What Gadgets Can You Not Travel Without? [RESPONSES]
It seems as though many of you are traveling with at least 2-3 travel gadgets that you just can’t hit the road without. As for me I probably travel more ‘digitally heavy’ than most but then again, based on these 14 responses to what gadgets can you not travel without, I’m not so sure.
- Voltage adapters: 2
- Rechargable batteries: 2
- Laptop: 8
- Camera: 9
- Mobile phone: 3
- Music speakers: 1
- External drives: 4
- iPod: 2
- RennyBA’s Terella: “I just need my laptop and mobile phone – then (with WiFi), I’m always on, are able to do my work, connect with people and take pics.”
- ATravelAroundTheWorld: “I am a full time traveler, for me is essential to always have with me an international plug adapter, 4 spare rechargeable batteries (you never know), of course laptop, photo camera, mobile phone,my fishing rod and some clothes.”
- AirTreks Nico: “I also like to travel with a set of mini-speakers. Gotta have some tunes to wake up to!”
Stephanie: “If I don’t see things through my camera lens I feel like I haven’t seen them at all.”
- Dan: “I take my netbook (Samsung NC10), camera and spare batteries everywhere.”
- Mark H: “For me, it is only a camera but most trips are accompanied with a laptop as well.”
- Gourmantic: “Rather than hog your comment box with the list, here’s the link to my essential travel gadgets. I’d also add the iPhone to the list now that I’ve got one.”
- Priyank: “Camera and ASUS EEE, thats it!”
- Nomadic Pinoy: “I don’t bring much gadgets as I try to travel light but my trip won’t be complete without my camera and Ipod.”
- Sherry Ott: “I use an old ipod (no one wants to steal it) that is 80G – so I also use it as backup storage for my laptop. Plus – I keep my ‘best’ photography uploaded on it so that when someone wants to see it – I can easily whip out and show them my portfolio of work!”
- Shannon: “I travel with a travel-sized power strip that folds up easy and gives me a few extra outlets in a hotel room.”
- Nisha: “My digicam, universal plug adapter, 4 spare rechargeable batteries, my mobile phone, Pen drive.”
Personally I always carry a laptop, voltage adapters, iPod touch, and a host of USB, ethernet, and other cables. Since my office travels with me I bring as much of it as I can because it’s so hard to predict what will be available at the next destination. I bring these items because I work from the road (yes, and I love technology) but what are some of the reasons you travel with gadgets?
[photos by: MacDavid Pro, Flashpacking Life]
Earl (49)
blahh (14)
Deniz (12)
Maureen (12)
Audrey (11)
Dan (11)
I am surprised that so many lug a laptop/netbook along with them — actually, I guess I’m not that surprised — as the list comprises travel bloggers.
haha, yes I suppose this group would be expected to carry a laptop with them. I personally couldn’t imagine it – although a no-technology break does sound nice. Wish I could from time to time…
Does anyone travel withOUT a camera? I loved Stephanie’s comment about seeing the world through the lens. I sincerely think the photos are what keeps the memories alive long after the trip is in the history books.
I’m sure it’s a very low percentage and probably something like 0% for travel bloggers!
Yes – I feel naked without the camera with me & increasingly without the laptop – but will need to get a smaller netbook soon as it’s getting too heavy to travel light with.
I’m probably in the minority but I feel more naked without a laptop rather than a camera. I’m always forgetting to take pictures, something I’m hoping to work on.
Anyone still use disposable/single use cameras?
I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen one in use…I wonder if anyone else has encountered them lately…?
I found this:
http://www.travelblogs.com/articles/travel-photography-with-a-disposable-camera-it%E2%80%99s-not-an-oxymoron
Thanks for the link Melvin. Awesome article I had to post on Twitter as well to share.
Not recently, but I used to buy disposable underwater cameras to take while snorkelling on holidays. I hope the quality of the lens has improved!
I hope so too. I’ve even thought about the camera covers for underwater stuff but I haven’t had much opportunity or need yet to buy one.
No laptop? That would make you the first blogger on this list to go without one!
I could not imagine traveling anywhere without my new netbook. I’ve traveled most places without a laptop and would usually depend on being able to find an internet cafe that wasn’t too busy….but almost always it meant a wait time for us. Now that I am travel blogging, it’s imperative that I be able to write whenever the spirit hits me.
Other essentials for traveling are my digicam, mp3 player and camcorder…luckily, my daughter and travel partner takes the photos and I man the camcorder, so I don’t have to lug all of the electronics around by myself. I am impressed by the miniature size of everything these days….it makes traveling all the more easy and less hectic.
Ooh, you gotta tell me what kind of netbook. I’m always interested in hearing about the tech gear people are carrying. I love that everything is getting smaller though – it makes it very easy for me to pack my Mac mini and leave it where I drop anchor (I use it for backups) and then just have my laptop handy.
Anil,
I have the Samsung NC-10 and I love it. It measures 10.2″ and the keyboard is a lot larger than one would think so typing isn’t quite as awkward. I gave a mini-review of it on my site: http://aviewtoathrill.net/2009/08/13/the-netbook-the-travelers-best-companion/.
Thanks for the details and the link Renee!
We usually travel with 3 laptops & 3 cameras! Ha! After all we have been traveling the world non-stop since 2006, so we *live* travel!
But we also go unplugged quite a bit, have no ipods, iphone, wii, nintendo ds for the kid etc & don’t even use a cell phone except in Spain where we winter (so that friends can call us easily).
Often we go off for a month or more at a time with just a day pack each that holds everything we need including homeschool supplies & clothing for 3 seasons. We have carried all 3 laptops on such occasions ( you should see the looks we get going through security at airports as these are not small laptops & one is a 17in Mac Pro!) but often we just bring the smaller macbook (plus 1 camera & video camera, power adapter, battery charger, power strip) or sometimes we take 2 laptops, depending on our needs & location.
I get those looks too with all the gear and cables I carry but I think you’ve got me beat!
If you are traveling to Tel Aviv ask about wireless connections. There seems to be a quiet battle between the traditional business owners and the ones who are more attuned to laptop and Net-Book travelers. In my article about the ones who seem to want less digital-loiterers (http://israeltomorrow.blogspot.com/2009/09/tel-aviv-cafes-fed-up-with-bloggers.html) is the story. Overall, great blog and discussion. I travel with two digital cameras and try to store photos on a laptop about every 2 to 3 days. Since 2003 I only lost one flash card and broke one camera on my travels
/// I usually wrap cameras in small dish towels in the backpack. Security checkers get excited when they first open the backpack but once they see a camera the smile or just shrug.
Ami, just did some checking on WiFinder and only found 6 public access point in and around Tel Aviv. What are the prices like per hour for a decent connection?