Electronics – Three Points of the Compass

Electronics

Gear talk: Nitecore Carbo 20000, the world’s lightest 20000mAh powerbank

Most backpackers are carrying a powerbank on multi-day trips. As the need for additional power for a multitude of electronic devices increases, so does the search for the lightest and most efficient of high capacity 'bricks'. Three Points of the Compass has a glance at a 20k mAh option from Nitecore.

Electronics

Gear talk: USB-C coupler adapters, they don’t come much smaller or lighter than this!

It can be surprising how much weight a cable can add to electronics carried on trail. Here is one of the lightest alternatives available. This USB-C coupler has it's limitations, but could be a handy primary or back-up connector.

Electronics

Gear talk: Pad-Pal, the world’s smallest and lightest electric pad inflator is getting smaller and lighter!

This is an update on the progress that Tyler Reeves is making in further reducing the size and weight of his home-grown pad inflator. It isn't available yet, and may differ substantially from the prototype shown here, but watch this space...

Electronics

Gear talk: my 2023 electronics

It is three years since I did a dedicated post on the electronic gear I carry on backpacking trips, so here is the 2023 update. Do note that this selection is peculiar to me. I am a UK lightweight backpacker who still enjoys a bit of luxury. As always, there is also a little experimentation underway at present so one item at least will be dropped later in the year.

Electronics

Gear talk: Nitecore NB10000 Gen2 powerbank

The NB10000 Gen 2 Quick-Charge USB-A/USB-C 10000mAh Powerbank was released by Nitecore in summer 2022 as a generational improvement of the original NB10000 that astonished the lightweight backing community in 2009. Nitecore have now released a second generation of the NB10000 with just a handful of welcome upgrades, while continuing to ignore a few other areas that could do with improvement.

Electronics

Gear talk: Pad-Pal, the world’s lightest electric sleeping pad inflator

A pair of lungs is lighter than the little inflator looked at here, but the Pad-Pal is, by far, the lightest electric sleeping pad inflator in the world. It is doubtful that anything lighter could be made.

Electronics

Gear talk: looking at Power Adapters

My search for an efficient, small, lightweight power adapter with USB-C port for UK use continues. A look here at three prospects.

Electronics

Gear chat: lightweight solar panels

Relying on solar panels while backpacking in the UK is ambitious. Three Points of the Compass looks at his three lightweight solar panel options from Lixada, Duragadget and Link Solar

Electronics

Gear talk: Nitecore powerbanks for lightweight backpacking

Three Points of the Compass has a closer look at four lightweight powerbank options from Nitecore

Electronics

Gear talk: the Nitecore 21700 Intelligent Battery System

The Nitecore 21700 Intelligent Battery System brings together a rechargeable battery, magnetic light and input/output charging cap in a small and convenient set. But is it suitable for use on trail? Probably not.

Gear talk

Gear talk: Altoids EDC tins- are they still a thing?

A bit of a dated concept these days, but there is still a place for an 'Urban Carry' Altoids tin

Electronics

Gear talk: RovyVon Aurora A5x Red

The RovyVon Aurora A5x Red is one of the lightest, most well equipped keychain lights with an effective user interface available to the backpacker

Electronics

Gear talk: 2020 tweaks to trail electronics

Always on the lookout for an opportunity to shave a little weight from my pack, or just refine a system, without compromising either safety or effectiveness, I recently had a […]

Electronics

Gear talk: bags and pouches of ‘small stuff’

Three Points of the Compass could never be considered an […]