| If reports are to believed, most of the western world | | | | optimum exposure to the sun and would be wise to |
| spend their free time staring at the television, playing | | | | find some shade. |
| video games or surfing the net for hours on end. While | | | | The solar backpack isn't just useful for carrying |
| that may be some people's idea of a good time, many | | | | provisions. It is equipped with a handy solar panel which |
| of us would rather spend our leisure time outside, | | | | stores energy from the sun while you are hiking along. |
| taking on the challenges nature has to offer. Whether | | | | This energy can then be used to recharge a device |
| you enjoy mountain climbing, camping, or just the | | | | such as a digital camera or mobile phone, meaning you |
| occasional picnic in the countryside, there's no denying | | | | need never lose contact with the outside world, or |
| the great outdoors is far more interesting than anything | | | | miss the opportunity to take the ultimate wildlife snap. |
| TV or the internet has to offer. | | | | For those that enjoy al fresco dining, but lack the |
| But that's not to say that there's no place for | | | | patience to build the perfect bonfire, the Notebook |
| technology out in the wilderness. Some pretty smart | | | | portable flat-folding barbecue is a must-have. This |
| inventions have been created with the outdoorsman | | | | lightweight, easy to carry item, which is smaller than the |
| (or woman) in mind. Ray Mears may be happy rubbing | | | | average laptop computer, unfolds into an instant |
| sticks together to create fire or using the moss on the | | | | barbecue which can be taken anywhere - just add |
| trees to tell which way is north, but even the most | | | | charcoal! |
| adventurous of us could still use a little help out in the | | | | Gadgets for the urban survivor |
| wild. | | | | If you shy away from the wilderness, but still like to get |
| Taking technology outside | | | | out about in town, there are outdoor gadgets to suit |
| There is a whole host of gadgets that can be of | | | | you, too. Battery powered heated gloves are a real |
| assistance when taking on Mother Nature. Some are | | | | boon on those long winter nights. The shake-powered |
| well known and well loved, like the compass and the | | | | torch doesn't need batteries, so can be relied on the |
| trusty Swiss Army Knife. But some, while newer and | | | | event of a power cut. In the event of a breakdown at |
| more hi-tech, are just as useful, and once you've | | | | night, you'll be glad you had an emergency |
| started using them you'll wonder how you ever | | | | rechargeable torch in your car's cigarette lighter. |
| survived outdoors without them. | | | | So if you're going on walkabout, don't just rely on the |
| For example, the portable UV monitor is a handy little | | | | survival tips of Ray Mears or Bear Grylls, wise as they |
| gizmo that lets you know exactly how strong the sun's | | | | may be. Give yourself even more of an advantage |
| rays are wherever you happen to be. Calculating | | | | with some hi-tech gadgetry. After all, if it's good |
| against your skin type and the protection factor of | | | | enough for James Bond, it must be good enough for |
| your sun cream, it alerts you when you've had | | | | you. |