Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Equipment Reviews
gadgets on the go....? gadgets on the go....?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipment Reviews Post YOUR REVIEWS of ANY Motorcycle, Camping or Travel Equipment and accessories. Tell us what worked and didn't work for you!
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10 Jan 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Stafford
Posts: 4
gadgets on the go....?
hi all im about to prep an africa twin for overland adventures and i'd like a few ideas on how to power/charge electrical items on the go.ill have items like gps - phone - on bike camera to record as much as poss + laptop to save all the data on. will two 12v sockets do the job? and by doing this am i likely to damage the electrics? or should i use an invertor?
any info regarding this will be of a great
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11 Jan 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Between London & Singapore
Posts: 153
Hi,

Not sure you'll need 2 sockets. We're on the road at the moment, and have one socket on one bike only - more than enough, although we're not using GPS.

We've found we've normally been able to find somewhere to charge our kit along the way, but those times when we have days away from civilisation I've got a really simple 12v cigarette style socket which i bought from Hein Gericke for about £10. I bought a small really lightweight mini inverter from Maplin (i think for about £15 or so). I haven't bothered drilling the socket into a fixed position on the bike. It lives under the seat, connected to the battery, and when i need it I run it out and into the tankbag or other bag, connect it to the mini invertor (which lives in a small side pocket of my tank bag) and use it to charge cameras, laptops,ipods and anything else.

As for your GPS, you could just wire that into your bike and forget about it. Certainly, with what we're charging we've never had the slightest issue with the battery and nor do i expect to have one.
__________________
www.motoventurers.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11 Jan 2011
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ireland
Posts: 39
I got one of these (12V twin cigarette lighter + 2 usb adaptor) 12V Twin Cigarette Socket Adaptor with 2 x USB Charging Sockets : InCar Power Adaptors : Maplin and put it in my tank bag. I cut off the standard 12v plug, passed the wire out through a tiny hole in the pocket which holds the rain cover, and then fitted the bmw plug so I can use it on my bike. Now I can charge my camera, phone, laptop and a portable LED lamp at the same time, no problems. The socket I use switches off when the bike is powered off so no danger of running down the battery. Also, all the "valuable" gear is in the tankbag so its an easy job to bring it all with me when needs be.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11 Jan 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Stafford
Posts: 4
gadgets on the go....
cheers guys i have a maplins store locally so will pop in and get some of the above mentioned, have you any thoughts on data storage? i have an archos 604 dvr recorder which i use as an action cam when i head off into the mountains this will be a great item to mount on the bike to get lots of trip footage. it is however only 30 gig is there any way of sending the info home via - an iphone or something similar or can it be connected to a larger hard drive. or am i stuck with taking the note book and transfering data over? what are your views?:confused1: how do you perform the above are there easyier ways?
cheers
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Need help from UK: gadgets/toys for children Drachenstein Route Planning 0 23 Jan 2010 15:48
Gadgets and Borders WillCalderwood sub-Saharan Africa 5 30 Jan 2009 13:06
Connecting Electrical Gadgets Geoff van de Merwe Yamaha Tech 4 28 Feb 2003 05:19

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:49.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top