Summer is on the horizon as we proceed towards those warmer weather days filled with fun, adventure, water, and family. With that, we’ve all got one thought on our minds and that’s getting away from the nine-to-five grind of work and going on vacation. Whether it’s going to waterparks, visiting historic landmarks, state parks or the beach, having tech that can withstand the elements during this time of year are very important. In this edition of the Tech Guru, we’ll be giving you some great products to make your outdoor expeditions tech-friendly.
Waterproof Digital Cameras
If you’re going for that perfect picture, and don’t necessarily want to risk carrying your smartphone into the waterpark or beach, a waterproof camera is probably your best bet. Dunk them in the pool on purpose or drop them in the lake by accident, it won’t matter. Thankfully there are plenty to choose from that are reputable in which I have used in the past several years. Just be sure you actually store them in a swim shorts pocket when in the water as the strap isn’t the most reliable choice to prevent it from getting lost in the water. I’ve had the misfortune of losing some this way.
- Nikon COOLPIX W100 is a great camera takes beautiful pictures with its 13.2MP imaging, and NIKKOR 3x Optical Zoom. This camera is also waterproof down to a depth of 33 feet. This sells for $156 on Amazon.
- Fujifilm FinePix XP80 features another great option with its 16.2MP lens, HD recording, remote shooting or photo transfer with your smartphone or tablet. This device also is waterproof with a depth of 50 feet. This sells for $109 on Amazon
Excursion by Opteka – LED Lantern with USB Powerbank
Looking to go hiking or go off the grid and also keeping your tech gear charged in case of an emergency? The Excursion by Opteka is a great addition to your arsenal and serves multiple purposes. Not only is this device a lantern capable of projecting light from 200 to 440 lumens. This device also features a 12,800 mAh internal lithium battery bank. It’s rated to withstand various types of climates and it’s ideal for hiking, hunting or emergencies. Another great feature is that it’s even housed in a waterproof enclosure to protect the battery, the USB charging outlets and the AC power supply. So if you’re looking for that perfect device to not only provide you some much need illumination and to charge your devices, this may be what you are looking for on that trip into the wilderness. This sells for $21.99 on Amazon.
Otium Bluetooth Headphones
If you’re anything like my wife and enjoy running at the gym or while riding your bike, the headphone cords can often get in the way. Thankfully headphones are coming with more options including Bluetooth wireless connections to your smartphone. This device features great sweatproof, noise canceling earbuds that are comfortable around the ears and feature a neckband wire design meaning no annoying dangling wires to deal with. In addition to great sound, these headphones also feature a built-in microphone with voice notifications of incoming phone calls. The Otium earbuds also feature an impressive 8-hour battery life with a really quick recharge time. It has the ability to pair to your Android, iOS, and other Bluetooth enabled devices with a great range of up to 30ft in open spaces and 10ft in obstacle spaces. So whether you’re listening to your favorite band while enjoying the outdoors, listening to a podcast or talking to someone, you get the convenience of not having to hold your phone and just enjoy your summer excursions.
Whatever tech gadget you decide to get your hands on, make sure it’s one that enhances your experiences and adds to the enjoyment of getting outside this summer. As we know, here in Michigan, weather can change at the drop of a hat and having gear that you can count no matter the climate is always an added plus.