Travel Gear Can Help Keep You Organized
Thursday, July 8th, 2004
© 2001 Gary Sharp
I enjoy traveling in the U.S. and overseas whenever possible. Here’s a list of lightweight, compact, and versatile gadgets and gear that I’ve found useful for travel and everyday use.
AlphaSmart 3000
http://www.alphasmart.com
Portable word processing device. Weighs less than a pound and holds 100 pages of text. Inexpensive, especially in comparison to laptop computers (only $199). Compatible with PC’s and Macintosh computers. Great for use at work, at home, on the road, or during air travel. You can compose letters on the road, and send out by email whenever you have access to a computer with Internet service. Most public libraries offer free public access to travellers.
Apple iBook
If you must carry a laptop, the Apple iBook is compact, beautifully designed and easy to use. Excellent battery life. Add the Apple Airport card, and you can compute without cables, when you come across wireless networks that allow public access.
http://www.apple.com
Olympus Stylus Epic
Film camera that fits in the palm of your hand. Ultra sharp lens, and at F2.8, faster than most lenses in compact cameras. Superb flash system.
Panasonic RR-DR60 Digital Voice Recorder
Tiny recorder fits in your shirt pocket. Records up to 1 hour. Easy record Start/stop switches. I often record quick memos while on the road. The new model, RR-DR80, has better sound quality but either model works well.
Eagle Creek Travel Bags
Lightweight day bags are ideal for carrying on planes and to use while exploring cities. I like the Guide Bag, and the Departure Pouch (for plane tickets & more).
Eagle Creek Mesh-Laminate Pack-It Sacs
Four sizes, for organizing everything from band-aids to shampoo. See through mesh helps you locate what you need amid the jumble inside your suitcase.
REI Switchback II Parka
Packable, extremely durable, waterproof shell from REI.
Super Tinker Knife
A nice full-featured knife that’s not too bulky in your pocket. I also like the classic, Swiss Army’s smallest knife.
Leatherman Micra
For a compact all-in-one tool that has a very sharp blade and scissors.
High Camp Sleeping Bag
Great, lightweight sleeping bag.
Small Tote Bag
Kipling’s small tote bags with should straps are great for carrying small items around town. Perfect for carrying just a few things like a checkbook, very small camera, pens, paper, etc. Comes in several cool colors.
Memo Pad: Mead 3 1/4″ by 2 1/2″ paper pads with cover
Lined paper works best with a fine tip pen. Very compact and handy for quick written notes.
Timex Expedition Analog Alarm Watch
Easy to set the alarm manually, with a twist of a metal ring. Very bright Indiglo feature lights up the clock face. Buy at K-Mart or Walmart stores.
NoiseBuster Headphones
For noisy flights, this noise-cancellation device works well. Lightweight, very compact unit. Clips to your belt.
Bose True Acoustic Noise-Cancellation Headphones
Well reviewed and a second choice to the above.
Palm IIIc
http://www.palm.com
Palm OS is great and widespread. PDAs are very useful when traveling. I’m currently using the IIIc color model. The screen is extra bright and easy to read, especially when compared to models with monochrome screens. The optional travel recharger is very small and ideal for travel or use at home.
Indexing Tags
Redi-Tag or Post-It Note color index tags securely mark your place in a book or magazine, and lift off without leaving marks.
Mini-Maglite Flashlight
Small, durable, the best flashlights on the planet.
The gadgets and products I’ve listed here are compact products that are lightweight and easy to use while on the road. You’ll find most of them fun to use too. But, if you’re like me, and wait to pack at the last minute, which isn’t fun, read this excellent book:
It’s About Time! The Six Styles of Procrastination and How to Overcome Them by Dr. Linda Sapadin (Penguin Books 1996).
Then you’ll really be well-equipped for travel.