Features (Table Stakes)

User context: Ford E350 shuttle-bus RV conversion. 3× ECO-WORTHY Cubix100 48V 100Ah LiFePO₄ = 14.4 kWh bank (~11.5 kWh usable @ 80% DoD), 5 kW inverter, 30A shore, solar pending. Events: Burning Man/BRC, Saguaro Man, regional burns, RTR, 14 music festivals. Playa alkaline dust, constant wind (typical 10-25 mph, gusting higher), summer heat, remote boondocking.

Research date: 2026-09-24. Features verified against 2026 product/regulatory landscape via websearch + vendor pages.

Gear items: 1) fat-tire e-trike, 2) photo/video drone, 3) RC car, 4) LED kite, 5) ~24” low-power TV/monitor.

1. Electric Trike (3 fat wheels) — Event Transport

Regulatory reality check (affects everything below): BRC limits PTVs/e-bikes to Class 1 & Class 2 only (≤20 mph top speed), functional pedals REQUIRED, 2-4 wheels allowed, motor ≤750W under Nevada law (applies at BRC on BLM land). Speed limit is 5 mph everywhere in BRC — this is a cruiser/errand vehicle, not a speed machine. E-bikes are the #1 complaint category post-event; speeding risks confiscation or a class-wide ban. City is 4-6 miles across; deep playa art is miles from camp. At other events (regionals, RTR, festivals) rules are looser, but the same vehicle is used everywhere — design for BRC. (Sources: burningman.org e-bikes page, class 1/2 + pedals + ≤20mph + 5-mph rule; Jagerbikes guide, Nevada 750W law.)

Table Stakes (must-have)

| Feature | Why (this user) | |—|—| | Functional pedals (real crank + chain) | Hard requirement at BRC. Throttle-only trikes (many “e-tricycle” offerings like Gyroor C5 sell paddle-less throttle models) are illegal as PTVs there. HIGH confidence — burningman.org. | | ≤750W motor | Nevada law / BRC PTV legal ceiling. A 750W hub motor is the right ceiling anyway — torque > speed for soft playa. HIGH. Jagerbikes: Nevada e-bike law. | | Top speed ≤20 mph (Class 1/2) | BRC allowance. Not a constraint in practice — 5 mph limit. HIGH. | | Fat tires (3-4”+) | Playa = soft alkaline dust. Jagerbikes (playa rental operator since 2015): “Fat tires (4”+) float over soft playa; thin tires sink and slip.” 3” min, 4”+ preferred for deep playa. HIGH. | | Step-through / low standover frame | Dust + heat = climbing over a tall top tube is brutal. All 2026 fat trikes (Addmotor, GOBIKE, sixthreezero) are step-through — buy one that is. MEDIUM (vendor design consensus). | | Removable battery | Charge off-trike indoors/secure, swap spares, and remove from playa dust + heat when parked. Addmotor sells batteries separately ($699/20Ah); Meet One Tour 2.0 markets removable + 10A charger. HIGH. | | Battery ≥48V 15Ah (~700Wh) nameplate | 9-day event, trips to deep playa multiple times nightly. Playa range reality (soft sand, wind, dust) is 50-60% of street range claims. 15Ah minimum; 20Ah (Addmotor M-330 style, 85 mi PAS1 claim) or dual-battery (GOBIKE FORZA 112 mi dual) preferred. HIGH (Jagerbikes S3 rental: 13.6Ah = ~20 mi event range; vendors: Addmotor, GOBIKE, Meet One). | | Rear cargo platform/basket | Costco runs, ice, water jugs, art supplies, passenger-carrying for others. 50-110 lb basket ratings typical (Viribus SC5: 110 lb). Trike is the camp truck. HIGH. | | Hub motor (vs mid-drive/chain) | Jagerbikes: “Hub motors resist dust better than chains”; playa destroys derailleurs/chains within 4-5 days (BMR journal: “avoid cable brakes and gears”). Belt/single-speed or IGH (internal gear hub) preferred over exposed derailleur. HIGH. | | Sealed bearings / sealed bottom bracket, enclosed drivetrain | Playa dust kills open bearings. BMR journal: sealed BB recommended, avoid visible ball bearings. HIGH. | | Integrated LED lighting (front + rear) | Night riding mandatory at burns — dark + vehicle traffic. Every 2026 playa rental (Jagerbikes S3) lists LED lighting as standard. HIGH. | | Locking provision (integrated lock or u-lock mount) | BM says e-bikes are thief magnets. Dedicated transport lock needed at camp. HIGH (burningman.org survival guide: “If you stop it, lock it”). |

Nice-to-Have

Dual/tandem passenger seat or hitch (Meet One Tour 2.0: 550 lb payload, dual rear seat, trailer hitch) — carrying friends is the trike’s social superpower.
Foldable/folding option (Citytan M-315, GOBIKE FORZA Compact) — but folds add failure points in dust; only worth it if storage in the E350 is tight.
Suspension (front fork at minimum) — playa is washboard; full-suspension Meet One Tour 2.0 example.
Hydraulic disc brakes (Meet One, GOBIKE FORTE) — 180mm hydros stop 300+ lb loaded trike in dust; mechanical discs are the acceptable floor, rim brakes are not.
Throttle (Class 2) — legal at BRC per official rules; throttle from a standstill in deep playa soft spots saves legs. Ignore “Class 1 only” blog claims — burningman.org explicitly allows Class 1 AND 2. MEDIUM.
High-visibility flag + 360° reflector wrap — cheap, prevents art-car/dust-cloud collisions at night.
20A battery v2 or dual battery — doubles event range; changes economics if you only charge every 2-3 days.

Dealbreakers

| Feature | Why | |—|—| | No/vestigial pedals | Illegal at BRC, period. Confiscation risk at gate. HIGH. | | >750W rated motor | Illegal at BRC (Nevada law). “Peak 1000W” marketing also flags risk — rated power is what counts, but high-peak begs attention. HIGH. | | Class 3 (28 mph) or speed-unlocked | Automatically prohibited at BRC; speed-bump tuners get you evicted. HIGH. | | Exposed derailleur + cable brakes + open bearings | Will fail day 4-5 on playa per every playa bike guide (BMR journal, Jagerbikes). Repair camps won’t touch e-bikes. HIGH. | | Toyspec / unknown-brand drivetrain with no spare parts channel | If it breaks on playa you’re walking 3 miles in the dark. Prefer brands with US distribution (Addmotor, Pedego, GOBIKE, Meet One) + bring own tools. MEDIUM. | | Non-removable battery + AC-only charger | Locks you to shore/AC infrastructure; user’s bank is 48V DC and the whole point is remote boondocking. HIGH. | | Built-in fixtures you can’t clean (e.g., permanently enclosed battery/frame cavities) | Playa dust + moisture = corrosion you can’t remediate (playa care guide: dust hardens when wet; pre-wash with soft brush, vinegar+soap post-event). MEDIUM. |

Direction: Addmotor Triketan M-330 ($1,899, 750W rear hub, 48V 20Ah Samsung, step-through, pedals) or GOBIKE FORTE ($2,199, 750W, 18Ah option, hydros, baskets) as shortlist leads — verify pedals + BRC compliance per unit before purchase. MEDIUM confidence on price snapshots; verify at purchase time.

Used Purchase Guide (FB Marketplace, $750–1,000)

Why it works here: the research pick (Lectric XP Trike 2 750) retails $1,799; used XP Trike / Trike 2 units land at $750–1,200. The same BRC/feature filter applies — the trike is used at the same events regardless of age. Buying used ≠ relaxing the spec; it means paying 40–60% of retail for a unit that still passes every Table Stake.

Used-market value targets (in range): | Model | Retail | Used signal | Notes | |—|—|—|—| | Lectric XP Trike / Trike 2 750 | $1,799 | $750–1,200 (ask) | The known quantity — torque sensor, hydraulic discs, ~850Wh pack. Battery replacement ≈ $300–400 must be priced into the deal | | Mooncool TK1 | $1,199 | ~$800–1,000 | Budget fallback; cadence sensor = jerky at BRC’s 5 mph crawl |

Same 4-point BRC filter, verified in person (non-negotiable — Gate confiscates):

Working pedals that actually drive the wheels (pedal the trike 20 ft unpowered in person)
Motor nameplate ≤750W — read the label; FB sellers mislabel “peak” as rated
Top speed ≤20 mph (Class 1/2) — check display/controller settings; speed-unlocked = eviction risk
No exposed derailleur; hub motor; sealed bearings; fat tires ≥3”

Battery = #1 risk on any used electric vehicle. Li-ion ages fast in heat; BRC summer + storage in a van degrades packs out of proportion to age:

Ask seller: pack age, charge cycles (if known), how it was stored (never at 100% in heat = good sign, always shore-charged/left hot = red flag)
Pull the pack; inspect case for swelling, sag, cracks, corrosion on the contacts
Test: full charge before you arrive, then ride 2–3 mi on assist level where you’d actually ride; watch for voltage sag (display % dropping faster than miles), motor cutout under load, or a pack that needs >4–5 h to reach full
A weak pack reads clean at low load and dies on playa’s soft-sand climbing — treat “I only ever used level 1” as a warning, not a comfort
Budget a $300–700 replacement pack into the offer if pack age >2 yr or unknown
Removable battery still required (must come off nightly for temp/security per ARCHITECTURE.md §Security)

Physical inspection walkthrough (18-point):

Frame: step-through, no cracks/welds stress (fat-tire trikes flex hard; check rear cargo-triangle welds)
Wheels: spokes tight, rims true, no playa-alkali pitting; inflated, not weather-cracked
Brakes: hydraulic = bleed condition + pad wear; mechanical = cable/sheath for dust grit + pad wear. Rebuilt hydros ≈ $60–100 parts
Bearings: lift each wheel, spin — no grind/rattle; headset + bottom bracket no play (playa dust kills these first)
Drivetrain: hub motor — spin free, no regen-drag complaints “always feels slow”; belt/chain condition if present
Motor: listen at full assist on 1st gear — whine is normal, grinding/clunking is not
Controller/display: no dead segments; cable connectors sealed (not taped); fires up cold
Throttle + PAS both work; torque vs cadence behavior matches what the frame style implies
Lights: front/rear working (BRC night-riding mandatory)
Charger: original, not spliced; plug + pack socket contact clean (corroded socket = dust/alkali ingress history)
Keys: battery lock + whatever frame lock; two keys each; replacement parts channel exists (Lectric/Mooncool sell battery keys)
Rust: structural only → walk; surface → fine. No bottom-bracket/headset pitting
Cleanliness: caked playa dust in battery cavity/controller = user ignored dust protocol → walk; clean gear = cared-for gear
History: ask “why selling” — upgrades to a motorcycle-class trike or selling after 1 event are fine; “stopped working / shop couldn’t fix” is a walk
Receipt: original purchase date if available (warranty transfer, battery age)
Cargo basket present/ratings — the camp-truck function is the point
Weight ≤ ~110 lb (fits rack/ramp + payload math, per ARCHITECTURE.md §Weight vs E350)
Folding frame preferred (bus storage); non-folding fine if storage planned

Deal-framing: battery age/unknown cycles = price anchor. A $1,000 trike needing a $450 pack is really a $1,450 trike with degraded range — model that before you negotiate. Walk on anything failing the BRC filter or with open-bearing/exposed-chain drivetrain (playa death in one event, per BMR journal).

Post-purchase immediate spend (~$120): new battery if pack suspect, spare inner tube + tire levers, chain/belt lube + dust cover, u-lock, AirTag in frame (ARCHITECTURE.md §Security), battery-key duplicate. Verified failure mode: rear inner bearings — repack/grease after event per STACK.md dust protocol.

2. Drone — Photo/Video

Strategic warning: DJI flew onto the FCC “Covered List” Dec 2025. New DJI models can no longer be FCC-authorized or imported/sold in the US. Pre-existing FCC-authorized models (DJI Air 3S, Mini 4 Pro, Mavic 3 Pro) remain legal to buy/own/fly while retail stock lasts. Models released after the action (Mini 5 Pro is effectively unavailable in the US; WIRED Dec 2025 called it “nearly impossible to acquire”) should be treated as unavailable. Buy an FCC-authorized model NOW, from an authorized retailer (djiusa.com explicitly: covered-list post does not affect pre-authorized models), or pivot to US-clearable brands (Potensic, Autel, HoverAir). (HIGH — fcc.gov July 2026 fact sheet, djiusa.com, WIRED, DroneDJ.)

Table Stakes (must-have)

| Feature | Why (this user) | |—|—| | Wind resistance ≥ 12 m/s (27 mph) rated | Playa wind 10-25 mph typical, gusts higher. DJI Air 3S and Mavic 4 Pro both spec 12 m/s; Mini-series and Flip “more affected by wind” per Wirecutter (14 mph test) and jvn.photo (“too light… struggle in strong winds, faster battery drain”). On playa, under-spec’d wind = footage ruined + flyaway risk. HIGH (Drone U April 2026: Air 3S best wind value at $1,099; official DJI specs). | | ≥720g weight class | Wind stability tracks mass. Air 3S = 720g, Mavic 4 Pro = 1,063g. Sub-250g Mini drones are the wrong tool for open desert wind. MEDIUM-HIGH. | | 3-axis mechanical gimbal | Non-negotiable for usable video in wind (Wirecutter: “essential if you want usable footage”). HIGH. | | ≥1” main sensor, 4K/50-60p, 10-bit RAW stills | Playa light is brutal noon sun + dusk golden hour + night fire shots. 1” sensor (Air 3S) renders dust texture, handles low light post-sunset. Air 3S is the price/quality sweet spot per 3 independent 2026 reviews (PCMag, Wirecutter, jvn.photo). HIGH. | | ND filter set (ND8-64, per-model) | ND filters explicitly called “essential” by WIRED for bright-sun shutter control; playa is a white alkali reflector — harshest light you’ll shoot in. $15-50 aftermarket (STARTRC etc.). HIGH. | | Return-to-home + GPS + battery % alert | Open desert = featureless; RTH is the recovery mechanism when wind pushes range. HIGH (PCMag buying guide). | | Landing pad (accessory, not drone feature) | Deserts injure drones: sand in motors sticks gimbals (mavicpilots real-world threads: “sand in motors… one is stuck”), sand on obstacle cameras. A landing pad + hand-launch/hand-catch is standard desert practice. HIGH. | | Buy before Dec-2025 models vanish / verify FCC ID | The big one for 2026: availability collapse is real. If buying DJI, buy an already-FCC-authorized model immediately from an authorized dealer; verify the FCC ID before payment. HIGH. | | Folding arms, ≤1kg total kit | E350 bus interior + rental-car/RV storage. Air 3S folds flat ~bottle size. HIGH. |

Nice-to-Have

Omnidirectional obstacle sensing (Air 3S, Mavic 4 Pro) — BUT: on playa, dust cakes sensors; obstacle avoidance degrades in white-outs. Treat as crash insurance in clear air, never as permission to fly blind. MEDIUM.
Second camera (70mm tele) (Air 3S) — compressed-distance art shots of the city; genuinely useful at BRC scale.
Battery > 40 min (Mavic 4 Pro 51 min; real-world 35-40 in wind per Drone U) + multi-battery “Fly More” combo (WIRED: DJI bundles are quality).
Find My Drone / beeper (newer DJI) — playa MOOP is a felony-ish offense at BRC; finding your crashed drone matters ethically + $1500.
Portable recharging power bank (WIRED recommendation) — field-charge batteries. Note: user’s RV IS the power bank; skip.
ActiveTrack follow-me — fun at regionals; redundant at BRC (dense city, 5 mph roads).

Dealbreakers

| Feature | Why | |—|—| | <250g class / Mini-series / Neo as primary drone | Wind fails playa spec; one 25 mph gust = flyaway into deep playa, gone, big MOOP. If budget forces Micro, it’s a regional-events-only drone, NOT BRC. HIGH. | | No gimbal / single-axis stabilization | Footage unusable in 15+ mph wind. HIGH. | | Model released post-Dec-2025 without FCC authorization (Mini 5 Pro, others) | Cannot be lawfully imported/sold in US; grey-market buy = no warranty/service, confiscation risk. HIGH. | | No RTH / sketchy geofence compliance at BRC | BRC sits in restricted airspace zones (Gerlach area); mainstream consumer drones have RID + geofencing; hobbyist FPV naked builds risk enforcement + loss in open playa. MEDIUM. | | Chinese brand other than DJI with no service channel | If FCC action tightens further (July 2026 rulemaking continues), you want a brand with US warranty service. Prefer DJI-authorized/dealer-bought, Potensic, Autel, or HoverAir. MEDIUM. |

Direction: DJI Air 3S (~$1,099, Fly More combo) — the consensus 2026 pick for wind + camera at price; buy ASAP while FCC-authorized stock lasts. Fallback: Potensic Atom 2 (cheap, US-legal-ish) for zero-wind days only; never as primary. Mavic 4 Pro only if budget is fat and flying is a hobby priority. HIGH confidence on Air 3S being the right class; MEDIUM on specific availability at purchase time (check djiusa.com / UAV Coach availability lists).

3. RC Car — Toy

Playa context: car is a toy, duties are (a) bashing on open playa near camp, (b) evening/night running with LEDs, (c) surviving dust + alkaline + heat. Not a BRC-regulated vehicle (no pedals — it’s a toy, not a PTV; nobody will let 50 mph toys run near people — bashing happens on open playa away from city, dashes are 3-4 am deep-playa jaunts).

Table Stakes (must-have)

| Feature | Why (this user) | |—|—| | Brushless motor + ESC, hobby-grade | Brushless = sealed stator, no brushes to ingest dust, “built to resist dust, water, and mud” (EuroRC), 85-95% efficiency vs 75-80% brushed (RC Cars Guide 2026), runs cooler in 105°F heat. Brushed on playa = motor replacement mid-event. HIGH. | | Waterproof electronics (at least IPX4, ideally full waterproof radio box) | Dust mitigation standard; also survives post-playa vinegar hose-down (Jagerbikes playa cleaning protocol). Traxxas/Arrma factory waterproofing is the benchmark. HIGH. | | Closed/bell diff housings + sealed bearings throughout | Playa dust is abrasive; open diffs = sandpaper paste. Sealed bearings are a playa requirement per every playa bike/kart guide — same physics. MEDIUM-HIGH. | | 4WD + big ground clearance (monster truck / truggy / buggy body style) | Playa = soft powder with crust; 2WD street tires dig in. 1/10 scale 4WD is the bashing sweet spot (RC Car World, zamd.net 2026 lists; HYPER GO, WIAORCHI, AMORIL all 4WD brushless RTR). HIGH. | | RTR (Ready-to-Run) with LiPo battery + charger included | User is not an RC hobbyist — wants open-box-to-playa. But: ship from brands with parts support (Traxxas, Arrma, Losi; budget: HYPER GO, WIAORCHI). MEDIUM. | | Spare parts availability (US) for at least: axles, A-arms, shock towers, wheels | Playa bashing breaks things; a dead RC is dead weight at 14 festivals. Traxxas = best parts network; Arrma good; no-name Amazon brands = gamble. HIGH. | | Foam/airless or paddle-tread tires + spare wheel set | Standard foam tires survive sand play better than rubber; paddle-style tires (WIAORCHI sells paddle set for snow/sand) give traction on playa crust. Spares cheap insurance. MEDIUM. | | Dust-resistant receiver box / 2.4GHz radio | 2.4GHz = multi-car friendly at camp. Sealed RX box keeps playa out of the electronics core. HIGH. |

Nice-to-Have

LED lighting kit (factory or add-on) — night bashing is the playa illusion; Traxxas/Arrma/Losi factory LED setups exist (Traxxas UDR waterproof LED lighting). HIGH value per dollar.
3S LiPo capability + second battery — ~2x run time (55Wh class); ease: Fly-More-style battery pairs (DEERC/truggy options include batteries).
Crash-absorbing chassis design (bumper, wheelie bar) — playa crust has hidden ruts; bigger cars (1/8, 1/10) absorb hits better than 1/16-1/18.
Gyro/stability assist (Rlaarlo, WIAORCHI) — helps in dust + packed dirt.
Compact 1/16 scale (HYPER GO H16BM) if storage space in E350 tight — but expect rougher rides and more stuck-in-soft-sand moments. MEDIUM.

Dealbreakers

| Feature | Why | |—|—| | Toy-grade / non-hobby (no replacement parts, no service) | Will die day 2-3; you can’t get spares in Nevada desert. HIGH. | | Brushed motor + open-can design | Dust ingestion = rebuilds; heat + dust = permanent damage in one event. HIGH. | | Non-waterproof ESC/servo | One post-playa wash or moist dust clump = dead servo/ESC. HIGH. | | 2WD low-clearance street chassis | Playa crust + soft spots = constant digging out; sucks the fun out. HIGH. | | >1/8 scale (30-60 lb class) | Overkill; storage weight in the bus; also 50+ mph rockets near camps = liability + injury risk (BRC injury sensitivity extends to toys). MEDIUM. |

Direction: 1/10-scale 4WD brushless monster truck/truggy RTR, waterproof, with factory LED option — Traxxas (Stampede/MAXX line) or Arrma (Granite/Big Rock) for parts support; HYPER GO / WIAORCHI as budget (<$200) alternatives with decent parts availability. Pair with foam tire set + spare A-arms + sealed-bearing refresh kit. HIGH confidence on brushless+4WD+waterproof as the feature core.

4. LED Kite — Evening Flying

Playa reality: constant wind (10-25 mph, gusts beyond), alkaline dust, night = total darkness. Kite assets: portable, cheap, zero power draw at camp, huge visual payoff at dusk/night. Category splits three ways: (a) LED-addon to a normal kite (LED strips, flasher kits), (b) purpose-built LED kites/line-laundry (inflatable LED fish/octopus, LED tube tails), (c) LED RC flying wings (ZOHD Orbit Neon) — technically an RC plane, not a kite; different skill/power footprint.

Table Stakes (must-have)

| Feature | Why (this user) | |—|—| | Wind range suiting playa (≥5-20 mph, up to 25+ mph rated) | Playa blows 10-25 typical. X Kites Dragon AW (7-15 mph) is the floor; purpose kite line (inflatable/sparred deltas, line-laundry) handles 5-25. A kite that only flies 7-15 mph = dead half the time on playa. HIGH (xkites.com spec; playa wind norms). | | Ripstop nylon/poly sail (not paper/plastic) | Playa gusts shred cheap plastic sails; ripstop nylon standard on anything hike-worthy (X Kites all-nylon). HIGH. | | LED system with OWN battery (not kite-body-integrated only) | Kite LEDs run on coin cell / AA / small LiPo with on/off switch + replaceable battery (fkite.com flasher: 6-288 LEDs, 20 h battery, on/off switch; FireFly strips 3.7-6V). In a 9-day event you need removable/rechargeable lighting; kite sits in dust/wind all week. MEDIUM-HIGH. | | Brightness sufficient at 100-200 ft altitude | Flasher-style (fkite: “bright enough to look spectacular at dusk”; Fly It Port A: LED tube tails 10-30 m) — the whole point is dusk/night visibility from camp. Cheap dim strips are disappointments. MEDIUM. | | Repairable / replaceable frame & line (fiberglass spars, included line) | Playa crashes + line snags happen; fiberglass spars (X Kites) bend instead of shatter; bring spare line. MEDIUM. | | Packable: breaks down to <24” storage | E350 interior space is premium; kites stow in a bag. HIGH (vendor: all standard kites fold; line-laundry inflates). |

Nice-to-Have

LED tube tail (10-30 m, ~$67-130) — the playa-canon look: giant glowing serpent flying at night; huge charm factor, works in 5-25 mph (Fly It Port A). Extremely high social payoff per dollar. MEDIUM.
Inflatable line-laundry (LED fish/octopus, $160-525) — showpiece; insanely visible; but big + pricier + more dust surface to clean. Only if budget loves the idea. LOW (single-vendor category — Fly It Port A; niche market).
Wind-powered LEDs (DIY wind-turbine kite) — zero batteries, geek cred (instructables classic) — but fragile and finicky; treat as weekend project, not primary. LOW.
Second LED set as field spare — dust + crashes kill LEDs; $7-16 strips (FireFly, Aloft Hobbies) make spares trivial. HIGH value.
2-line control for stunt kites w/ LEDs — more drama, more skill; regional-burn favorite. MEDIUM.

Dealbreakers

| Feature | Why | |—|—| | Panel/paper/fragile sail kites (child-grade) | Playa gusts + dust = destroyed by day 2. HIGH. | | Wind range max <20 mph | Playa regularly exceeds it; kite dies while the wind screams. HIGH. | | LEDs not replaceable / battery non-swappable | Week-long event + dust = LED death mid-burn with no fix. HIGH. | | Metal-frame kites (aluminum/carbon sparse) | Carbon OK if quality; but metal spars corrode from alkaline dust + bend-snap in gusts; fiberglass standard is fine. MEDIUM. | | Anything requiring AC power to charge at camp | Extra inverter draw when AA/coin-cell/USB-C battery kits cost nothing to run. LOW-MEDIUM. |

Direction: Buy two items: (1) solid ripstop delta/parafoil (5-25 mph class, fiberglass spars) + aftermarket LED strip/flasher kit with swappable battery — the workhorse; (2) an LED tube tail for showpiece nights. Skip inflatable $500 line-laundry unless budget screams. ZOHD Orbit Neon (RC wing) is a different hobby — cool, but adds controller + 3S LiPo + flight skill to the kit; only buy if RC planes already interest you. MEDIUM-HIGH confidence; kite market is long-tail/low-infrastructure, features verified from vendor specs (xkites.com, fkite.com, Fly It Port A, Aloft Hobbies).

5. Lightweight Low-Power ~24” TV/Monitor (inside bus)

Power budget note: user’s bank is 48V. The 2026 RV TV standard is 12V-native with wide-voltage (9-32V) input — 48V needs a DC-DC buck converter (e.g., DROK 48V→12V 10A, ~$20) between bank and TV, OR run TV via 5 kW inverter (~15% loss). 3 h/night streaming: native DC ≈ 96 Wh vs inverter ≈ 113 Wh — saves ~17 Wh/night and, more importantly, lets TV run without the inverter ever turning on. Target: <32 W total (Sylvox 24” spec: “<32W Power Consumption”, DC 12V 3A) — fits daily budget trivially (power-supply.md daily target 2-3 kWh).

Table Stakes (must-have)

| Feature | Why (this user) | |—|—| | Native DC input, wide voltage 9-32V (ideally 12/24V switchable) | Sylvox/continuus/Supersonic/Jensen all ship 9-32V wide-voltage + AC adapter. Wide voltage = works off 12V tap now, 24V later, no adapter swap. HIGH (sylvoxtv.com specs, digitalgearhub survey of 5 brands). | | Power draw <32 W (measured, class-leading) | Sylvox 24” claims <32 W; Englaon 24M30 claims 24 W. Sub-30 W average = sub-90 Wh per 3 h night. Monitors (20-45 W) overlap this class but lack tuners. HIGH (vendor specs; power-supply.md monitor line). | | 1080p minimum (not 720p) | 24” at couch distance — 720p (continuus CT-24TS10, Westinghouse, Roku 24”) is visibly soft; 1080p standard on Sylvox/Supersonic. HIGH (resolution specs). | | Screen ≤24” and ≤8 lb | Bus interior; wall/arm mount on E350 ceiling or cabinet. Sylvox 24” ≈ 6.5 lb class. HIGH. | | VESA 100×100 mount + frameless/flat back | E350 mounting = VESA non-negotiable. HIGH. | | 2× HDMI, 1× USB, WiFi + BT (smart platform) | Streaming is the actual use case (Starlink → Netflix/Youtube); guests cast (Chromecast/Google TV). Sylvox 24” has all. HIGH. | | Shock/vibration resistance (mobile-rated) | E350 = shuttle-bus ride over washboard; RV TVs are vibration-tested (Englaon: “vibration resistant… transported over roads, trails, creeks”; Sylvox: “tested to withstand 4G vibration”). A home TV will rattle-solder-fail. HIGH. |

Nice-to-Have

Google TV / Android OS built-in (Sylvox, Supersonic, continuus) — no streaming stick = fewer cables + one less AC/DC adapter; Google TV has best app compat 2026. MEDIUM. Honest alternative: cheap non-smart 12V TV + Fire TV Stick (stick eats ~2 W via USB) — more flexible, likely cheaper; trade-off is adapter count.
Built-in DVD player (Sylvox/Englaon/Supersonic varieties) — regional events/RTR have zero cell coverage; Starlink covers streaming but optical media = zero-bandwidth backup. Worth it at <$50 price delta. MEDIUM.
QLED panel (Sylvox Limo QLED 24”, $399) — brighter, better in afternoon glare through bus windows. LOW-MEDIUM (real but modest at 24”).
Integrated ATSC tuner — over-the-air RTR/regional towns may have broadcast; tiny cost add. LOW.
Remote with programmable/universal capability — bus life = one remote controls TV + soundbar. LOW.

Dealbreakers

Direction: Sylvox 24” Smart 12V TV (Google TV, 1080p, <32 W, 9-32V, VESA, ~$299-319) as lead; Supersonic SC-2426SDVD (1080p, DVD, 3× HDMI, AC/DC incl. car cord) as value alt if DVD matters. Englaon 24M30 if pure low-power non-smart + stick approach preferred (24 W). Requires: 48V→12V buck converter (DROK 48V 10A, fused) — add $25 + wiring to plan. HIGH confidence TV class; MEDIUM on exact model/pricing longevity.

Cross-Item Concerns (shared)

Dust/alkaline exposure is the #1 killer across all 5 items. Playa dust is caustic, abrasive, fine-grained (playa care guides: Jagerbikes, BMR journal). Mitigations: sealed/bell housings (trike, RC), landing pads + hand-catch (drone), dust covers/bags for all gear stored in bus, vinegar + soap + lube post-event protocol for everything with moving parts, compressed air + soft brush pre-wash (never water first — dust hardens wet). Budget for consumable maintenance kits: spare bearings, spare line, spare filters, canned air, lube.
Battery ecosystem fragmentation — plan the charging tree now. Bank is 48V. Charging hierarchy:
- Native DC where possible: TV via 48V→12V buck (~20W savings vs inverter). Field USB-C for kite LEDs/remote via 12V tap + USB-C PD.
- Inverter + stock charger (fine for intermittent charging): trike battery (48V/54.6V 13S needs boost > bank voltage — NOT direct-connectable; use stock charger through 5 kW inverter), drone batteries (Air 3S ×2 ≈ 86 Wh per cycle + inverter tax ≈ negligible), RC LiPos (3S ≈ 55 Wh), TV AC adapter (last resort).
- Do NOT cross-connect device LiPos/Li-ion packs to the 48V bank (voltage mismatch, chemistry/BMS differences, fire risk). The trike’s 48V battery is not a bank spare.
- Watts in playa context: charging anything here is <200 Wh/event-night — noise in the 11.5 kWh budget; the discipline is avoiding continuous inverter loads (TV, and don’t leave chargers plugged in idle).
48V voltage-match myth buster: just because trike batteries are “48V” doesn’t mean bank-compatible. 13S Li-ion full-charge = 54.6V; bank floats ~52-56V depending on SOC; direct paralleling requires matching packs + BMS discipline. Keep charging paths isolated (stock chargers, or a proper 48V→54.6V Li-ion boost charger if you want native-DC trike charging — not a DIY wire job).
Security/locking: all 5 items are thief bait at burns (e-bike theft is documented; BM survival guide: “If you stop it, lock it”). Plan: trike u-lock + removable battery/controller, drone + RC in a locked cabinet or Pelican-style case (also dust-shielded), TV VESA-locked or stored when away, kites are low-theft but line laundry is $$$ — keep in labeled bag. One cable lock + one cabinet lock covers the fleet.
Wind is a shared constraint: trike (headwinds drain battery ~20-30%; plan range), drone (min 12 m/s spec), kite (needs it — the only item wind helps), RC (fine), TV (N/A). Fragile-everything rule: don’t fly/kite/RC in white-out dust storms — visibility zero, gear damage guaranteed (WMO dust guidance for aviation scales down to drones).
Heat management: playa summer days 95-105°F. All batteries (trike, drone, RC LiPos, kite packs, TV standby) degrade fast in 100+°F sun — shade + ventilated storage, charge in the evening/cool hours, never charge Li-ion unattended in a hot bus.
Weight/storage budget on the E350: trike rack or interior (150-250 lb trike!), drone+RC+kite+TV kit all stowable in one cabinet. Trike transport is the biggest logistic question (hitch carrier vs. bus interior vs. payload) — verify before buying features you can’t carry.

Confidence Summary

Item	Confidence	Basis
E-trike (regulatory constraints)	HIGH	burningman.org official e-bikes page; Jagerbikes Nevada-law summary
E-trike (feature tiers)	MEDIUM	Vendor spec pages (Addmotor, GOBIKE, Meet One, Pedego, Viribus, sixthreezero) + playa operator guidance (Jagerbikes)
Drone (wind + camera picks)	HIGH	Multiple independent 2026 reviews (Wirecutter, PCMag, WIRED, jvn.photo, Drone U) all confirm Air 3S class
Drone (US availability / DJI ban)	HIGH	fcc.gov July 2026 official fact sheet; djiusa.com statement; DroneDJ coverage
RC car (brushless/waterproof core)	HIGH	Multiple 2026 RC trade reviews (EuroRC, RC Cars Guide, rccarworld, zamd.net) agree
LED kite (feature landscape)	MEDIUM-LOW	Niche market; vendor pages only (xkites.com, fkite.com, Fly It Port A, Aloft Hobbies); category is fragmented, no mainstream review coverage found
12V TV (<32 W, 9-32V, VESA)	HIGH	Vendor spec sheets (sylvoxtv.com ×4 models, Englaon, Supersonic, continuus) + 3 independent 2026 RV-TV roundups

Notable research gaps (flag for roadmap):

No mainstream verified data on e-trike real-world playa range at 750W (vendors claim 38-85 mi PAS; plan on 50-60%).
LED kite category: no reviewer ecosystem; feature claims rest on vendor spec pages. Purchase testing needed.
DJI availability is a moving target (July 2026 FCC seeks comment on expanding bans); re-verify before purchase.
Your 48V bank → buck converter integration (DROK-class hardware) unverified in this repo; add spec check to purchasing roadmap.