Nearly all the frontrunners now have large, bright, high-resolution screens. They also sport chipsets capable of running complicated software like media players and immersive games, and feature multiple connectivity options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and LTE.

The fight for consumers’ hearts and dollars involves not only industry heavyweights Apple and Samsung, but also companies that market-watchers once placed far behind those two juggernauts: Canada’s own BlackBerry (the company previously known as RIM) and Nokia.

Which is the best of the best? We considered five options: Apple’s iPhone 5, Samsung’s Galaxy S3, the BlackBerry Z10, the Nokia Lumia 920 and the Sony Xperia T. All prices we list are based on signing up for a three-year plan (or no term). You may be surprised to learn which of these worthy contenders deserves to be on top of consumers’ smartphone shopping lists.

Samsung Galaxy S3 (16GB)| $50 ($650 no term)

BEST DEAL! It may be long in the tooth and due for replacement in late April (see “Samsung Galaxy S4” to the right), but the venerable S3 is still superb. Experts agree its performance is on par with—or above—the iPhone 5’s, and the S3’s price is half the cost with a plan. In fact, it won the best smartphone award at the 2013 Mobile World Congress. Why? The S3 runs Google’s Android operating system, which features nearly 700,000 apps; the chipset can keep up with the most system-intensive software; its screen (at 4.8 inches, the largest in this group) wins raves for vivid colours and sharp images; and its on-board media management capabilities are truly impressive. Drawbacks are few: voice-recognition isn’t as intuitive as Siri, and some users find it too large to grip comfortably. First place.

Apple iPhone 5 (16GB)| $100 ($700 no term)

The latest iPhone boasts almost every smartphone must-have: excellent voice-recognition software (Siri), video calling (FaceTime), online media storage (iCloud) and access to nearly 700,000 apps, all while running the latest version of Apple’s iOS operating system. It’s the lightest smartphone on the market (112 grams), so it’s ultra portable. But the device isn’t perfect. It has a new connector, which means people with older iPhone accessories will have to buy new ones or invest in an adapter—and not all features work with the adapter. It’s also one of the most expensive contenders. The iPhone may be iconic, but it’s no bargain. Second place.

Sony Xperia T (16GB)| $0.01 ($550 no term)

Agent 007 carries an Xperia T in Skyfall, so for James Bond fans this may be the one and only option. It even has Bond-themed ringtones and email alerts. Other features include a top-notch music player, and easy access to useful widgets like a calculator and voice recorder. But it’s relatively heavy at 148 grams and despite sporting a 13-megapixel camera—well above the 8-MP cameras on all the other contenders—images aren’t that much better. The chipset isn’t the fastest either. Still, this is an Android device, which means users enjoy an app-rich playground. As a passable performer at a low price, the Xperia T remains a serious contender. Third place.

BlackBerry Z10 (16GB)| $150 ($600 no term)

After years of steadily losing market share, BlackBerry is back with a strong product. The Z10 offers video chat, an easy-to-use virtual keyboard and excellent photo-editing capabilities. The Peek feature makes it easy to check incoming messages. The Balance function separates personal and business information, so the Z10 should appeal to people who need to meet mobile-security requirements for work. The voice-recognition capability is no Siri, though, and the list of apps is extremely short compared with those available to Apple, Sony and Samsung users. In this contest, apps are everything. The pricey BlackBerry simply isn’t there yet. Fourth place… for now.

Nokia Lumia 920 (32GB) | $50 ($600 no term)

Credit the Lumia 920 with bringing Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 operating system into the spotlight. The combined power of the OS and Nokia’s superb hardware is compelling. Users get Microsoft Office functionality, access to SkyDrive online storage and a tap-and-share feature for swapping content between phones. This device supports wireless charging and is the only one with a screen designed to be used with gloved hands. But at 185 grams it’s also the heaviest contender, and some models are so hard to hold that a catastrophic drop seems almost inevitable. Plus there are far fewer apps available for Windows Phone 8 than there are for iOS and Android. Fifth place.

You can spend as little as $130 for a Blu-ray player with Wi-Fi connectivity, which lets you stream content to your HDTV from both the web and your home computer. Most modern Blu-rays also support 3D and surround sound, and sport USB ports so you can connect other devices directly. Manufacturers now offer apps that let you control the player with your smartphone, too.

Considering cost and quality, five models made our short list: LG’s BP620, Oppo’s BDP-103, the Panasonic DMP-BDT220, Samsung’s BD-E5900 and Sony’s BDPS590. They all have similar features (Wi-Fi, 3D, surround sound and optional smartphone remote) and they each cost well below $1,000. But the equality ends there. Read on to see which player best balances price with performance and why you might want to pause before buying any of the others.

Fifth place…

Samsung BD-E5900 | $150

Although the BD-E5900 matches the other contenders when it comes to basic functionality (Wi-Fi connectivity, 3D playback and decent image quality) it seems to lack good web access. Some users complain of trouble viewing online content. Other people say the web browser is difficult to use. Yes, the device is relatively easy to set up. But if you really want your player to link to the web, that ease-of-configuration may not make up for the connectivity challenge.

Fourth place…

Sony BDPS590 | $140

If you’re highly attuned to aesthetics, you’ll love the BDPS590. It’s clear that Sony spent some effort in making this box look different from competitors. If the innards are more your thing, however, you’ll find nothing special here. Sony’s nicely priced player provides excellent image quality and an intuitive remote. But the user interface is so-so, and some people find it difficult to set up. Perhaps this is why Sony plans to discontinue this model.

Third place…

LG BP620 | $130

Whereas many Blu-ray players offer 3D, Wi-Fi and smartphone controllers, the BP620 stands out with an additional function: a Music ID button on the remote. Punch that and the player goes looking for details about the song that’s playing in the video you’re watching—pretty cool for movie-music lovers. In nearly every other respect, LG’s offering matches its competitors. But the smartphone app isn’t as easy to use and the player lacks the video processing power of costlier devices.

Second place…

Oppo BDP-103 | $500

Oppo isn’t a well known brand, but people familiar with it say it’s among the best. The BDP-103 exemplifies Oppo’s approach: offer plenty of features (1GB hard drive, 4K upscaling for optimal image quality, two HDMI ports, support for a long list of audio and video file formats)…and charge accordingly. The BDP-103 is more than twice as expensive as the next-priciest player we looked at. But despite its high quality, in truth most people won’t use many of the advanced functions.

First place…

Panasonic DMP-BDT220 | $150

Don’t let the bargain price fool you: the DMP-BDT220 is loaded with features. It lets up to four people save their own setup preferences, supports Skype so you can use your HDTV for video calls, and delivers excellent image quality. But the player isn’t perfect: no internal memory, slow loading speed, and some say it’s tough to connect to other devices on a home network. Up and running, though, the DMP-BDT220 is a top performer.

BEST DEAL!

Panasonic’s DMP-BDT220 Blu-ray player lacks the internal memory you’ll find in higher-end devices and some people find the unit difficult to set up. But with excellent video processing, unique features and a low price, it presents the best cost/performance balance.

The style you choose is a matter of personal preference. It all comes down to the way you cook, the types of food you tend to work with and the way the knife feels in your hand. That’s why it’s important to be able to pick up the knife before you buy, notes Mario Fiorucci, president of The Healthy Butcher in Toronto, which sells knives from its bricks-and-mortar locations and online (sliceandsear.com). Someone else’s idea of the perfect knife may be too heavy, too light or improperly balanced for you; the best way to find out is to handle the prospective purchase in person.

That said, there are a few universal attributes to look for. For instance, seek knives that have full tangs—where the metal that forms the blade extends all the way into the handle—for a strong blade. Plastic or wood-composite handles are also desirable because they don’t harbour bacteria. We looked into four of the most popular chef’s knives on the market, seeking the best combination of price and performance. While any of the following implements may be right for you, only one undercuts competitors on cost yet presents anything but a bargain-basement experience.

Global G-2 8-in. ($99)

Global’s knives aren’t the most expensive, but they’re among the most popular. This lightweight stamped high-carbon stainless-steel implement is easier to control than heavier forged-steel knives tend to be. It’s all one piece, handle included, making it particularly strong. The handle even contains sand for balance but problematically it’s also difficult to hold if you get oil or some other low- friction foodstuff on it.

Shun Classic Hollow Ground Santoku 7-in. ($170)

This knife is lovely to look at, featuring the patterned profile of Damascus steel. It is strong, too, with a VG10 steel core. Slightly lighter than other knives, the Classic is easy to manage. The dimpled Granton edge also helps the blade slice through high-friction foods. A real work of art, but certainly no bargain, price-wise.

Wüsthof Classic Ikon 8-in. ($159)

This German-made tool is forged from a single piece of high-carbon steel, which doesn’t stain as easily as carbon steel knives usually do. Featuring a typical German shape, the Ikon offers a full tang riveted to a non-porous synthetic handle. The bolster is unique in that it not only aids grip, but it also only comes three-quarters of the way down, so the blade can be sharpened more thoroughly compared with knives that have full bolsters. Without question, Wüsthof has an excellent reputation but you certainly pay for it.

K-Sabatier Vintage au Carbone 8-in. ($68)

Here’s a classic French knife with a thin, forged carbon-steel edge that gently slices delicate matter, while the thick spine makes quick work of denser material. The plastic handle is riveted tightly to the full tang, and the blade holds its edge particularly well. The Sabatier will tarnish if used to cut acidic foods, but some people like the patina that results. Others just enjoy having a bargain blade whose name evokes the Thiers region of France, home to cutlery makers since the Middle Ages.

TOP CHOICE

Featuring the lowest price yet a fancy pedigree, the K-Sabatier cuts with ease but also adds an air of sophistication to food prep.

First place

Skagen Denmark Moonphase Chronograph | $325

Texas-based Skagen is owned by global retailer Fossil. The company offers relatively inexpensive products, and the Moonphase Chronograph 901 XLB is its priciest watch. It features a leather band, sandblasted dial, Swiss movement, 30-minute counter, date and moon phase display. Skagen’s warranty covers faulty material or workmanship but not the band or crystal. The manufacturer doesn’t require regular servicing as Rotary does, and the warranty is relatively straightforward compared to that of Charles-Hubert Paris. The price is tempting, so if you’re looking for a bargain, lifetime-guaranteed watch, Skagen is your watchmaker.

BEST DEAL:

Skagen doesn’t come close to matching the luxury level of Cartier, but its feature-rich product, no-nonsense warranty and low price point combine to make it the best value among the watches we considered

Second place

Cartier Tank Solo | $2,600

The priciest piece in the running, the Tank Solo has a storied pedigree. Company founder Louis Cartier designed the Tank in 1917, inspired by the sharp lines of the Renault-built tanks that France used in the First World War. This latest iteration of the watch has a steel case, sapphire crystal and synthetic spinel cabochon (the polished gemstone on the end of the knob used to adjust the time). The lifetime warranty covers any piece exhibiting a manufacturing defect. But if you ignore Cartier’s recommendation for which batteries to use, or if you have the watch serviced anywhere but an authorized Cartier shop, the company effectively blows up the guarantee.

Third place

Steinhausen Atlantis | $700

California-based Steinhausen is best known for classic pocket watches, but it also offers wristwatches. The men’s line ranges from $250 to $2,100 in a variety of styles that will satisfy nearly every taste. This specific iteration of the Atlantis collection presents Swiss movement, an analog display and a black stainless-steel casing, contrasted with a white lizard-grain strap. (Multiple colour variants are available.) The warranty is somewhat limited, covering the movement only. But there’s no tricky contract language and no servicing required.

Fourth place

Rotary GS905502/04 | $870

Founded in Switzerland in 1895, Rotary is now in London, England. Its pieces range from $200 to $7,000. The GS905502/04, a member of the new Jura collection, features Rotary’s first proprietary movement. The watch sports a black skeleton casing that displays the internal mechanism. The warranty covers the movement and all non-moving parts except straps and crystals. Rotary insists, however, it’s good only so long as the owner has the watch serviced—for a fee—every three years. Makes you wonder if this a warranty or a maintenance schedule.

Fifth place

Charles-Hubert Paris X0242-010 | $555

Despite the name, this watchmaker is located in South El Monte, Calif. The X0242-010 is the most expensive piece Charles-Hubert Paris has to offer, featuring a sapphire crystal, Japanese automatic movement and a see-through case back. The warranty, however, is less than transparent. The company says it offers lifetime coverage on the movement, but just one year on manufacturing defects. What this means isn’t clear, and attempts to find out from Charles-Hubert Paris were unsuccessful.

There are plenty of characteristics you need to consider if you’re on the hunt for faux festive foliage. For starters, purchase a tree with a long warranty, since you’ll want to use it for many years. Also, go with a pre-lit tree so you can skip the annual untangling-of-the-blessed-lights ritual (80 to 100 lights per foot is ideal to avoid that sparsely lit look). Finally, be sure to go with a high tip count (1,500 is an ideal starting point), so that your tree will have a full, healthy and realistic appearance.

We researched four artificial trees available from four Canadian retailers, searching for the best combination of price, quality and durability. Read on to find out which one deserves to deck your hall and which ones get a lump of coal.

Martha Stewart Living

Pre-Lit Sparkling Pine Tree
Home Depot ($289)

This may have the lowest price, but it doesn’t have the fewest features. In fact, this ample tree (7.5 ft. high and 5 ft. wide) is the only one with a foot-pedal light switch, giving it an edge in convenience. It has 750 clear lights, which is just the right number for a well-lit tree (100 lights per foot).

It also has the longest warranty: five years on the tree and two years on the lights. With 1,357 tips, it doesn’t appear as robust as some of the others, and the white-tipped pinecones and glitter-tipped branches might make the tree a bit dated. But given the low price, you may be able to justify replacing it more quickly.

Whole Home Noel

Convertible Pre-Lit Innsbrook Pine
Sears ($500)

“Convertible” in this case means the tree can be extended from 7.5 ft. to 9 ft., meaning it’s particularly suited to people who may move houses in the next few years and want something that would look good in small or large spaces.

With 1,837 tips, the Innsbrook isn’t the tip-count leader—it has substantially fewer than the Polygroup Scots Pine—but it has more than most. Its 800 clear lights also put it right in the recommended range: 88 lights per foot at 9 ft. This 50-in. wide conifer comes with a three-year warranty (the second longest of the trees featured here), covering both the tree and lights. Whole Home’s product ticks all the right holiday gift boxes.

NOMA

7’ LED MP3 Music Tree
Canadian Tire ($450)

With just 304 multicoloured and white lights, this NOMA product falls far short of the other trees in terms of brightness (just 43 lights per foot), but certainly offers plenty of Christmas cheer: plug it into your MP3 player and the lights pulse in time to the music.

The tree has just 1,179 needle tips of varying length, so it may appear relatively thin compared with others on the market. The one-year warranty is short for a product meant to be used only once a year. The price is right, however, especially when you consider the added feature of the MP3 capability.

Polygroup

Scots Pine
The Bay ($800)

With 6,031 realistic, soft-touch tips of varying length, this 7-ft. pine has the most needles by far, giving it a particularly hearty appearance. It has 1,300 tungsten mini lights, equating to 185 lights per foot—even more than the recommended baseline. The warranty lasts just one year, however, which is particularly short for a tree sporting such a high price tag.

The Scots Pine certainly isn’t the tallest option, but with a girth of 64 in., it’s the right choice for wide spaces. Sometimes a high price equates with high quality but in this instance the one-year warranty is worrisome.

Best Deal:

The Martha Stewart Living Pre-Lit Sparkling Pine Tree has the longest warranty and it’s well lit. It isn’t as luxurious as some of the others reviewed, but overall we think it’s the best value.

Thankfully, point-and-shoot makers have started offering cameras with Wi-Fi. Now you can capture sharp pictures and videos and wirelessly upload them. These connected cameras all come with high-definition LCD screens, zoom lenses, face detection, and sensors that consider the ambient conditions and automatically select the best settings. But each camera’s Wi-Fi implementation is unique, and some of these devices make better use of the technology than others.

We compared the features, functions and prices of five Wi-Fi cameras: Canon’s PowerShot ELPH 320 HS, Nikon’s COOLPIX S800c, Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-SZ5, Samsung’s WB150F and Sony’s Cyber-shot HX30V. Prices range from $200 to $450. Our pick for the best deal is neither the most nor the least expensive option—we love it for its feature-heavy internal software.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 320 HS | $200:

This is the lowest-priced Wi-Fi camera on offer, yet one of just two offering a touchscreen for menu access and photo manipulation. (The other is the much more expensive Nikon.) It also adds a neat feature for video capture: technology that counteracts wind noise, making for clear sound quality on full HD footage. It’s slightly smaller and lighter than most of the others, so it’s particularly portable. But it offers nothing more than a 5x optical zoom—well short of the competition. If you want to use Wi-Fi to send your pictures to a website, you have to access Canon’s online cloud service; other cameras connect to websites directly. The 320 HS isn’t perfect, but the price is hard to beat. Third place.

Nikon COOLPIX S800c | $380:

Pricey? Yes, but look what it can do. The S800c’s major perk: it runs on the Android operating system, which powers legions of smartphones and tablet computers. With Android aboard, there isn’t much this camera can’t do. It uploads pictures directly to websites, but also provides access to email and to Android apps. The 10x zoom isn’t class-leading, but the camera does offer a touchscreen, full HD video recording, a complete complement of photo features (like image stabilization and settings that automatically adjust to ambient conditions) plus built-in GPS so you can easily append geographic information to your snapshots. This isn’t a camera: it’s a computer. First place.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | $230:

This is our second lowest-priced device, yet it offers a full feature set, including everything a good point-and-shoot camera should have (auto setting selection, continuous autofocus, face recognition), plus a clever Wi-Fi implementation that lets you control the camera from your smartphone—perfect for taking group shots you want in on. It can even invoke the smartphone’s GPS capability to affix location information to pictures. It’s a bit lighter and smaller than most others, so it’s an easier carry. But the DMC-SZ5’s 10x zoom is merely average, and doesn’t capture full HD video, just 720p. Still, with so many great features at a bargain price, there’s plenty of bang for the buck here. Second place.

Samsung WB150F | $270:

Get up close and personal with the WB150F’s 18x optical zoom, beaten only by the big-ticket Sony Cyber-shot HX30V. The WB150F has an elegant Wi-Fi interface as well, enabling instant connection with other devices featuring Samsung’s Wi-Fi Direct technology. It also features a remote viewfinder that lets you control the camera from your smartphone, so you can take a group picture that includes yourself. The long zoom lens does add weight, however. And, alas, no full HD video—only 720p. Although priced below $300, this is no bargain hunter’s first choice. Fourth place.

Sony Cyber-shot HX30V | $450:

Our most expensive competitor features the most megapixels (18), longest optical zoom (20x) and interesting features like built-in GPS, 3D image capture mode, and full HD video recording. But as with the Samsung, the long zoom adds weight, making this the heaviest camera on offer. And it isn’t as advanced as the Nikon in terms of software. If you want to save money but need a long zoom, the Samsung is a better choice. Bargain hunters who want built-in GPS can find it in the less expensive Nikon. The Canon has full HD video at a much lower price. If you’re in the market for a 3D camera with Wi-Fi, this Sony may be your answer. For everyone else, the HX30V simply presents too short a feature list for the cost. Fifth place.

BEST DEAL: Nikon COOLPIX S800c:

It certainly isn’t the least expensive option, but it isn’t the priciest either. Nikon’s camera has the best feature set, thanks in large part to the fact it uses the Android operating system. You can snap high-quality pictures, access the web and check your email. It’s everything a point-and-shoot camera should be and then some.

But which of these potential Kindle killers is king? We considered five: Ematic’s eGlide Reader 2, Hipstreet’s 7” Wi-Fi Touch Screen HD Media Player, Kobo’s Vox, Nextbook’s Premium 8 and Pandigital’s SuperNova. All share essential features: headphone jacks and speakers for video, music and audiobook playback, as well as access to software in app stores and markets.

These devices have received some flak for paling in comparison to the iPad, but what do you expect for the price? The iPad can cost as much as $800, while these souped up e-readers ring it at less than $200. In fact, our “best deal” costs even less.

Kobo Vox | $180

Kobo puts a social media twist on the e-book experience. The Vox connects you to an online community where you can see how many other people are reading the same book, and which passages they’ve commented on. The Reading Life monitor tracks how many pages you read per session. Built-in dictionary, built-in Scrabble—all this, plus nice-to-hold quilted material on the back and a wide viewing angle (great for reading with the kids) set the Vox apart. It’s also easily customizable, providing direct access to a wide range of Android applications. Too bad the 800 MHz processor isn’t as zippy as the 1 GHz chips in competing products. Still, none of the others even come close to the Vox’s social media richness. This device gives you the best bang for your buck. First place.

Nextbook Premium 8 | $200:

The Premium has it all—nearly. It features a bright, clear screen that responds well to touch. It’s slightly larger than most, too, with an 8-inch screen, and a rubberized external shell that’s easy to hold. And the on-board e-reader app is easy to use. It comes with 25 books already loaded, and sports an Office Suite Viewer, so you can use it to look at documents in standard Microsoft file formats. But what’s missing? For starters, you can’t access the Android Market on this device. Users say that means you can’t get some of the most popular apps, such as Angry Birds. Some also find the Premium 8’s apps menu difficult to navigate. Still, it’s considered an excellent e-reader, even if it’s not the best tablet. Second place.

Pandigital SuperNova | $200:

With its dual front- and rear-facing cameras, video recording functionality and an HDMI port, the SuperNova may be the closest thing to a full-featured tablet computer in the running. Users praise the relatively low price and say it performs well for an inexpensive tablet. The touchscreen responds quickly, the on-screen keyboard is a joy to use, and it doesn’t weigh much compared with full-fledged tablets. On the other hand, it’s heavy for an e-reader, and some say the e-book software doesn’t display text properly. Others complain the screen can be difficult to see when you’re outdoors, and with no direct access to the Android Market app selection is somewhat limited. The SuperNova may be a bargain tablet, but it’s not the best e-reader. Third place.

Ematic eGlide Reader 2 | $78:

At $78, Ematic’s device is hands-down the least expensive of the five contenders. Yet the eGlide Reader 2 is the only one that comes with a stylus, so if you prefer to keep grubby fingers off the screen, you have an optional input mechanism. It’s also one of just two devices with an HDMI output that lets you connect the device to a TV for video playback on a larger screen. Some users say it’s a fine and dandy machine considering the cost. Critics, however, are less kind to the eGlide. They complain it’s difficult to load e-books onto the device, the screen doesn’t register touches reliably, and the battery drains quickly. Despite its ultra-low price, Ematic’s product just doesn’t compete with the others on our list. Fourth place.

Hipstreet 7” Wi-Fi Touch Screen HD Media Player | $100:

Price-wise, it’s hard to beat Hipstreet’s offering. And while its name may be a mouthful, it’s a fairly simple device for straightforward e-book, music and video access. Don’t expect any extra frills like an HDMI output, camera or built-in dictionary here. A few users are content with this minimalist approach and say it’s as good as one could expect from a bargain-basement colour touch-screen e-reader. But the majority of reviewers castigate the product for poor hardware quality. One user said he could select on-screen icons by pressing the back of the unit—it’s that flimsy. Another major gripe is that the auto bookmarking feature sometimes dog-ears the wrong page. What should you expect for $100? A lot more, it seems. Fifth place.

Best Deal

It’s the mid-priced option, yet Kobo’s device blows the competition out of the water with rich social media features that connect solitary readers with a wider community. For bringing the e-book experience to a new level, the Vox is our best deal.

Fortunately, the latest camp and hiking gadgetry helps trekkers link with the urban world—and devices such as solar-powered radios, altitude-minding wristwatches and handheld GPS units also enhance the outdoor experience, providing access to information at the push of a button.

We looked into five outdoor technology categories to find the best radio, charging system, GPS, lantern and watch, considering features, ease of use and price. While our top picks aren’t always the cheapest, they all offer the best balance between functionality and cost.

Radio: Eton Scorpion NSP 100 | $50

The Scorpion provides AM, FM and seven Weatheradio Canada broadcasts providing meteorological reports and alerts. It features a hand-crank generator to charge the battery, and a solar charger as well. You can even use this splash-proof device to charge items such as iPods and mobile phones. It has a built-in flashlight, digital clock, bottle opener, and an auxiliary-in jack for MP3 players so you can listen to your own music. It costs less than competing rugged radio systems, and since it weighs just 250 g it’s ideal for people looking to travel light.

GPS: Garmin eTrex Venture HC | $140

Handheld global positioning systems are commonly in the $500 range, making the high-end eTrex Venture HC a true bargain at a fraction of that cost. Equipped with a 24 MB internal memory and a detailed base map, its high-sensitivity receiver presents accurate location information, even on mountains and in valleys. The 256-colour screen remains clear in full sunlight, and it runs for 14 hours of continuous use. The waterproof device also has a built-in hunting and fishing calendar to keep you on the right side of the bylaws. And at 156 g, the HC won’t weigh you down.

Watch: Casio Pro Trek PRW5000 | $395

More than a mere watch, the PRW5000 is a veritable information station. It cleverly incorporates sensors and displays for temperature, direction, elevation and barometric pressure. The second hand, for instance, not only tracks the time but also operates as a needle pointing north when the compass is engaged, and illustrates elevation (between –700 and 10,000 m) when the altimeter is turned on. The device receives calibration radio signals to ensure the time is accurate, and the battery is solar-rechargeable. It also scores points for style.

Solar charger: Mango International FatCat Solstice 2.5 | $90

Why spend twice as much for a portable charging system to power your mobile phone, MP3 player or iPod while camping or hiking, when you can buy the inexpensive, versatile FatCat Solstice 2.5? It can handle a range of devices from 4.5 to 9V. (Many competitors only charge up to 5V.) It comes with 11 connectors covering a range of devices including Apple, RIM and Samsung. (Additional connectors are available as well.) It’s extremely lightweight at just 225 g, and It sports a built-in emergency LED flashlight, too.

Lantern: Coleman LED Quad Lantern | $80

Four lights in one—that’s what you get with the Quad. As a single unit, it contains 24 LED bulbs providing a very bright 190 lumens of light for up to 75 hours of continuous operation. But its four sections, each with six bulbs and its own rechargeable batteries, separate and can be used independently. That means you or one of your camping companions can answer nature’s nighttime call while leaving the rest of the unit in place. The Quad runs on eight D batteries, so it weighs in at a bulky 2.8 kg. Still, it’s hard to beat in terms of versatility and brightness.