I really couldn’t do without...
OWPG members wax lyrical about their cherished items of outdoor equipment
Before you say it, I know I’m a crusty
old dinosaur, in these days of Smart
and i-phones, tablets and androids.
(Why does new technology often have
fruit-related names, by the way? There’s
Apple, Blackberry and you can get
Bluetooth too, especially if you eat too
many Blackberries). I do have a mobile
phone but I’m notorious for never using it
or even switching it on.
But the item I wouldn’t be without is my
battered old, spiral-bound, reporter’s
notebook. It doesn’t need batteries or
charging (although it’s useful to carry
a pen), and I can take a selective note
without the need to plough through and
edit a recording. My minimal knowledge
of shorthand – gained after thirty years of
daily paper, hot-metal journalism – helps
too, of course.
I therefore believe my notebook is faster
than a voice-recorder, and I can instantly
look back, without the need of switching
anything on, to check a fact or quote.
Some years ago, Rosker Ltd, of Gosport,
Hampshire, produced wonderful tiny little
yellow all-weather “pocket journals” with
waterproof paper, which you could use in
any conditions, and which would easily
slip into a shirt pocket. I’ve used these
all over America, Canada, Iceland, Arctic
Norway, the Faroes and Jordan, and they
are without doubt my favourite piece of
low-tech equipment which I really, really,
couldn’t do without.
MY REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK
Roly Smith
I never thought I’d write this, but… errrm… it’s
probably my smartphone.
While many other things (including my
camera) are indispensable, the exact version of
them tends to vary depending on what I’m doing
where and how long for. But the smartphone is
always with me.
I can write my route notes on it as I go and
look at my electronic maps. I can check the
latest weather forecast. And since my GPS went
bog-snorkelling (but carelessly forgot to pack a
snorkel) near the Tan Hill Inn, it’s become my GPS
and route logger. And for longer/linear routes I
can research transport connections, buy tickets
and book accommodation on the way.
It’s adequate enough to be my backup camera
(or only camera for blog posts/out on the bike - I
often take cycling guidebook pictures later on). Its
battery lasts all day, especially if I switch it onto
flight mode, and is easily recharged from a small
universal USB powerpack.
But taking phone calls? Nah – that’s a step
too far, it definitely doesn’t need to do that
outdoors!”
14 Outdoor focus | summer 2017
MY SMARTPHONE
Chiz Dakin