Stumbled on to these through sheer luck, I was looking to buy a Stick-Pic (more about that later) for my Fizan poles to accommodate my camera, but the supplier said the Fizan pole was one, of the very few, they do not fit to. I started to hunt around the web for the ultimate lightweight pole that can take the Stick-pic. Found Helinox out of Australia www.helinox.com.au/helinox-walking-poles.php
Here's my logic: In planning for a PCT long thru hike. I feel, given a 70% cell phone coverage, carrying a smart phone would make sense, However, power supply was a major draw back. Enter the Suntactics solar S5 charger (234gms) - a separate review on this after next tramp and field test. Now I could do away with my Samsung light camera (185 gms) and use the iPhone (141gms).
I also needed a way to attach the iPhone (camera) to my hiking poles to take video and photos when by myself and on the move. This is done via the Stic-pic (11gms) www.thestickpic.com and a smart phone holder (50gms) - the Glif www.studioneat.com/products/glif
OK, are you getting a bit confused now!
Here's the benefits...
No more spare batteries, camera, maps. Take the iPhone, that's all you need. It has a torch app or get the "core" power unit for the Petzel headlight that can be charged off the Suntactics Solar unit.
The iphone also gives me email, internet, music (with lightweight earphones - 14gms) and through a host of APPS many other "delights" like weather, GPS, compass, stars etc etc.
Here's the weight breakdown:
Helinox Poles - 150gms each - replace my Fizan at 185gms each
iPhone - 141gms - replace camera at 185gms, but a huge range of additional benefits with built in maps, GPS, emergency contact, email, music, lighting, time, alarms, loading pics and reports to blog/FaceBook/Google+ etc.
Stick-Pic and iPhone holder - 61gms
Suntactics solar power supply - 232gm - no spare batteries
Here are some pictures - I will be "road testing" this set up April 10 weekend in Nelson and Easter Weekend on Stewart Island, but I do insist I am concentrating here on a one month plus thru-hiking with cell coverage 70% of the time.
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| Suntactics |
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| Suntactics Solar Charger |
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| Suntactics with UBS |
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| Helinox Poles |
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| StickPic with Glif |
I am posting this from remote Dolpa in Nepal on my Samsung Galaxy S4 Active. The advantage over the iPhone is that it is waterproof and I have 4 spare batteries instead of a solar charger which gives me 2 weeks of occasional gps and Kindle use. Most houses and even herders tents in Nepal have little solar panels where I can recharge. Ironically mains power in hotels is less reliable.
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