Ultralight, Ultra-Performance Backcountry Electronics for 2018

by Ryan Jordan on July 14, 2018 Flash Gear Reviews, New Features

I’ve been immersing myself in the study of backcountry electronics this year, including technologies for lighting, navigation, and photo/video. This article highlights some gear that I’m using this summer, and how I’m calculating, and managing rechargeable battery needs.

The new Petzl Bindi is an ultralight headlamp that has the power (200 lumens) and weight (1.2 oz) that should capture the attention of backpackers who pay attention to things like performance-to-weight ratios.

200 Lumen Headlamp, 1.2 oz

The use of electronic devices in the backcountry is a relatively new phenomenon. Of course, battery-0perated flashlights have been around awhile, so those don’t really count. But with the increasing prevalence of rechargeable electronics found in hiker kits, the relatively new genre of USB-rechargeable lights can’t be ignored. As an example, check out the new Petzl Bindi headlamp, which weighs a scant 1.2 oz yet has the power to deliver a 200-lumen beam. $59.95 from REI.

In a task-lighting mode, the Bindi delivers dozens of hours of operation. At 200 lumens, the battery will drain fast, but it’s nice to have that much light for at least a few hours if needed for difficult navigation.

1″ Sensor, 24-200mm Zoom Point and Shoot Camera, 10.6 oz

If you’ve followed my photography journey for more than a few years, you’ll know that I’ve been making images and movies with the Sony RX100 series was released in the summer of 2012. Since then, it’s gone through several iterations, and the newest Sony RX100 Mark VI version is a very significant upgrade:

Long Lens: 24-200mm (equivalent) lens. An incredible achievement for a camera that’s pocketable, has a mid-sized sensor, and only weighs 10.6 oz (I verified the weight – that includes the battery and SD card).

This is a game-changer for me, and it means I can (finally) leave my heavy, bulky Sony RX10 or 70-200mm lens for my Sony a6500 at home for trips where I really want to save weight – and I don’t have to give up telephoto capability! This adds a lot for me creatively, because I really enjoy long shots of hikers and campsites with dramatic scenic backdrops! $1,198 and in stock now at B&H Photo.

The little Sony RX100 has been my go-to camera for longer trips where I want to save as much weight as possible without giving up a powerful imaging device. Photo: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Montana.

Two-way satellite messaging, GPS navigation, and weather forecasting for 3.5 oz

The new Garmin inReach Mini is pretty much the most powerful GPS device in its weight class since it includes two-way satellite messaging capabilities, tracking, and weather forecasting. Read my comprehensive review here and find out why it earns our Highly Recommended and Guide’s Choice awards (more info here). $350 from REI.

The inReach Mini keeps me in communications via text messaging with my wife back home, and serves as a powerful mapping GPS when paired with my Smartphone.

The most powerful navigation, training, and health monitoring wearable (watch) available: 3.2 oz

I’ve been using training watches for a long time, and have finally found a viable replacement for my Polar V800: The new Garmin Fenix 5X Plus. This watch is a hiker’s dream:

GPS navigation that includes both GLONASS and Gladiator sat systems for accuracy and speed; integrated color base maps that show trails; powerful route-following features that include a unique climb analyzer that allows you to manage your climbing output on long days.
Activity recording that includes the usual suite of location, speed and altitude data in addition to key health metrics that use wrist-top LED sensors for heart rate and pulse oximetry monitoring.
Tight integration with Training Peaks, which I use to monitor my training and recovery.
Terrific Bluetooth integration with smartphone notifications and the Garmin Connect App, and the inReach Mini for message notifications and route-finding. Stellar!

The Fenix 5X Plus is easy to use, well-made and provides powerful data gathering features useful for training and recover. $850 from REI.

I’m a total data junkie when it comes to tracking and training. The Garmin Fenix 5X Plus feeds this addiction and works seamlessly with my Training Peaks account, which is where this screenshot was taken.

Charging Batteries

My approach to calculating battery recharging needs is simple.

Determine the battery capacity of each device.
Estimate the number of times during a trip you need to recharge it.
Add it all up and select an external (recharging) battery (the power station) that has some more capacity than your total needs (usually 20% to 40%, as a factor of safety, to account for the charging efficiency of the external battery – which you’ll find in the manufacturer’s specs).

The following case study shows what I’ll need for an upcoming 8-day trek that I’m planning:

Petzl Bindi: 680 mAh battery x 1 recharge = 680 mAh
Garmin inReach Mini: 1,250 mAh battery x 1 recharge = 1,250 mAh
Garmin Fenix 5X Plus: 430 mAh battery x 2 recharges = 860 mAh
Sony RX100 m6: 1,240 mAh x 4 recharges = 4,960 mAh
iPhone SE: 1,620 mAh x 3 recharges = 4,860 mAh

So the total battery capacity that I’m estimating is the sum of these totals or about 12,610 mAh. Given that lithium-ion power banks have a density in the range of about 16,000 mAh to 24,000 mAh per pound (this is one of the ones out there in terms of power:weight ratio, and is the one I’ll likely take to support my charging needs for this trip), the external battery that I’ll need to cover my charging needs will be around 8 to 12 oz. Going through this process is useful so you can compare the weights of an external power bank vs. taking spare device batteries (if your device supports them, like a camera), or using some type of solar charging system.

In addition to the charger that I’ll be using, I’ll also bring two 4″ Anker USB cables – one with a lightning connector for the phone, and one with a micro-USB connector for everything else. They weigh 0.3 oz each.

Summary

So those are my picks for electronics for the Summer of 2018: some of the most powerful devices for their weight that represent best-in-class performance.

The Garmin Fenix 5X Plus training/navigation watch, the Garmin inReach Mini satellite messenger, and the Sony RX100 m6 24-200mm large sensor point-and-shoot camera: extreme performance in small device form factors.

Disclosure: Some links in this article may be affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and subsequently make a purchase with the merchant, we may receive a small commission on the sale. This helps us maintain the site and develop new content, and we are very grateful for your support! Thank you!

View our curated collection of lightweight gear available at REI.
View my complete RX100 Kit list at B&H Photo.

Comments

Viewing 16 posts - 1 through 16 (of 16 total)

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Jul 14, 2018 at 2:38 pm #3546744

Ryan Jordan
Admin

@ryan
Locale: Northern Rocky Mountains
Companion forum thread to: Ultralight, Ultra-Performance Backcountry Electronics for 2018
I’ve been immersing myself in the study of backcountry electronics this year, including technologies for lighting, navigation, and photo/video. This article highlights some gear that I’m using this summer, and how I’m calculating, and managing rechargeable battery needs.
Jul 14, 2018 at 10:31 pm #3546786

Chad S
BPL Member

@schrauf
“My approach to calculating battery recharging needs is simple.”
It might be too simple. What about battery efficiency factors such as resistance? You don’t get 1000 mAh out of a 1000 mAh battery, and plus it takes more than 1000 mAh to fully charge a 1000 mAh device battery. I’m no expert, but I was thinking charging efficiency was usually around 80% or worse, excluding additional variances such as cold or hot conditions.
Jul 15, 2018 at 1:37 am #3546807

Diane Pinkers
BPL Member

@dipink
Locale: Western Washington
I’ve been thinking about this, because I carry an ENB charger with 2 18650 rechargeable batteries. For overnights it’s great, enough charge without extra weight. I have two questions, though: is it better to top up electronics every night, or let them run down aways before recharging? And, (I’ll probably have to figure this out for myself) how many days of travel would it be before it makes better sense to bring a heavier battery pack vs. more 18650’s that are already charged? I believe the Anker battery pack I use for EDC is 10500, so at some point it might make better sense?
Jul 15, 2018 at 2:09 pm #3546852

Patrick O’Neil
BPL Member

@human
I think I’m missing something, how do you recharge the camera’s battery? Can it be recharged via usb while in the camera?
Jul 15, 2018 at 7:01 pm #3546878

Rex Sanders
BPL Member

@rex
Locale: Central California Coast
Chad: An Anker FAQ lists output efficiency at 60% to 70%, much worse than your 80% estimate.
Diane: Recharging efficiency gets worse as you get closer to 100% for most batteries. I would consider running devices down to around 20%, then recharging to 80%, for maximum efficiency. Unfortunately, that means you can’t plug in and forget during recharging.
ENB + 18650 batteries versus Anker battery – it’s about a wash. Four Panasonic 3400 mAh 18650 batteries plus an ENB two-battery charger weighs about 258 grams, and yields 50.3 Watt-hours, before efficiency losses. An Anker 10050 battery weighs 236 grams and yields 50.3 Watt-hours. But with the ENB, if you need a little more or less power, you just take a couple more or fewer 18650 batteries. Most sleek battery packs like the Anker have 18650s inside; and the electronics for charging/discharging is about the same, so not a big surprise.
Patrick: Yes, you can recharge the battery inside the Sony RX100 Mark VI via USB. Many cameras do that now.
— Rex
Jul 15, 2018 at 7:06 pm #3546882

Patrick O’Neil
BPL Member

@human
Thanks for the clarification I bet video sucks juice pretty quick I would still want an extra battery. I’ve been eyeing the Rx cameras but the price is up there.
Jul 15, 2018 at 7:45 pm #3546885

Rex Sanders
BPL Member

@rex
Locale: Central California Coast
More on recharging:
Thru-hikers also value rapid recharging, not wanting to hang out in town waiting for battery packs to recharge, while competing with other hikers for limited outlets. But there’s a lot of confusing marketing around new quick-charging standards, so buyer beware.
Non-rechargeable lithium AA batteries pack more energy into less weight. Unfortunately, most USB chargers that use regular AA batteries are junk. If this tiny, 10 gram Ovtech charger is any good:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XPWYD5Q/
… then replacing Diane’s Anker 10050 battery theoretically would take 14 Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries and weigh a total of 184 grams – saving 52 grams (1.8 ounces). Plus you can carry more or fewer batteries depending on your needs. And these batteries work great at sub-freezing temperatures.
You can ship small quantities of lithium AA batteries for thru-hikes; be sure to follow the rules of your carrier.
Downside: disposable batteries versus rechargeable. TANSTAAFL, HYOH.
— Rex
Jul 16, 2018 at 4:55 am #3546957

Ken
BPL Member

@here
Great information Rex.
Jul 16, 2018 at 1:49 pm #3546980

Jerry Adams
BPL Member

@retiredjerry
Locale: Oregon and Washington
good comments
USB chargers are rated at the capacity of the battery, which is 3.6 volts
This has to be converted to 5 volts for USB, so there’s an inefficiency of 3.6 / 5 = 72%.
10,000 mAh battery will yield 7200 mAh of USB voltage to charge devices
Plus, there is inefficiency added so it’s less than 7200 mAh
But, maybe the calculations are futile. A lot of people use Anker 10,000 or that 2 18650 charger. They seem to be fairly reliable. Try that on a trip and get a bigger one for the next trip if you run out.

Jul 16, 2018 at 2:08 pm #3546981

Jerry Adams
BPL Member

@retiredjerry
Locale: Oregon and Washington
I’ve been using Black Diamond Iota, 1.8 ounces, similar to Bindi. I don’t usually have to recharge on a trip, but if I had to do a long night hike, I could recharge. With my 3 AAA LED headlamp, I’d also have to take spare batteries, so that’s about 4 ounces.
I got to get one of those InReach minis, thanks for the review.
Jul 16, 2018 at 7:01 pm #3547014

Doug
BPL Member

@idester-2-2
“Long Lens: 24-200mm (equivalent) lens. An incredible achievement for a camera that’s pocketable, has a mid-sized sensor, and only weighs 10.6 oz (I verified the weight – that includes the battery and SD card).”
The Panasonic Lumix ZS200 has a 1″ sensor, shoots 4K digital, RAW, has a 24-360mm lens, weighs just under 12 oz with battery and card, and only costs $800. Looks like a great little camera. The ZS100 that it replaces is even cheaper with most of the same specs, but only a 25-250 lens.
Jul 16, 2018 at 8:42 pm #3547034

Matt Dirksen
BPL Member

@namelessway
Locale: Mid Atlantic
“And these batteries work great at sub-freezing temperatures.”
Speaking of temperature – battery users should always pay close attention to what temperatures they are hiking in.
Rex, you can likely elaborate more on this, but I understand that battery types have a sweet spot when operating. When one is dealing with temperatures outside of their respective sweet spot, contingencies should be considered.
While I’m not a scientist or researcher, I offer a quote from battery university which caught my attention:
“All batteries achieve optimum service life if used at 20°C (68°F) or slightly below. If, for example, a battery operates at 30°C (86°F) instead of a more moderate lower room temperature, the cycle life is reduced by 20 percent. At 40°C (104°F), the loss jumps to a whopping 40 percent, and if charged and discharged at 45°C (113°F), the cycle life is only half of what can be expected if used at 20°C (68°F)”
I think also I read somewhere that rechargeable li-ion batteries degrade at high temps and wont rapid recharge at 0F.
If I’m hiking on an extended trip at extreme temps (0f or 100f), I should pay close attention to the batteries I’m using, especially any battery pack I’m depending on. It would suck to put all my eggs in one basket and have it fail because the battery pack starts failing at high or low temps.
In hindsight, this is precisely what happened to me a few years ago (high temps & charging a battery pack with solar). Fortunately, I had contingencies in place.

Jul 17, 2018 at 5:01 am #3547115

Rex Sanders
BPL Member

@rex
Locale: Central California Coast
Battery temperature ranges is not something I’ve dug into. Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries have an extraordinary range of good operating temperatures; most common batteries don’t, including rechargeable lithium-ion.
<steps up to soapbox>
For backpackers and other outdoor enthusiasts who play or work in a wide range of temperatures, rechargeable batteries suck when we have lighter, wider-temperature-range batteries available like the Energizer Ultimate Lithium. That goes for headlamps, flashlights, satellite communicators, watches, cell phones, tablets, cameras, twinkling tent lights, blenders, etc.
I’m astounded that people who sell electronics specifically for emergency outdoor use, like the Garmin inReach, use rechargeable batteries that are guaranteed to let you down when it gets a little too warm or cool. Note the original DeLorme inReach ran fine on off-the-shelf AA batteries.
We compound the problem by carrying another rechargeable lithium-ion battery to recharge the other stupid batteries. No wonder overnight recharging in the backcountry fails to meet our expectations!
Yep – there are a bunch of other tradeoffs. At least if most outdoor electronics ran on standard replaceable batteries, we’d have a choice between cheap alkalines, rechargeables with various chemistries, and high-performance non-rechargable lithium primary batteries. But we don’t, and that’s a shame.
Some designers have figured out how to include rechargeable wide-temperature range batteries, like the Yellowbrick YB3. Why can’t the others?
<steps down from soapbox>
— Rex
Jul 17, 2018 at 5:08 am #3547118

Ken
BPL Member

@here
but the convenience Rex…,lol.
Jul 17, 2018 at 1:26 pm #3547136

Chad S
BPL Member

@schrauf
Most of my electronic devices I use in the backcountry would be significantly bulkier if they used replaceable lithium batteries. Worse, the waste and cost would be ridiculous. Most in the lightweight backpacking community don’t seem to care too much about cost to save weight, but some of us care about reducing waste.
Jul 19, 2018 at 4:23 pm #3547472

john hansford
BPL Member

@johnh1
I read that for a mobile phone, the most efficient charging zone for battery life is 40 – 75%
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