Camping with electronics

In keeping with the recent technology discussion, but veering off on to more of a general subject…

I’ve never really had a big need for a laptop. I purchased a used one years ago for use with some family tree research, a purpose it served me very well at the time.
I have an opportunity to possibly buy a new laptop at little expense to me, which I’m giving heavy consideration for use with the TM/traveling and especially for my photography. Having a laptop for trips would be great for general uses, but especially for emptying the camera, and burning backup hard copies of the raw images.

I guess my first question is how available are wireless zones at various campgrounds…or do they have hardwire access?
I figure KOA and some state parks may have this, but I can only assume that most NP’s won’t have these kinds of conveniences.
What do you guys do for ISPs while on the road for extended periods?
I’m figuring that “worst case” would be visiting coffee shops and MickyD’s when I really need get online, but am also thinking that in this day and age, wireless access should be readily available almost anywhere.

Are there any other TM/computer issues that I should be aware of?
(i.e.: Clean power, humidity, temperature, altitude issues, etc, etc.)

I recently was on a trip where the temp really never got over 35f and had my camera equipment with me the entire time. I was a bit worried about battery life and the extended cold temps on the electronics of the gear.
Are there any issues that I should be aware of when it comes to having expensive electronic equipment along for extended camping trips?

I have a laptop that I carry with me if we are going to be on the road for an extended period. It helps me in several ways:
1) keeping in touch with family and friends
2) researching areas that we may want to visit
3) researching campgrounds
4) keeping recurring utility bills paid

I have camped in some camp grounds that have excellent wireless access although I do not use these for any financial transactions. Others have had no access or so poor as to be unusable.

Since our last long trip I have purchased a wireless modem and have national access through Verizon. I was prompted to do this for a project that I am working on as a volunteer and it requires that I be able to use my laptop from a car at various times. Although this is a fairly pricey option I cannot see a time when I would do without it.

Hope this will help you in your decision making.

Bill

My experience/observation here in Colorado is that many private RV parks now have some kind of wireless access. Some good, some not so good. None of the state parks in Colorado have any wireless access that I am aware of, and of course I'd be very surprised if any NPS campgrounds have access. Cellular access via Verizon is pretty good, so an air card would server you well in that case.

The power in the TM is as clean as the campground it is plugged into. I don't have experience running a computer off a generator or an inverter. Others here might.

I have rechargeable AA batteries for my camera (Eneloop from Sanyo - excellent life!) but I always take my charger in case. I've not taken a trip long enough to worrry about filling up a card, but I have a couple of week long trips this summer so will be dealing with that for them.

I usually don't take a laptop for our weekend trips, but when I take longer ones I will - I need to keep my emails trimmed down plus I have students that rely on me to answer questions on their homework so I need to be in touch with them.

Hope this helps.
Alan

[OneMoBear]

Cherry Creek State Park (Colorado) has wireless (not very good). I'm not sure about the others. All the California state parks have wireless. KOAs have wireless.

Malinda

[Bill]

It is my experience crossing the country twice a year that about half of the campgrounds that have hookups have Wi-Fi, and about half of those that have Wi-Fi have usable Wi-Fi. The statistics are inmproving in both areas, but slowly. And if you want Wi-Fi in a campground that advertises it, be sure to mention it when you check in - the Wi-Fi antenna is often mounted atop the central building, and the signal doesn't travel more than 5 or 6 layers of campsites. And of course a metal-shell camper doesn't help the propagation.

Campgrounds without hookups don't have Wi-Fi, of course.

Many states seem to be adding Wi-Fi to their rest areas - I'm thinking specifically of Iowa, which seems to be a leader here. But some states (like AZ) are closing their rest areas, so that's hard to count on.

I don't think I've ever been to a campground with wired Internet, unless you count a couple places with dial-up in the laundry room. And that approach is fast fading, thank goodness.

As you point out, you can spend time at a coffee shop and use their free wireless, even if they are closed. Sometimes a library will let you use your own computer. Truck stops often advertise Wi-Fi, but you pay and it is not cheap. Hotels and motels also advertise Wi-Fi, but only for paying guests. I've tried logging in from the parking lot, but they are too smart for me.

My conclusion from my own experience is that a decent Internet connection is far from a common occurrence. If you really need Internet, a cell phone connection seems to be the best approach.

Use the Search box to find some of RockyMtnRay's early experiences with Internet connections. He ran a business that required him to have connectivity, and from his favorite spots high in the Rockies, it was tough. He ended up using his cell phone with one of those amplifier setups, and found it to be expensive but quite adequate.

Just my experience

Bill

AT&T is my ISP via fiber. A side effect of that I can use their WiFi for free at any hot spot, with my userid. I can also use free dial up, but who cares.

I think, but am not sure, that all Starbuck's are an AT&T hot spot.

Keep in mind that Wi-fi is not the only wireless technology available. Most cellular companies provide either EVDO or 3G CDMA broadband connections via their mobile networks. These often work in places that don't have Wi-fi but you're cellular phone still works. I use both since I can't really stop working while vacationing (just nature of the job). That said, I don't camp in many state or national parks as a result. I also always check before I go too, just to make sure. You have to be careful because, in some campgrounds, only certain locations are covered. I've found that between wi-fi and broadband cellular, I'm nearly always able to connect to the web- if that's the goal.

Phil

[TexasCamper]

We bought a reasonably-priced laptop specifically for vacation travels (note: didn't say "cheapest", but didn't buy the most-loaded laptop; knowing the laptop was to be used for email, internet, and photo-downloading from cameras).

We find it is awesome to have on our camping trips. Not only do we download our photos, but also (a) check weather, (b) check maps/routes, (c) review websites of upcoming campgrounds & nearby attractions, electronic reservations for those last-minute detours, (d) connect with family/friends via email and Facebook, (e) keep up with news, etc.

We have a small surge protector, and haven't had a problem with TM or campsite electricity affecting laptop (or our other electronics....camera, camcorder).....(but I'm a relative newbie with TM)

Most of the campgrounds we stay at have free WiFi (the available feature gets our business). And most of the time we have no problem using it at our campsite. A few times we needed to sit at the lodge for better connectivity. Some of my coworkers have a WiFi service for their laptop (Verizon etc) but I don't know how well these work in remote areas.

The only downside is security. Do you keep it hidden & locked up in TM during your daytrips? Or keep it hidden & locked up in vehicle; but then how to keep laptop safe from summer heat......issues you'll need to decide on your own.

Agree with what has been said so far. But here's my two cents on two issues you asked about but weren't addressed:

Inverters & generators - Sensitive electronics like computers work best with "full sine wave" or "modified sine wave" inverters. Most inverters these days meet that criteria but check yours to be sure. Likewise, generators with "sine wave inverter technology" provide a better power source. That leaves out the cheaper industrial use generators.

Security - Yes, definitely stash the computer where it can't be seen when you leave your rig. Also use the feature that requires a password to start your computer. It's a minor pain but puts an impediment in the way of the casual thief, the most likely type who would steal your computer.

We've always taken our computer with us but this year we took the plunge and bought Iphones which give us internet connection as well as phones in one device.

[Wavery]

Just a side note.

You don't have to worry about using inverters or surge protectors with your laptop. The laptop works off of an internal battery. All the 110V plug does is charge the battery and they are not that picky about voltage level or sine waves. The fact is, the 110V is actually reduced to a lower voltage by a cheap inverter, either in the plug wiring or in the computer itself.