We are always for new gadgets to try out in Pulau Ubin. Here are some we have bought.
Flashlights
The biggest collection we have tried are flashlights. Gone are the days we would carry heavy flashlights with bagful of expensive batteries and spare bulbs for camping overnight. New and evolving LED technology made flashlights a lot lighter, reliable, longer lasting and powerful at the same time. As tools, we are also looking for ones that is well machined with quality materials, and have been very impressed with SC600 Cree XM-L 750Lm Flashlight 18650 by Zebralight. Update 14 Nov. We have just ordered the new neutral white version (ZLSC600w). Update 28 Nov. We received the SC600w over the weekend and tested at the about to be demolished Bukit Brown cemetery. It emits a huge wall of light. To a group trekking there, its bright as a car with headlights on. Run time is impressive with a single 18650 battery used for a 2 hours walk, lasting much longer with AW 18650 3100 mAh battery which we would soon order. This will be our next durian hunting flashlight, allowing us to take census count of number of durians from the tallest tree, and allowing us to sweep for hours to find them as they fall and roll hidden in the jungle floor.
Digital cameras
It is tiring carrying a heavy DSLR to Pulau Ubin, with dripping sweat and oily repellents gumming up its knobs and switches.
The efforts paid off, like this baby owl taken in extreme low light conditions with a Nikon D3s. (Taken by Andy Ho)
But there are days where we have too many things to carry so our gear needs to be light. Nikon 1 series V1 camera looks promising. What I like so far its its ability to take fast moving subjects in focus. Like these dogs running and playing.
Click for animated gif
Helmet cam
Digital cameras nowadays are capable of motion videos. But few are completely waterproof or as versatile than GoPro 2 which is now available in Singapore. With so many questions from first time visitors about Pulau Ubin, short clips would be useful to get a feel what it is like and for archiving disappearing scenes.
Bumboat ride.Click to play.
Trail Cameras
I haven’t seen mousedeers and otters in Pulau Ubin which others have spotted. Other elusive creatures include swamp mouse with its white colored belly. Maybe I get lucky with this trail camera on special offer by Amazon.
Despite its flimsy looking construction, its small and comparatively cheap. Unfortunately it draws attention due to its blinking LEDs used to take infrared photographs in total darkness. One its first night I gulped when I saw a guy in shadow silently coming out from the direction I set the trail cam. Next the weather turn stormy and it rained heavily non-stop for a few hours. The silent guy have missed it and it survived the rain. Only one picture was taken but no animal was seen. Maybe its too fast. It must have spooked a village dog sleeping near us which jumped in fright and howled in all four directions. Must be a large boar. Hopefully we will be lucky the next time.
Walky talkies
Consumer walky talkies we used so far have been disappointing, with signal breakups just a few hundred metres apart. The Motorola TLKR T7 is designed for outdoor sports use. Then again it may not. I bought it for its included accessories like twin charging bay and that it is approved for local use without requiring a license or paying annual fees. Despite its limited practical use, the kids look forward to play with them during school holidays.
Handheld GPS
The Garmin Montana is a bright touch screen designed for dual function as vehicle GPS which you can use with free downloadable maps for many Asean countries. Although most GPS should work in Pulau Ubin, the Montana proved itself to be very useful when I was in Phuket. Despite pouring rain, I was able to navigate by listening to its spoken road directions through a ear-piece.
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