Original Problem statement/Gap:
A commonly required camping tool that also repels mosquitoes and other pests, (vermin, bears, dogs etc), provide additional emergency utility functions if possible.
A commonly required camping tool that also repels mosquitoes and other pests, (vermin, bears, dogs etc), provide additional emergency utility functions if possible.
Discoveries/Usability Concept discussion:
In showing the higher-scoring designs from week 4 to a small group of friends who are all avid campers. I received some guidance that DEET and citronella candles are still the most effective mosquito repellents.Some had tried electronic devices with limited success.
Most had tried some sort of hand crank charging devices with mixed results often leading to limited usefulness except in the case of dire emergencies. Car charging adapters may be useful but in a campground, sometimes the car may not be convenient.
When I asked them what they considered to be the most significant pests in a campground three of them immediately replied off-leash/uncontrolled dogs.The general consensus was they liked the lantern/repeller idea but a dog/bear option would be more likely to be successful. If there is ANY useful charging method for a campground setting, solar is the most obvious. Other solar rechargeable devices often provide a USB/Phone-charger output as an added benefit.
Ultrasonics tend to be unidirectional so placing the transducer on the front of the unit to allow targeting pesky dogs will be important.
Testing a lantern with a dog repeller based system and an emergency flashing light was given an all-round thumbs up vote by my impromptu review board and a round of beer was awarded to the participants! Testing a dog repelling circuit should prove to be much simpler as I have a bag of treats and some friendly neighbors with dogs. I plan to be VERY careful to keep the volume at a safe level and only use short bursts at the nominal 15 ft range.
Final selection: One Concept:
Thus for the One Concept I will revert to a simple combination Lantern with an embedded dog repellent subsystem. Stretch goals & Optional extras - a flashing light and solar charging. See additional research link below these images for background, reports and other supporting materials.
In showing the higher-scoring designs from week 4 to a small group of friends who are all avid campers. I received some guidance that DEET and citronella candles are still the most effective mosquito repellents.Some had tried electronic devices with limited success.
Most had tried some sort of hand crank charging devices with mixed results often leading to limited usefulness except in the case of dire emergencies. Car charging adapters may be useful but in a campground, sometimes the car may not be convenient.
When I asked them what they considered to be the most significant pests in a campground three of them immediately replied off-leash/uncontrolled dogs.The general consensus was they liked the lantern/repeller idea but a dog/bear option would be more likely to be successful. If there is ANY useful charging method for a campground setting, solar is the most obvious. Other solar rechargeable devices often provide a USB/Phone-charger output as an added benefit.
Ultrasonics tend to be unidirectional so placing the transducer on the front of the unit to allow targeting pesky dogs will be important.
Testing a lantern with a dog repeller based system and an emergency flashing light was given an all-round thumbs up vote by my impromptu review board and a round of beer was awarded to the participants! Testing a dog repelling circuit should prove to be much simpler as I have a bag of treats and some friendly neighbors with dogs. I plan to be VERY careful to keep the volume at a safe level and only use short bursts at the nominal 15 ft range.
Final selection: One Concept:
Thus for the One Concept I will revert to a simple combination Lantern with an embedded dog repellent subsystem. Stretch goals & Optional extras - a flashing light and solar charging. See additional research link below these images for background, reports and other supporting materials.