I’ve been using handheld GPS units on serious backcountry trips for over a decade, and I can tell you this: your phone is not enough. Three winters ago I watched a hiker in the Sierra scramble for a charging pack while his phone died at 9 percent, temps at 18 degrees, with six miles of … Read more
Picking the best marine GPS units for boats comes down to matching the right chartplotter to your hull, your waters, and your wallet. I have spent the last several weekends on the water, swapping between fish finder combos, handheld units, and full multi-function displays to figure out which models actually deliver on their promises. This … Read more
Last summer, I was three miles into a backcountry campsite in the Sierra Nevada when I realized my phone had zero bars. My hiking partner was supposed to meet me at the lake, but I had no way to coordinate. That’s when I learned the hard way that the best two way radios for camping … Read more
Last March, a tornado warning hit our county at 2 AM. My phone never made a sound because the cell network was jammed with everyone else checking the weather. The only reason my family woke up was because our NOAA weather radio screamed from the nightstand. That single moment convinced me that the best weather … Read more
The first morning of elk season, my hunting partner and I split up at the trailhead and didn’t see each other for six hours. We had no cell service, no line of sight, and miles of dense pine between us. The only thing keeping us connected was a pair of two-way radios clipped to our … Read more
Last summer, a tree-sap stain baked itself permanently into the clear coat of my cousin’s black Mustang. He had no garage, no car cover, and six months of direct sun plus one unfortunate oak tree. The repair cost more than $1,400. That phone call is the reason I started testing car covers seriously, and after … Read more
Picture this: your SUV is packed to the ceiling with kids, dogs, camping gear, and a stroller wedged somewhere in the back. The trunk? Long gone. That’s when the best roof top cargo bags for SUVs earn their keep. I spent the last six weeks hauling, loading, and yes, even running through a few rainstorms, … Read more
Finding the right motorcycle jacket can feel overwhelming when you are staring at hundreds of options online. I have spent the last few months testing protective gear to bring you this comprehensive guide to the best motorcycle jackets for men in . Whether you ride a sport bike through city traffic or tour across state … Read more
Ever backed out of a driveway and held your breath? I have, more times than I care to admit. After I nearly clipped a neighbor’s kid on a bicycle behind my old SUV, I went down the rabbit hole testing backup cameras for cars. Three months, twelve units, a borrowed truck, and a borrowed RV … Read more
Trucks demand more from their batteries than regular cars ever will. Between the larger engine displacement, cold-weather starts, and electrical accessories like winches and off-road lighting, finding the right battery matters. I’ve spent years testing batteries in my own trucks, and I’ve seen firsthand how the wrong choice leaves you stranded at the worst moment. … Read more