Consumer Technology

Apocalypse Tech

Apocalypse Tech

Don Farrall | Photographer's Choice | Getty Images

The overly anxious have spent much of this year dreading December 21. That's the day the ancient Mayan calendar ends , and many people have mistakenly concluded that it means the world will end on that day too.

The apocalypse has been prophesied many times before. It was forecast for 1999 by both Nostradamus and The Amazing Criswell. Christian radio programmer Harold Camping said it would occur twice in the 1990s, then in May 2011, only to see it postponed until that October.

Despite the fact that these predictions, along with all the others, came to nothing, there are still people who believe Friday will be Judgment Day. So for them, now is a good time to look into products that might come in handy on Saturday.

CNBC.com presents 10 products currently on the market that those fearing doomsday should keep in their bug-out bags.

By Daniel Bukszpan
Posted 20 Dec. 2012

6 Legged Tees Insect Repelling Shirt

Source: 6leggedtees.com

Surviving a planetary calamity is all fine and good, but it's only step one. Step two entails surviving the hazards of the post-apocalyptic world. Those who choose to retreat to dense jungle environments will have to contend with insect bites and the sometimes fatal diseases they carry.

The jungle-bound doomsday survivor can negotiate the unforgiving jungle terrain in style in the 6 Legged Tee, a t-shirt treated with Insect Shield repellent. According to the company's website, the repellent "works to keep away mosquitoes, ticks, flies, ants, and chiggers," and it remains effective through 70 wash cycles. Purchasing an adult-sized shirt requires donating $35 to the company through its Kickstarter page.

Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Kit

Source: gerbergear.com

Nobody knows what threats and challenges will exist in a post-apocalyptic dystopia. That's why it's a good idea to be as prepared as possible with a survival kit, such as the $52 Ultimate Kit from Gerber Gear.

The Ultimate Kit packs every conceivable piece of must-have survival gear into its 4.5'' x 5.0'' sheath. Among the tools included in the kit are wire cutters, a signaling mirror, waterproof matches and land-to-air rescue instructions.

LaCie XtremKey USB 3.0

Source: lacie.com

In a doomsday scenario, the need to protect sensitive data becomes greater than ever. LaCie, a computer hardware company headquartered in Switzerland, has manufactured a data storage system, the XtremKey USB 3.0, that seems up to the challenge.

In their quest to make this $85 USB the ultimate safe house for critical data, LaCie has subjected it to every conceivable test of its mettle, including exposure to frigid cold, blistering heat, fire, drops, shock and pressure. So if you survive a deluge of asteroids, your data will too.

G-Form Extreme Sleeve

Source: g-form.com

In the 1996 movie "Independence Day," mankind is saved from extermination by malevolent extraterrestrials, thanks to a computer virus uploaded from a laptop. As sterling a plan as this is, it would have been for naught had the laptop been dropped down a flight of stairs.

The G-Form Extreme Sleeve laptop case would have prevented such a scenario. The sleeve is made of a composite blend that stiffens on impact and absorbs 90% of the blow. The price for a 17-inch laptop cover is $100.

Roberts Terrain Radio

Source: robertsradio.co.uk

In the event that the apocalypse occurs, it's a good bet you'll need the same things that you'll need in any emergency. One such necessity is a radio, and the Roberts Terrain Radio is perfect for the end times.

Its seven watt amplifier and 6.5 inch speaker are ideal for listening to instructions from the authorities, and the microphone jack allows users to turn it into a public address system. This water-resistant $163 model also comes with an LED light.

PowerTrekk Fuel Cell Charger

Source: powertrekk.com

If major urban centers are consumed in lakes of fire, it will be hard to find a place to recharge your iPod. Luckily, the Swedish company PowerTrekk has manufactured a fuel cell charger that will give you ample juice wherever you are, just by adding water.

PowerTrekk Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Maria Willander said in an e-mail that the charger is currently only available in China, making it unavailable to U.S. apocalypse survivors. If, however, the Mayan apocalypse turns out to be a false alarm, U.S. residents will be able to get one for $264 in the first few months of 2013.

Lifesaver Jerrycan

Source: lifesaversystems.com

Being prepared for the apocalypse means meeting certain basic requirements. One such requirement is clean drinking water, and the Lifesaver company has invented the Jerrycan, which makes questionable water clean and pathogen-free.

According to the company's website, it "removes bacteria, viruses, cysts, parasites, fungi and all other microbiological waterborne pathogens — without chemicals." The Jerrycan ranges from five to 10,000 gallons of water purification capacity. This largest iteration is available for $700.

ioSafe SoloPRO SSD

Source: iosafe.com

If an asteroid hits the earth, there may only be time to save your data on a thumb drive. But if the apocalypse comes in a more leisurely form, you will have the luxury of saving a lot more. This is where the $1,500 ioSafe SoloPRO SSD external hard drive comes in.

Described on the company's website as "an aircraft black box for your data," it's fireproof, waterproof, crushproof and shockproof, and it will protect data from temperatures up to 1550F for 30 minutes. ioSafe also offers coverage in case of a flood, biblical or otherwise.

Panasonic Toughbook 53

Panasonic's Toughbook 53 model.
Source: panasonic.com

Heavyweight cases can protect valuable laptops, but Panasonic has cut out the middleman and made the Toughbook 53. This $2,100 laptop is military-certified for extreme conditions, making a case completely unnecessary.

According to the U.S. Armed Forces Mechanical Engineering Division, the Toughbook was subjected to tests of altitude, extreme temperature, humidity, dust, vibration and shock, and passed every time. So whatever calamity Armageddon serves up, this laptop can survive it.

BedBunker

Source: bedgunsafe.com

Surviving an apocalypse presents a dilemma. How do you safeguard an arsenal of weapons and furnish your bunker with homey decor at the same time? A Spokane-based company has answered this question with a product known as the BedBunker.

On the outside, it looks like any other luxurious bed. But what intruders don't know is that it comes with two rifle-capacity vaults, ideal for storing peacekeepers. The BedBunker has a 2 hour fire wall, in case the apocalypse survivor's home is subjected to attacks from rocket-propelled grenade launchers or napalm. The queen size version sells for $4,470.