Must-see kit at the Getaway Show

Posted by Melanie van Zyl on 20 August 2014

We’re just days away from the Gauteng Getaway Show and thought we’d offer a sneak peak at the great gear that’s going to be there.

(A look back at 2013: Check out the great gear we found at last year’s Cape Getaway Show).

Looking for more info like ticket prices and exhibitor detail? Click here for the Getaway Show Visitor’s Guide.

Talk to me

About R4 570, CAT Smart Phones at stand B152

Not your average Android phone, the tough CAT B15 smartphone is waterproof up to one metre for 30 minutes, dustproof and has an epic HD video camera thrown in for recording your best holiday moments. It’ll take a bashing but still has all the modern comforts technology has to offer.

Lighten up

R6 750 including free overnight shipping nationwide, NiteCoreSA at stand G104

Boasting an unbelievable 1 100m beam reach, the NiteCore TM36 flashlight will reach across the riverbed to the opposite bank at Lower Sabie Rest Camp. It runs off powerful rechargeable batteries and has a clever display screen indicating running time, voltage level of battery, beam distance and lumen setting.

In the hot seat

From R1 500 for two seats, Takla at stand B130

The first in South Africa to offer heated seat covers, these tough Takla hot seats are waterproof, durable, non-shrinking and now even more comfortable than ever. Plug them into your 12-volt lighter socket, select one of the temperature options, and in seconds it’s warm. Available for all SUV’s and 4×4’s.

Sleep tight

From R1 200, Selk’Bag at stand B186

While the Selk’Bag is an unusual take on the typical sleeping bag, it’s no gimmick. Let the neighbours snigger (or are they shivering?) while you stumble warmly from your tent and enjoy a morning coffee still ensconced in toasty warmth.

Scratch the surface

R195, MapStudio at stand B110

Fun and interactive, the MapStudio Scratch Map is ideal for children, families and avid travellers to tick off countries one bucket-list dream at a time. This brightly coloured map will also broaden your knowledge of the world: the top layer can be scratched off revealing various facts below.

Power on

R269, Fox and Sons Lumeno at stand Y80

Compact, nifty and easy to operate the Lumeno Battery Buddy works beautifully with devices that need 12-volt battery power (like the SnoMaster fridge featured below). It fits over a small 7ah or 9ah battery (these cost about R350) and can be charged at home using mains electricity or via the cigarette lighter in your car. The extension cable reaches five meters and my only gripe is there’s no indicator to tell you it’s charging.

Cool down

R5 500, SnoMaster at stand B140

It looks small but the 11-litre SnoMaster Console Fridge packs a punch. It fits snugly on the floor between the front and back seat, and the lengthy cord easily plugs into the cigarette lighter. It’s a great weekend companion to keep basic dairy or meat supplies fresh and fits two upright two-litre bottles. Use as either a fridge or freezer.

Sun smart

R330, Beauty Worx at stand B142

Beauty Worx sunscreen at the Getaway Show

The SunSkin sunscreen family bottle is a great piece of clever design. The main bottle holds the bulk of the sunscreen, but this CANSA approved product comes with four smaller bottles attached to decant into. This way everyone in the family has their own bottle and little excuse to get burnt. Keep one in the beach bag, one in the car and one in the picnic basket.

Tracks4Africa

Find them at stand R102

I’ve reviewed their range of awesome travel maps before (you can read the full review of the Tracks4Africa paper maps here) and am an avid fan (and shameless punter) of their app, which works offline and is full of useful features.

Check out the review of the Tracks4Africa app here as well as the best ways to mount your smart devices.