What technology/conveniences could you possibly NOT do without?

steve-in-kville

steve-in-kville

Joined
Dec 25, 2001
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Maybe I've been reading too many survival/native american/eskimo books lately, but its got me thinkin'....

If you were to make a long term move off the grid (backwoods or not) what technology, gadgets and/or conveniences would you keep?

Me? I'm not sure exactly.... but I could do away with my computer but I would stick with my pre-pay cell phone. I also would keep a 2-meter ham radio operational.

I can do without me car as I already do 50%+ of my commuting on a bicycle. AM/FM radio would be okay but I am not a radio listener (just depresses me). I don't have TV, don't get the paper. Actually I suppose I already live in my own secluded world already.

Others??
 
Hmmm I might be able to adjust to life without the internet, but it would be rough for a while...

But I think long term not having my music collection would be the modern concience that would be hardest for me.
 
I'm making a long-term move off-the-grid into the backwoods - I'm keeping a refrigerator, computer/internet, radio and stereo and cell phone. Giving up TV (keeping the option to play DVDs on my computer though) and don't plan to use a flush toilet very often though it'll be available. Don't have a washing machine but plan to get one - giving up the dryer. Don't have a chest freezer but plan on getting one. Also keeping hot water, lights, and cooking with propane. All in all, I'm not giving up much.

A fridge is an amazing modern convenience - it also consumes an enormous amount of energy.
 
man this isn't technology but my biggest thing i have to have is plackers (sp) the little floss on a stick thing, i would go crazy with out them lol. weird i know but thats one of my crutches
 
Flush toilet. I've travelled a bit and lived in places where there is no plumbing and I'll take a working flush toilet over electronics any day.
 
CWL said:
Flush toilet. I've travelled a bit and lived in places where there is no plumbing and I'll take a working flush toilet over electronics any day.
Click to expand...

+1:thumbup:
I have lived at one time or another without everything.... but clean running water and good sanitary facilities are top of my list
 
I could live without it, but if I could get a signal and someway to keep it charged, it would be my Crackberry. Phone, e-mail, Internet (entertainment, news, information and Bladeforums, of course), GPS and maps (even satellite views with Google maps app), music, video and still camera. But then I guess I wouldn't be off the grid. Probably more practical, and much more valuable if I were staying where I am now, a boat with an outboard and spotlight. I'd absolutely hate to do without my 4X4 though...
 
Man, I wouldn't want to do without anything. I do plan on moving off the grid someday, but there are plenty of green technologies that can keep everything running without being connected to the grid. Luckily, my brother owns a few construction companies that specialize in green construction. :D
 
The obvious; running water and plumbing:D

In the realm of electronic technology, it would have to be a AM/FM/Shortwave/HAM radio.

Incidently, if anyone is considering the Kaito Voyager...forget it. I took it on a trip recently and it was crap in terms of receiving...I thought my Grundig was about to be replaced, but the Kaito just didn't cut it.
 
Im with JW2n i would go nuts in no time if i got nothing to do or keep my mind busy... Even when i go backpacking i carry with me a book or two. To read at night. Oh i forgot i would like light nice lights to light up the night when i read a book or just just want to get things done. I cant go to sleep early and it sucks to sit in the dark till 11pm or midnight.

Sasha
 
As long as I could keep my family healthy (modern medicine) keep in touch with my more distant family and have ready access information (how to grow crops, local news, how to fix stuff etc) then I'd be fine cooking and heating with wood, using an out house, hand pumping water from well and all that stuff. I guess I'd also like to keep paper back books too :)
 
Books really aren't modern tech, and I would have some with.

Technically, running water isn't modern tech, although indoor plumbing is fairly recent. But I could do without those if I had a clear river or stream nearby, or a well with a hand pump.

But for long term living. I'd really like a refer, chest freezer and A/C (although I could do without the A/C if I lived in the mountains where I hope one day top move to).
 
steve-in-kville said:
....

If you were to make a long term move off the grid (backwoods or not) what technology, gadgets and/or conveniences would you keep?
Click to expand...

For me it would be a digital camera with the ability to take video and recharge via solar.

I would have loved to have one with me during the the last few decades :D




Kind regards
Mick
 
baking soda and my toothbrush, i can handle being pretty dirty if my teeth are clean.
 
Convenience: TP. I don't care where I go big potty but I dislike using leaves!
 
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