Do we need all the Technology!!

[McGirr]

Ironic. This topic is ironic itself, as we have all responded using our computer, tablet, iPhone, blackberry etc. Technology has allowed all of us to share a common interest, how wonderful is that??

The topic was more do we need all the computers , tablets , iPhones etc to go camping. My idea of camping is to get away from it all, enjoy the places , swim in the creeks and sit around a fire.

Yes have phones for safety but you see a lot of people camping in mobile phone range on laptops , phones , tablets  on face book etc. why not stay home.

I suppose it's great to know exactly where you are at a given point if you are in an isolated area but I think the majority of people are in areas where it's not needed.

A question for people who have all the fancy electronic maps, is it that better having that technology and what did you do before you had it. ( I understand if the wife has to read a map and give you directions  )

Maybe it's a man thing having the latest in technology 

I have been to the Cape 5 times and only ever had a paper map.

As I said more curious than anything.

Mark

[macca]

Mark

Have to aggree with you, I think in my case its just easier to use the electronic mapping, I get lost fairly easily, sometimes thats a good thing, and to me its less hassle, i do always take papermaps with me and do a lot of my pre trip planning on them. IMO a papermap is far easier to get a better overall picture of where you are going

On the other hand we do a lot of water skiing and free camp on the Murray and nothing p1sses me off more than half a dozen teenagers sitting round a fire with iphones in hand. I can still maintain the ban on TV's, DVD's, computers and game consuls (a benefit of being the boat owner) but lost control of the iphones

i guess its similar to my old ocean racing days you can sit down and plot courses on charts or you can just bang a few coordinates into a plotter, you still get there the same, one is just easier than the other plus you have the advantage of know exactly where you are instantly

Apart from safety no I dont really need it I just enjoy fiddling around with all the technology
macca

[LeighC]

G'day Mark,

Great topic.  I think if you're referring to being connected to the Internet or a phone service then that's a different story, especially when it's only a short trip.

I enjoy the technology for a quick check of the news, but I'll also get an update from the radio.

Kids using a DVD player for long trips is just bloody easy.  When at a campsite then it's different story.

What I don't agree with is when people try to recreate their home theatre system when away.... Well if they're camping near me.

Cheers,
Leigh

[Barry G]

Fridge and solar panel-fed batteries make remote camping 'possible', unless your family is prepared to live on dry / tinned food, powdered milk, etc - or remain within range of ice supplies.
Maps on IPad, especially set to satellite photos, can be great for selecting an alternative route 'on the fly'.
With a young family instant hot water and pumped water supply make life easier for the cook, but we don't miss not having them.
Quickly got used to just using side mirrors.  I am better at giving reversing directions than the squeeze, so she is behind the wheel when we need to hitch the trailer, and I tell her where to go...!

[DannyG]

We use a GPS and we use paper maps, neither of which get used until we need to know where we are going LOL

We use our phones for Internet which we can live without but having the internet is such a large part of everyones life in our family so it is nice to be able to check in every now and then.

We use a fridge and solar panels because of obvious reasons!

We have a DVD in the back of the 4wd which doesnt get used that often really but when it does it is nice to see the kids enjoying a movie on those long trips. We could easily live with out it but mum and dad need a rest from car games every now and then too.

We have ipads, tablets, netbooks, laptops etc etc but we dont take them camping as a rule. Maybe on a big trip we will take one purely to back up photos off the camera.......oh there is more technology, the DSLR camera!

Thats about it really, so in the context of the thread I guess the answer is NO, we leave all our gadgets at home.......oh except the kids take their little nintendo game thingys......oh dear

[Bunyip]

We have had a strict rule that no game consoles or phones come camping. It has lasted for 10 years and now our friends with younger kids follow the rule as well.

iPods have started to sneak their way in, but I have noticed over the last couple of years an increase in the general amount of music being played around campsites. Perhaps it is just my perception but I do not recall radios being on 10 years ago.

Bunyip

[02-SR5]

I do like "back ground" music/news/sports.

I lke it sit down with a good book withe radio on in the back ground.

[Pipeliner]

I started camping with the Boy Scouts in the UK 55 years ago, and we managed pretty well without the technology we have today - so from that point of view we don't NEED it - but there is no way I would do the same sort of camping today.  I like my iPad and my GPS, and having a radio (both broadcast and the HF/UHF communication sets) to ensure that I can access help in an emergency.

Can I survive without the technology?  Yes.  Would I plan a trip without the technology?  Certainly not!

Bear in mind too that these days you need communications if your car breaks down: too many car problems are computer related these days and can't be fixed by a "bush mechanic" method.

[McReidy]

I love my gadgets, so anything that will help with comfort & convenience & meets the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) is good with me. As a newbie to CT and driving trailers in general I was looking at getting a reversing camera. Will this actually assist in any way with reversing the CT or just be a pain? Was looking at getting one anyway as my little one has a habit of letting himself out of the house in a ninja like fashion so can never be too careful!!

[fishfinder]

I invested in a compressor to blow up the air matress - so yes the gadgets are a convinience