A sampling of gear and accessories from some of Wildsam’s trusted partners.
Photo Credit: Midland
Midland
For adventurers, having a communications set up ensures peace of mind when traveling the open road. While cell phones are essential, they aren’t always reliable. Midland’s MXT275 MicroMobile Two-Way Radio brings powerful GMRS communication, making it the ideal base station to reach others instantly. Paired with the GXT67 Pro GMRS Walkie Talkie, connection in and out of the vehicle has never been easier. The ER50 Portable Emergency Radio brings real-time weather and emergency information to navigate changing conditions along the journey. Together, these communications tools bring safety while pushing the limits throughout outdoor adventure. midlandusa.com
Photo Credit: Nokian Tyres
Nokian Tyres
Nokian Tyres One reinforces every journey with pothole protection thanks to puncture-resistant Aramid fibers. Finnish innovation and American grit combine to form a rugged rubber compound that’s tough on potholes, smooth on the highway and keeps you safe in the moments that matter most. Designed in Finland, the Nokian Tyres One rolls out from Nokian Tyres’ award-winning Tennessee factory. This all-season tire is crafted for the demands of North American roads and ready for whatever lies on the road ahead. nokiantyres.com
California has made headlines in recent weeks thanks to some of its more controversial environmental regulations. For example, at the start of the year, the state’s Advanced Clean Trucks regulations kicked in, placing quotas on the sale of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) for RV and truck chassis manufacturers. That has led to some motorhomes and large trucks becoming unavailable while companies learn to navigate the new rules and meet ZEV standards. But recently, California’s Air Resource Board (CARB) backtracked on one proposed set of regulations by withdrawing a request to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval of the Advanced Clean Fleets rules, which looked to ban new diesel trucks and locomotives by 2036. Now, the organization has hit pause on another new set of regulations that banned the sale of gas generators.
Photo Credit: Pulsar
Late last week, CARB announced that it would temporarily lift its ban on the sale of portable gas generators, allowing consumers to purchase those devices through June 30, 2025. That means, over the next six months, generators that meet the EPA’s standards can be sold in the state, without having to meet the stricter California standards, which essentially required zero emissions. Those new regulatory standards went into effect in 2024 and also had an impact on the sale of tools like leaf blowers and lawnmowers.
The temporary pause on the regulations comes as a result of the Los Angeles wildfires, which to date have destroyed more than 16,000 homes and claimed the lives of over 30 people. The widespread damage from those fires has resulted in ongoing power outages, often lasting for days. And while large solar-powered battery banks from brands like EcoFlow, Jackery, and Bluetti can help keep the power on, those systems can be costly and time-consuming to deploy. Gas generators are quick and easy to set up and meet the temporary needs of most people, although they are somewhat noisy and produce emissions.
Photo Credit: Cummins
It is important to note that CARB defines a portable generator as one that produces 19 kilowatts of power or less. That means the units that are back on sale in the state are relatively small and compact, but will still provide power to those who need it. The board also lists a set of guidelines for manufacturers and retailers on its website.
Remember, CARB has not repealed its regulations on gas generators; it has only paused them in this time of emergency. If you find you need one of these devices, now is the time to grab one. Barring any unexpected circumstances, the ban will go back into effect on July 1, with these products once again disappearing from California store shelves.
It has been a lot of fun watching the portable power station market evolve over the past few years. As more and more brands have entered this increasingly competitive space, we’ve seen prices come down and performance go up. So much so, that high-end models can now power your entire house for days at a time, while smaller units have gotten incredibly affordable without sacrificing quality or convenience.
Such is the case with the EBL MP500, a compact charging solution designed to go wherever you want to take it. And while this model won’t power your RV while camping off-grid, it will keep your personal electronic devices charged while on the go. It also offers a few nice features that you wouldn’t expect at its price point, delivering a lot of value to customers.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Capacity and Output
If you know anything about naming conventions across the power station space, it should come as no surprise that the MP500 offers 500W of power output and has a 519.4Wh storage capacity. That makes it ideal for running mobile devices, laptops, and small appliances like a portable blender, camping lights, or an LCD TV. That convenience and flexibility make it ideal for use at home, but also at a campsite, while tailgating, or anywhere else you may need a little extra portable power.
The MP500 is equipped with multiple charging ports, including two 120V AC wall outlets, dual 14V DC barrel ports, a 12V DC car port, three USB-A QC 3.0 ports, and a single USB-C 60W PD port. If you’ve read any of our previous power station reviews, you’ll probably already know that we’d prefer at least one or two more USB-C ports. But EBL makes up for that discrepancy to a degree by including a 10W wireless charging pad on the top of the MP500. This allows the unit to charge or power up to ten devices at the same time, which is an impressive number given its price point.
All of those specs and features mean the MP500 can recharge a smartphone 40+ times or a laptop up to ten times. It also allows it to run an electric fan for as much as 12 hours or a smart TV for seven hours. Considering the unit’s size and weight, those are fairly impressive numbers. EBL says the compact power station can even run a mini-fridge for 11 hours or an electric blanket for three hours.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Three Charging Options
EBL gives owners three options for recharging the MP500 itself. Those include plugging it into a standard 120V home outlet or the 12V DC port in your vehicle. Alternatively, you can also add a solar panel to the mix, which can replenish the power station’s battery while traveling off-grid, greatly extending its usefulness in the process.
While using solar panels, the MP500 can be recharged in a respectable 7-9 hours depending on the conditions. Using a 12V DC port requires about 7-8 hours, which is fairly typical for the size and capacity of this model. But we were somewhat underwhelmed by the charging speeds while using the included AC adapter plugged into a 120V wall outlet. That required more than six hours to fully replenish the battery, which is considerably slower than some of the competition.
And while we’re on the subject of batteries, EBL uses a lithium-ion power cell in this device, while most competitors have moved on to lithium-iron phosphate or LiFePO4. Lithium-ion tends to be slightly lighter and has more energy density, but it isn’t as safe nor does it have as long of a lifespan as LiFePO4. For most users, this difference isn’t likely to be noticeable, but it is still worth pointing out.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Durable, Versatile, and Portable
When designing the MP500 power station, EBL got a lot right. For instance, the unit is surprisingly small, measuring just 11.5 x 7.95 x 7.64 inches. It also weighs a shade under 15 pounds, although it actually feels lighter in hand. That’s probably due—in part—to the built-in, folding handle, which makes the device easy to carry around.
The MP500’s casing is also suitably durable, making it ideal for use outdoors. We especially liked the rubberized bumpers located on its corners, which provide good protection from accidental drops and getting jostled about in an RV storage compartment. That said, at first glance, this power station does resemble the models produced by another popular brand. I also couldn’t find an IPX dust or waterproofing rating either, which means I wouldn’t want to accidentally leave it out in the rain.
Other features of note include a built-in LED light that makes a good source of illumination at the campsite. As with most other power stations, the MP500 comes with a built-in LCD display for monitoring current battery levels and power in and out. That screen isn’t as sophisticated or flashy as those found on some of the competition, but it is easy to read and more than gets the job done.
Photo Credit: EBL
Closing Thoughts
Overall, we’re quite impressed with the EBL MP500 power station. Sure, we would have liked to have seen faster charging via the AC adapter, and a LiFePO4 battery would add extra longevity to the device. But this model is a testament to how far the industry has come in recent years, delivering excellent performance and solid features at an affordable price.
So what exactly is that price? The MP500 sells for just $379 (on sale for $289 as of press time), making it a portable power solution that is within reach for most customers. Whether that means you want emergency back-up power at home, on-the-go power for camping or tailgating, or additional charging capabilities in your RV, this small and lightweight model will fit your needs perfectly without breaking the bank.
In the RV world, power is not absolute. If you drive a Class C or Class A, your ride will likely be equipped with an onboard generator. Same goes for most toy haulers. But many rigs—including fifth-wheels and small travel trailers—do not come standard with built-in generators, which means travelers are often hunting for juice to run air conditioning, televisions and other large electronics.
If you’re staying at an RV park, you’ll likely be able to plug into shore power. But further out?
Photo Credit: Honda
“Generators really come into play for people who boondock or do wilderness camping,” says Chris Kapperman, an RV expert and Youtuber who reviews products and shows RVers how to implement important modifications. For those seeking a boost, here are a few
options—and the type of traveler they best serve.
Gas-powered inverter generators, like the Honda EU22OOi, are among the most ubiquitous power solutions on the market. While they range in size, many options are lightweight and can power electronics for up to six hours on one tank of gas. While there are many diesel options on the market, too, they’re often larger and less portable than gas-powered units. Best for: Campers and tailgaters who don’t mind a little noise.
Photo Credit: Pulsar
Dual fuel generators, which run on gasoline or liquid propane, are increasingly popular. By using LP on generators like the Pulsar PG2200BIS, campers can employ a more efficient and not-too-loud power source. Liquid propane produces less power than gas, but is typically still enough to power an RV’s electronics. Best for: Less noise and more convenience.
While most RVers will find that 2,000 watts is all they need to run A/C, some may seek a power source that produces 3,000-5,000 watts to run appliances continually while replenishing their house batteries. Options abound, but are neither cheap nor lightweight. On the other hand, many car campers might get by with smaller solar power stations. “There are different levels,” Kapperman says. “It really depends on your RV lifestyle.”
The votes are in, and the results have been tabulated. Once again, the readers of Wildsam (and RV.com) have spoken. Over the past few months, you’ve shared your picks for the best RV brands, accessory manufacturers, campgrounds, national parks, and a variety of other categories. Who took home the prestigious gold, silver, and bronze awards? Find out below.
Gold: Relaxing
Silver: Sightseeing
Bronze: Hiking
Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to our readers who shared their thoughts and opinions.
The post The 2024 Wildsam Readers’ Choice Award Winners appeared first on RV.com.
