Versatile Mop
In the never-ending quest to keep your motorhome’s exterior spotless, a mesh mop for removing bugs comes in handy. So, too, does a squeegee for washing the windshield, a wet mop for scrubbing the RV, and a chenille mop for light dusting and applying liquid wax. The 4-in-1 Mop from Almost Heaven Products handles all these tasks.
Each of the three microfiber mop pads is machine-washable. The wet mop and mesh mop are 20 inches by 8 inches; the chenille mop is 18 inches by 7 inches. They attach to the squeegee with hook-and-loop fastening material. The squeegee has standard Acme threads and features an angle adapter that pivots, so the mop can reach up and over the top of an RV. A pole is not included. The price of the 4-in-1 Mop is $85.
Almost Heaven Products
11279 S. Glenwood Ave.
Yuma, AZ 85367
(800) 693-7468
www.almostheavenproducts.com
All-Weather Camcorder
Some of us just know, based on past experience, that any electronic equipment we own will be dropped, drenched, or otherwise abused. Fortunately, some products are designed to be durable enough to handle such mistreatment, such as a new camcorder from JVC, the Everio Quad-Proof GZ-R450.
The camcorder, which weighs less than a pound, is waterproof to a depth of 16.4 feet, can withstand a drop from 4.9 feet, is freeze-proof down to 14 degrees, and is dust-proof, according to product literature. Plus, it floats. It shoots AVCHD progressive high-definition video and has 32 gigabytes of internal memory (as well as a slot for memory cards). Other features include a 40x optical zoom lens and a battery that lasts five hours. The suggested retail price is $499.95.
JVCKENWOOD USA Corp.
1700 Valley Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
(800) 252-5722
(973) 317-5000
www.jvc.com
Two-Way Radios
It’s nice to get away from it all, but that might mean camping in an area with spotty or nonexistent cell phone service. For those times, you can keep in touch with two-way radios such as the new X-Talker T51VP3 from Midland. It’s said the radios’ range can reach 28 miles when operating in open areas with no obstructions.
With 22 channels and 38 privacy codes, the number of channel options comes to 836. Other features include a weather alert, channel scan, and a two-slot 700mAh NiMH rechargeable battery pack. The radios, which are sold as a pair, measure 6.1 inches by 2.2 inches by 1.3 inches. The suggested retail price is $49.99.
Midland Radio Corporation
5900 Parretta Drive
Kansas City, MO 64120
(816) 241-8500
www.midlandusa.com
Cable Protector
Count this among life’s little annoyances: Apple charging cables that fray and break much sooner than they should. If you find yourself buying too many replacement cords, the Tudia Klip might be the answer.
Tudia Klip helps prevent cables from bending at their most vulnerable end points. It snaps onto Apple Lightning and 30-pin charging cables, which are used with the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Apple Watch. The Tudia Klip package comes with two clips — one for each end of the cable. A silicone base slides onto the cable at the point where it meets the plug; then a white polycarbonate clip locks the Tudia Klip into place.
Each clip is 1/2-inch long and weighs less than 1/10 of an ounce. Available colors are blue, green, pink, gray, and yellow. The cost is $6.99 a pair.
Tudia Products/Aplars
2885 Country Drive
Suite 175
St. Paul, MN 55117
(331) 551-9111
www.tudiaproducts.com
Electric Scooter
It might resemble something a child would ride, but the M5 E-Scooter from EcoReco is designed for adults. And adults will like this: The scooter is engineered to run 500 miles on just $1 of electricity. That’s a lot of trips around the campground.
The M5, with a 250-watt hub motor in its rear wheel, can reach a speed of 20 mph and can travel up to 20 miles per charge on flat ground. Its 36-volt lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery recharges from zero to 85 percent in 2 1/2 hours. The scooter’s frame is made of aluminum and stainless steel, and its tires are solid rubber. The M5 weighs 34 pounds and can be folded to 3 feet by 1 foot by 6 inches. The suggested retail price is $1,250.
EcoReco
1608 W. Campbell Ave. #280
San Jose, CA 95008
(650) 331-0500
www.ecorecoscooter.com
Outdoor Game
You could become the Mölkky champion of your RV park, or maybe the world! First, of course, you’ll have to learn to play this outdoor game, which involves tossing a wooden pin, or mölkky, to knock over 12 wooden pins, called skittles. Each time the pins fall over, they are stood up again at the spot where they land. A number on each pin determines the points earned for knocking it over. The winner is the first player to get exactly 50 points.
The game originated in Finland and has long been popular in Europe. It is suitable for anyone age 6 and up. It can be played by two or more people on almost any level, outdoor surface, but some say grass is best. The pins and traveling case (12.5 inches by 9 inches by 7.5 inches) are made of wood and weigh 9.5 pounds. The suggested price is $40.
The Grommet
87 Elmwood St.
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 229-7140
www.thegrommet.com
Picnic Table Toppers
Outdoor dining can be delightful, but not when you’re sitting at a dirty wooden picnic table that’s attacking your tush with splinters. It was just such a scenario that led sisters Mary Russell and Becky Pastor to develop Picnic Buddies.
Picnic Buddies is designed for a 6-foot picnic table and consists of a tablecloth, two padded cushions that fasten to the benches, and a harness for carrying and storing the items once they’re compactly folded. The padded cushions also can make stadium seating more tolerable. The water-and-stain-resistant fabric is available in a variety of colors, and the set costs $89. Prices for custom sets to match a motorhome’s colors are available upon request.
Picnic Buddies
P.O. Box 410
Thayne, WY 83127
(307) 880-3559
www.picnicbuddies.com
Water Bottle
Are you paying attention to your urine? Experts say a dark color means you need more fluids; pale and clear means you’re well hydrated. How much an adult should drink depends on several factors, but for an average man, it’s about 3 liters a day; for women, 2.2 liters, according to the Institute of Medicine.
The HydraTrak bottle’s eight silicone bands make it easy to track daily water intake. Just roll up one of the bands each time you refill the bottle. Or, remove bands from the bottle and wear them on the wrist as a reminder. The 20-ounce bottle, made of BPA-free plastic, has double-wall insulation and comes in two versions. One features Zak’s Liquid Lock lid — push down a lever to drink; let it go to create a spill-proof seal. The other version comes with a lid and a straw. Either way, the price is $16.99.
Zak Designs
1603 S. Garfield Road
Airway Heights, WA 99001
(800) 821-4864
www.zak.com
Thin RFID Wallet>
When your big, fat leather wallet becomes a pain in the rear, literally, it might be time to consider a wallet from Big Skinny. The company sells slimmed-down wallets that are said to reduce wallet size and weight by 50 percent while still holding all your cards and cash.
The wallets are made using a nylon microfiber material rather than layers of leather. A nonslip interior helps to prevent cards and cash from falling out. The wallets, which are water-resistant and machine-washable, come in many sizes and styles for men and women, including the men’s RFID-Blocking Leather Bi-Fold wallet. It’s a hybrid, with a cowhide exterior and nylon interior. RFID blocking makes it more difficult for a crook with an electronic card reader to steal your card information. The wallet holds about 20 to 25 cards, plus cash. The suggested price is $41.95.
Big Skinny
1151 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(888) 844-6925
www.bigskinny.net