Thursday, July 10, 2008

How To Cut Down The Cost Of Camping Equipment

By Jeff Marshall

Tent Camping is a wonderful out-of-the-ordinary experience which can be enjoyed by anyone. Unfortunately, one of the disadvantages of Tent Camping is the high initial cost of buying camping equipment. Sadly, this hurdle keeps some people from ever even going tent camping. The good news is this does not have to be the case at all. With a little planning and effort, you can buy quality camping equipment at a reduced rate. Here, are some tent camping tips to help reduce your overall camping equipment bill:

1. Know What You Like: Camping equipment is not much different than purchasing any other consumer product. This means you can bargain hunt for clearance items or discounted items just like you would for a designer shirt or other product. To find out what you like, there are really only two ways to determine this:

a. Go to camping stores and try out the products: There are certain brand products that you can test at the store or will be on display. Take some time to review these products and determine what brands you like or what it is about each product that you like.

b. Borrow other people's camping equipment: This gives you an opportunity to find out what brands you like and will allow you to make some more informed decisions.

c. Ask A Friend: Be sure to ask friends what type of equipment they liked and also what equipment they did not. This will help give you a reference point in making your decision.

d. Use The Internet: There are now a number of chat forums where people discuss certain types of camping equipment they like and what to avoid. Since it is already out there and free, do not be afraid to use it.

2. Discount Shopping: Armed with what you like, go to discount camping stores or shop online at discount camping stores trying to find the brands or products that you really like.

3. Online Coupon Codes: You can search online to find online coupon codes. There are a number of sites that can provide coupons for camping equipment. Just do a search engine search using the phrase "camping coupon codes" and you will find a number of good sites with coupons.

4. Clearance Sales: Camping equipment has a tendency to go on sale around labor day and there usually is a summer and winter clearance sale as well. A good shopper can delay purchases to around these times to find good deals.

5. Used Camping Equipment: Search for used camping equipment. This can be found in several areas:

a. Bargain hunt at garage sales and estate sales.

b. Shop at army-navy stores for certain items.

c. Look at classified newspaper ads or Craig's list.

By using these tent camping tips, you should be able to find some quality camping equipment at a reduced rate. Remember after the initial cost of camping equipment is made, the additional upkeep costs of camping are very small.

When compared to other vacation trips, a tent camping trip is by far the most economical. So go ahead get your camping equipment and start planning your trip, I think you will find that you will be glad you did.


Jeff Marshall is an avid tent camper and former Boy Scout. To read more tips and advice like the ones in this article, please click here: http://www.goingtentcamping.com

Friday, July 04, 2008

Portable Water Purification Systems

By Trent Barrett

Water is a basic necessity of life. You simply cannot survive more than a few days without it. More than half your body weight is water. Every cell of your body uses it. Your body fluids, including blood, are mainly composed of water. As water travels throughout your body, it carries nutrients, oxygen and wastes to and from your cells. Many parts of your body, including your heart, need water-based fluids to survive.

The water we use to shower with, cook with, or prepare juices, teas or coffee with can affect our health as well. Thus, we all need a reliable source of clean, pure water.

Pure water, however, rarely occurs in nature. Precipitation absorbs carbon dioxide and other gases as well as traces of organic and inorganic material from the atmosphere. Surface waters can be contaminated by domestic sewage and industrial wastes. Groundwater may contain nitrogen compounds and chlorides. Even bottled water can be contaminated.

By choosing the proper water filters and water purification systems, you can ensure the supply of the clean, pure water you and your family need.

While there are many filters, most of them do not remove pathogenic bacteria from the water. Worse still, what they will remove is the minerals your body needs.

What they found are filters that can cleanse water for a variety of purposes, including for irrigation and drinking or to fill aquariums and swimming pools. These filters can also be used for removing harmful substances, or even to improve the taste, color or odor of drinking water. Recreational hikers and members of the military need filters that are portable and lightweight. Because they are mobile, they need a system that filters either through the use of a mechanical hand pump or one that employs a siphon drip system. They might also consider using water bottles that have filters built right in.

There are purification systems that uses ultraviolet light to destroy bacteria, viruses and other parasites. They can eliminate 99.99% of bacteria, such as salmonella and E. coli. They purify in just a few seconds, no matter the source of the water. This is a system that you can take wherever you travel.

Try one of the many purification systems and filters available, and you will enjoy cleaner, better tasting water whether you are at home or on the go.


Trent Barrett is a consultant who writes for Home water purifiers You can visit their homepage to learn more about home water purification systems