People must be feeling dirty because I found two new powered shower systems this week, both sized perfectly for overland vehicles, but with very different designs. There’s also a new bike rack, a full strap kit, a waterproof drone, and more, but I’m leading with the “world’s first lensless headlights”, because there’s a lot of good ideas in this (except maybe aerodynamics)…
Oracle unveils lensless headlights with Tacomabeast
Judging by the number of folks on GXOR asking about “sport headlights” to replace aging, yellowed, foggy headlights, it seems a little surprising something like this took so long.
Oracle Lighting’s new lensless headlights for the 2016-23 Toyota Tacoma combine three sealed LED light pods with individual DLR, Low, and High beams, all with individually replaceable optics to keep them fresh. But with 1″ thick ballistic glass optics, it’ll take a lot to crack one.
They’re surrounded by custom brows with side marker signal lights. The alloy frame can be painted to match your vehicle. MSRP $975/pair, pre-order now at TacomaBeast or Oracle Lights.
PowerBrake M-Line gives 6-piston power w/o bigger wheels
If you’ve added bigger, taller, heavier A/T tires but kept the same size rims, PowerBrake’s new M-Line 6-piston calipers let you increase stopping power and performance without taking up any more space than stock 4-piston calipers. And they work with stock rotors.
The calipers use their signature stiffer CNC’d alloy bodies for more clamping force, and better pistons for smoother, more responsive brake pedal feel. MSRP from $2,050 per set, front brakes only.
HoverAir AQUA drone now shipping, just not in US
You can thank the current, um, “climate” for HOVERAir’s decision not to ship the world’s first waterproof camera drone into the US, but the new AQUA is still worth mentioning because it’s really cool. A full foam surround keeps its floating, letting it land and take off directly from the water. And if a wave (or seagull) knocks it down, it can even flip itself over.
If you haven’t seen HoverAir’s drones in action, they’re amazing as follow-cams, and now you can use them for surfing, paddling, diving, etc. It shoots in 4K/100fps (for killer slow-mo) and flies up to 34mph. MSRP is
QuikrStuff Bike Rack goes from 1-4 bikes in seconds
The updated QuikrStuff Mach2 LV hitch bike rack starts as a single-bike carrier, but you can add on modular wheel trays in five seconds with no tools. Just slot on and click into place for up to four bikes. If it looks familiar, that’s because it’s made in USA from the same guy that invented the original 1UP USA Quik Rack.
The “stadium seating” design maximizes ground clearance, and improved wedges keep it sturdy long term and locks to keep your rack on your rig. An available e-bike ramp clicks on, too, so you don’t have to store it inside the car, and optional wheel and cable locks can be keyed to match the rack. Base 2″ receiver rack is $799, add-ons are $699.
Outdoor Eats drops new Low Carb, Trail Meals cookbooks
Chef Corso’s Outdoor Eats cookbooks are compact, easy to take with you, and have an ever-growing collection of themed books for different tastes and seasons. The latest are Aspen Edition Low Carb and Oak Edition Trail Meals books. Every meal needs 10 ingredients or less, preps & cooks in 30 minutes or less, and uses real food, not dehydrated. MSRP $13.99 each, or bundle for deals.
Rollercam Overland Kit bundles every strap you need
When you need ALL the sizes, the Rollercam Overland Kit includes nine sets of two straps ranging in length from 2′ to 15′, plus a pair of their RopeRoller cams. They’re made with high-strength polypropylene webbing with their patented “roller” cam to help you pull them extra tight. Kit runs $206, saving you 14% off buying individually, and on sale now for $165.
New RinseKit Pro 2.0 4-gallon portable shower
The new RinseKit Pro 2.0 gives you four gallons of pressurized water in a compact, highly portable pod that works for washing plates, people, pets, and gear. Updates from the original are a built-in light, transparent tank so you can quickly check water level, and fast USB-C charging.
The design is square, with a flat top and recessed handle so it’s stackable, and stainless tie-down points let you secure it anywhere. The 7ft hose has a 5-setting spray nozzle, with 4.5 to 28 minute spray times depending on setting. MSRP is $239.95, add their inline heater for $249.95, which is powered by the RinseKit and heated w/ propane.
ROAM electric pump tanks go bigger, add mounts
Less portable but holding 2x the water, the new ROAM Adventure Co. electric pump water tanks come in 8.5 and 9.5 gallon tanks, with a powerful 50psi pump. It’s powered by your vehicle’s battery and mounts to any flat, T-track-style roof rack.
The 8.5 gallon model ($599) is longer and thinner, and includes removable traction board mounts. The 9.5 gallon ($629.99) is wider and shorter and loses the board mounts. The hose is only 4.5ft, but also has a multi-mode nozzle, with common connectors so you can extend if you want. (video here)
Field Notes
- Meow we’re talking! Super Troopers 3 is coming this summer
- Just found these very cool cable management brackets
- I’m testing Rocky Talkie’s Expedition Radios and they’re awesome
- Level Up Suspension has killer new locking alignment cams
- The Overland Gathering has released their speaker lineup
- These spray paint nozzles make it easy to get inside vehicle frames
- Aventon just dropped the new Pace 5 commuter e-bike
- Rig Ready Systems has custom jack & recovery hard case kits
Wandering Thoughts
As some of you know, I love mountain biking, and the latest buzz around e-mountain bikes is the race to add more power, along with the benefits, challenges, and concerns of doing so.
That conversation has corollaries for overlanding. Let me explain.
Similar to speed limits for cars, e-bikes top assisted speeds are governed by regional laws, ranging from 20mph to 28mph. Beyond that, the motor drops off and it’s all up to your legs and lungs.
But, there’s no cap on how much “power” a bicycle can have.
Sure, there’s an upper limit due to size and weight constraints, and DJI’s Avinox e-bike drive system seems hellbent on finding it. Their new M2S motor pumps out a massive 130Nm of torque and 1,500W of power. That’s 50% more than most “full power” e-bikes, and almost 4x the lightweight eMTB systems.
In an electric motor, more watts = faster acceleration. Like horsepower for a car.
The Nm equals torque, which is how forcefully the motor can apply those watts against the resistance of your weight, the tire’s rotational mass, terrain, etc.
Avinox’s argument is that all that power simply helps you get up to speed and power up steep climbs better, which totally makes sense. More importantly, it’s not straining to get you up the mountain.
But, the “normal” 90Nm full-power e-bikes I’ve ridden also get me up the mountain just fine. Plenty of power, and in Turbo Mode they’ll more likely wheelie and spin out on the climbs than maintain traction. But lower it to “Trail” or “Eco” mode, and all of a sudden that power gets reigned in and you regain control. And traction.
Also, 90Nm is plenty to cruise up a mountain. I’m about 205lbs fully kitted out to ride, so I’m like the equivalent of a vehicle with bumpers, winch, rack, etc. More power might be fun in spots, but 90Nm is enough. It feels right.
My GX 470 is like that normal full-power e-bike. It has a V8 and I love it – it cruises just fine up the mountains, even loaded, because I’ve got the right amount of power and torque for my application.
And yet, it’s still pretty easy to spin the tires offroad, or lurch and bounce through rock gardens that should be handled with finesse. Until, that is, I put it in 4-Low, then all that power comes under control.
In contrast, Toyota’s newer 4-cylinder turbo hybrid seems underpowered once you put larger all-terrain tires on it (or drive up mountains with it fully loaded). It’s the equivalent of a lightweight e-bike – fun, but everything’s working harder.
The Avinox is more like a Lamborghini Ursus – fast AF, but are faster 0-60 times worth the tradeoff in usability and efficiency? The extra power is fun, but not practical.
All of which makes me wonder why some folks seem so obsessed with power when we’re better off “gearing down”, either electronically or with actual gears.
Besides, I’d rather have a bigger battery on my e-bike, so I can ride longer. And a larger gas tank on my GX, so I can drive farther. Range anxiety is real, whether you’re mountain biking or overlanding, and more power only makes it worse.
Just food for thought, probably prompted by me seeing new performance headers coming out for the 470 and me trying to talk myself out of them.
Enough is enough, right?
Adventurous Way of Life covers 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 our periodic newsletter recaps by email.
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