Category: Travel

Two Great Portable Tripods For Travel Under $100

by Anil Polat | Apr 20, 2021 | Luggage, Tech, Travel | 0

A good tripod for travel needs to be light but strong while at the same time being collapsible into a small size. Full-size tripods come in all shapes, sizes, and vary widely by price but two tripods under $100 offer a lot for travelers. The Manfrotto Advanced Compact Aluminum and Neewer Carbon Fiber 66-inch have their strengths for both video and photographers hitting the road.

Photography Choice: Manfrotto

The Manfrotto has a light aluminum body with arms divided into 3 sections that are secured with a latch system. The head is a pan and tilt, good especially at set angles, but not as versatile for primarily video shooters. The Advanced Compact Aluminum is a straightforward tripod that weighs 1.42 kilograms (3.13 pounds) and has a maximum height of 165 centimeters (5.4 feet).

Manfrotto Compact Advanced Aluminum 5-Section Tripod Kit with...

The drawback to the use of aluminum legs is that they can’t support a lot of weight when compared to other materials like carbon fiber. A carrying capacity of 3kg (6.6 lbs) might not be a problem depending on your particular gear and if you’re photo first, the Manfrotto Advanced Compact Aluminum is a good choice to consider.

Video Choice: Neewer Carbon Fiber 66-Inch

Although it’s closer to the $100 price mark than the Manfrotto, the Neewer is a lot less expensive than most carbon fiber tripods on the market. The Neewer is light, weighing 1.54kg (3.4 lbs) but can carry an impressive 12kg (26.5 lbs). A ball head gives more flexibility with shooting angles which are easier to work when filming video, plus the Neewer can be setup completely horizontal. A further tribute to its flexible design is the monopod built into one of the legs.

Neewer Carbon Fiber 66 inches/168 centimeters Camera Tripod...

The Neewer might have a few extra bells and whistles but if you’re looking for something simpler, more photography oriented, and at a slightly lower cost the Manfrotto might be better suited to your needs. Of course if you want to go ultra portable the Joby Gorillapod is a much more compact alternative.

Mavic Mini 2 Review: Your Most Commonly Asked Questions Answered

by Anil Polat | Apr 15, 2021 | Pictures and Video, Tech, Travel Unravel | 0

The Mavic Mini 2 is the smallest drone currently in the DJI lineup. Its portability benefits are tangible but are the tradeoffs worth the light weight? If you’ve been eyeing the Mini 2 against its larger cousins in the Mavic line like the Air 2, these are your most common questions, answered.

What’s special about the Mavic Mini 2?

As you can see in my video review here, the Mavic Mini has the footprint of a smartphone and weighs only 249 grams.

Why 249 grams?

It’s the weight just below the requirement for drone registration in many countries. To stay up to date, his map is updated in real-time and DroneMate (Android/iOS) puts all the local laws and regulations in your pocket for offline use.

How does the Mini 2 handle in windy conditions?

The Mini 2 is rated at a level 5 wind resistance, the same as the larger Mavic Air 2 which means it can handle winds up to 28-39 kilometers per hour.

Does the image remain stable?

Yes, you can see some of that footage in the video review, which hasn’t been stabilized in post-production. Basically meaning the steadiness of the shot is both from the Mini 2’s enhanced motors (over the Mini 1) and camera gimbal.

The Mavic Mini 1 is still on sale, should I get it?

No. The Mavic Mini 2 is better is every way and the money savings are minimal.

DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo – Ultralight Foldable Drone, 3-Axis...

How does the footage look?

Mike from Drone Supremacy did a comparison you can watch below between the Mavic Mini 2 and the Air 2. Can you tell the difference?

What can’t the Mini 2 do?

It’s a great drone but not perfect. The Mini 2 is missing front facing obstacle avoidance sensors so you’ve got to be extra careful when flying. Also, without front sensors special flight modes like Active Track aren’t possible since the Mini 2 can’t fly around what it can’t see.

Is this the drone to get?

The Mavic Mini 2 is a powerful little drone but a smaller drone means a smaller camera sensor so it doesn’t do particularly well in lower light situations. If camera quality is a priority for you, go with a larger Mavic like the Air 2. However, if you travel frequently, not having to register this drone is a big benefit and being as small as it is, you’ll probably end up bringing the Mini 2 to more places.

The North Face Recon Holds Up After 3 Years Of Wear Without Tear

by Anil Polat | Apr 13, 2021 | Luggage, Money, Pictures and Video | 0

It’s been 3 years since I originally reviewed the unassuming The North Face Recon backpack. Those of you who follow my Road Tested! series know though the review doesn’t stop once the camera turns off and the article is posted. The North Face Recon is no different and having used this backpack for the past 36 months, it’s impressed me with its physical durability. The design though, still isn’t for everyone.

You can watch my full review in the video above or read on.

Hold Up Better Than Well

Typically on a backpack the parts that wear most the those that have contact with the wearer. Especially the straps around the shoulders and the lower part of the backpack since both tend to move most when you’re walking. Against all of that friction the Recon’s spongy mesh holds its bounce and hardly shows its age.

The North Face Recon TNF Black One Size

Threading remains threaded without any stray fibers dangling around like a dog’s tongue our a car window. Even the nylon exterior is only as dirty as you are lazy to simply wipe it off with your hand. Given that this backpack costs less than $100, from a durability perspective, you certainly get your money’s worth.

No Changes In Design

Physical durability is one aspect of a products longevity but so is the original design when compared to the newer additions to the backpack market. The North Face Recon still holds its own because it has such a study and straightforward design. On the bigger side of 22 liters, the big front bucket pocket is flexible. You can pack in clothes, books, or electronics or any combination of that or whatever else that fits.

A large casual open pocket on the front is good for an extra sweater to stuff in but the laptop compartment does eat from some of the usable space inside. The somewhat even design shows what that the Recon is a small backpack made for short day trips but is big enough for minimalist travelers too.

Getting The Best From The Recon

The North Face’s has made a tough turtle shell of a backpack that’s great for school, office, or hiking trips. You can see the Recon was an inadvertent part of the first wave of one bag travel backpacks but that category has passed it by now. Still, if you’re looking for a solid backpack that’s big enough for a weekend trip and solid enough to last years, The North Face Recon is great choice to consider.

Save Money On Timbuk2 Bags With This Checkout Trick

by Anil Polat | Apr 8, 2021 | Luggage, Money | 0

A well throughout design and impressive durability, Timbuk2 bags earn their premium price tags. You can however save money on most Timbuk2 purchases by using a discount trick that requires a little patience.

How To Save 10-15% On Timbuk2

First, head over to the Timbuk2 website. Shop around for the products you like and you choose the bag for you, add them it your cart. Then, begin the checkout process and be sure to add your email address when it asks. Keep going until you get to the part where you enter in payment details.

Don’t enter your payment details on this page. Rather, close it and wait.

You might get a popup offering you a discount before the site lets you close the webpage but if you wait up to 24 hours, Timbuk2 will send you the offer again – which might be even more – up to 15% off.

TIMBUK2 Classic Messenger Bag, Pennant, Medium

Not The Only Site

Timbuk2 isn’t the only seller to send email discounts to hook potential customers. Many will offer you a popup discount if you try to leave at the payment page but if you’re not in a rush, you might get an email discount in a day or two. Otherwise you can try corporate discounts or Honey but with the latter, be sure to check their privacy policy first. REI stores in the U.S. also tend to sell various brand bags at a discount, so be sure to compare with their online shop as well to get the best deal.

Logitech’s MX Anywhere 2s Shows Impressive Durability After 2 Years Of Use

by Anil Polat | Apr 6, 2021 | Pictures and Video, Tech | 0

One of the biggest questions about Logitech’s MX Anywhere 2s mouse when it was released was how durable is it? When comparing it to its predecessor 2, the 2s is lighter, slimmer, and feels a little less sturdy. After the first year as part of my Road Tested! series, the 2s showed signs of wear and the limitations of its design.

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Logitech MX Anywhere 2S Wireless Mouse – Use On Any Surface,...

A travel mouse with that level of wear might be concerning but in year 2 you can see in the video above the Anywhere 2s has shown it will be worth the investment. The battery life has deteriorated but can still be measured in weeks and the buttons maintain a respectable click. Despite its durable shell, travelers might find the 2s limiting is in particular aspects of its design. So, if you’re looking for a portable mouse for travel, be sure to watch the video above for the most comprehensive review of the 2s you’ll find anywhere.

Pack A Dryer Sheet In Your Luggage So Clothes Smell Fresh Upon Arrival

by Anil Polat | Apr 1, 2021 | Advice, Luggage | 0

Stuffing your clothes into a cramped suitcase and flying halfway around the planet doesn’t make for the best scent conditions. Fortunately, it’s easy enough to combat stale smells after a long journey by packing in an extra item: a single dryer sheet.

Obviously you’ll want to start a trip with all of your clothes washed before packing but often times we’re left having to mix clean with worn clothes. Being in such close quarters over an extended period of time can transfer dank smells over to anything that was smelling nice, giving you double laundry at your next destination (or worse, making you the smelling one at that arrival party).

Fabric softener, or dryer sheets, combat unpleasant odors which can be present from your luggage itself. (When was the last time you washed your suitcase?) For placement, pack a dryer sheet in between any dirty clothes or if everything is fresh already – in the center-bottom of your bag. This way, you’ll get the most benefit from a single dryer sheet but if you’ve packed shoes as well, it’s worth putting in a sheet in each shoe as well.

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Bounce Dryer Sheets Laundry Fabric Softener, Outdoor Fresh Scent,...

To further fight backpack odors you can throw in and keep a silica bag (those little packets that come with all of your electronics) which do an excellent job of absorbing moisture and preventing the growth of mold. Of course travel enough and you’ll end up with smelly socks at some point which might make for a good ad-hoc mosquito trap.

About Anil Polat

Hi, I'm Anil. foXnoMad is where I combine travel and tech to help you travel smarter. I'm on a journey to every country in the world and you're invited to join the adventure! Read More