It’s a bit vehicle heavy this week, with new offroad-ready SUV, truck, van, and campers, plus flashlights and awnings to go along for the ride. No early September tech roundup is complete without a GoPro and iPhone launch, and we’ve got the important specs on those, plus more great stuff from Fenix, Mission Workshop, and more! Here’s the best new stuff this week:
- Hyundai XRT overland concept
- 2024 Ford F-150
- RexRover overland camper
- Honda Motocompacto
- iPhone 15
- GoPro HERO12
- ROAM Arc awning
- Miir Moka Pot
- Fenix HT32 tri-color flashlight
- Mission Workshop Navarro
- Airstream Trade Wind & Interstate 19X
Hyundai Santa Fe XRT overland concept
The new Hyundai Santa Fe grows longer and boxier to increase interior space, with more leg room and head room plus reclining seats for 2nd and 3rd row passengers, and the front passenger has an optional fold-out leg rest. A wider rear opening and fold-flat 2nd/3rd row seats make car camping easier and gives you a better view of the outside.
This XRT concept overland build makes better car camping more accessible, with integrated side storage (including multiple GoPro mounts all around), a side grab handle and rear ladder to ease roof access, and offroad tires. Pure concept, but we could see some of the accessories come to fruition. Gas and hybrid versions, it hits Korean markets first, and US delivery in early 2024. (video here)
2024 Ford F-150 gets a split swivel tailgate (and Raptors)
The new 2024 Ford F-150 introduces a split tailgate with a center section that swivels outward. This means no more leaning over the tailgate to reach stuff, and it holds a halfway position in case you’re towing something and can’t swing it all the way out. Blue Cruise hands-free cruise control and a heads up display carry over.
It gets Raptor versions, too, with big 34″ or 37″ tires and 450 horsepower from the V6 EcoBoost engine. Fox Racing Live Valve shocks and an offroad-tuned suspension with extra long trailing arms give it proper performance all around.
RexRover Overland Camper Trailer
27 North’s new RexRover camper truck sticks a custom fiberglass enclosure on a Ford F250 cab and modifies the whole thing to go off road and off grid. It has 600W of solar on top with a 900aH battery bank, 55 gallon clean water tank, 88 gallon diesel tank, full bath with cartridge toilet, well-equipped kitchen, and two beds – king size over the cab, and the dinette converts to a queen. Starts at $350,000.
Honda Motocompacto mini electric suitcase scooter
With a 15mph top speed and 12-mile range, there’s a strong argument for an actual e-bike instead, but the new Honda Motocompacto electric scooter’s diminutive size and fold-ability gives it an edge in tight spaces. Plus, you can fit waaay more stickers on it.
It fully charges in 3.5 hours from a standard socket, is front wheel drive, has 16Nm torque, and weighs 41.3lbs. An app lets you customize lighting & ride modes. MSRP $995, available through Honda & Acura dealers in November. (video here)
iPhone 15 Pro goes titanium; Fire away, fire away…
The new iPhone 15 comes in four variations, two Pro, two regular, all of them now using USB-C charging ports. The standard models get the A16 Bionic processor and gain the Dynamic Island in place of a front-facing camera notch, showing you quick updates at a glance. The main camera upgrades to 48 megapixels with a 2x optical zoom telephoto counterpart and automatic “portrait mode” that lets you switch focus between subjects after the snap. It also adds satellite capability for emergency off-grid use. Regular and Plus sizes, $799 to $1,199.
The iPhone 15 Pro models upgrade to a lighter titanium casing and a new A17 Bionic processor that can run the latest games at full speed and resolution. Its telephoto lens goes 5x optical zoom (120mm equivalent), and keeps its distinct macro 0.5x lens. A new “Action Button” can be programmed to do one thing with a quick press, and another with a long hold – launch an app, switch off the ringer, or even sync it with home controls to turn on lights, etc. Garage door remote, anyone? Pre-order now, ships Sept. 22nd.
GoPro HERO12 gets three big updates, lots of little ones
The new GoPro HERO12 is mainly updates that boost quality & performance, but there are three killer new features worth calling out:
- Time-sync multiple cameras with a QR code in the Quik app
- Bluetooth compatibility lets you pair AirPods (and others) to narrate videos AND voice control the camera
- Folder Fingers mount now has 1/4-20 threaded mount, too
Key updates include:
- Better HDR processing for more dynamic videos & photos
- Better power management, up to 90 mins 5.3K30 (and 2.5+ hrs 1080p30) with Enduro battery
- 5.3K60, 4K120 and 2.7k240 slow motion resolutions (1080p, too, but… who cares?)
- 156º FOV standard, 177º FOV w/ new New Max Lens Mod 2
- HyperSmooth 6.0 automatically zooms in/out for the widest FOV while still maximizing stabilization
The hoped-for larger sensor didn’t come, so low-light performance likely remains so-so, but the other updates are impressive, especially for power users. MSRP is $399 w/ bundles starting at $449.
ROAM Arc Awning has the party covered
The problem with most vehicle-mounted awnings is that the provide a small patch of shade, and as the sun moves off to either side, the useful area gets pretty small pretty quick. The ROAM Arc Awning spreads open with two side panels that expand to cover a 180º arc off the side of any vehicle, and it packs up into the same footprint as a regular unit. MSRP is $1,399, weight is 58lbs, 5-year warranty.
Miir New Standard Moka Pot
Want espresso without the hassle or counter-robbing equipment? Then, Moka Pot. And now you can get a Miir New Standard Moka Pot that matches their excellent camp mugs, tumblers and cups. MSRP $59.99, in black or brushed steel.
Fenix HT32 shines almost half a mile, adds red & green night vision
The new Fenix HT32 gets their long-distance lens to throw up to 2,500 lumens up to 2,100 ft (640m). Nine modes include four brightness levels and a strobe, plus two levels each of red and green lights for better night vision.
Intelligent memory turns it on in the same level/mode you left it, it’s dust/water proof, and the included rechargeable Li-ion battery is good for up to 29 hours. It measures 6.3” (160mm) long and 2.05” (52mm) at the head. (video here)
Mission Workshop Navarro merino wool sweater
Just in time for fall adventures and bike commutes, the new Mission Workshop Navarro merino wool sweater is made with ultra-fine 19micron Australian wool and sewn in NYC. If you haven’t tried MW gear yet, you should; they’re staff favorites here for a reason. Get $25 off thru 9/17 with code NAV25.
Airstream goes offroad with Trade Wind & Interstate 19X
Airstream just dropped two new offroad-capable options, the Trade Wind camper trailer and Interstate 19X Sprinter van. The Trade Wind has all the usual creature comforts but sits on a 3″ lift and Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse 225/75R16 tires. Huge windows and optional rear hatch provide big views, and a massive 3,000W inverter, 810Ah battery bank & 600W solar panels mean you’ll run out of water before you lose power. Sleeps 5 and starts at $129,400.
Pull it with the new Interstate 19X camper van and you’ll sleep two more and have smaller backups of the kitchen and bath. It’s 4×4 with offroad tires, too, and starts at $199,940.
Small Bites
- The new world’s fastest car does 0-62 in under one second
- Here’s how exercising helps prevent dementia and Alzheimers
- Apple’s new USB-C EarPods are $20 and support lossless audio
- The new iPhone 15 has a Thread radio, which could get interesting
- Quadlock already has a case (preorder) for the iPhone 15
- FAST X is now streaming on Peacock (sorry, not sorry)
- The caption for this “poot squirrel” reel is f’ing hilarious
Thanks for reading the first issue of our reboot. It’s been a while since we’ve worked on this site, and we’re taking a different approach this time around.
Basically, we think you’d rather be out enjoying life and gettin’ after it than constantly scrolling Insta and crawling the web to see what’s new, so we’ll do our best to round up the very best new gear, gadgets & tech each week. And it might be curated by different folks some weeks, which keeps it interesting.
Hope you like it, and if you do, please forward it to a friend!
Cheers,
The AWOL team
Adventurous Way of Life is a weekly recap of the best new gear, gadgets, and tech for those who dig the outdoors, health, fitness, camping, cooking, overlanding, vanlife, and the adventurous active lifestyle. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every Friday.
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