ISU Bengal

Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: Outdoor

Some people go camping to escape, to get back to nature, to get back to the basics, to rough it, to commune with The Great Outdoors.

But . . .

What if you want to get away, but not leave the 21st century behind?

What if you would rather listen to Beatles than crickets, rather sing along with the Rolling Stones than watch moss try to grow on one (other than Keith)?

What if you would rather have a frozen margarita than a warm Milwaukee's Best?

What if you'd rather take a shower than wear the same clothes _ all of them! _ for four or five straight days?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then gadgets are for you.

Every year, a seemingly endless selection of "New Camping Gear" can be found. (And I'm pretty sure that at least some Texas dads have bought enough gadgets to fill two garages a year for the past 30 years.)

But some of these devices really are worthwhile _ and can make camping a little better or a little safer _ without turning the trip into a stop at a KOA.



Coleman Radio

Cooler $69.49

Size: 28" x 15" x 15"

Perfect for campers who can't stand the peace and quiet of the outdoors, this cooler rocks, if you want it to. It has an AM/FM/weatherband radio built in. Or you can plug your MP3 player into the cooler's auxiliary jack and play your own tunes. The 36-quart cooler holds 46 cans. The radio runs on four C batteries, plus one AA battery for the clock.

What else: Coleman also rocks. To see some more new (or classic) camping stuff, go to www.coleman.com.



Crazy Creek Crazy Legs Leisure

Swivel camp chair $92

Size: 32" x 19" x 13", 9.5 lb.

No picnic table at your campsite? No problem. This very comfortable camp chair has a table that swivels into several positions, as a side table or in front to eat dinner or read a book using the flip up book rest. The table's height is adjustable. The chair, which is made from polyester fabric over an aluminum frame, is rated to hold up to 325 pounds.

What else: Crazy Creek Products' motto is "don't just do something... SIT THERE!" For chairs, hammocks and more, go to www.crazycreek.com.



Grundig emergency radio $49.95

Size: 6.75" x 5.75" x 2.25"

With this radio, you can stay informed of weather (seven National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration channels plus weather alert) and news (AM/FM radio plus audio from VHF channels 2-13) _ and make a phone call, even if your cellphone battery is dead. It's powered by a hand crank, so no batteries are needed, and 90 seconds of cranking provides up to an hour of radio play. It also includes a built-in emergency light.

Continued...

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