Everybody wants to save the earth, nobody wants to help mom do the dishes.  --P.J. O'Rourke

Showing posts with label Off the Grid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Off the Grid. Show all posts

Friday, April 10, 2009

BMW Motorrad R1200 GS Sport

OTG week has thus far been concerned primarily with the requisite comfort and luxury products no self respecting militia-uh-"family campground" should be without.  Equally important however is transit to and fro said camp.  Sure, you COULD make do with a mere "Dirt Bike", but why settle when you could have a colossal 1200cc German dirt bike.  Weighing in at 500lbs. with a 100hp 2 cylinder BMW boxer motor, THIS is a Dirt Bike - like Crocodile Dundee's Knife is a "Knife".  I tend to view "traveling lightly" in the same vein as "light beer", that is something that should be avoided at all costs.  The R1200 fits the bill perfectly, it can be loaded up with another 500lbs of driver, gas, ammunition, pinot noir or whatever else you should require, and with a nearly 9 gallon gas tank it can take you there and back.

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Esse Wood Fired Cook Stoves

If your OTG Kitchen Appliance needs  are somewhat more
traditional than the Razen Stove, ESSE may have what you
are looking for.  They currently offer two wood fired kitchen
stoves (Pictured Below).  They functional essentially like the
AGA range or any other stored heat cooker in that they are
designed to use very little wood and to eke out every BTU
in the Fuel.  They cost and arm and a leg, and may actually
be worth it.
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Razen Wood Fired Cookstove

Being OTG whether by necessity (Zombie Apocalypse) or by choice (Wilderness Camp)
need not necessitate a life devoid of euro-style.  Looking to kit out your TeePee with
the latest in stainless and granite?  U.K. based Razen has the stove for you, and it looks
like it's actually a pretty well thought out unit.


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Thursday, April 9, 2009

C. Crane Co. CCRadio

Another essential OTG item

Shortly following luxurious shelter, light, heat and a tub in Maslow's hierarchy of OTG needs is a good battery powered radio. You may be tempted to rely on a cheap K-Mart transistor Shower Radio, Hello Kitty radio or some other abomination, but I can assure you NOTHING sucks as much as trying to tune in a Red Sox pennant game in the fall, under a brilliant star lit sky, and having it fade in and out. There you are, you've got your campfire on, your drink on, the cicada's are singing and Don Orsillo is fading in and out in a battle with a mariachi station. Ninth inning, men on first and third, winning run at the plate, 2 outs, full count......AGHHHH. Well, do yourself a favor and get a good quality AM Radio, yes the price is usurious, but it's worth every penny. The CC Radio was developed by a company who's core business is bringing AM radio reception to Militiamen, Bush Pilots, Tree Standers and other hinterland dwellers.

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BriteLyt Lanterns

Yet another OTG (Off the Grid) must have, the BriteLyt Petromax Style Lantern.  Maybe not for the Snorkel Tub, but you're gonna need some light in your Yurt, TeePee, Cabin, Tent, Airstream or Bunker.  Purportedly the brightest lantern in the world, the BriteLyt is solid brass and multifuel (capable of burning Diesel, Gas, Kero, Veg Oil etc).  Manufactured and supported in the United States, the Britelyt is apparently the lantern of choice for U.S. troops in Afghanistan.  Although it is also available in polished brass or chrome (left), I personally like the utilitarian flat grey of the military model below, lanterns aren't intended to be fancy.    Link www.britelyt.com






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Swift Wind Turbine - Cascade Engineering

Continuing the Unofficial "Off Grid" Theme of the Week 

Originally Developed in Scotland by Renewable Devices the Swift Turbine is also being manufactured and Sold in the U.S. by Cascade Engineering.  Unlike most wind turbines, the Swift was engineered for roof top installation from the beginning and is intended to satisfy residential zoning ordinances.  To reduce objectionable noise in the neighborhood, the turbine uses a small diameter (7 feet), 5 blade ringed rotor (the ring is designed to help disrupt blade tip vortexes, a major source of noise).   To cut down on  noise within the house it it features special vibration damping roof mounts and because it's not mounted on a huge pole, you don't have to worry about it blowing over and landing on your neighbors house.  The Swift is rated for 1.5kw in a 31mph wind and Cascade claims that noise at any speed never exceeds 31db.  Cascade's web site has a neat little program that can help you determine if a wind turbine makes sense in your area.

More Info

www.swiftwindturbine.com 
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