Posts Tagged ‘iphone’

LG G2 Ballistic Shell Gel Case Drop Test

Posted: January 14, 2014 in Everyday Carry (EDC), Gear, HD Videos, Product Reviews
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By Cameron McKirdy

In this HD video I drop my new LG G2 and Ballistic SG phone cover on gravel, then concrete from 6 ft high!  I just got this smartphone, so I was terrified it would break.  However, I know there’s fellow geeks out there that want to see Survival Bros stress test all kinds of gear, so I went for it.  The Ballistic case worked well, but after taking off the cover I did notice a tiny dent on the rim of my LG G2.  It’s purely cosmetic, and I can live with it, because my screen did not crack.  Of course I would have preferred no damage, which I expected since it’s rated to six feet according to the manufacturer.  The minuscule chip isn’t worth taking a picture of, and I’m pleased with my purchase overall.  Therefore, I give it 4 out of 5 Stars.  It’s still probably the best case out there for this recently released Android device, so until better cases are produced it’s staying on me as one of my everyday carry items.  Have you had any experience with Ballistic Cases?  Let us know.  Thanks.

On a side note: I dropped this phone with the case on a few weeks back from about four feet up, and after all of my contacts had been erased!  It was the strangest thing.  My emails, and phone numbers never returned, and I didn’t delete them.  Please comment on this blog post if something similar has happened to you.

ballistic shell gel caseFor all the tech specs here’s the Ballistic website.  Visit Survival Bros again soon.

Having My Car Broken Into and Stuff Stolen with Tips

Posted: January 5, 2014 in Automobiles, Emergencies, Everyday Carry (EDC), Gear, SB Tips
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By Katnip

2013 Chevy Camaro

How the Grinch stole MY Christmas. Two days after Christmas my beautiful, 2013 Chevrolet Camaro was a victim of crime. I thought I lived in one of the safer apartment complexes here in town. My bedroom is directly over the top of my carport on the second floor. I have a direct view of my car from the window. While I was sleeping, these thieves somehow managed to unlock my car without the alarm going off. (Apparently they make remotes to do so these days…thanks hackers of the world.) Why they chose MY car I will never know. One would naturally assume that a brand new car like mine would have a perfect lock and touchy alarm on it like Fort Knox. Well, my precious vehicle wasn’t well protected.

I’ve had my previous car broke in to before, and seen my things rummaged through. I’ve felt what it’s like to have your documents strung all over your car, and find your gear M.I.A. It’s awful. I should have taken the extra precaution like I have every other night and removed my valuables from the vehicle before locking her up for the night. I didn’t. I did have EVERYTHING out of sight. If you were to walk past my car, you couldn’t tell it’s a daily driver. I know better than to leave valuables out for prying eyes. I thought my stuff would be safe for one more night. Here’s a list of things I am kicking myself for, prepare to cringe:

– Canon Rebel EOS DSLR Camera with Lens, accessories, LowePro Camera Bag, and Cameron’s beloved camera tripod.

– iPhone 4S with car charger

– TomTom GPS with car charger

– Tool Box (Wrenches, Screw Drivers, Ratchets, etc)

– Jumper Cables

-My prized Bug Out Bag (As mentioned and pictured in this previous post)  Now I will create a new Everyday Carry bag with emergency supplies, and bring it inside no matter what.

In addition, who knows if they could steal my identity, as I had some sensitive documents in the glove compartment that they rummaged through too.

I’ve since taken proper measures to protect myself since, and hopefully regain my property again. I would like to share these tips with you so this same thing doesn’t happen to you.

– Keep ALL valuables in your home. Don’t take the chance like I did and assume that things are safe in the trunk and out the vision of creepers.

– Download the “Find Your iPhone” application and TURN ON YOUR LOCATION! (I had previously turned the location off the day prior because I felt it was nuking my battery. Dumbest thing I’ve ever done, because I had this app on my smart phone, and because I turned the location off, it wouldn’t lead me or the local police to where my possessions were.)

– If you find yourself in this predicament of having your things stolen from you, contact your local police department, file a police report.  Note: They wouldn’t come out, and recommended I fill one out online.

– Write a list of the items that were stolen from you, with serial numbers if available, and take this list in to the second hand shops, cellular stores, and local pawn shops.

– Contact your phone provider and register your phone as “Lost or Stolen.” If someone is dumb enough to try to activate the phone, the provider should confiscate the cell immediately and turn it over to either the police department or contact you to let you know your device had turned up.

– Scour all outlets of items for sale, such as eBay, Craigslist, Facebook sale pages, etc. Eventually, your stuff may turn up on one of those.

– Keep receipts of ALL expensive purchases that you have in your possession, my home owners insurance wouldn’t cover the items stolen from my car at my apartment, as I didn’t have proper sales receipts for these items….(They were gifts.) Things can’t be replaced if insurance can’t prove you never had them to begin with. 

I can recommend from personal experience that having your stuff stolen is not a pleasant thing to have happen. It detracts from valuable time I could have spent using my nice things to make my life easier. If you’re a car thief, I would like to leave you with this final note: You should be ashamed of yourself.  Work hard for your money so you can purchase quality belongings for yourself. Why steal from others that have actually earned their way in life? Karma is a bitch. Happy Travels!

Boycott Big Brother – Cover Your Camera Lenses

Posted: September 22, 2013 in Big Brother, HD Videos, Public Service Announcement
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Cameron McKirdy from Survival Bros recommends covering your cameras connected to the internet for privacy.  Try putting stickers over the lenses on your cell phone, and laptop.  Take a stand on surveillance.  Boycott Big Brother.  Please like, comment, and share. 

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McKenzie River Rafting and Mountain Biking Trip in Oregon – 2013

Posted: July 2, 2013 in Emergencies, Everyday Carry (EDC), HD Videos, Parks
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Produced by Cameron McKirdy

My dad and I just got back to the Oregon Coast, after a 4 day trip playing on the McKenzie River and the trail. First we geared up, and hit the rapids with the Oregon Whitewater Association. A group of 70 extreme outdoor enthusiasts floated 14 miles down the river. The water was brutally cold, at only 47 degrees. I fell off our cataraft for the first time after we smashed into a log along the bank. I didn’t have time to be fearful. I was just trying to catch my breath from the shock of the water, and keep my legs up as I floated down. Of course, I had a class 3 life jacket on. I swam to the back of the boat, but didn’t like being where I couldn’t see the rocks ahead of me. Plus, I didn’t want to get trapped under the massive military grade raft. So I separated from the craft, and tried to swim to shore, but the water was moving too fast, and nobody there could help me. I swam to the side of the raft, and was barely able to climb back on. I had to quickly jump off the river bottom to boost myself up. I was fatigued, and just wanted to sit down and assess my injuries. I hit my knee on a rock, and bloodied by shin up. I was only in the river for a few minutes, but it wouldn’t have been long before my body started shutting down, and hypothermia set in. It was intense.

I had my iPhone 4S in my pocket with a LifeProof case on when I went overboard. It worked. No water got in thankfully. In my other pocket I was carrying the new Coast DX335 rescue knife. It stayed clipped on, but luckily I didn’t have to use it. You’d be surprised how many people die on the river getting tangled in ropes. Below is a funny clip I took with the LifeProof case on my cell. It took great video, and you can hear my dad yelling at me to put it away. He thought it was going to get splashed, or fall in as we hit the drop in the rapids. Also below is an HD video review of the Coast Products knife. I will update this blog as I get media online. I used my GoPro Hero 3 Black camera to record my treacherous mountain bike ride down the McKenzie River Trail. That will be up soon. Thanks for visiting Survival Bros. Follow us on Twitter, Youtube, and join the community on Facebook. Peace.

 

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Creating An Emergency Contacts List For Everyday Carry

Posted: June 5, 2013 in Everyday Carry (EDC), SB Tips
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I left my phone in a friends car. I didn’t have their number memorized, so I messaged them on Facebook. No response. Thinking my phone was in the glovebox on silent, I called my number anyway. They picked up, and drove back. That’s why I don’t like wearing shorts without pockets.

If my phone was really lost or damaged, I’d want a list of emergency contacts on me or nearby. Also, if I was ever injured, having these numbers on my person could save my life. So I created a list of people I can trust. Then I copied it.

I rolled up one list, and put it in a small metal geocache bottle. I hung that from my backpack I use everyday. The other contact list is folded up, and tucked behind my black Magpul IPhone 4S case. I will make another list for my wallet, and then a digital copy for my laptop, and backup USB thumb drive. This is just another small preparation that could save the day.

Note: Emergency responders may look in your phone for a contact named I.C.E. (in case of emergency). Store your top contact as ICE.

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Produced by Cameron McKirdy

Backpacking and Mountain Biking Logging Roads in Seaside OR

Posted: March 24, 2013 in Adventures, Health & Nutrition, Sports, Uncategorized
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Produced by Cameron McKirdy

I was on a mission today. It was too sunny not to train hard. I got a good sweat going.

It’s Spring Break! My hometown Seaside Oregon was full of life. The bumper cars, and mini golf course were finally open. The smell of freshly dipped corn dogs in the air. But I biked by, and checked out the action on the beach. I didn’t stay long. I was going for speed and distance today.

I did stop for a raw Synergy kombucha, and found a new green one with chunky chia seeds. It was dank. Slightly sweet. It’s full of healthy bacteria and blue-green algae. It’s an energizer. The convenience store also offered free reverse osmosis filtered water. I filled 2 big bottles, and packed them up to the gravel logging roads.

It was a great day, bursting with sun. I rocked out, and flew down the mountain. I had it to myself. I used the Nike+ GPS iPhone app to track my route and progress. I check Google maps a few times to make sure I didn’t take a dead end. A few of the hills were monstrous, and needed to be walked up, but I like mixing up riding with hiking.

With a few water breaks, and stops for a picture, I went 10.7 miles in 1 hour 50 minutes. I figured the loop would take 3 hours. It was a solid training session. I only laid the bike down once trying to muscle over a down tree. I slammed some protein when I rolled out of the woods and got home, just before darkness fell. I wish you were there, but you may have slowed me up. ;^].

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Powertraveller Solarmonkey Adventurer Review and Stress Test

Posted: March 10, 2013 in Product Reviews
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Produced by Cameron McKirdy

You’re off the grid, but you need power. That’s when you wish you invested in a solar panel charger, like the Solarmonkey from Powertraveller that I tested in the HD video above.

If I’m alone in the woods, it’s nice to know my cell phone has power just in case. That’s why the Solarmonkey Adventurer comes with. If I fall off a cliff, having my iPhone handy sure beats a whistle. Powertraveller has created a huge variety of solar chargers, excellent for any job. From small ones that can give your phone a boost, to large solar panels that can keep your laptop running. I like the Solarmonkey Adventurer because it’s a great size for backpacking, and mountain biking.

The powerful internal lithium polymer battery is 2500mAh, and will charge fully in 12 hours or less. Plus, you can charge the battery, and a device at the same time, saving time.  And it can plug into a wall, or DC outlet.  I was shocked at how fast it charges my phone. The system is lightweight too, tipping the scales at only 9.3 ounces.  The dimensions are 6.6 x 3.7 x 0.8 inches.

It comes with many tips to be compatible for your device, and a heavy-duty “Monkeytail” cable made just for Apple products. The neoprene case it comes in is durable also. It will keep the solar panels safe, and secure. A carabiner is included. I use that often so it can just hang off my bag. As I mentioned in the video review, the panels are shock and water-resistant. It outlasted me pouring water on it while charging, and surprisingly worked after I froze it. The Solarmonkey Adventurer from Powertraveller is badass. I can easily recommend it to my friends.  Thanks for visiting Survival Bros.  Come back soon.solarmonkey-adventurer-5

Survival Bros Summer Road Trip 2012 | Updated with Photos

Posted: August 5, 2012 in Adventures, Parks, Product Reviews
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It’s Cameron. I’m checking in from the road. I’ve lost track of how many days straight I’ve been camping. Right now I’m blogging this from the top bunk in a friend’s RV.

My Dad and I left the Oregon Coast two days ago. We threw all our gear in the truck, including two bikes, and golf clubs. We almost brought the cataraft, but we have a full plate. Did I mention my father loves buffets? You know we went to Izzy’s Pizza already.

On day one we hiked 4 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail near the popular attraction Three Fingered Jack. It’s in the Cascade Range in Oregon. The forest there was scorched in the 2003 wildfire. It’s a beautiful wasteland. Dusty, but boasting epic views of mountains all around.

I would have taken pictures on our first hike, but my iPhone 4S got wet and fried the day we left. It was in a case, but soaked up just enough dew from inside my tent to fail. I should have put down a tarp. My bad. $300 later, I finally got a new 32 GB Apple iPhone today at Verizon wireless. I had to have a camera on our trip.

Tomorrow we will leave Redmond and enter the forest surrounding Mount Jefferson to begin backpacking. We’re squeezing in a round of golf at Eagle Crest also. They have the best real grass, outdoor mini-golf course. I’m gonna get a hole-in-one.

I’ve been to Whole Foods, REI, Dick’s, and other outfitters, so my backpack is loaded. I have plenty of food for three days on the PCT, plus of course my sleeping bag, tent, and the rest of the camping essentials. This week I picked up a Kelty sleeping mat, and a Jetboil stove. Now it’s time to rest. Thanks for following the Survival Bros blog. More from my trip soon. It’s almost 1 AM where I’m at. Night.

Update: I tried to be lazy today. It was 95 plus degrees in Redmond and Bend today. My first priority was to stay hydrated. I chugged more than a liter of coconut water this morning, plus a Dutch Bros coffee my dad brought back.

We ended up golfing The Greens at Redmond today. It’s well maintained and challenging. We played 9 holes and walked. It was hot! I thought about following my ball into the water hazard. I only lost one.

After golf I went out on the town in Redmond. I sifted at the Goodwill thrift store and found a Zen Garden, a great bicycle fender, and a book on juicing vegetables and fruit!

Then I found a huge antique mall! I could look at collectables all day. I checked out silver and copper coins, old toys, and priced other oddities. I found a Buddy Lee doll, and a hand painted sign offering pony stud service by Champ. I took a quick photo.

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The weather is wild in the Bend area. You can see snow on the mountain peaks, but it’s sweltering. It’s dusk now. My buddy’s dog and I have been looking out the window at the flashes of lightening. The thunder is tremendous. Growling like my belly after a workout. And the lights are flickering. There was another bolt! It’s the Wild West out here.

I still have to pack my backpack for our 3 day hike starting tomorrow. Right now my gear is scattered around the RV. I will get to it after I stretch more. I feel ready to charge The Mount Jefferson wilderness, but there will be more challenges ahead. Really our trip is just about to start. More soon.

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Fort Stevens State Park Hiking And Biking Adventure!

Posted: July 15, 2012 in Uncategorized
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Cameron gives you a channel update and shows you Fort Stevens in Oregon