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I tried to use my iPhone last year to communicate with my Roo-crew and other people that I knew were going to be there. Naturally, it lasted about a half a day before it ran out of batteries and I never felt like standing in the incredible line to recharge it.
It seems that walkie-talkies might be a good alternative (provided of course that you get one with enough channels for Roo) and I wondered about your experience with them. Worth having? Brand or model recommendations? Do they stay charged for a significant amount of time? Do they work well over the range of Centeroo or beyond?
There are lots of threads that have been over this before but the general consensus I think is that it's a waste of time. Yes - you can get some that have enough channels and yes they are fun to mess with other people on various channels - just set up meeting places and times to meet your friends and if you don't manage to meet them - then go to a show - don't worry about it - make some new friends and have a good time any way.
**see - I did good - I didn't just b*itch, moan and compain about a redundant thread and point you in the right direction - altough there are quite a few of these if you look on past pages
Last Edit: Jan 28, 2010 13:58:00 GMT -5 by Meg - Back to Top
If you decide you still want walkie-talkies try out TriSquare TSX300 walkies. These use a different frequency and technology and my group has used them succesfully at Bonnaroo for the last two years and I use them at other big events such as Nascar Races. They even have a built in text messaging feature that has been very very popular with my goup.
Post by questionablesanity on Jan 28, 2010 14:42:10 GMT -5
Plus I believe that someone on here stated that there are random outlets around centeroo, not marked of course, to charge things. I believe there are some in the tents.
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If you keep your eyes open and know where to look you may find outlets throughout centeroo. Wherever other electrical devices are, or should be, you will more than likely find some extra unused outlets.
There was a charging area or at least a power strip or something in the Sonic Stage area, I noted it and came back early the next day to charge my phone, waited outside the gate for an hour or so for them to open it up, and it was gone. After that I didn't bother, but I'm sure there are available outlets if I were to look around. Part of my reasoning is also that losing or destroying a walkie-talkie, even a decently expensive one, would still matter a lot less (and cost less) than destroying or losing my phone. Plus the walkie talkies linked to above can run on AA batteries, which means no hassle at all with charging, assuming you bring enough batteries.
It just dawned on me that I still have my old phone... I bought a new one in October. My old one works fine, and it would be good to take to Roo in case something happened to my phone while there.
That is, supposing old cell phones still work even after you've activated a new one. Anyone know??
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They've got a charging station and if you bring your own charger for your walkies they will charge them for you.
My opinion is that walkies are friggin sweet for the campgrounds, they work really well, and are hilarious latenight when you find other people's conversations.
In Centeroo, you really have to have a system. IE: 10 minutes after String Cheese, everybody check in so we can meet.
Example of hilarity:
Some dude: Hey anybody want anything else from this stand? I'm gettin pizza but they've got subs too Chilly: Yeahhhh get me some fries Dude: That you Mike? you want cheese fries or regular fries? Chilly: What kind've question is that? of course I want cheese fries! Hey, and howabout a corndog too? Dude: You got it man! I'm on my way. You got loot for this? Chilly: 'course man.. bring em by.
Post by JustSoYouKnow on Jan 29, 2010 0:49:36 GMT -5
I went to the past 2 'roo's w/ goofyone and walkie-talkie was a nice addition... Our group didnt want to stay together or hinder anyone's free time... and the walkie-talkie gave us all a chance to reach out to get ideas of what stages were really rocking at the time when I didn't know where to go... I think I only used text messaging on the walkie-talkie b/c it was mostly in my bag where I couldn't hear a call coming in.
Might just have to get some. Sounds like fun The ones linked to above look like they perform well in a crowd, according to the reviews they seem pretty solid.
We always drive to Roo in two cars and the walkies come in handy then, especially while in line and making sure we park together. Plus you feel like everyone is on the same road trip.
You could just get a portable charger for your phone that runs on AAs. I got one of these last year at Coachella, and the thing kept my phone charged all weekend. They run 10-15 dollars and are totally worth it.
I've considered it, but again losing or damaging a walkie talkie wouldn't suck nearly as bad as if it happened to my phone. It's like an insurance policy, haha. Plus if they survive Rooo then I'll have some badass walkie talkies, and I can definitely make use of them.
I went to the past 2 'roo's w/ goofyone and walkie-talkie was a nice addition... Our group didnt want to stay together or hinder anyone's free time... and the walkie-talkie gave us all a chance to reach out to get ideas of what stages were really rocking at the time when I didn't know where to go... I think I only used text messaging on the walkie-talkie b/c it was mostly in my bag where I couldn't hear a call coming in.
You found walkies with texting ability? link please
I went to the past 2 'roo's w/ goofyone and walkie-talkie was a nice addition... Our group didnt want to stay together or hinder anyone's free time... and the walkie-talkie gave us all a chance to reach out to get ideas of what stages were really rocking at the time when I didn't know where to go... I think I only used text messaging on the walkie-talkie b/c it was mostly in my bag where I couldn't hear a call coming in.
You found walkies with texting ability? link please
If you decide you still want walkie-talkies try out TriSquare TSX300 walkies. These use a different frequency and technology and my group has used them succesfully at Bonnaroo for the last two years and I use them at other big events such as Nascar Races. They even have a built in text messaging feature that has been very very popular with my goup.
I found this fan www.batterysavers.com/portbattfa.htm at walmart I think. The fan plugs into the battery pack using a car charger plug. You can also plug in your phone's car charger instead of the fan to charge your phone or whatever else. It works great.
Meg was right, there is another thread about radios and such. However:
Charging: I've done a couple of things to help everyone at our campsite the past few years. Deep cell batteries (Marine / NOT car batteries) or even a Golf cart battery hold a LOT of power. The ideal is a few cigarette lighter connections to a deep cell and everyone can bring there own charger to keep iphones, ipods and cell phones 100% - without having to run a car. However, deep cell batteries also do well over four or five days running an inverter - so I've plugged in an inverter and a plug strip to that so that everyone can plug in an AC charger. Not as efficient doing 12v (battery) to Inverter (120v) and then powering the 12v charger but it works (and you don't need to turn on the car).
The biggest downside of radios is that you can not hear them near any of the stages or if you are in a crowd. So, devices that txt and vibrate really help if the communication (like with kids) is super important.
Cell service (especially Verizon) has been getting better every year. Txting works super well. I'm sticking with my phone and if I lose it I'm bad. The idea about using my SIM in an old phone is a good one. Then I only need a newly programmed Sim card if the worst happens.
Frankly, part of what I like about roo is checking out from all the instant communication!
My advice for those with an iPhone is just bring in the USB cable. At the Fuse Barn and Troo Music Lounge, you can usually plug into one of the computers and charge. Avoids the line. Or there's the Solio charger that I plan on buying so I can charge my iPhone off solar power.
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My advice for those with an iPhone is just bring in the USB cable. At the Fuse Barn and Troo Music Lounge, you can usually plug into one of the computers and charge. Avoids the line. Or there's the Solio charger that I plan on buying so I can charge my iPhone off solar power.
That's a great idea. Don't spread that around too much though
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The ones linked to above look like they perform well in a crowd, according to the reviews they seem pretty solid.
