March 25, 2012
Tech Talk from Tim
Today's post is written by tech guru and snow biker, Tim Harincar.
You may have noticed that we've been able to send out short text messages to Eric's twitter and the map page during this trip. To accomplish this with "expedition efficiency" we've brought along a DeLorme inReach unit. When paired with a DeLorme PN60w GPS receiver we can compose and send short messages any time we wish from literally anywhere on the planet.
One of the major goals of the trip is to field test equipment for future adventures to insure that cost-benefit of that equipment justifies its place in the kit. The "cost" of any piece of technology equipment is weight and power consumption which means asking questions like can it do the job of an alternate, heavier piece of equipment? Can it do more than one job? Can it do its job faster or easier than an alternative? Does it improve safety? Is it something new and interesting?
Answering these questions will help decide what is necessary to the success of the expedition and what can be left behind.
One of the most interesting things about the inReach is the ability for visitors to Eric's site to send messages back to the team. Recent history of expeditions has generally given the remote teams the ability to post - somewhat blindly - FROM remote parts of the world. But the ability to see reactions and respond to visitors has been very limited (and expensive). The inReach unit allows us to actively interact with people who are following the adventure.
Media is difficult thing for any expedition. As people become more and more connected via social media, apps, the web, smartphones, tablets, etc, there is a feeling of "always on" and "instant gratification" for consumption of information. This can be a great thing when you're in a city with normal internet infrastructure and high speed mobile networks. However, out in remote places, internet connectivity has not changed much in the last 10 years. Teams are still limited to either slow speed satellite connections or heavy equipment. The challenge is to tap into and feed the audience desire for new and cool information with the team's ability to provide it, both from a hardware and power standpoint.
The Iridium satellite phone has become an integral component of any of these journeys and probably one of the expedition's most valuable pieces of equipment. It functions as both uber reliable safety beacon as well as vital communication tool for logistics, keeping in touch with family and uploading data. As Eric says time and time again, 'Don't leave home without one.'
Making videos and editing photos in the tent is not just a nice-to-have, its now pretty much a requirement for securing sponsorship and providing content to visitors. "Feeding the blog" is a standard expedition chore. But it's also an integral part of the overall mission - connecting people to places. And while it takes substantially more effort and energy than a simple overnight, we feel lucky to have the opportunity to connect.
Speaking of power, it's an important consumable on any expedition, especially to arctic climates where battery power can be quickly diminished. To provide electricity for these devices we rely on a rechargeable batteries from our GoalZero solar charging system. It might seem like a solar charger is just another device to be carried along with the communication devices, but with the cost-benefit questions above the solar panel can replace a greater weight of disposable batteries. So while technically a "device", the solar charger can be a life saver for keeping the required electronic gear powered up and happy on extended expeditions. It also simply 'makes sense' over time our battery weight would be too much.
Putting all these pieces together in a small, lightweight and easily managed system is challenge, and it's a big part of the reason for training trips like this one to Churchill. With conditions and temperatures similar to arctic conditions, we can test and refine not only gear but procedures when using the equipment, suggest changes to the manufacturers, and be certain of a device's place in the kit.
Image: Tim snuggling at 10 below with the DeLorme inReach unit.
You may have noticed that we've been able to send out short text messages to Eric's twitter and the map page during this trip. To accomplish this with "expedition efficiency" we've brought along a DeLorme inReach unit. When paired with a DeLorme PN60w GPS receiver we can compose and send short messages any time we wish from literally anywhere on the planet.
One of the major goals of the trip is to field test equipment for future adventures to insure that cost-benefit of that equipment justifies its place in the kit. The "cost" of any piece of technology equipment is weight and power consumption which means asking questions like can it do the job of an alternate, heavier piece of equipment? Can it do more than one job? Can it do its job faster or easier than an alternative? Does it improve safety? Is it something new and interesting?
Answering these questions will help decide what is necessary to the success of the expedition and what can be left behind.
One of the most interesting things about the inReach is the ability for visitors to Eric's site to send messages back to the team. Recent history of expeditions has generally given the remote teams the ability to post - somewhat blindly - FROM remote parts of the world. But the ability to see reactions and respond to visitors has been very limited (and expensive). The inReach unit allows us to actively interact with people who are following the adventure.
Media is difficult thing for any expedition. As people become more and more connected via social media, apps, the web, smartphones, tablets, etc, there is a feeling of "always on" and "instant gratification" for consumption of information. This can be a great thing when you're in a city with normal internet infrastructure and high speed mobile networks. However, out in remote places, internet connectivity has not changed much in the last 10 years. Teams are still limited to either slow speed satellite connections or heavy equipment. The challenge is to tap into and feed the audience desire for new and cool information with the team's ability to provide it, both from a hardware and power standpoint.
The Iridium satellite phone has become an integral component of any of these journeys and probably one of the expedition's most valuable pieces of equipment. It functions as both uber reliable safety beacon as well as vital communication tool for logistics, keeping in touch with family and uploading data. As Eric says time and time again, 'Don't leave home without one.'
Making videos and editing photos in the tent is not just a nice-to-have, its now pretty much a requirement for securing sponsorship and providing content to visitors. "Feeding the blog" is a standard expedition chore. But it's also an integral part of the overall mission - connecting people to places. And while it takes substantially more effort and energy than a simple overnight, we feel lucky to have the opportunity to connect.
Speaking of power, it's an important consumable on any expedition, especially to arctic climates where battery power can be quickly diminished. To provide electricity for these devices we rely on a rechargeable batteries from our GoalZero solar charging system. It might seem like a solar charger is just another device to be carried along with the communication devices, but with the cost-benefit questions above the solar panel can replace a greater weight of disposable batteries. So while technically a "device", the solar charger can be a life saver for keeping the required electronic gear powered up and happy on extended expeditions. It also simply 'makes sense' over time our battery weight would be too much.
Putting all these pieces together in a small, lightweight and easily managed system is challenge, and it's a big part of the reason for training trips like this one to Churchill. With conditions and temperatures similar to arctic conditions, we can test and refine not only gear but procedures when using the equipment, suggest changes to the manufacturers, and be certain of a device's place in the kit.
Image: Tim snuggling at 10 below with the DeLorme inReach unit.