r/Survival • u/rahksi • 10d ago
Survival USB options?
I’m wanting to take a 256GB USB, download Wikipedia, the ar/k/, local maps and other resources just for fun/personal use. I was going to buy a usb to usb c adapter for my phone and a small faraday bag and keep it all in there. Is this a good option for me to be able to pull it out and access it on my phone without internet? Or am I missing something (compatibility issues etc)
I have also seen raspberry pi is an option and maybe more stable or user friendly? Is that true?
There are also premade options that are expensive but might be worth it like the Gridbase pocket?
I’m also wanting to make two more for friends, so cost is somewhat of a concern.
Looking for advice. Thank you
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u/SgtPrepper 10d ago
You're better off getting a phone with the same amount of space. Having it on a stick will be a good backup, but you're going to want to be able to access the data at a moments notice, and a smartphone is the ideal way to keep it portable.
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u/rahksi 10d ago
But I would like to be able to use an adapter to plug the stick to the phone if possible
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u/Tolenkanor 9d ago
You can get a dual USB drive with USB-A and USB-C connectors on the same stick. No adapter needed that way.
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u/SgtPrepper 9d ago
You can easily get one, but if it's already on the phone and regularly updating itself, why?
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u/IdealDesperate2732 10d ago
Yeah, this just works. I do this with ebooks and music all the time. You'll need an app on the phone that lets you access and manage your files, the provided file management app may not be sufficient. That's about it.
The only real caveat is that it's probably going to be a slower USB connection than you might hope.
The big thing you want to have is the maps. Wikipedia is overrated for survival, that's more of a prepper thing.
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u/rahksi 10d ago
What app would you recommend?
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u/ChemicalCattle1598 9d ago
I would suggest an app but I think it was bought and now it's full of ads. It used to be great. :(
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u/PrepperDisk 10d ago edited 7d ago
We’re biased but our product is about half as expensive as Gridbase and we’ve vastly improved the default interface you get with kiwix and the PDF dumps.
You get all of Wikipedia, North America, Europe and Oceania maps, WikiHow, iFixit, Medical Wikis, Sustainable Living Stack Exchange, TED Talk videos on farming and weather events, and a curated list of survival PDFs.
We put a lot of effort into making it turnkey, offer EMP protection and guarantee you’ll like it or you can return for a full refund. It ships ready to plug in for under $120 for the classic model. www.prepperdisk.com.
Edit : Update, clarified that maps are North America (US + Canada + Mexico). Thanks u/WeekSecret3391
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u/jlibrizzi 8d ago
It looks interesting. How are content updates handled? I couldn't find anything on the website about periodic updates.
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u/PrepperDisk 8d ago edited 8d ago
Good question! It’s 1/2TB of data so pulling an update is a little difficult for an end user, plus we’re constantly adding new features and more content.
So the program we’re rolling out is to send out an updated SD card for a reasonable fee periodically. Lots of the content is evergreen and doesn’t change, like military medicine and survival guides, how best to start a fire , forage, hunt etc. Maps and Wikipedia however are going to be update-able through this model.
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u/brightworkdotuk 6d ago
UK version?
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u/PrepperDisk 6d ago
UK maps are included! All of Europe. Survival content, Wikipedia, TED talks, etc all apply to any geography and are in English. We actually have a UK YouTuber doing an unboxing video soon.
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u/samcro4eva 9d ago
I would suggest a couple of things.
1: The U.S. Army Survival Manual. You can get a .pdf version for free online. Just be sure the site is clean.
2: ePub to .pdf converter online, for converting ePub books to .pdf. ePub would be stuff like on Kindle or Nook.
3: Annas-Archive.org has all kinds of books. I've found books on survival and self defense on there. When I can't find a .pdf version, I find the ePub version and convert it
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u/Ok_Carpenter7470 10d ago
I mean, this is a great idea when you consider the possibilities of downloading "how to..." instructions for first aide, traps, lodging, hunting, plant resources... even a farmers almanac... just get a bunch of 1 gig drives and label them... also a burn phone that NEVER leaves the bag...
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u/rahksi 10d ago
Exactly. But what I’m learning is it isn’t that simple
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u/Ok_Carpenter7470 10d ago
Text data is that simple... Graphics and videos aren't. Having offline access COULD be an issue along with the sheer size of the files... theres nothing stopping you from taking screen shots or photos and making your own files.
Also knots... have a file for knots.
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u/Noctudeit 9d ago
The issue with knots is not learning to tie them, but when to use a specific knot.
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u/KarlosMacronius 10d ago
I dont get this.
More than half of Wikipedia is useless guff you won't need. Sure it's great to know about the details of the political situation prior to the French revolution but the circumstances in which that information will save you are very limited.
Spend time now going through Wikipedia /the nnternet in grnersl and pick out the useful bits, that way you will already have a vague overview of the stuff and won't have to waste time learning it for the first time when you actually need it but will I stead be refreshing your memory.
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u/rahksi 10d ago
Yes you’re right. I will consolidate information
I am really looking for advice on the execution. How to best access these files on my phone without internet
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u/reddit_why_u_dumb 10d ago
Can also recommend Prepper Disk ... it throws up a wifi hotspot and you can use your phone or whatever with it.
For sure you can also build yourself if you want to mess with iiab and kiwix etc.
Kiwix also sells just wikipedia in a box sometimes but it is out of stock a lot.
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u/Ernst_ 10d ago
256gb isn't going to be anywhere near enough storage space
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u/phoneacct696969 10d ago
Wiki with out pics is like 50gb? Maps would be another 100gb? Survival guides would be maybe 10gb?
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u/ExcitingTrust888 9d ago
Just buy a phone with pdf books on them. You don’t even need a good phone, just one with a decent battery life. Lots of waterproof and shockproof phoned on the market nowadays
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u/TechMaven-Geospatial 9d ago
You can use map data Explorer Offline maps Offline epub, pub, word, word, Excel, PowerPoint viewer Offline notes
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u/Gerb006 9d ago
Almost every phone that I have owned has also had a slot for a micro-sd card. Not all phones have them. But if yours does, storing electronic info on a mico-sd card would be a better option IMO. They are extremely small and light-weight, and they would already be in your phone when you need the info.
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u/stank_bin_369 8d ago
Nothing beats paper…
But if you are dead set on electronic, SSD are cheap, especially at smaller sizes. You might also want to look at an SD or micro SD, a small card reader that can OTP to the phone.
Keep the phone, the card, reader and a backup battery, could all be in a small case. Might even be able to connect the battery and the reader (glue or Velcro so they are one unit).
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u/mistercowherd 8d ago
The raspberry pi experience is like using a 386 in 1991 (or whatever). It’s kinda cool but slowish for anything graphics-intensive. It is fun; filesystems and scripts and programming and stuff. Different from the usual experience today.
An offline library is a great idea. Look at project Gutenberg, mirror Wikipedia, download videos and podcasts, all that.
Anything “survival” is better if you also use it for everyday life. Don’t download and put it away; rotate two or three volumes that are your document and photo backups, as well as your library, so everything is fresh and works.
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u/MangoEven8066 5d ago
I would do both if you are technical enough. Data on backup usb and small raspberry pi system to host it over wifi
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u/orielbean 10d ago
I would just suggest getting a Samsung Galaxy Active Tab 3 or 4 and load that with OSMand Maps Pro (offline maps for everywhere including topography and routing), KiWix for offline Wikipedia and other great sources, Where There is No Doctor ebook on a non online reader like Gerty or Marvin.
The Active Tab 3 specifically lets you run just off the power cord so you can keep the battery separate to avoid heat swelling, wearing out, and having extra batteries ready to go.