Cycling South America...What device to bring

bopbuddy

Howdy Folks,
Well my adventure is nearing, i plane to cycle in South America for a year starting in Sep and I'm wondering if anyone has got any suggestions on what devices to bring.
I'm currently leaning on getting a smartphone (don't currently have one) and letting that be my camera/navigation(maps)/communication(email.phone) and for searching up on the internet.
The other way is to bring a tablet, small cheap phone, decent camera and paper maps.
The question for all ye out there in tinternet is has anyone faced thie dilema and how would you go about it!

kerry4sam

Hi there bopbuddy,

I've moved your thread from Travel over in to the Cycling forum per your request.

Thanks,
kerry4sam

TinyExplosions

Big problem with devices is going to be power...

Have a hub dynamo, and something like the B&M E-Werk to keep your devices topped up while pedalling, along with maybe something from Power Monkey that you can use AA's with -AA batteries are available most anywhere so it's useful to have as a backup -maybe even look at a solar charger.

I wouldn't necessarily have one device for everything, as if it gets lost, you're in trouble! If it was me, I'd bring a smartphone (unlocked so I could get a local sim card wherever I end up), paper maps, and a Garmin GPS (something like the Garmin 705). That way you're not reliant on any one item getting lost/stolen/broken (the Garmin is built a little better than the average smartphone)

Oh, and I'd get a waterproof Otterbox or something for any of the electronic stuff!

Enjoy yer trip

-PornStar-

Smartphone, Garmin 800, and a Kindle loaded with a rake of books.

Kindle is great, as it can go for weeks without needing to be charged. Much nicer to read on, than say a tablet. Smartphone for internet, keeping in touch, emergencies and planning/uploading routes to the Garmin.

A couple of solar panels would be nice. One on each pannier, and/or one on you back. Perhaps a small wind up light for reading the Kindle at night.

uphillonly

I bought my Dad a solar charger for his gadgets when he went trekking in Nepal for a few weeks. He was very impressed. This was 4 years ago so will be a more advanced model than this one now.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002DZ68GU/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Like Tiny said I'd go for a Garmin over a smartphone for logging the rides. More robust and battery lasts longer. Probably choose an iPad mini over a Kindle as the Kindle ap works great on the iPad and the iPad can do so much more. Kindle does have great battery but iPad can be read in the dark and battery is good with wifi turned off.

I did a big trip nearly 20 years ago in the pre-gadget era so can advise on other stuff. At least you don't have to carry 20 cassettes and 30 films, lots of books etc. A ceramic water filter allowed us to refill bottles from any stream. MSR stove burns any fuel type and is easy to clean & maintain.

theotherone

Android phone and 2 USB battery pack so you can charge on the go. Found GSM coverage and buying sims a pain. Nearly all cafes campsites hostels have free wifi. You'll rarely be away from a power outlet or wifi for 2 long .. Enjoy its some spot

Run on Flight mode when you on the road you will stretch the battery life . Android Ereader type app for you books ... I would not worry 2 much about a gps. The Road network is not that complicated and its nice to have a collection of road maps from the areas. You can pick up decent ones in all decent size towns.

-PornStar-

uphillonly wrote: »

Kindle does have great battery but iPad can be read in the dark and battery is good with wifi turned off.

True, but it can be impossible to read an iPad during the day, in any sort of sun. Eink can be read in any form of light. Especially direct sunlight.

A half decent smartphone will do pretty much everything an iPad can do. Stick a 64Gb SD card in it, and it will store a lot more too. The Galaxy Note 3 will be out just before you head off.

cyclic

A sense of adventure and openness. Gizmos are entirely optional.

bopbuddy

Thanks to all the responses... a lot more to think about and mull over... leaning towards the smartphone and i like the idea of paper maps all along so i'll probably go with that... not so sure on the the kindle... a bit old fashioned but i might try ans pick up a book as one runs out along the way!
i really like the ceramic water filter. Probably will go for the solar charger as well.
Keep the suggestions coming!

RoboRat

i might try ans pick up a book as one runs out along the way!

Not as easy as it sounds, I was in SA for 4 weeks and I found it hard to get an English book, I would definitely learn Spanish as English is not widely spoken from my experience, especially outside the big cities.

You could get a tablet and connect to netflix, at least you would have something to pass the time if you get bored...

TinyExplosions

RoboRat wrote: »

You could get a tablet and connect to netflix, at least you would have something to pass the time if you get bored...

As long as you like South American Netflix!

thebionicdude

I spent 5 months in Latam as part of my round the world bike tour. Obviously it depends where you travel and what your daily range on a bike is for distance between power supply points. I did off the beaten path/expedition stuff as much as possible. Even then, there is a town at least ever 100k, at worst every two days. Once you make towns, as opposed to villages you will definitely find internet cafes although the connect can be slow depending on the location. In really remote territory and over difficult terrain, it might be four or five days between www connects.

I shipped my solar panel home ... I never needed it anywhere in the world. (I still have it unused if you want to buy it).

Re comms: I started my trip with an iPod Touch (I didn't have a smartphone at the time). It was the best thing ever. I could easily collect/respond to emails without going into places or having need for a laptop. The latest version has a camera too! I also got the max capacity available and loaded it up with some TV shows from iTunes. Such an escape from the escape when in a tent in the middle of nowhere with little to do is precious. Obviously the Skype app became my phone home.

I started without a laptop but because I wanted to update a blog and play with photos I picked up a netbook in Melbourne. This meant I could do my computer stuff away from a cafe and then just upload it whenever I got online. If buying, get an SSD considering the bumpy roads. A netbook is so much more convenient. It also gave me 250Gb of storage to add movies to for offline distraction.

Re phone: who are you going to call? I took a basic unlocked phone to add a sim to. Whenever I got to new countries and planned to spend time in cities I had the option to by a new sim card. I did this a few times but everyone travelling is in the same boat. People mostly just FB each other to make plans. Pack some moo.com cards, so you can easily pass on your contact dets to people.

Re Bike computer. I got a basic computer and manually kept a log of my mileage for interest. I did another Tour through the backcountry of Colorado last year and took my Garmin, I found it to be a pain to be honest as when I was on the bike all day the Garmin ran out of juice over two days. You wouldn't think it's an issue until you discover you only have one power outlet and you want to charge your iPod, camera, Garmin, netbook all at once over a reuben burger etc. A waste of time waiting for everything to recharge. I'd keep things simple: a basic computer and paper maps (Rough Guide and Reise best for Latam I think), buy them here as you won't get them over there so easily. Funnily enough, paper maps are a lot of fun.

As I like photography I went with a DSLR and a pocket camera for convenience. If I went again tomo, I'd have the new iPod camera (or smartphone I guess). These cameras are pretty great and enough for most people but if you are into it you might enjoy something a bit better. The DSLR was too big (I didn't want to fork out at the time for a trip-specific camera), I dropped it in Bolivia and thankfully the lens didn't pack in until Vancouver, where I could easily have it repaired. A smaller camera is not only easier to pack for you but it is more discreet when people-shooting. You will already stand out as a gringo, stick a lens on your DSLR and people avoid you ... something to do with a photo stealing a part of your soul!

It was Oct 2009 when I started out on my trip ... I'd do pretty much everything the same. I didn't have a Kindle then but I would defo take it now. So space/weight-saving. If I had the cash I would spring for a small macbook air (considering the blog/photo edits) but if you go without this stuff I wouldn't worry at all. In the middle of nature, you will realise that being offline is quite serene.

best of luck, enjoy the Ripio!

shaka

Three passports , a colt 45 and loads of ammo, lube

Seriously though worked with an Argentinian guy who cycled from chile to Canada over about a year and a half and sounded like a blast so best of luck.

I'd say camera and a way to download photos is a must