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Archive for October, 2009

Filed Under (camp shower) by admin on 18-10-2009

Texsport Deluxe Camp Shower Shelter Combo

If you’re looking for an all-in-one portable camping shower solution, you probably couldn’t find a better option than the “Deluxe Camp Shower/Shelter Combo” from Texsport. By “all-in-one” I mean a product that includes the shower tent, the water source and the means to heat up water; all in one package. Many portable camping shower components on the market are sold separately so you have to buy the shower tent from one manufacturer and the water heating device and water container from another manufacturer. This is not necessarily a bad thing since you might prefer the flexibility to mix and match different items to best suit your needs. But you won’t have the certainty that these different items will work well together. With the “Texsport Deluxe Camp Shower/Shelter Combo,” you avoid this dilemma because it comes equipped with both the shower tent and a solar shower bag, which are all the components you need to get a warm shower anywhere outdoors.

The biggest advantage that the “Texsport Deluxe Camp Shower/Shelter Combo” presents is its high level of privacy. Many camping shower tents don’t shield your whole body from sight. Some of them provide cover from head to knees, leaving calves and feet exposed. The “Texsport Deluxe Camp Shower” provides shelter from head-to-toe and this helps you to feel more relaxed as you’re showering, knowing that no one can come up to the tent and take a peek. On top of that, you get two mesh windows on each side of the tent, allowing you to see anyone or anything that might be nearby.

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Another great feature that helps this particular model to stand out from the crowd is its size. At 4′6″ X 4′6″ X 7’, it’s much larger than most and with this much room, it provides a more comfortable shower experience by allowing you to move around and maneuver. The four mesh roof panels allow sunlight inside and help provide good visibility and superior ventilation while showering. A water-proof cover is also included, providing cover in case of rain because the last thing you want is to have rain pouring inside the camping shower tent while you’re trying to dry up.  Finally, extra amenities included to seal the deal: a towel hanging bar, a mesh shower rack for holding toiletries and an easy-to-clean detachable floor.

You’re probably wondering what kind of device is used to heat the water. It’s a simple 5-gallon solar shower bag that uses sunlight to warm up the water inside. The solar shower bag has a fill valve at the top to allow for water to be poured in and a hose connected to a shower head that lets the water out when showering. Just leave the shower bag under full sun for at least 3 hours and then hang it from the top of the shower tent.

Overall, the “Texsport Deluxe Camp Shower/Shelter Combo” is a complete camping shower solution and worth looking into if you’re searching for a package that provides a high level of privacy and is loaded with features.  Plus, it carries the trusted name of Texsport, which, for over 40 years, has been providing camping and outdoor recreational equipment to enthusiasts all over the world.

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Coleman Hot Water-On-Demand Portable Water Heater

The Coleman Hot Water-On-Demand is a very useful 3-in-1 device that has a variety of functions, one of which is that of a portable camping shower. It provides hot water for washing dishes, making hot beverages and showering. Over are the days where you have to light up a fire to heat up water for soup, coffee or tea. This Coleman unit will save you time by providing boiling hot water in 5 seconds and have your beverages ready in a flash, thanks to the fueling power of propane. Just use the rotating faucet to fill up any cup or container and turn the control knob to the “hot” setting. When you’re ready to do the dishes, turn the knob to “warm,” fill up a bucket, add some soap, and you’re ready to plunge in your plates and utensils. The unit also acts as a portable camping shower and an optional Coleman spray adapter is available for around 20$ to simulate a more genuine shower experience than the hose included with the kit. The “warm” setting will provide a comfortable showering water temperature of around 90 degrees. The water pressure is supplied by a 6 volt rechargeable battery that pumps the water through the hose and out of the nozzle. So, no need to look for a tree branch to hang the unit, unlike portable solar camping showers, which require the bag to be hung overhead to provide water pressure. The unit comes with a 5-gallon collapsible water container that you can fill up to act as the water provider; or, if you have access to a continuous flow of water, such as a water hook-up, you can purchase an optional pressure hose that you can use to connect the water hook-up to the Coleman outdoor unit. With all these functions, the Coleman Hot Water-On-Demand Heater is one of the most versatile water heater solutions out there. It allows you to wash dishes, prepare hot beverages and take a shower while spending time at any campsite, regardless of the amenities provided. With a bit of imagination, this Coleman unit can also come in handy in situations other than camping such as during natural disasters, blackouts, on fishing and boating trips, at a rustic cabin in the woods or on a lake and even at all-day outdoor sporting events. With the Coleman Hot Water-On-Demand Heater, the lack of hot water in any situation will never be a problem again. 1264627598___CompanyLogo7

The Coleman brand has always been synonymous with dependable camping products and this one fits the bill as a must for any outdoor event. It will make your outdoor adventures much more enjoyable as you’ll be able to concentrate on the fun things and not worry about leaving the comfortable conveniences of home behind.

Important facts:
– The Coleman Hot Water-On-Demand Heater includes a safety device that immediately shuts off the unit to prevent it from going beyond 160 degrees
– The 6 volt rechargeable battery needs to charge for about 8 hours to be fully ready
– Use standard propane cylinders made for camping products. Do not use 14.1oz cylinders normally used for hand torches
– The Coleman Hot Water-On-Demand Heater will typically make 40 gallons of warm or hot water on one full battery charge and a 16.4 oz. cylinder of propane

The Coleman Hot Water-On-Demand Heater comes equipped with:
– Pump/heater unit
– 5-gallon collapsible water container
– Rechargeable pump battery
– Hose Quick-connect
– 6 volt Rechargeable Battery
– 12 volt Recharger Cord (auto)
– 110 volt/120 volt Recharger Cord (household)
– PCV Rain Cover
– fits over Hot Water On Demand unit when not in use

Optional accessories not included with the unit:
– 16.4 oz. propane cylinder
– Coleman Hot Water on Demand Carrying Case (Adjustable shoulderstrap or barrel handles, includes two zippered side pockets, perfect for carrying two 16.4 oz. propane cylinders or other accessories.)
– Coleman Water Hose Adapter (Regulates water pressure from input hose up to 100 PSI)
– Coleman spray adapter (48” long hose easily attaches to faucet of the Coleman Hot Water-On-Demand Heater with Quick-connect fitting. Handled spray head is ideal for a light shower.)

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Filed Under (camping shower) by admin on 05-10-2009

Coleman 5-Gallon PVC Camp Shower

If you’re like me, you enjoy going camping and you don’t mind getting a bit dirty because it goes hand in hand with spending time in the outdoors.  At the end of the day, though, there’s nothing better than a nice, refreshing shower. At some campsites this may well be a possibility as they are equipped with public camping showers, although these are usually not the most sanitary of places.

But sometimes your camping trip may take you to a place where there aren’t such conveniences.  If you’re going camping at a campground where all that’s included is a spot to put up your tent, then the only amenities available are the ones you brought along for the trip.   Similarly, other outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, or hunting usually mean getting dirty and not having access to a shower.

This Coleman outdoor item I’m reviewing in this article solves this problem in a big way: it’s the “Coleman 5-Gallon PVC Camp Shower“.  This item can be a camper’s best friend, along with the Swiss Army knife and the camping stove.

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The Coleman 5-Gallon PVC Camp Shower bag is a 5 gallon PVC pouch that has a fill valve at the top to let the water in and a hose with a spout to let the water out as you’re showering.  Like most camping shower bags, it uses solar power to heat the water inside. Leave it under full sun for about 3 hours and you will get a warm shower at the end of the day.  If it were a 3 gallon shower bag, 2 to 3 hours under the sun would suffice to get the water warm enough for a comfortable shower but since this is the bigger sized model it does take longer to get more acceptable results. A good tip is to place the camping shower bag horizontally on the ground from noon to 3pm and in the morning and afternoon after 3pm, hang it vertically. This way it will get the maximum amount of sun at all times and will be ready to go at the end of the day.  At the full capacity of 5 gallons, you have enough water for an 8 minute shower. At 4 minutes each, two people can enjoy a quick, comfortable shower

You can purchase the shower bag by itself if you absolutely need to pack light, as when you’re going hiking for example. It will do the job to get you clean but you will not have the privacy that a real shower provides. For full privacy, it’s best to combine the camping shower bag with a camping shower tent.  This way, you’ll be equipped with a fully portable camping shower solution that provides the benefit of privacy on top of getting clean.

The Coleman 5-Gallon PVC Camp Shower bag does a good job of providing water anytime, anywhere for a price tag of around 15$.  However, some people have complained that it can sometimes rip at the seams. This seems to be due to the large quantity of water it holds because it mostly happens when it is filled all the way to the 5 gallon mark.  If you keep it filled not too far past the 4 gallon mark, chances are you won’t run into this problem. There you have it. For 15$, the Coleman 5-Gallon PVC Camp Shower bag is a decent product and gets the job done. Overall, the materials used in the making of this product are slightly cheap, but at this price there’s not much to complain about. For more sturdy and quality camping shower bags I suggest looking at models in 20$ – 30$ range.

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