on the computer than in the shop?), so I imagine that I can easily make a bracket to attach a sprocket to...

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 6:12 pm

My suggestion is to not bring any electronic devices that you wouldn't mind breaking on the playa.

Or you might try singing yourself. Hell, I can't think of a better stage to try it.

calsur · Post by **calsur** » Sun Feb 01, 2004 8:50 pm

This has been a staple on Colorado river trips for a couple of years. The bad thing is they are pricey, about $300 to $400. Here are some links -

http://www.totallygross.com/

http://www.blenderblaster.com/blenderblaster/

http://www.trop-impressions.com/blender-blaster.asp

I like the last one the best, the speed control is a motorcycle throttle.

Disclaimer : I do not own any of these, but I have seen all of them used. Also the biggest problem seems to be fueling up. The best solution I have seen is to use the aluminum fuel cans that Alpine hikers use.

Hope this helps.

Calsur
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robotland · Post by **robotland** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 7:22 am

A note on the handcranked kind- I was very excited to play with one of these on the beach, but it didn't survive its first test run....The way that the blades are attached is very shoddy, and nearly impossible to fix. We weren't even crushing ice!! Perhaps they have seen the error of their ways, but beware and check prior to purchasing.....

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 8:03 am

I stoped at a truck stop the other day. There was a whole counter full of 12 volt shit. Includeing a microwave.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 8:37 am

I'd love to figure out how to mount a PTO on a bike so you can universally power blenders, cancrushers, dremel tools, etc....Anyone tried it?

Desert Maja · Post by **Desert Maja** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 10:42 pm

What kind of success (or lack there of) have you had with walkie talkies?

It seems that even if they work (considering the elements) they might be a drag to carry around, be tied to, be reached, etc.

I can also think of up sides to having them...meeting up, etc.

Any reviews?

dman · Post by **dman** » Wed Feb 11, 2004 5:36 am

Hmmmm, mixed success. Got a bag of different kinds I keep in the truck to pull out as needed. Have used 'em for years with many different groups of people in many different situations.

Physically, they hold up well enough. FRS is fine for something like the playa where the exchanges are usually line of site and less than a mile or so. Bonus points if you can tolerate an earpiece to cut through the ambient noise when trippng around the Esplanade.

Usage, or better, tolerance for leaving them on and interacting with others, depends a lot on the mood of the crew.

Folks will turn them off or tune them out pretty quickly if the perceived utility drops (i.e. the level of "useful information" to "chatter", with the definitions of useful vs. chatter "very" group/mood dependent).

So, like many other playa activities, communication up front is key.

As to models, I like the Motorola T-289 FRS the best, not sure they make those anymore; in my experience Motorola models are mostly good, sometimes excellent.

At BM I use a Garmin Rino 120, a combo FRS/GMRS/GPS; it is kind of bulky (oddly shaped, so it never "sits" well anywhere against my body) and the walkie talkie part isn't as good as many others, but the GPS part comes in handy for navigating across the playa during dust storms.

MrMullen · Post by **MrMullen** » Wed Feb 11, 2004 10:37 am

dman wrote: As to models, I like the Motorola T-289 FRS the best, not sure they make those anymore; in my experience Motorola models are mostly good, sometimes excellent.

What about the 5 mile range models? The 2 mile range models just don't seem enough. I also plan to use my in the Off-Playa world.

However, I think this would be one of the key things to bring out to the playa besides a GPS. I can't imagine walking around in a dust storm without a GPS. Yes, a lot of people get along without them, but it seems it would be something that would make your Playa adventures a lot better.

dman wrote: At BM I use a Garmin Rino 120, a combo FRS/GMRS/GPS; it is kind of bulky (oddly shaped, so it never "sits" well anywhere against my body) and the walkie talkie part isn't as good as many others, but the GPS part comes in handy for navigating across the playa during dust storms.

These things kick ass. The cool thing is that you can set it so that anyone can pick up your position too. That seems like it would be real cool to track other Rino users as they walk around the Playa. Maybe it's just me.

dman · Post by **dman** » Wed Feb 11, 2004 11:44 am

Re GMRS, yeah, more watts means more range; also more power consumed if you transmit a lot, so the batteries run down faster. And while the Rino locator feature works great, it only works in FRS mode. And technically, you need a license to use GMRS.

The biggest factor for me, though, is that most other people who have radios have FRS (these are now often "free with rebate" at the local Frye's Electronics store), so it is just easier to use FRS 95% of the time, and only switch to GMRS when really needed.

Nonetheless, I see FRS/GMRS combos at Costco nowadays, so that must be what people are buying, so maybe FRS's days are limited.

I have mixed feelings on the Rino series (I see they have a 130 model out now, for mucho more $; my 120 was $250 at REI a year or so ago).

I use it when running/hiking cross-country, or when other Rino owners are around. I glued some velcro onto the back, with the other side stiched into one of those Ace bandage armbands so I can wear it on my arm kind of like a wristwatch and keep my hands free for other things.

Drawbacks (for me) include: tiny display (ah, my aging eyes), poor GPS reception (must be outside in open terrain; trees, up against cliffs, inside a car or other structure usally result in signal loss), poor radio quality (distance is 1 mile tops in FRS, 2 miles tops in GMRS), and poor ergonimic case design (everyone else gets three batteries in a row, why can't Garmin?)

Positives are: it runs GPS and radio for around the claimed 15 hours (that's eco-unfriendly alkalines; 5-6 hours on rechargeable nicads), which is about how long a set of batteries lasts in just a radio; it does weigh less than both a GPS and a radio separately; and the GPS features are nice when needed.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 10:36 am

Since I was looking forward to meeting you on-Playa this year ANYWAY, I'm pleased to know that I can find you by Rino.....I cheaped out and bought the 110, seduced by its black and yellow case, and now regret not spending for the bigger memory, but ah well.....I sympathize about trying to carry the stupid thing- I can't believe that Garmin doesn't make a case for its own freaky-shaped thang....I found that the Bucket Boss larger-sized phone holster works pretty well, but will ultimately make my own out of scrap pigskin "in my free time", or, never. Overall, I'm used to the interface and use it fairly regularly. Prior to my first trip to a Cabela's the other year I accessed their site for directions, noticed that they post the GPS co-ords for all of their stores, and found them from across the state by GPS alone.....fun! The closest one to me is south of Detroit, which meant about six hours of driving as-the-crow-flies......I was the GPS officer for our trip to BRC last year, too- I gave regular reports on altitude, distance from The Man, etc. The ETA features are handy for road trips, and I actually was able to diagnose a faulty speedometer in a friend's car!

dman · Post by **dman** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:20 pm

Damn! We have got to be twin sons of different mothers. First domes, now niche electronic toys like Rinos.

OK, yeah, I like to play with the Rino. First thing for me after dome assembly is a trip around to get coordinates on major landmarks. Also on that tour, try to line up other dome builders to participate in some type of dome tour later in the week.

Then.....up for a game of Rino tag? <g> Twisting through the streets of BRC might be a blast if done at a reasonable hour.

Man, am I nerding out here, or what?

OK, back to work for me......must....write......C.......zzzzzzzzz

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 5:42 am

We're not alone, my brother....Nerd Sanctuary Camp could be coming soon.....

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:45 am

Go to Garmin's site and check out the preview of the Rino 130.....Mmmmm. Anybody wanna buy a 110? I think I'm tradin' up....(as long as you can get one with a yellow case!)

MrMullen · Post by **MrMullen** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 4:55 pm

robotland wrote:Go to Garmin's site and check out the preview of the Rino 130.....Mmmmm. Anybody wanna buy a 110? I think I'm tradin' up....(as long as you can get one with a yellow case!)

Uh...droool! Garmin has some great new stuff coming out. Man, if I only sell this kidney of mine for a Rino 130 or GPSMAP 76CS.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 5:29 am

Now, if they could only come up with a more reasonable shape for the damn thing! Got any @#! triangular pockets?

MrMullen · Post by **MrMullen** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:23 am

robotland wrote:Now, if they could only come up with a more reasonable shape for the damn thing! Got any @#! triangular pockets?

I think it is a good thing. The antenna is for better reception. My Garmin Vista has a built-in antenna and I wish I could add an antenna or it had a antenna like the GPSMAP 60C. I bet that thing works great under the trees, of course there are lots of them on the Playa.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:55 am

My beef isn't with the antenna, which seems to be a necessary evil- It's the odd, triangular case that makes it as thick as it is wide. For having an external antenna, you would think it would perform better than it sometimes does- On an overcast day it's difficult and sometimes impossible to get a fix. BRC is a GPS paradise, though. A smorgasbord of attainable satellites!
Overall, I really LIKE the Rino, and look forward to investing in a model 130. Nice interface, easy to use onehanded. I just nosed around the internet and came up with an end-of-February release, and prices almost A HUNDRED BUCKS cheaper than Garmin's recommended $380 or so.....

Martiansky · Post by **Martiansky** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 12:35 pm

Magellan Meridian GOLD, baby!!
That's what I've got!
I still have my Maggie 315 though.

Let's pretend we're caches and hunt for each other on the playa!!

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 6:12 am

Or GPS "Marco Polo"!

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Tue Mar 09, 2004 5:27 am

....Found the Rino 130 online for $270....should ship in a week, and I'll give a full report.

Electronic's Checklist?

Electronic's Checklist?

Gas powered blender

Walkie Talkies?

Walkie Talkies?

Re: Walkie Talkies?

Walkie Talkies?

GPS