The VORTEXpursuiter
The Chase Vehicle and Equipment of VORTEXpursuit.com Storm Chasing

The VORTEXpursuiter near Saint Peter, KS (May 22, 2007)

The VORTEXpursuiter is the chase vehicle of VORTEXpursuit.com Storm Chasing. The vehicle is a 2005 Nissan Xterra that was purchased brand new after the original VORTEXpursuiter vehicle drowned on the way home from work late at night during a heavy rain event. The Xterra gets about 20-23 miles per gallon on the highway which is quite decent, but with today's gas prices, one could only hope that it would have got at least 30 miles per gallon.

The VORTEXpursuiter Pictures

	Outside view of the VORTEXpursuiter at Heritage Park in Olathe, Kansas. March 1, 2008
	Looking in at the driver's seat. March 1, 2008
	Under the hood showing wiring for the Ham Radio and Power Inverter hooked up to the Optima Yellowtop Battery. February 28, 2008

Chase Equipment

Photography/Video

	Nikon D40X Digital SLR Camera This Nikon effectively replaces the former Sony DSC-F828 Point and Shoot and is used as the primary still camera during chasing.
	Sony DSC-F828 Digital Point/Shoot Camera Now in its fifth season in the Plains, this Sony point and shoot camera has stood the test of time and is now used as a back up camera should there be any problems with the Nikon.
	Canon HG10 High Definition Hard Drive Camcorder New for 2008, this is the first venture of VORTEXpursuit.com Storm Chasing into High Definition video. It is hoped that a highlight DVD consisting of video shot exclusively on this camcorder be produced into the upcoming future.
	JVC GRD-30U MiniDV Camcorder This camcorder, which has seen quite a few tornadoes, from the Russell, KS mini outbreak of July 7, 2004 to the tornadoes of the Nickerson, KS event in 2007, is now used as a backup camcorder and second camera for VORTEXpursuit.com Live.
	Microsoft Lifecam VX-6000 This HD Webcam is the primary camera for live pictures and streaming on VORTEXpursuit.com Live.

Computer

	Acer Extensa 4420 Laptop New for 2008, this Acer Extensa Laptop computer replaces the former Gateway laptop which had been pronounced dead as the power cord could not stay in. Loaded with 2GB of RAM, this computer is ready for the Plains.
	RAM Mount Laptop Desk New for 2008, this RAM Mount Laptop desk model, which base is built exclusively for a few Nissan vehicles, will hold our laptop computer and is also expandable to possibly holding a ham radio.
	Sierra Wireless 595U Wireless Card New for 2008, this Sierra Wireless 595U Wireless Aircard provides VORTEXpursuit.com with data services on the Sprint network.
	Software VORTEXpursuit.com uses GRLevel3, WeatherScope, Franson GPSGate, and PY Software's Active Webcam.

Power

	Maxx Power System 500W Inverter New for 2008, this 500W inverter, made by Vector, has been hardwired to the car battery and will be supplying the power to a countless number of items in the VORTEXpursuiter. A power strip will be hooked up to it during chases.
	Optima Yellowtop Car Battery New for 2008, the stock battery on the Nissan Xterra, which lasted well over 80,000 miles and 2.5 years has finally been replaced with the Optima Yellowtop Deep Cycle Battery. From rave reviews with others using this battery, it was considered a wise investment, even though it cost around $200.