There’s something refreshing about being off the grid. No emails, no texts, no social media, no one around except the people you bring with you . . . doesn’t that sound nice? Whether you’re a fan of off-grid camping or you’re a little bit hesitant to take the leap, here are some gear items that’ll make going off grid safer, more comfortable, and more fun.
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The Bluetti Power Trio
Over the past few months, Bluetti has launched three products that will enhance your off-grid adventures significantly. Whether you need just one or all three depends on your power needs while heading into the wilderness. Check each of them out below.
BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station
Looking for a powerful power station you can actually move around without breaking your back? Try Bluetti’s new Elite 200 V2, a versatile 2073.6Wh capacity power station that can power an impressive nine devices at once. Compared to other power stations on the market (like the Anker my family was using before the Bluetti), this one is compact and much more portable.
My favorite part about this device is its sleek design and portability, but you’ll also appreciate its ability to charge quickly (80% in just about an hour), its rugged construction, and its auto-grade LFP batteries with more than 6,000 cycles. For going off grid, this power station will ensure your essential gear and devices stay charged up until you head back into civilization.
The Bluetti Elite 200 is currently $900 off for Black Friday!
BLUETTI Charger 1
The best way to charge your Bluetti power station while traveling or camping off grid is the Bluetti Charger 1. If you’re on the road for an extended period of time, use this device and your vehicle’s alternator energy to charge up a portable power station or battery six times faster than regular car chargers.
The Bluetti Charger 1 works with all Bluetti power stations and 95% of third-party power stations. Once installed, it’s easy to use—simply plug in that device that needs power, adjust the voltage as needed, and sit back and wait. You’ll be back to adventuring in no time.
The Bluetti Charger 1 is on sale for Black Friday!
BLUETTI Handsfree 2 Backpack Power Station
I had personally never seen something like the Bluetti Handsfree backpack power station before Bluetti launched this one last month. It’s a cool concept—perfect for use cases that require power away from your home base. For instance, if you’re using a drone (see my recommended drone below), a camera, or a laptop and will need a charge before you get back to your campsite or vehicle.
The Handsfree 2 is a 60-liter rugged outdoor backpack with a 512Wh power station that fits inside the bag’s large compartment. The power station has a 700W AC outlet, two USB-C, and two USB-A to charge up to five devices at once as you walk to wherever you’re going. There’s ample storage for camera gear, drone gear, or remote-work gear in the backpack, too.
For backpacking, this would be a bit heavy (in my opinion), but for short hikes out from a campsite or other home base, it’s a stellar solution for bringing a bunch of power with you on the go. I also just really like the backpack by itself.
The Bluetti Handsfree 2 is on sale for Black Friday!
BougeRV Yuma 100W CIGS Thin-Film Flexible Solar Panel
While you’re off grid, it’s essential to have a solar panel that’ll leverage the sun to power up your gear. BougeRV’s Yuma 100-watt CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) flexible solar panel is a nice addition to your camping gear. The flexible design is handy for using on just about any surface, and the CIGS technology enhances the panel’s durability, light sensitivity, and lifespan.
I like that this solar panel is rugged and can withstand elements like wind and snow. It’s easy to install (there’s an adhesive option that doesn’t require holes, which is really nice), and it’s well priced for something that’s designed to not only last longer than your typical solar panel but also offer minimal performance degradation over time.
Use code BF20 for 20% off during BougeRV’s Black Friday sale!
Rocky Talkie 5 Watt GSMR Radios
Before heading to the backcountry or anywhere off grid, consider investing in a GMRS radio that’ll help you communicate with group members and/or reach help, should you need it. Rocky Talkie’s 5 Watt radio offers everything you’d want or need in a backcountry radio. It’s rugged, with a water-shedding design and construction, plus it offers IP67 waterproofing up to 1 meter submersion, five days of battery life on a single charge (down to -20°F), and a shatterproof LED screen.
The 5 Watt Radio transmits the highest GMRS power permitted under FCC regulations, and it has a max range of over 35 miles. (It’s typically less in backcountry terrain, though.) You’ll appreciate access to 11 weather channels and NOAA weather alerts using the built-in 7.5-cm antenna, plus there’s a longer 17-cm antenna included in the box, if you need the extra range/reception.
I like that these radios are easy to use, super rugged and durable, and effective where other radios are not. When operating these radios in the U.S., you need a GMRS license, and the process is really easy. Rocky Talkie has it all outlined here.
Rocky Talkie is having a 20% off sale for Black Friday!
SABRE Frontiersman Bear Horn and Bear Deterrent Spray
Always know what wild animals live and hunt where you’re going. If that list includes bears, be sure to bring a bear horn and bear spray. I like the options from SABRE Frontiersman for their ease of use and reputation for quality and effectiveness.
The bear/mountain lion deterrent spray from SABRE Frontiersman offers a range of 40 feet, plus it’s easy to carry in the holster and simple to use with just one hand. The bear horn from this company has a loud 115dB horn that can be heard up to a half-mile away. Use this device before you spot a bear as a way to announce your presence in an area where bears are known to be. It offers an on/off feature to prevent accidental blasts.
Just for Fun: Roku F11PRO 2 Drone
So, maybe you don’t need a drone for off-grid exploration, but wouldn’t it be more fun if you did? Drone owners know too well, there are actually a lot of place you can’t fly drones, so if you’re heading to the backcountry, bring one along to gain a new perspective on the outdoors and take some cool videos.
Roku’s recently launched F11PRO 2 drone is a great option. It features a 6k camera with a Sony lens and 4K/30fps video that’ll help you create stunning-quality videos. The F11PRO 2 also has a three-axis brushless gimbal, two batteries offering 35 minutes of flight time each (extend this time by bring the BLUETTI Handsfree 2 Backpack Power Station), and a “night mode” that’ll allow you to use the drone after dark. It has a 10,000-foot long-range transmission and an easy-to-use interface that’ll get you up and running in no time.
Roku is have a Black Friday deal on its new F11PRO 2!
What gear do you love for going off grid?
