Thanks! It's pretty affordable too (assuming you already have an Mp3 player). I have always found how listening to music can help push us in the outdoors. For example, I have tried this big bike ride several times and was never able to finish it. Yesterday I did it with some rockin' tunes playing (through my headphones) and got to the top!
It's definitely possible. Then again, a few AA batteries will last a pretty long time. I use a rechargable I pod battery and then bring a couple of extra sets of AA batteries for the speakers, depending on how long the trip is. Even on our 18-day rafting trip I think we only went through 3 sets of batteries.
Right! That's why I specifically noted: "That said, it is often inappropriate to have music playing. It is important to mention that I never use it when there are other groups around"
I'm more than twice your age. I spent 20 years as a professional drummer. I love all kinds of music, particularly rock 'n' roll. But, if I heard that blaring in the wilderness I'd be seriously pissed. It may be motivation to you but it's pollution to me. That's what headphones are for. And the way sound travels in the wilderness, you never really know if there are "other groups around."
I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I would find encountering a team with this device to be annoying, offensive and nerve wracking. Sound carries more than might be appreciated in the back country. This device could annoy folks who you weren't aware "were around."
Out of eyesight doesn’t mean out of earshot. Furthermore, in practice with LNT (Leave No Trace) philosophies, which we should all be practicing as stewards to the wilderness, noise is considered a stressor for animals and annoyance for other visitors. While the speakers are a unique idea, headphones are the way to go.
Maybe in griz country but otherwise LNT for me also. Of course cranking some tunes on a dig is a long observed custom as you have to keep the shovel bums happy.
Maybe if your rig was waterproof, solar powered, and shockproof it might be interesting - but even with all that aside, there is no information in this article. I mean, you plug an ipod into a set of speakers and carry it around it your backpack?
You guys are funny. Honestly I had not intention of this article making the front page of SP (and I am not sure why it did...). I just wanted something to describe what the musical backpack was because someone had asked when they saw it in a trip report.
I'll write a decent article next week that will hopefully make you more happy taxinvestor.
this sure would eliminate the need to make a lot of noise in bear country . . . no more whistling, or calling, 'here bear' or wearing the silly bells . . . but I'd sure be hoping that your loud music enabled mr & mrs. bear to sneak right up and eat your head off. I can understand the pump one might get from listening to music, but . . . there's music enough in the hills . . . there was a guy on whitney a while ago. Had his headphones up loud, off his ears and he was on his phone, yelling . . . I thought, if we just pushed him over the edge, how far would that sound travel . . . as they say, hike your hike . . .
BLong - Oct 3, 2009 11:54 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Very cool!Thanks! It's pretty affordable too (assuming you already have an Mp3 player). I have always found how listening to music can help push us in the outdoors. For example, I have tried this big bike ride several times and was never able to finish it. Yesterday I did it with some rockin' tunes playing (through my headphones) and got to the top!
Smoove910 - Oct 4, 2009 9:06 am - Voted 10/10
Hmmmm...Now if only there was a way to utilize a solar panel to power the MP3 player to save the weight of all the extra batteries. Good read!
Regards,
Kris
BLong - Oct 4, 2009 12:43 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Hmmmm...It's definitely possible. Then again, a few AA batteries will last a pretty long time. I use a rechargable I pod battery and then bring a couple of extra sets of AA batteries for the speakers, depending on how long the trip is. Even on our 18-day rafting trip I think we only went through 3 sets of batteries.
byates - Oct 4, 2009 5:44 pm - Voted 4/10
obnoxiousDon't camp or hike around me!!
BLong - Oct 4, 2009 6:01 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: obnoxiousRight! That's why I specifically noted: "That said, it is often inappropriate to have music playing. It is important to mention that I never use it when there are other groups around"
hikinedd - Oct 4, 2009 7:31 pm - Hasn't voted
Good design, bad ideaI'm more than twice your age. I spent 20 years as a professional drummer. I love all kinds of music, particularly rock 'n' roll. But, if I heard that blaring in the wilderness I'd be seriously pissed. It may be motivation to you but it's pollution to me. That's what headphones are for. And the way sound travels in the wilderness, you never really know if there are "other groups around."
Sarah Simon - Oct 5, 2009 6:13 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Good design, bad ideaDitto what hikinedd has to say.
I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I would find encountering a team with this device to be annoying, offensive and nerve wracking. Sound carries more than might be appreciated in the back country. This device could annoy folks who you weren't aware "were around."
Get some headphones. :)
FelisConcolor - Oct 5, 2009 4:55 pm - Hasn't voted
Not coolPlease keep your tunes to yourself.
rkymtn - Oct 6, 2009 2:29 pm - Hasn't voted
Out of eyesight doesn’t mean out of earshotOut of eyesight doesn’t mean out of earshot. Furthermore, in practice with LNT (Leave No Trace) philosophies, which we should all be practicing as stewards to the wilderness, noise is considered a stressor for animals and annoyance for other visitors. While the speakers are a unique idea, headphones are the way to go.
Haliku - Oct 6, 2009 4:27 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Out of eyesight doesn’t mean out of earshotMaybe in griz country but otherwise LNT for me also. Of course cranking some tunes on a dig is a long observed custom as you have to keep the shovel bums happy.
chicagotransplant - Oct 6, 2009 5:40 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Out of eyesight doesn’t mean out of earshotI agree, stick with the headphones. From LNT's website:
"Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises"
taxinvestor - Oct 6, 2009 6:56 pm - Voted 1/10
Huh?Maybe if your rig was waterproof, solar powered, and shockproof it might be interesting - but even with all that aside, there is no information in this article. I mean, you plug an ipod into a set of speakers and carry it around it your backpack?
C'mon man! Give us something we can use :)
BLong - Oct 6, 2009 11:05 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Huh?You guys are funny. Honestly I had not intention of this article making the front page of SP (and I am not sure why it did...). I just wanted something to describe what the musical backpack was because someone had asked when they saw it in a trip report.
I'll write a decent article next week that will hopefully make you more happy taxinvestor.
rlshattuck - Oct 7, 2009 12:50 am - Hasn't voted
keep the bears dancin'this sure would eliminate the need to make a lot of noise in bear country . . . no more whistling, or calling, 'here bear' or wearing the silly bells . . . but I'd sure be hoping that your loud music enabled mr & mrs. bear to sneak right up and eat your head off. I can understand the pump one might get from listening to music, but . . . there's music enough in the hills . . . there was a guy on whitney a while ago. Had his headphones up loud, off his ears and he was on his phone, yelling . . . I thought, if we just pushed him over the edge, how far would that sound travel . . . as they say, hike your hike . . .