{"id":1686,"date":"2019-09-10T19:43:14","date_gmt":"2019-09-11T00:43:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carcampingtips.com\/?p=1686"},"modified":"2023-08-08T21:18:25","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T02:18:25","slug":"how-to-play-xbox-while-camping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/how-to-play-xbox-while-camping\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Play Xbox While Camping: The Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I’ve wondered if it was possible to play Xbox while you were camping and how hard it would be to make it happen. I learned that it’s actually very possible, even in locations without electricity! Many balk at the concept of playing Xbox while camping, however, over 70% campers of people reported using a smartphone while they camped in 2017. It’s clear that most people rely on technology in one way or another even when we’re out in nature! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How can you play Xbox or another console while camping? Playing a console while camping requires power (the trickiest part), a screen for uneven surfaces, a secure location for your equipment, preparation to support offline play, a location with as little glare as possible, and audio equipment. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By far the most difficult part about play Xbox or other consoles while camping is getting power. While electrical outlets are a distinct possibility for many campsites, many locations have no chance of power. However, battery power is possible for lower power consoles such as the Xbox One S, but other means are necessary for more power-hungry consoles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*note* As I’m writing this, I’m noticing there are a lot of links to Amazon in this post. I am an Amazon Affiliate so I do get a commission if you buy these items through these links, however, my goal in writing this article is to give you options to solve a problem, and to be as helpful as possible. I like it, personally when I can see the tools to solve the problem, and so I hope that is helpful for you. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting Power: Finding Electrical Outlets While Camping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By far, the easiest, and simplest way to find power for your Xbox is to reserve campsites with electricity<\/strong>. The only piece of equipment for power that you need at that point is a power strip<\/strong> and an extension cord<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are some risks to think about concerning your electronics and these campsite outlets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not enough power<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many developed campgrounds offer a few campsite options, and many of those campsites have electrical outlets<\/strong>. For example, a campground might have 50 primitive campsites (with perhaps a picnic table or a camping pad), and 30 drive-in campsites with water and electricity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One thing the campground is counting on is that not everyone is using all of their electric capacity at once<\/strong>. You may run into this issue if you are camping alongside heavy electricity users and you may find that not enough amperage is available for your devices. This can actually be a dangerous situation for your electronics if they try to draw current that is not available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although rare, sometimes the voltage available could be thrown off for a number of reasons. You can use an outlet tester as is mentioned in the Grounding Issues section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grounding Issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trust but verify! It’s entirely possible that the outlet at your campsite is not wired properly or that overtime the outdoor conditions have created a non-ideal electrical connection, or that the GFCI functionality isn’t working anymore, etc. You can find wiring issues or ground fault problems with an inexpensive outlet tester<\/a> (see the price on Amazon).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No Campsites with Power Available<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you are going to a campground with electric sites, it’s not uncommon for these electric sites to get reserved farther in advance (it totally depends on the ratio of electric sites to primitive sites), so you may be up a creek without a paddle. Or rather, you might be in a tent with no electricity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Camping at a non-“campsite”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if you’re not camping at an established campground? Or what if the extent of the “amenities” is an outhouse? You are on your own for getting electricity at this point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tents with Power Ports<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One convenience problem with using an extension cord and your Xbox is that draping an extension cord through the door of your tent is a good way to let bugs into your tent and also trip your friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tent manufacturers have caught onto this, and many actually have power ports, which is basically an entrance that you can slip an extension cord through directly into the tent. See the ideal tents for gaming section down below for more info.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting Power: Gas Generators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sit down, friend, and take a camp chair. Have some spam. There’s a lot to learn about using a gas generator for your power needs while camping. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noisy Gas Generators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest problems with using a generator for electricity is noise<\/strong>. When you’re camping, you don’t have the noise of the freeway or the city to mask any sounds you’re making. Many campsites have quiet time starting at 10 PM,<\/strong> and after that, even normal conversation is heard loud and clear. While some might be in an RV, many others are in tents, and every noise travels really well through that thin layer of polyester or nylon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re wanting to use the generator in the evening time before quiet hours, there are actually generators with quiet in mind<\/strong>, so you can have as little noise impact as possible. The difference between a traditional open-frame generator and a quiet generator is significant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After some research, I’ve found that a generator that seems to shine in its noise levels and in its capacity is the Honda EU2100e generator<\/a> (see the price on Amazon) This generator provides plenty of power for any Xbox and any accessory you can think of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cheaper alternative is the Westinghouse iGen2200<\/a> generator (see the price on Amazon), and although this again will fulfill any gaming needs and then some, some say that the Honda does better under load and can handle more stress. I’d hope so since the Honda is twice as expensive at the time of this writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this video, this guy tests the noise level of several gas generators. There are some slight differences, surely, but the noise level of this style is comparable. For comparison, he fires up an open-frame generator and you can definitely<\/strong> hear how much louder it is than the others.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Ultimate Decibel & Load Test: Honda vs Generac, Energizer, Westinghouse, Champion & Coleman<\/div><\/div>
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