Leaderboard

Excellent convoy lead by @Islam Soliman and beautifully performed by all fellow drivers . @Zixuan Huang - Charlie brilliant second lead . @Adhir Saxena, @JeromeFJ @Looperand @Sunil Mathew thank you all for this lovely day started and ended with technical without a sweat sparing that for the multiple shovels and tugs in between which run fantastic and quick. Thank you @Islam Soliman for this amazing ride it has been a pleasure 🙏👍 stay tuned for later pict and clips best day cheers 🙏👍

Good evening all, Thank you all for joining the drive. We had a great convoy that allowed us to do almost 60 km through a fairly technical terrain. We had few stucks and refusals, and in most of the cases self recoveries and shoveling worked👌. Many thanks to @Nivin & @Russ for handling the recoveries. @Alain Canivet-Abikhalil did a good job as SL with quick response, and always kept good distance from my car. Also kudos to your rope recovery. @Sunil Mathew was fantastic with his radio communication, always kept a close eye on the cars behind. 👍 @JeromeFJ is an experienced FB+ member. Thus was put at number 4 to support Sunil & Chinthaka. Thanks for your support. @Chinthaka Ruwan had no difficulty driving at number 5. Well done @Pacific good to see you reunite with your wrangler after 2 months break. Had a scary moment while criss-crossing a dune, but immediately you were able to maneuver out. @Russ drove exceptionally well without any stuck or refusals. Supported in recoveries and swept the convoy. Here's the stats from the drive

Thanks a lot @Islam Soliman for this beautiful drive this morning ! as usual, excellent choice of itinerary, and today really, it was a full menu, with the technical starter and dessert, and the mains of long dunes side and ridge riding. in addition, lot of opportunities to learn and exercise during the recoveries. Thank you @M.Seidam for the support and all the convoy for the teamwork !

I drove on same tack for the fist time with Fred two weeks back and it was effortless with zero refusals Thanks @Lakshmi Narasimhan @Frederic @Rizwanm2 for being patient and showing continued support wasn't aware same track at night could be game changing, I guess my only hesitation was to cross the tip of the dune due to darkness i seemed blind folded, also fear of hard landing post crossing the tip and kids getting motion sickness at the back seat added up to hesitation

Thank you @Frederic for a perfect night drive. it was short convoy and we had maximum fun. Except @Farook Veettil everybody was on time at the meeting point deflated and flagged. after long time we had our drive brief on ground with social distance and we were out in the desert by 8.10 PM. about 45 mins into the drive we heard some scattered voice over the radio calling for fredric, strange enough it was not any one from our convoy. Then only I figured out the ghost who calling for Fredric was farook who arrived at the meeting point late. Sorry mate you might have mixed up with the timing hence arrived late. we covered almost 50 km in pitch-black desert covering some technical dunes and long hill climbs including Faya. @Lakshmi Narasimhan it was nice meeting you for the first time and needless to say, you were perfect behind Fredric as second lead of the convoy. Behind Lakshmi was @Savio Fernandes in his Y62 patrol, you did great considering its your first night drive. There were couple of stuck mostly when crossing the dunes, you ended up in crested position. i understand it is scary sometimes to cross a dune with enough speed especially when its dark and you cant see anything. We all been there once, hence don’t worry you will master it in no time. @munkybizness you did great behind savio, I see lot of improvements in your driving compared to previous night drive I had with you. Also thank you very much for your support in recoveries. Hope i didn't blind you this time since you had your sunglasses on 😎 ... Have a nice weekend guys, hope to see you all soon.

Searching for Water - Drive Report "We can't help being thirsty, walking toward the voice of water" - Rumi Water must be in high demand during this hot and dry summer, as what was expected to be a 12 car convoy, driving around Qudra "Searching for Water", eventually became a 26 car affair. First and foremost, thank you very much @Gaurav, for taking the lead of the second half of the convoy, which made it possible to open the drive to all the many and enthusiastic waitlisted members. It was a pleasure to see @kiranshinde, @Joji varghese, @Savio Fernandes, @Adam James, @Damien Ranjit, @Gilbert Khalil, @Naim Aoun, @munkybizness, @Hilal Sharafudeen, @Richard Franks, @topgear and @varunmehndiratta, and I hope you enjoyed the drive as much as I did. As planned, we launched the drive along the bike track, cutting across central Qudra, exploring first the long range white dunes between the bike track and the pylons, where a great deal of slip faces end on flat surfaces, studded with mud rock formations, remnants of old sedimentary deposits of silt and clay, and testimony of a relatively recent past when surface water was available in this area. Water can still be found at 3 different locations, just north of the bike track: one is a natural set of fresh water pools, fed by a spring just above, the other is a small stream originating from the sand just below a tall dune, and the third is a the "famous" man made crescent shape lake that has recently seen headlines in the local press. North-west of here, just beyond a set of tall dunes and deep sand bowls, and past an area of technical dunes, the presence of water can first be guessed by the presence of numerous trees, feeding themselves with subterranean humidity, and then it becomes manifest with the appearance of a large lake, surrounded by a palm tree plantation. From here on, the terrain is made of the well known and navigated northern Qudra long range dunes, where the 2 more small bodies of water that we found, also in their still natural state, are the preview of the much bigger and landscaped Qudra Lakes. In all we managed to find and drive by 7 lakes or springs, and at the same time managed to quench our thirst for desert driving and exploration. A very well executed drive by all members. @Zixuan Huang - Charlie at SL, @Islam Soliman at CF and @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ executed with precision and care their respective roles, providing an extra feeling of safety and control to a relatively inexperienced convoy. @Mahesh Khatry, @Alexanderrr, @Nibu Venu, @Ferl Brown, @Tom V, @Pieter Potgieter, @Ajit John, @Ramandbx and @Rsjiv Samuel, all drove very well and smoothly, certainly exceeding my expectations, responding with ease to the increased level of difficulty that the drive presented, especially toward the end. The couple of stucks and refusals that occurred in the final part of the itinerary, were likely the product of fatigue and loss of concentration, which is understandable considering the length of the drive. We ended up covering 63.3 Km, in 3:59 hours (including two long stops for briefing and relaxation), at the fast average moving speed of 28 Km/h (16 Km/h total). Thank you all again, from both convoys, for joining our search for water in Qudra's desert. See you all soon out there.

Congratulations @munkybizness Enjoy your drives

congrats @S Jacob

Choosing the Right Air Compressor for Desert Off-Roading in the UAE Off-roading in the UAE desert requires lowering your tire pressure to improve traction on soft sand. While some exits conveniently lead to nearby petrol stations where you can reinflate your tires, this is not always the case. For that reason, carrying a reliable air compressor is an essential part of any off-road recovery kit. It is one piece of equipment you do not want failing when it is time to head back onto the tarmac. Depending on your tire size and the type of compressor being used, reinflating tires can take anywhere from 2–4 minutes per tire to more than 25 minutes for a full set. Under the UAE’s intense desert heat, minimizing inflation time becomes more than just a convenience — it is an important factor for both comfort and equipment longevity. In this article, we will look at some of the key technical considerations when using an air compressor and explain what to look for when purchasing one. Heat Management: The Biggest Challenge The primary challenge with air compressors is heat generation. Compressing air creates friction between air molecules, and this process naturally produces significant amounts of heat. The temperature increase is most noticeable around the piston head, but the air hose itself can also become extremely hot during operation. This is why most quality compressors are equipped with cooling fins and a short metal outlet pipe designed to dissipate heat before it reaches the rubber hose. Even so, compressors should always be handled carefully after use, as certain components may become hot enough to cause burns. It is completely normal for a compressor to heat up during operation, especially when running continuously or operating in high ambient temperatures such as those experienced in the UAE desert. To reduce overheating and extend the lifespan of your compressor, it is recommended to: Keep the compressor in the shade whenever possible Avoid running it continuously for extended periods Respect the manufacturer’s specified duty cycle Allow the unit to cool down between inflation sessions when necessary Understanding Compressor Performance One important factor often overlooked is that inflating a single tire at a time can limit most compressors to an effective airflow of approximately 70 liters per minute (LPM). Even if a compressor is rated for higher output, airflow resistance from a single tire valve can restrict performance, forcing the compressor to work harder and generate additional heat. For high-performance compressors with greater airflow capacity, using a dual-hose or four-hose inflation system can significantly improve efficiency. Inflating multiple tires simultaneously reduces overall runtime, lowers operating temperatures, and makes much better use of the compressor’s available airflow. This setup is especially beneficial for vehicles equipped with larger off-road tires, where inflation times can otherwise become lengthy and demanding on the compressor. What to Look for When Buying an Air Compressor Choosing the right air compressor for desert off-roading is about more than simply buying the most powerful model available. Reliability, durability, and real-world performance are far more important when you are regularly inflating tires in harsh desert conditions. Below are some of the key factors to consider before making a purchase. 1. Warranty and Brand Reputation A quality compressor is an investment, and a reputable manufacturer should stand behind its product with a solid warranty. Premium brands typically offer warranties ranging from 4 to 5 years, which helps justify the higher purchase price and provides peace of mind for frequent off-roaders. Unfortunately, long warranty periods have become less common in recent years, making brand reputation and after-sales support more important than ever. 2. Airflow Output (LPM / CFM) Compressor performance is usually measured in either: LPM (Liters Per Minute) CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute) As a reference: 2.3 CFM ≈ 65 LPM In general, higher airflow means faster tire inflation. For most off-road applications, compressors delivering 50 LPM or more will perform adequately, while larger tires and multi-tire inflation systems benefit from significantly higher output. However, comparing compressor specifications is not always straightforward. Manufacturers do not always use the same testing standards: Some advertise airflow at 0 PSI (free air delivery) Others provide ratings at 40 PSI, which places a much greater load on the compressor This means that published numbers can sometimes be misleading, and real-world performance may differ significantly from what is printed on the box. 3. Duty Cycle Air compressors generate substantial heat during operation, which means most units cannot run continuously without periodic cooling. The allowable runtime before cooling is required is known as the duty cycle. Manufacturers may express this in different ways: Time-based rating: Example: “20 minutes per hour” Percentage-based rating: Example: “33% duty cycle” In both cases, the meaning is essentially the same: the compressor can operate for approximately 20 minutes within a one-hour period before it should be allowed to cool down. This becomes particularly important for drivers who go off-roading frequently or who need to inflate larger tires. Exceeding the duty cycle repeatedly can quickly lead to overheating, reduced lifespan, or permanent compressor damage. 4. Hose and Accessory Quality The quality of the included accessories is often overlooked but has a major impact on usability and durability. Pay close attention to the quality of: The coiled air hose The pressure gauge The clip-on air chuck Poor-quality fittings and hoses are common failure points and can become frustrating during repeated desert use, especially under high temperatures. 5. Automatic Pressure Shut-Off A useful premium feature is an automatic pressure shut-off system. This function allows the compressor to stop automatically when the inflation trigger is not engaged, reducing unnecessary strain on the motor and limiting heat buildup. It also makes operation more convenient and efficient during multi-tire inflation. 6. Electrical Protection Features Quality compressors should include built-in protection systems such as: Inline fuse protection Thermal overload protection These safety features help protect both the compressor and your vehicle’s electrical system in the event of overheating, excessive current draw, or electrical faults. While these protections are generally standard on premium models, cheaper compressors may omit them entirely. Below a typical specs example of a Bushranger Black Max: Duty cycle is 30 minutes @40psi at 24°C ambient temperature. Obviously the ambient temperature will be much higher for us here in the UAE, so you will need to take that into account. Keep the compressor in the shade while using (or even on the inside of the car if possible) and keep your engine running. These compressors are rated to work most efficiently at 13.8 Volts, so your alternator should be running. Below i will be going through most of the brands we have encountered in the club, and how we can rate them: Premium Brands (****) Brands like ARB, Bushranger, TJM, Dobinsons, and Mean Mother, are the most famous premium brands that will be providing a quality unit that should last years. ARB and Bushranger/Viair have the advantage that you will find spare parts for them, so if you are interested and savvy, you can rebuild your compressor later on. Price range of these compressor is from 750 AED upwards up to 2500+AED. The main reason why they cost more is due to the quality of materials used, higher duty cycle of their compressor, and of course marketing as well. ARB ARB has the single cylinder unit for about 1000AED, while its big brother will be around 2,700AED. They have by far the best quality of hoses and gauges, and these units should last many years if being well taken care of. MeanMother The Mean Mother Adventurer is the only brand/model we know of in the UAE that offers 5year warranty, hence this model has become very popular in our off-roading community. You will find the Adventurer III model for around 750AED (150lpm), but now there is also the Adventurer IV which is having slightly better performance (180lpm) and costs about 999AED. We have heard about a few models failing but were replaced within warranty. Bushranger / Viair Bushranger/Viair has a range of different models with output ratings from 52lpm up to 72lpm. (Black Max for 800AED and Max Air III for 1120AED). The Max Air III has an automatic pressure shut-off. Their compressors are extremely reliable, but i have never been impressed with their yellow plastic coiled hoses and clip-on, except for the black hoses they use on the old SuperMax and the newer Max Air III model. Their smallest model (RV Air for 599AED) is the minimum in terms of output flow (52lpm) and will take quite some time to inflate your tires, but should work fine. Dobinsons Dobinsons have the Zenith model (170 lpm) that is being sold for 999AED. Quality looks top notch with good set of accessories and backed by a premium quality brand. Midrange Brands (***) Golden Camel The "Golden Camel" brand with its red compressors, sold in single cylinder and double cylinder models are fantastic performers for the price (200 AED for the single big cylinder 160lpm, and 280AED for the double cylinder compressor (300 lpm). Yes the hoses break, the electrics fail sometimes, and it won't be the most reliable compressor, but for that price it's worth a try if you want it. You will find the hoses also separarely in DM, and if you are a bit handy with a soldering gun you might make an attempt to replace the switches or solder a wire back on. They now even have a mighty big 4-cylinder unit, which pumps out an impressive 300lpm. The problem nowadays is that you have even "fake" Golden Camel compressors, who look 100% identical, but their quality is even more of a question mark. I recently bought one and it started overheating and shutting off after only two tyres. The vibration coming from the compressor makes me wonder about the tolerances used in the manufacturing process. On the other hand i also have a single cylinder Golden Camel that has been going strong for 3 years now and never failed. Vitaly Vitaly is a brand that basically re-labels these Chinese compressors and sells them at a higher price in hardware stores like ACE and Speedex. Again they are a bit of a gamble and the only advantage you will have is you will get at least 1year warranty through these stores. T-Max These compressors are looking very similar to the DM Single big cylinder compressors and the Mean Mother Adventurer. There is a smaller 72lpm unit and a big 150lpm unit. Prices are similar to Vitaly, and T-Max seems to be a reputable Australian brand, so perhaps the build quality will be a slight notch above the DM compressors. Volcano I recently stumbled upon this brand via a shop in Ajman. They are manufactured in Taiwan and manufacture compressors for high end brands as well. Their biggest compressor model is the B850 which is being sold for about 650AED. Have seen them on sale in DM as well. They come in a sturdy box, with decent hose (like the Bushranger top model) and have a pressure gauge with automatic cut-off. Flow rate is 98lpm. Brands/ Models to avoid: -The smaller "Golden Camel" Compressor. Absolutely worthless. Also sold under the "X-Cessories" brand name. -Mini compressors to connect to the cigarette lighter: Will last only a few drives. Not made to inflate weekly from 15 to 35psi, unless you want to wait for 25mins or longer. Will overheat easily because of this. These are made for sedans and bicycles. The Black and Decker and Michelin models seem to work better, but it will take you upwards of 25 minutes to inflate your tires. If you happen to have one of those, i strongly recommend to only inflate to about 25psi you can then drive to the nearest petrol station and use their compressor. If you are in the market of buying a new compressor, i hope this article can shed some light and useful information that will guide you in the right direction. As you can clearly see, inflating tyres on a 4x4 in the summer heat requires a big powerful compressor that can quickly inflate your tyres before overheating or shutting down.

@Niki I did consider making MM as the onboard setup but was informed by the dealer that the 5 years warranty will be revoked if I do that. They will honour the warranty period as long as it remain a portable unit. I will think about it since MM should be able to re-sell easily, as you said, due to the long warranty period.

Thanks to @Anish S and @Wrangeldfor a nice drive yesterday. The fine red sands of Nazwa and the elevation changes throughout the drive was lovely. There are some pics in the gallery. Enjoy the rest of the weekend! 😀

Hi Ale ,Apologies for last min back out , got an urgent situation at work where i need to attend , See you for the next drive !!!

Congratulations @S Jacob

Many thanks @Kailas for the drive this morning. Quite intense with the continuous pace, and the steep ridge crossings. An excellent way to be back on the sand after one month. And also to discover a new area ! Thanks to all the convoy for the attitude and mutual support in the recoveries!

Hi @Islam Soliman, I think u r missing out @Adhir Saxenain the convey list

Thank you @Brette for this morning drive, it was my first newbie drive after several fewbie ones, and still I learned several tricks from you specially as it was my first time as 2nd lead. @Tbone thank you for the support during this trip. Some photos are added to the gallery in addition to these videos captured from the top of Pink Rock. @Daniel Yang @Gilbert Khalil @Jason Grima @Joji varghese @Michael Glavanis @Nafiz @Peter Hager @Ramandbx @Rsjiv Samuel

Thanks @Kailas for the excellent drive today…it was a crisis crossing feast!!! lost control on couple of crossings with some refusals too. Had my share of learning experiences. there was some confusion regarding the radio frequencies as many of us were on the old channel 5 - 462.887 while some were on the new one 446.106. https://carnity.com/forums/topic/16442-updated-carnity-radio-frequencies?tab=comments#comment-89131 better we all tune into these new ones excellent support from @Nivin and @Russ, helping out with recoveries.

Dear Desertnauts, I'll fill you in on tomorrow's PM drive in the same way I'd like to manage our long trek: fast !! Meeting point - see below, as well as in the drive's post: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JmktsxXrpfie3SgLA WARNING: the meeting point is a bit tricky to find, when following Google Maps. I'll try to explain better. From Qudra's Last Exit, please take the road to Bab al Shams Resort (first right at the Qudra roundabout, coming from Dubai). Upon reaching the first roundabout, take the second exit, to reach this point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oeXzNh6zySDJZ7Hf9 Once passed the bike track, please reach the meeting point by taking a right dirt track through the sabkha, until you reach a construction camp, where I will be parked. In case of need, please text me on +971.522163122. Planned itinerary - entering from northern Qudra and exiting at Murqab (Inshallah) Meeting time - 3:00PM (not later, please, as we are hoping to cover as much ground as possible, racing against the sunset) Convoy Order - as below: @Lakshmi Narasimhan will be in SL @Nihal17 at #3 @Alain Canivet-Abikhalil #4 @Sunil Mathew at #5 @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ will be Center Forward @Chinthaka Ruwan will follow at #7 @Ashok chaturvedi at #8 @Humayun Ghias will be #9 @Russ #10 @Darren Brooke at #11 @Christian Andras will Sweep the convoy. See you tomorrow, at 3:00 PM. Have a great Friday.

As I rack up more "firsts" with Carnity, last night was a double-header with a tight-knit convoy followed by meteor showers behind misplaced clouds. Having done some parts of this track with @Frederic in the morning, seeing it at night brought a completely different view to the experience. For one, at many points in the drive, I was completely oblivious to the elevation we had climbed until we would descend down steep dune walls to realize how high we actually were. There were a few refusals and sticky sand situations but all of them provided new opportunities to learn. On Wednesday, I had boasted about how ready I was for "shoveling duty". The universe was listening, intently Thank you @Rizwanm2 for being such a tour de force as sweep. But thank you mostly for teaching me how to connect ropes and shackles to recovery points, where & how to shovel, and most importantly giving me the right guidance when I had refusals. @Lakshmi Narasimhan, you have hands-down the most kitted out Pajero I've ever seen. I think we deserve a forum post "teardown" on just everything you've built and added as you've gone along. I was taking mental notes the entire time. Your chase lights can be used to help planes (or aliens) land in the desert. You riding the ridge out of that bowl was masterclass. @Savio Fernandes - two drives in one day! There were many moments in the drive where you gave me just the right kind of braking warning with dips. It saved my nose on many occasions. The refusals and sticky situations are all part of the experience, and driving at night can be a bit nerve-wracking but you did great. Did those "teenagers" offer you to buy your car too? 😛 And finally, @Frederic thank you for a lovely leisure drive visiting forests, helping aliens find Sharjah, navigating us through exciting terrain, and planting a big fat smile of satisfaction on my face at the end. All of this while meeting two of my favorite people here. The total number cannot be counted on my two hands 🙏

My apologies everyone. Daughter got her GCSE results yesterday and i never got round to checking the group so see if anyone had dropped out and i had been added. Hope you had a great drive See you all soon

Don't say that too loud. You might regret it 😂 Congratulations....

Mabrook @S Jacob

@munkybizness great going. Congratulations!

Thank you @ShereenMK & @Damien Ranjit!

congrats Sherry.

@Nafiz congrats

@munkybiznessCongratulations & Well Done Mayank. Enjoy the new level!

@S JacobCongratulations!

@NafizCongratulations!

Thank u @Gaurav and @Frederic… Happy and excited to take next step in the journey of learning….

Congrats @Nafiz !

Well done @S Jacob !

The Golden Camel single cylinder is the one I purchased when started off-roading and later gave it to Vanessa. She’s still using it every week and never broke down. (Fingers crossed). I’m a bit handy so whenever something breaks I’ll tear it apart and make one good compressor out of 3 bad ones 😅