I’ve always preferred to spend the summer in Vancouver, rather than taking a trip somewhere else. Best to do that when the skies are grey. And gone are the days when you needed to retreat to a dark room or basement just to see a video screen. The quality of LCDs on devices both big and small is such that the sun no longer forces us geeks into hiding. My pasty complexion no longer comes from spending all my time indoors, but from liberally applied sunscreen.

This summer when I’m roaming the city having one (mis)adventure after another, I’ll be carrying some tools and gadgets in my utility belt and self-powered Batmobile. (Okay, it’s a bike, but it’s painted black and it’s turbocharged. Don’t ask.) Here’s a rundown of what’s in my kit.

Most important is the UV monitor, especially here in Vancouver, where we have so many sunny days (ha-ha). The monitor (there are many available, including a $25 model from Oregon Scientific; check electronics retailers) tells you how many rads the sun is bombarding you with. It’s a handy tool, especially since the technique I used in the past to determine the sun’s rad count was to leave a patch of skin uncovered. When it hurt to the touch, I knew it was time to get my carcass indoors. Not only is having the monitor track the danger less painful, I’m told it’s also safer.

In hot weather, it’s important to keep hydrated, and I haven’t—and don’t want to—become accustomed to body-temperature Red Bull, so it’s important to keep the nectar cool. One gadget that helps keep fluids cold is the ubiquitous USB beverage chiller, which you can plug into your laptop at the beach. But be careful—those things burn through battery power as fast as ice cream melts through your waffle cone and onto your media player.

If you’re going to be hanging out in one spot for any length of time, you can bring a portable icemaker. (A $300 model is available at Home Depot.) This could be a real moneymaker if you set up in a good spot—Wreck Beach, maybe? If you’re heading to a somewhat isolated location like that, your electricity supply becomes important. It’s a good idea to get yourself a good, efficient generator, since those piddly solar- and wind-powered rechargers just don’t pump out enough juice. The diesel units are best because you only need to fill them once every couple of days. Your friendly neighbourhood Canadian Tire can recommend the best generator for you.

One of my favourite summer pastimes is partaking in barbecues at Spanish Banks. Since people tend to find me strange and off-putting, there are a few strategies I adopt in order to participate in such gatherings. One is to sidle up next to the largest group and pretend that I’m one of the fringe guests. Another is to target smaller groups, the rationale being that maybe they need more friends. The most successful method, though, is to hover near a group of people who are tricked out like I am and start hauling out gadgets. That usually wins me an invite.

Key buoys are a lifesaver for those times when you decide, for one reason or another, to take a dip. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost the key to my laptop lock at the bottom of English Bay. When these gadgets start sinking, they pop open to release a self-inflating tube that bobs your keys to the surface. You can find the best fob for you at any of the boating shops on Granville Island. Adding a waterproof housing for my USB jump drive means that my configuration files are also protected, even if my swimming trunks slip off as I’m showing off my diving prowess. The best place to get these is a sporting-goods shop that has the latest fishing gear.

When the evening sets in and the mosquitoes make an appearance, which is more of a concern when you trek inland—to Deer Lake Park, for example—the best gadget of them all is the mosquito trap. It lures the pesky buggers using oscillating lights, odours, and the slow release of carbon dioxide. You can get Mega-Catch traps on-line at www.megacatch.com/.

So, save yourself the cost of a plane ticket, time spent waiting in lineups at security checkpoints, and having to deal with border-guard arrogance. Spend your summer in sunny Vancouver, and let technology improve the experience.