Backpacker Magazine – June 2008

Field School: Trail-Tested Tech

Take your new tools to the trail to master the skills you'll need to navigate, record, and share your best adventures. The best new digital tools for every budget and skill level.

by: Evelyn Spence, Jason Stevenson, Kris Wagner

Photograph/Record | Make a Movie | Essential Tips | High Tech Gear

 CAMERA
 Geo-Ready
The Nikon D300's 10-pin connector attaches to a GPS and geotags your images. Frame up to six shots per second on the 3-inch LCD screen. $1,800, 1 lb. 13 oz.; nikonusa.com

Waterproof
Drop it or dunk it: The 10MP Olympus Stylus 1030 SW handles almost any electronic-killing conditions (dust, rain, snow). Menus guide you through tough shots like backlit summit poses and cloudy days. $400, 6.3 oz.; olympusamerica.com

GPS
Best Maps
View preloaded USGS maps in topo relief or 3D on the Garmin Colorado 400t–and wirelessly share data with other Colorado users. $640, 7.3 oz.; garmin.com

Beginner
The Garmin eTrex Legend HCx is a perfect sidekick to your map and compass: This workhorse is super intuitive to operate, records tracks and waypoints, has an expandable memory slot, and works with both PCs and Macs. $268, 5.5 oz.

VIDEO
Hi-Def
The Sony HDR-CX7 has a 3.2MP sensor and image stabilization, and it can take infrared night shots and catch action scenes at a triple-frame rate. $900, 15 oz.; sonystyle.com

Ultralight
The AA-powered Flip Video Ultra Series is best for sharing unedited video on the web. The memory holds an hour of footage and the body only has four buttons–so even your Luddite friends will get it. It plugs into Macs and PCs. $180, 5 oz.; theflip.com

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