Gear Find your way, recharge your batteries and still catch your favorite show

Swiss Time and More

The StarTech 3000 ($275), from Swiss Army, may be the ultimate
alpine adviser--in addition to telling time, it measures
altitude, barometric pressure and temperature. If it would carry
your stash of Baby Ruths, you wouldn't need a Sherpa for your
next assault on Everest. Swiss Army Brands, 800-243-4045;
www.swissarmy.com.

Battery Packing

"No charge" is a good thing to hear when you're getting refills
at the bar but a very bad thing to see when you're two miles from
nowhere and need to use your cell phone to call a park ranger for
directions. This 21-ounce Brunton Solar Pak ($40) converts solar
energy into electricity and can recharge most battery-operated
units, including cell phones and laptop computers. Brunton
Company, 800-443-4871; www.brunton.com.

Palm Readings

The Magellan Meridian GPS ($240) can pinpoint your location to
within three meters and help direct you toward nearby airports,
cities, highways, parks and waterways. You can also track your
progress--or lack thereof--on a map that moves as you do. Magellan
Products, Thales Navigation, 909-394-5000; www.magellangps.com.

Camping Companion

The Jeep TV Lantern ($100) has a five-inch black-and-white TV, an
AM/FM weatherband radio, a fluorescent lantern and flashlight, a
compass, a thermometer, a sonic mosquito repellent (fortunately,
it's barely audible to the human ear), an emergency flasher and a
clock, so you'll know when Survivor comes on. You can plug the
unit into your car's cigarette lighter or run it on eight D
batteries. Power Brands, LLC, 800-354-8785.

COLOR PHOTO: SWISS ARMY

COLOR PHOTO: BRUNTON

COLOR PHOTOMONTAGE: JEEP CONSUMER PRODUCTS; TOM DIPACE (BASEBALL PHOTO)

COLOR PHOTO: THALES NAVIGATION