When those dark and stormy nights blow through and there is no power available, everyone wishes that they had a good generator. KaliPak is a solar powered generator that is intended to provide power to individuals when the grid is down. Though the solar panel itself is not immediately available, it can also be charged via a 12V car-lighter socket or, when the grid is up again, using a regular electrical outlet. It appears that the only items that can be charged are those that are typically charged via a USB cable, since electrical outlets in conjunction with this item aren’t showing in the photos. However, there may be KaliPak adaptors available for purchase that can change that. The KaliPak app along with Bluetooth capabilities are required to determine the specifics on how much power the generator has left. The battery itself is a 39amp battery. As for mobile gadgets, keep in mind that in a natural disaster or emergency, Wi-Fi connections and cell phone towers will probably be as unavailable as electricity. This campaign seeks to raise $250,000 by December 29, 2014. Early bird backers get one product for $398 with expected delivery in August 2015.
Category: Camping
One of the greatest challenges when camping is all of the planning, packing and organizing that has to be done, especially for families with several small children. CampCaddy was designed with the busy family in mind. It’s a table, small pantry, camping storage container, and all around organizer blended into one unit. While it won’t do the cooking, it will store everything you need in a simple package. The handle and wheels make for easy toting to the campsite, while towel racks help to keep messes under control. CampCaddy can be easily modified to fit both a day at the county park or a longer camping excursion. The lightweight unit is made from injection molded plastic, has aluminum features, an aluminum top for easy cleaning, and fits easily into the trunk of a standard sized car. This campaign seeks to raise $200,000 CAD (~ $175,500 USD) by December 1, 2014. Early bird backers get one product for $200 CAD (~$175 USD) with an expected delivery of May 2015.
What if it were possible to have a cooler that could be taken on a camping trip or to a picnic that didn’t require a bag of ice to keep things cool? That would be the point behind the Icebuddy cooler. Though the cooling mechanism does require a three hour storage time in the freezer, when it is placed inside the Icebuddy companion, it keeps stored items chilled for up to three days. It can also be easily toted with its backpack design or soft, rubber handle; giving it an edge on the cooler market. As for those who don’t mind purchasing ice and having coolers with lots of gadgets to add some zest to the party, consider checking out Cooler Bobs, Coolest Cooler, Boombox Cooler, and for a potentially party crashing wild ride, Kreweser cooler. This campaign seeks to raise $250,000 by November 25, 2014. For $225, backers get the complete Icebuddy cooler system with an expected delivery of April 2015.
Kickstarter success story WakaWaka already has a history of creating simple, innovative devices that harness solar power into personal electricity. Now, they tackle a situation in which electricity stops being an option. The WakaWaka Base is a portable “power and light first aid kit” that includes a foldable solar panel and base that can connect to LED flashlights, phones, or any USB device to charge it. The solar panel is strong enough to charge even on cloudy days, and the base can hold enough charge to power a week of light or five full smartphone charges with no additional solar energy.
Ideal for any storm preparedness kit, camping gear, or car trunk, the WakaWaka Base ensures that nobody ever has to worry about being stranded and having their phone battery die on them or having to wander around in the dark. WakaWaka needs $70,000 to test, manufacture, and release the Base. The peace of mind the Base provides costs only $89, and will be out in May 2015. This kind of product innovation is what makes WakaWaka products so popular, and there’s no reason why any smartphone user or homeowner should be without the WakaWaka Base.
Football is a fall favorite for many. People not only enjoy the games, but love tailgating as well. The Kickoff Kaddy can make the experience easier and more enjoyable. This magnetic drink holder takes your beer, coffee, soda, or whatever and holds it for you so that you can enjoy a game of catch or a plate of barbecue. The holder uses a magnet and attaches to any nearby metal surface, such as a car, pole or grill. Kickoff Kaddy is designed to hold drinks of many different sizes.
One will cost tailgating backers $12 with estimated delivery in February 2015. Kickoff Kaddy hopes to raise $15,000 on Kickstarter. While this product may prove to be useful for tailgaters, its convenience may stretch beyond this one type of event. However, some may opt to just put their drink on the roof of their cars instead of sticking it to the side.
For those who enjoy camping, RV road trips, yacht cruises or just live in a small space and like having their toast and coffee when they wake up in the morning, here is a nifty gadget that doesn’t require electricity to toast bread on both sides at the same time. Delta Toast is shaped like a triangle that stands bread up while it is placed over a heat source for faster toasting, and less hassle than conventional one-sided camping toasters. It works on both gas and electric stove tops, has a double layered heat shield so that the crusts won’t burn, and will even toast a sandwich.
For those who want to use it in their house or apartment, it is dishwasher safe. Unfortunately, the product is only available to those with addresses in the US and several European countries because of shipping issues. Still, a cute, albeit clunky, product for more simple-minded toast enthusiasts. Backers can get this for $55, with an expected delivery of February 2015. Delta Toast hopes to raise $2,500 on Indiegogo.
A entire six seater sofa in a bag: that’s what the folks behind The Lounger are peddling. It may sound too good to be true, but there is indeed a Kickstarter campaign with a video that shows this real, working product. Although they’re marketing the Lounger to the camping crowd, its modern, contemporary design can pretty much fit anywhere a sofa would come in handy — and when wouldn’t a sofa come in handy?
The product is weatherproof for those who want to live luxuriously in the wild outdoors and easy to set up, requiring no tools to do so. Nothing in the campaign addresses how the cushions are actually expected to fit in bag without having to inflate them first. If that’s the case, it would be a bit disengenious to claim that the product is fully portable without mentioning the air pump you’ll have to lug around as well. The creator is looking for a hefty €79,999 to mass produce The Lounger; interested backers can get their very own for €319, almost half the retail price.
Categories
Rapid Hut offers shelter nearly anywhere
Talk about having it made in the shade with cool lemonade! Here is a product that not only allows the user to make their own shade, but, if the weather turns wet, it also keeps the user relatively dry. Rapid Hut is a temporary shelter that is easily erected, doesn’t require any tools for set up, folds up for easy transport, and can be anchored to the ground when it’s windy outside. It also has a couple of windows on either side to help with air-flow on those hot sunny days, and the windows double as drink holders. This looks like a great item to have for picnicking, camping, and watching many outdoor events. One downside is that it only fits two averaged-sized adults, so friends and family will have to get their own. For $275, backers get one product with some free stuff. Expected delivery is November 2014.
With tailgate and fall camping seasons in full swing, here is a nifty idea for enjoying those cold beverages without having to guess what’s being fished out of the cooler.
Cooler Bobs add a bit of color to the outdoor night life. The luminescent light bearers hide under the ice in coolers and emanate an optional blue, red or green hue through the cubes, with additional colors expected to be available in the near future. That way, bare hands spend as little time as necessary finding a drink, and parched tongues don’t end up disappointed by an unpalatable flavor.
It would be interesting to know what is being used to cause the round orbs to light up party time coolers, though one would hope that the creators have considered that if any heat is being given off, the ice melts faster. For $10, backers get one product with an expected delivery of December 2014.
Camping, hiking and general wilderness-wandering is done by carrying around the least amount of stuff as possible. This usually means making some sacrifices. Chair-Pak is a combination backpack and chair that means you won’t have to sit on the ground. The chair folds out and the pack is then located on the back of the chair. With a stable looking seat and lightweight metal, this seems like a great way to tote around a chair and cargo at the same time. One will cost backers $95 with estimated delivery in March 2015. Chair-Pak hopes to raise $39,000 on Kickstarter.