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FT editor Roula Khalaf has chosen her favorite stories in this weekly newsletter.
elevator pitch
Contents: Tent Box Go
Price: £995
Click: tentbox.com
The idea of pitching a tent on the roof of your car has been around since the 1950s, but it’s only recently that people have started to ignore its novelty. In the UK at least, much of the credit goes to Southampton-based Tentbox and its founders, brothers Ollie and Neil Sharvill. “About 10 years ago, we were planning a road trip and trying to figure out the best way to do it,” Neil says of his moment of entrepreneurial inspiration. “We found a guy on Gumtree who agreed to set up a roof tent on the site of Olly’s VW Passat, and at every campsite we went to there were lots of people asking about it.”
Once you get used to having a tent on top of your car, the benefits are obvious. You don’t have to find a place to pitch your tent, it’s faster to set up (60 seconds in this case), and it’s safer. , somehow; the comparison to Tree House feels entirely appropriate. It also makes it easier to answer obvious questions. How are you going to climb up there (there’s a telescoping ladder), can it support two people’s weight (yes), and can it really fit in your car (almost certainly).
The Go By TentBox © TentBox Ltd
At every campsite there were a lot of people asking about it
TentBox’s newest model, the Go, is the result of an intensive design process focused on reducing weight for easier assembly and operation while preserving structural strength. The result is a two-person, double-bed-sized hammock-style tent that weighs just 33kg. It attaches to your car’s roof bars (no need to remove while moving) and can be folded up or down with minimal effort, providing protection from the elements and feeling like a special dormer window to the outside world.
Initial setup (best done before your trip for obvious reasons) involves assembling the aluminum tube frame and securing it to the fabric. It’s as easy (or difficult) as flat-pack furniture, but takes less than an hour. Subsequent installation and removal is as easy as a roof box, needless to say, it brings much more pleasure.
shooting star
Contents: HoverAir X1 ProMax Drone
Price: $699
Click: hoverair.com
Drones are typically flown for fun to pilot, but HoverAir is an action cam that takes off from the palm of your hand, hovers nearby, and beckons you to land, tracking your movements and taking snaps and videos. (At this point, you can fold it in half and put it in a bag.)
The X1 ProMax is the souped-up successor to last year’s X1. It’s still very light (192g) but has a better camera and longer range. This is a brilliantly devised tool for filmmakers, with Dolly mode tracking you perfectly and retreating as you walk towards it. The app’s ability to record audio on your phone and combine it with video (while filtering out drone noise) is impressive.
When Brompton becomes difficult
Includes: Brompton Electric G Line Bike
Price: £3,499
Click: brompton.com
The classic 16-inch wheel Brompton (45 years since its launch!) has always been a very portable choice for commuters, but it’s only meant to be a city scooter. The new G-Line’s 20-inch wheels and discreet redesign expand all-terrain possibilities while giving riders more stability and greater confidence. If you close your eyes while riding (don’t, of course), it feels like a full-size bike, while retaining the maneuverability and accessibility of a Brompton. Naturally, the bigger it gets, the heavier it gets, so when you fold it up, you’ll probably end up pushing it around like a wheelie suitcase rather than carrying it around, but it’s still super compact. In the electric version, the motor and additional cables are integrated almost invisible – you never know.
Openable case
Contents: Google Pixel 9 Pro foldable smartphone
Price: £1,749
Click: store.google.com
With new devices with foldable screens, the question always arises: how noticeable are the creases? Google is doing a good job with its new flagship foldable product (almost invisible), but that’s really the wrong question. Extremely slim and lightweight for something that essentially functions as a phone and tablet (just 30g heavier than the iPhone 16 Pro Max and 2.25mm thick), the Pixel 9 Pro Fold features huge screen real estate, side-by-side apps multitasking, and significantly reduces battery life. I’m embarrassed to say that I can’t fold it. Pixel-exclusive features include an improved weather app, better screenshot organization, call screening that tells callers to say your name, and Google’s voice secretary when needed. can be persuaded.
welcome to top table
Includes: Technaxx TX-252 Camping Table
Price: £127.99
Click: technaxx.de
While it’s very smart to use a portable solar panel to charge your devices when you’re in the countryside or on the beach, it’s really smart to be able to use it as a table as well. This knee-high 80 cm x 63 cm table takes less than a minute to unfold and assemble. Once installed on the underside, there’s a small junction box with two USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and an 18V DC output with a myriad of connectors for connecting to a portable power station. This means that instead of storing power, it reliably consumes power and powers your devices as fast as the sun shines. It has two pockets on each side for your phone and comes with its own bag for easy carrying.
@Rhodri
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