Battery-Powered Tools: You Don't Need Them, But…
What kind of equipment do you really need to enjoy extended camping trips? How about overlanding equipment? Surprisingly, you can get away with very little. You don't need all the toys. Still, some of the toys can make spending time in the outdoors a lot more enjoyable.
We recently ran across a piece on the Expedition Portal website discussing a new range of battery-powered 'outdoor accessories' introduced by Mikita. Some of the products are pretty utilitarian and useful to overlanders and campers. Others are just toys.
The author of the piece, veteran full-time overlander Graeme Bell, says it is easier to justify purchases of battery-powered devices if the devices are multi-functional. He is fine buying a battery-powered chainsaw because it can be used on the road and at home.
Utility vs. Comfort
The thing about investing in outdoor gear is that it is extremely easy to spend a lot. As things like overlanding and camping have become more popular, manufacturers have raised prices commensurate with demand. That's the way it goes. But if you are on a budget, you need to be careful about what you buy. That leads to the question of utility vs. comfort.
Rollercam® straps for camping and overlanding are purely utilitarian devices. You buy them to perform a particular function: securing your equipment and supplies. Your life isn't going to be made any more or less comfortable because you are carrying a box full of our cam straps. (Your life will be a lot easier though…)
On the other hand, a battery-powered Bluetooth music player has very little to do with utility. You invest in it because you appreciate the convenience of being able to listen to your music in the middle of nowhere. Having access to your music collection makes your trips more comfortable.
Investing in your own comfort isn't a bad thing. But the reality of overlanding and camping is that you need to cover utility first. You need to invest in those things that actually make it possible for you to go out into the middle of nowhere and survive.
Piecemeal Is a Fine Strategy
We have had the opportunity to serve customers from all walks of life and for all possible uses of cam straps. During the time we've been in business, we have noticed something fascinating. Some of the customers we've dealt with feel the need to have it all before they take that first trip. They spend a ton of money outfitting themselves for a journey they have never taken before.
The other side of the coin are the customers who are okay taking the piecemeal approach. They start slowly, investing only in those things they absolutely know they will need and upgrading as they figure out what they can’t live without. As time goes on and they discover their own preferences, they add to what they own with individual purchases here and there.
There is nothing wrong with going all-in right from the get-go. Likewise, there is nothing wrong with the piecemeal strategy, either. It is a fine strategy when you don't have a lot of money to spend up front. Yet regardless of the strategy you might choose, utility still comes first.
The Fun Tools Will Come
If you are new to overlanding, wilderness camping, and similar activities, invest in utility first. You don't need things like battery-powered fun tools to enjoy the great outdoors. Nonetheless, they can make your journeys more comfortable. No worries. They will come in time.
You can make your journeys as utilitarian or comfortable as you like. If you prefer the bare minimum at all times, rock 'n roll. If you would rather go full bore and invest in every little thing that catches your eye, that's fine too.
