Route 66 has the world's largest ketchup bottle. Yay. Here's a better road trip idea: Leave the asphalt behind and visit someplace that's not already on a postcard.
Roundup: Off-Road Trip
Learn How We Rate ##### Wired
It may be the size of your old Igloo, but this is no mere cooler; it's a full-on fridge, complete with electronic thermostat. Runs off a 12-volt socket yet works as well as your kitchen model.
Roundup:
- 1/10A complete failure in every way
- 2/10Sad, really
- 3/10Serious flaws; proceed with caution
- 4/10Downsides outweigh upsides
- 5/10Recommended with reservations
- 6/10Solid with some issues
- 7/10Very good, but not quite great
- 8/10Excellent, with room to kvetch
- 9/10Nearly flawless
- 10/10Metaphysical perfection
1. Outdoor Research DryComp Ridge Sack
2. ARB Fridge Freezer
3. Cobra CJIC 350 Power Pack
WIRED We brought it along for its air compressor — handy for tailoring tire firmness to terrain — but it does so much more. It'll jump-start a V-8, power a flatscreen or charge your iPod.
TIRED Jumper cables too short. Wimpy compressor takes forever. Three separate power switches?
$100, cobra.com
4. Garmin Oregon 550t Navigator
WIRED Because "Elvis Rock" (a) isn't on any map, and (b) might not look like Elvis when you're sober, the 550t lets you take a geotagged photo that you can click on later to find your way back. 16 hours of battery life! Water- and shock-resistant.
TIRED Better off-road than on: Street maps cost $100, screen is too small, and instead of "turn here," it just says "beep."
$600, garmin.com
5. Black Diamond Sprinter Headlamp
WIRED Small, bright and rugged. Flashing red "follow me" light on back. Comes with a jillion different plugs for overseas charging.
TIRED No plug will help if you run out of juice in the middle of nowhere. Wiring-lined head strap chafes a sunburned brow.
$100, blackdiamondequipment.com
