PUMP & RINSE
Eco Pressure Shower
What’s not to like about a simple shower system that uses no electricity and is instead pressured by a foot-operated pump? The Ironman 4×4 Eco Pressure Shower uses a 12-litre TPU bladder which can be left in the sun to warm (or filled with the required temperature of water up to 50 degrees C.) A few presses on the pump is good for six minutes of pressure while the anti-kink hose and on-demand trigger system regulates water flow as you wash dishes, hose down the dog or rinse off oneself and fellow campers. It is durable and packs into a compact carry bag.
IN THE BEGINNING, THERE WAS LIGHT
Lightforce Genesis 210mm LED spotlight
You want the best and brightest? Head down to your local Opposite Lock store and check out the Lightforce Genesis LED spotlight, an Australian-made 140 Watt powerhouse with 37 LEDs putting out 13850 raw lumens – making for an effective beam of 1053 metres (that is, more than a kilometre), with a 250m wide throw and 665 metre forward beam when using the optional combo filter. This big brother in the Lighforce range features a pressure die-cast aluminium housing and polycarbonate lens, is IP69K rated for water and dust ingress, has a UV-stabilised powder-coated finish and carries a three-year Lightforce warranty.
ROLL-UP COMFORT
Carma Quip Rough’it Self-Inflating Mattresses
A decent mattress is key to getting a good night’s rest when camping, so it’s worth investing in the best. Carma Quip mattresses are puncture-proof, providing excellent support and insulation when fully self-inflated. Handmade using quality high-density foam enclosed in heavy-duty waterproof material, they are easy to roll up and stash in the supplied storage bag with its securing strap when breaking camp. Carma Quip’s mattresses are available in three sizes and carry a four-year warranty.
RIDING ON AIR
Firestone RideRite Air Helper Springs
Taking the example from all those heavy-duty trucks and trailers out there, Firestone also has a range of air springs suitable for overlanding overload situations. Tough commercial-grade rubber forms the basis of the RideRite Air Helper Springs, which can be inflated using a simple tyre inflation valve assembly to match load conditions. This helps reduce suspension fatigue, increases vehicle stability and levels the vehicle. Call to find your local fitment centre.
LIGHT EM UP
Alpha 225 Pro Halogen spotlight
If you are looking for a robust auxiliary light to widen or extend your normal headlight pattern, the Alpha 225 Pro Halogen delivers the goods with an effective 37.5m wide throw up to 200 metres, or pencil-type beam to 250 metres. The H1 bulb uses 70W at maximum, and features include a robust aluminium housing, hardened glass lens and various mounting options.
TOUGH TALK
Conquest S6 Pro ruggedised smartphone
Smashed screens and unfortunate water drops are among the many accidents waiting to destroy your fancy mobile, just when you need it most. And then there’s the Conquest S6 Pro from Adventure Phones, a toughened-up smartphone built to handle Africa-style abuse and come out unscathed. The specs are decent too: a 5.0-inch screen, running Android 5.1 off an Octa core CPU, with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of ROM, on 3G and LTE (4G) networks with NFC ability. Features include dual sim-card slots, 13 MP rear camera, mighty 6000 mAh battery, and a programmable SOS button.
HAUL AND ALL
Mac-Afric EWK 8000U 12V heavy-duty winch
When you are looking for a real budget workhorse winch, one suitable to all types of commercial operations from vehicle recovery to regular load moving, then it’s time to head down to Adendorff Machinery Mart to look at their range of 12V winches. The 8000lb (3629kg) unit has a 5.5HP (4.2kW) permanent magnet motor input, 1.4kW output, a gear reduction ratio of 210:1, an automatic screw cone braking action, freespooling clutch and remote control. It uses an 8.3mm x 29m steel cable, has dimensions of 538x180x163mm and tips the scales at 28.8kg. Full back-up spares are available.
FAST FOCUS
Bushnell 10×50 Falcon binocular
When it comes to the larger-class, higher-magnification binoculars, it’s hard to beat the Bushnell 10×50 Falcon, which forms part of the brand’s ultra-economical porro prism collection. It has fully coated optics and performs focusing with an “Insta-Focus” lever instead of a wheel, which many find quicker and easier than more conventional systems. This binocular is great when you can’t get very close to your subject, and don’t mind carrying a larger unit in order to better enjoy brighter enhanced-magnification viewing. Rubber eyecups are of the simple peel-down type.
