Must have technology

[czenzel]

I know it might not classify as technology but the most important things also should include: First Aid Kits, Instructions and also Emergency Road Kits, procedures

Also NOAA Weather Radios (NWR) with SAME alerting. Always be sure to set the SAME codes to were you are chasing to always be alert.

 

[Bill Hark]

Not counting the obvious (car with gas etc.), the bare minimum would be a decent map and a cell phone. The cell phone is mainly for safety in case of breakdown or other emergency and for reporting severe weather. A cell phone could also be used to receive nowcasting support or in more advanced models, used to access data. A good map is also a necessity. I chased for many years without GPS and I still use maps as back up and plotting routes. One might add a weather radio for warnings though local stations will often carry weather warnings. I chased with maps, cell phone, and weather radio for a few years before getting a laptop.

Laptops, GPS devices, temp and dewpoint monitoring devices, XM are all nice and may improve success but are not necessary. I would even say that a camera or camcorder is not necessary. I have a friend that has travelled to many countries and has never taken a picture or shot a video as he prefers to enjoy the trips as is and rely on memories. Not my style but could be applied to chasing.


Bill Hark

 

[Nathan Withrow]

Not counting the obvious (car with gas etc.), the bare minimum would be a decent map and a cell phone. The cell phone is mainly for safety in case of breakdown or other emergency and for reporting severe weather. A cell phone could also be used to receive nowcasting support or in more advanced models, used to access data. A good map is also a necessity. I chased for many years without GPS and I still use maps as back up and plotting routes. One might add a weather radio for warnings though local stations will often carry weather warnings. I chased with maps, cell phone, and weather radio for a few years before getting a laptop.

Laptops, GPS devices, temp and dewpoint monitoring devices, XM are all nice and may improve success but are not necessary. I would even say that a camera or camcorder is not necessary. I have a friend that has travelled to many countries and has never taken a picture or shot a video as he prefers to enjoy the trips as is and rely on memories. Not my style but could be applied to chasing.


Bill Hark

I agree with U Bill! I have only been chasing for a few years now and all I need is a weather radio, map, scanner, and some camera's! But that is an upgrade for me. My first year in 2007 all I had were my eyes, maybe a weather radio, and a camera. Now I have a CB/WX radio, some motorola walkie talkies, A map, Scanner, HD Video Camera and other old camera's. That should be enough for me at the moment. I rather not have to much technology getting in my way.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Communications--cell phone with charger
Navigation--GPS and back up maps
Photography--Still and video camera
Laptop for GPS and radar

 

[Wes Carter]

Cell phone
Laptop w/ GRLevel3 and F5 Data
GPS Puck and Delorme Street Atlas
Stand Alone GPS
Camera gear
115v Inverter
2 meter radio
Scanner (Rarely Used)
MP3 Player (Most frequently used piece of gear)

 

[Jeremy Jones]

For me, as long as I have my Nikon, empty memory cards and fully charged batteries then I am good to go! Having my laptop mounted and my Data card activated is nice, but not absolutely necessary. Just my two cents...

 

[Jason Boggs]

For me, as long as I have my Nikon, empty memory cards and fully charged batteries then I am good to go! Having my laptop mounted and my Data card activated is nice, but not absolutely necessary. Just my two cents...

I like my still camera too, but I sure hope you're not chasing storms without some navigation equipment such as GPS, or at least paper maps.

 

[Joshua Nall]

I guess you could count the little shifter in my truck that is connected to my transfer case that causes my front wheels to pull as technology...4wd. Yeah I've mentioned this before, it's pretty much must have for me. In my old truck sometimes I would have to drive two miles on a dirt road before I could turn around and there are not too many trips that I don't find myself needing to use it. Often just to turn around or pull off the road good. I like to get of the main road away from traffic and if you do that your going to end up needing it.

 

[Chris Lott]

Although it takes a little work to get your license, I would throw ham radio out there as a good form of communication. I know ham radio has been around for a long time, but it comes in handy for me if I don't have a cell connection.

 

[Jeremy Jones]

I ALWAYS have paper maps with me....But very seldom use them. For me, my chase budget really doesn't allow me to chase in other states that much. I have lived in Oklahoma my entire life, so I am very familiar with most of the state highways. Now I do use the Delorme Street Maps (Paper Edition), for country roads, and county line roads.....Very useful!

 

[Jason Young]

Well give me my 2-meter and my camera . I love having data in the field , but no-tech is still fun for me.

 

[Chris C Sanner]

1)Car
2)Camera
3)Maps

Anything else is just gravy as far as essentials. I do also use a WX-Radio, a 3G Internet Device of some sort (whatever I decide to take that day) and a GPS unit. Pretty simple and straightforward set up, you don't need much else

 

[Toni Scholz]

Tyler,

The best presentation you can give is one where you share your own experience; the latest and greatest is only as good as it has performed for you. Some equipment may not be practical in the field. (i.e. streaming with a HD camcorder on a low bandwidth connection) Just tell them what has been successful for you.