iPad or other technology in a Canoe - My iPad has arrived - Mindless Dribble

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iPad or other technology in a Canoe - My iPad has arrived

(15 posts) (8 voices) Started 6 months ago by James Latest reply from Dennis

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James
Class V

I am really excited about Apple's new iPad. I've written a few articles about it at http://www.makescreativematter.com

I think it's really going to do some cool stuff.

Anyway, I've measured my Pelican case and it looks like the iPad will fit perfectly.

I was wondering what you guys think about bringing technology into the wilderness. I’m not so much concerned with breaking it, but I wonder what you guys think about watching a movie in your tent instead of reading a book or listening to the cicadas hum.

The iPad has 10 hours of battery life and you could recharge it with a Brunton solar panel. I’ve been stuck in my tent in a rain storm reading the back of a National Geographic Trails Illustrated map for entertainment.

So should the canoe and wilderness be reserved for getting away from it all or is a diversion a diversion.

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe

Posted 6 months ago #
BWCAJohn
uwca2gulf

I like the idea of having one as you could cram it full of a library of resources and not have to carry a stack of books along. Imagine having plant and animal guides complete with pictures and audio clips, maps, historical information about your travel area or even saftey resources like first aid materials all accessible. I would certainly bring hard copies of any vital information but a device like this could be a great resource. I think it's all about how you decide to integrate it into your kit.

A blog about my trip down the Mississippi River: http://www.uwca2gulf.blogspot.com. Follow me on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bwcajohn

Posted 6 months ago #
James
Class V

I do think the iPad would be great for manuals, books and first aid but I wonder if it’s ok to watch movies on it. My wife complains that I always have my head down looking at the iPhone where ever we go.

I’m wondering if you all think that the wilderness should be enjoyed as wild and not connected or have a bunch of tech. Where’s the line?

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe

Posted 6 months ago #
BWCAJohn
uwca2gulf

I guess I would say that one would need to examine the reason that they are in the wilderness in the first place and determine if the technology will enhance or detract from their reason for going in the first place.

A blog about my trip down the Mississippi River: http://www.uwca2gulf.blogspot.com. Follow me on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bwcajohn

Posted 6 months ago #
Dennis
Photographer

Let's start a new forum called, "Ask A Luddite."

Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog

Posted 6 months ago #
Aggroman
Member

I brought a laptop on a solo weekend trip a few years ago, thinking if I get bored, i'll just watch a movie by the fire. The fire was roaring, there was a meteor shower over head, bass were slapping the water, dancing thier pre-spawn jig, and there I was, with my head down, buried in a laptop watching Young Guns 2.

I probably just lost a few friends here today for putting that scene in your mind. Sorry. It didn't take but about fifteen minutes of watching before I honestly started feeling strange about things. I knew I didn't feel right about what I was doing. So, I packed it back in the pelican, popped some jiffy pop on the coals, sat down and enjoyed the show Mother Nature had going on her big screen.

Definitly something I won't bring again, but that's just my own personal feelings towards it. I had it for entertainment value, not as a tool. We were a big outdoorsy family growing up and that still is a huge part of my family now. Never did tell Dad I did that, so shhhh.

Scott

Posted 6 months ago #
Dennis
Photographer

I'm surprised that there are no plans to install video screens in the lids of coolers or the headrests of bow paddler's motorized adjustable seats.

When the time comes that I need to resort to watching movies on a campout, I'll be looking for some new traveling companions.

Canoeing and camping are about freeing the mind and imagination. People should be relating important experiences or thoughts with each other, not electronic devices.

Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog

Posted 6 months ago #
natecanoes
Member

I am against having radios, laptops, etc in the wilderness since I feel they ruin the experience.

On the flip side I am sure the same has been said about tents with no-see-um mesh, GPS, etc. I guess a person could always bring it, but it wouldn't be for me

Posted 5 months ago #
Bryan Hansel
Member

I carried a Asus 901 Eee PC for about 30 days of trips this last summer. It was nice having it along to be able to look at the day's images, but it did create a huge demand for my time. Time that I would have otherwise spent hanging out on the beach or reading a good book in the tent.

I found it created a different experience than I'm used to, and I didn't find that to be bad or good--just different.

I do enjoy having a mp3 player with me to listen to music when I'm journaling, or to try and get a radio station when stuck in a tent on a wind day. I don't like having a GPS along nor cell phones.

Nessmuking.com - Lightweight canoe and kayak travel: a philosophy and a way of life

On Twitter: @bryanhansel

Posted 5 months ago #
Dennis
Photographer

GPS would take all the fun out of map reading but I can see where it would be a valuable tool on a cloudy day, or at night when there are few visible clues to go by.

Back in the Boy Scout days I banned expensive electronic toys and radios because they tended to get broken or lost. When things get lost, everyone starts pointing fingers at everyone else and it gets ugly fast. It is usually better and less stressful to leave all that sort of stuff at home.

I have taken the ipod outdoors but even that puts a damper on any kind of group activity and I loathe any sort of boom boxes blarring around a campfire. James and I went on a float trip once and someone on the far side of the river was having an all night party with a garage band using some big amplifiers. It was a pretty good band but still a little distracting. There was also a full moon so we were not likely to go to sleep early but they could have at least let us approve the set list ahead of time.

Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog

Posted 5 months ago #
Hueyav8r
Member

I am not against electronics during an outing but it has to help the experience. The thought of my daughter taking her iPod with her when we go to BWCA this summer bothers me. I want her to listen to the world not some song she down loaded before we left home. I am a big believer of "there's a time and a place".

When I was a Boy Scout leader we banned all electronics on outings. Didn't want any problems of things getting lost or destroyed. Also the boys spend enough of their life in front of electronics. If we have an adult that shows up and cannot put the phone away we kindly suggest to him/her places they could go to conduct business.

My wife is getting an iPad next month and to think of her with her iPad and my three children with their iPods and lap tops will defeat the purpose of our trip. I will leave them back at the lodge and go on a solo trip.

Posted 5 months ago #
aliahlewis
Member

I like gadgets and I have almost tried all including slate/netbooks/kindle. And now I am looking forward to iPAd and I am going to have it in couple of days. Though there are very negative comments iPad got but I always believe to have personal experience before believe on rumours. Because everyone have their own opinion for the same thing.

slate pc

Posted 5 months ago #
Dennis
Photographer

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned fish finders or robot submarines for canoeing...

Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog

Posted 5 months ago #
James
Class V

It's here... I got a waterproof case as well. I'll still stow it in the pelican when not in use but this looks like it makes it splash proof. It's heavy enough that it will sink if dropped overboard... more to come

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe

Posted 5 months ago #
Dennis
Photographer

How is the battery life? Probably too soon to tell without a few full cycles.

I'm guessing you are going to install power outlets under the seats and a waterproof wifi hotspot in the bow to connect everyone in the fleet.

Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog

Posted 5 months ago #

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