Top 10 travel gadgets for Dad on the go

1.Portable laptop/tablet
Laptops are getting smaller and lighter and if you can you should bring one along. With a laptop you can go online, read emails, check Facebook, watch movies, store photos and videos. They are convenient to have period. And now with the tablet it is even easier to take one on a trip.

Laptop/tablet reviews:
http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,2806,9,00.asp
http://www.consumersearch.com/laptops/compare
http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,2806,2358246,00.asp


2. i/Android Phone
A smart phone lets you access travel tools such as emails, maps, GPS, compass, check the Internet for hotel and restaurant reviews etc.
The iPhone/Pad/Pod is essential for killing time while traveling on buses, trains, and airplanes. With amount of apps available these days for these and Android phones you can keep everyone entertained for ours, find useful information, and simply find and listen to music while on a trip.


3. Travel related Apps

Best travel app I have seen yet! It is awesome and it's free

(NOTE: Language packs must be purchased from within the app)

Wi-Fi Finder - Instantly find Wi-Fi Internet hotspots wherever you are online or offline(free)
FlightTracker - Live Flight Status Tracker
Currency Converter- up-to-date exchange rate information for over 100 currencies and countries(free)
Spanish Phrasebook - 630 spoken phrases
Google Translate - Translate words and phrases between more than 50 languages
TripIt - Travel organizer (free)
GasBag - gas price finding applications (free)
Shazam - quickest and easiest way to discover more about music, identify the track, buy it, check out the videos, get the lyric
Gowalla - social travel guide and passport on your phone (free)
Truphone - transforms your 2nd or 3rd generation iPod Touch into a phone (free, though rate charges apply)


4.Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Music just makes the day go faster and helps you immerse in your own world and your relaxation. Give your dad a music interlude with comfortable and stylish noise-cancelling headphones to provide him with some uninterrupted personal time.

Noise-cancelling headphones give the ability to listen to what they want while avoiding outside interference and help reduce the risk of hearing impairment as well. These headphones also provide excellent music quality. With high sensitivity, excellent impedance and a wide frequency range. Frequent travelers consider noise-cancelling headphones a necessity rather than a luxury. This gadget would be something that is at the top of the list of things to take along on flight or ride. They can:
- reduce the whoosh of airplanes' ac and engines
- tune out snoring neighbors
- drown out kid noise
- just help you tune out

Noise canceling headphones - life saver for travelers?

Cool Find of Today: How Do Noise Reducing Headphones Work?

5. Water bottle 
Reusable water bottle keeps you hydrated during the trip, keeps the liquid cool, and can be used over and over instead of buying and carrying multiple water bottles. Hence these bottles save money, space and weight. And they also help save our planet.
It is well known that to avoid waterborne creepy crawlies you should not drink tap water in places where you are not sure about its quality. Having a reusable water bottle with you instead, you can fill it up at a hotel or other sources of safe drinking water before heading out.
Also bottled water available for purchase has a significant impact on the environments we visit. A better choice and also much cheaper would be to take a reusable water bottle. That combined with a water purifier would make travel more budget-friendly, healthier, as well as eco-friendly.


6. Compact Digital Camera
A digital camera is probably the most essential travel tool so make sure you have one ready for your next trip.
When going on longer trips or tours, that would be better taken in without a lot of bags to drag around, it is great to take along a point-and-shoot camera. As mentioned in post Rechargeable batteries charger - saves money saves planet, it is more convenient to have a digital camera as well as rechargeable batteries. Some small cameras nowadays can take great shots that are almost as good as some semi-pro ones. Get your dad ready for the trip and his stint as a photo journalists with a digital camera with a 10x (or there about) optical zoom to have some great resolution memories. It would also be great to have a little folding tripod like the one from Gorillapod with the digital camera. Gorillapod is a very bendy tripod. It goes just about anywhere with its flexible legs that can wrap around objects and let you take pictures without having to hold the camera. This way you can get a whole shot of the family without leaving dad behind the camera.

7. GPS
One of the most annoying things about going on vacation is getting lost. If you've never been to the area and aren't good at reading a map, then consider taking along a GPS. You'll be surprised at the number of options that you have for a GPS device. You'll find a number of pocket size, easy to use options in GPS, with more coming out every year. There's no excuse to get lost anymore!


8. Charging pad/pod
Most travelers are taking along a cell phone on their trips nowadays. A cell phone charger could certainly come in handy if your battery runs out and you aren't near your hotel, right? There are options for cell phone chargers that using hand crank technology, and an even smaller option that uses 1 AA battery to charge up your cell phone for a full 5 minutes of use. That should be long enough to call the hotel and get directions back to it or to call a taxi.

This would especially be great when traveling and have your cell phone and a couple of cameras and a GPS with you.  The Chargepod comes with 6 adapters to accomodate different types of connections as well. And you can tell that it is designed as a travel gadget since it is also compatible with all foreign 120/240 V adapter wall plugs. It is compatible with most phones, PDAs, MP3 players, GPS and portable gaming systems.

Charging pad - lets you charge multiple electronics at once without having to plug all of them in an outlet. Only the charging pad gets plugged in and all other gadgets are placed on top of it. The devices are charged using inductive charging. It is a wireless charging method used for mid-sized items such as cell phones, MP3 players and PDAs

9. Digital Travel Clock & Photo Frame
Foldable digital travel clocks are great to have as you can set them up ahead of time and would not need to figure out the ones provided in the hotel rooms each time you travel. Dad can tote these with him wherever he goes as they are light and some can be set for multiple time zones. Perfect solution for the dad who travels a lot.
Moreover, the digital clocks with photo frames are great gift for dad or other frequent travelers so that they can always keep photos of their friends and family with them as the picture viewer comes built into the clock. Upload your favorite family photos and wake up to them every morning no matter where you are in the world


10. Swiss Army knife
Swiss Army knife - its a classic multi-tool. Everything you need and more within one device. The basic models include a blade, scissors, nail file with a screwdriver tip, tweezers, and a key ring. Now it also comes with tech gadgets such as USB, flashlight, digital clock and thermometer. Dad would be glad to have this gadget along (make sure it travels in checked-in luggage) on a trip as it can be very handy in numerous situations and make him feel like a regular Macgyver. Check out multiple versions on SwissArmy site http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/default.aspx?category=multitools&

Did You Know?:
With regular headphones you have to turn the volume up several decibels to drown out the noise around you. Even raising the music a few decibels can cause permanent significant damage to hearing.

Make your travel buddies jealous.. and be green

 I have been talking up traveling with a reusable water bottle in a few of my posts. There are quite a few benefits of using these bottles such as keeps you hydrated during the trip, keeps the liquid cool, saves money, saves you from drinking water that could cause issues, as well as helps save the planet by keeping the plastic bottles out of the landfills. It can also make your friends jealous...
 Last weekend we and a couple of our friends took a trip to Botanical Gardens. It was a sunny day but quite muggy for Spring. As we have been there once before, we knew we need to travel light and also have some essentials with us. We took with us sunglasses, a hat, put on sunscreen, and a bpa free plastic water bottle very similar to this one: Nalgene Tritan BPA-Free Water Bottle. In the Botanical Garden they do not allow outside food and drink unless it is water as they have a cafe that sells these. When our friends saw the water bottle their reaction was a slap on a forehead saying "That's great idea. Why didn't we think of that."
 As we continued on our tour of the gardens we visited some greenhouses that had tropical forest plants and were very hot and humid, desert native plants with very dry atmosphere, and the garden itself which was warm in the sunlight. We were very glad we had the water with us to keep us hydrated and going. And we were able to fill it back up at our pit stop. Our friends also filled up on water from the fountain. The water bottles at the cafe were selling for $3. It was a great trip as the weather held up and also got a bit cooler towards the end of the walk through, we saw a lot, hung out with friends, enjoyed a lot of greenery and oxygen, and also did our small part in keeping the planet green.

 Our next weekend trip is to Atlantic City. With lots of casinos, restaurants and entertainment, it is well known for pricey outings and nutty prices for bottles of water. We already have a couple of reusable water bottles ready to go, as well as camera, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

 What are some weekend trips have you taken? And how do you keep them green and fun?

How to take care of reusable water bottle

Make love not landfill

New Cool Gadget Find of Today: Wrist watches making a comeback?

I have a great time piece by Fossil that I have had for quite a few years. Actually since I finished high school as that was a graduation present to myself. And until a couple of years ago I would not have gone anywhere without it. However, I have not worn the watch in quite awhile since, like most folks these days, I always have the phone with me to tell me the time. This new watch/gadget might be changing that.
Fossil is looking to make wrist watches relevant once again with their new model Metawatch, that will be available in stores in July 2011.
There are two models, one analog/digital with two 16x80 white OLED (organic light-emitting diode) displays and digital with 96x96 reflective/always on display technology. The analog watch has two hands, and the 2 screens appear above and below that can show updates and information. The digital watch has a reflective LCD face that can display just about anything, but only in black and white.
The Metawatches use Bluetooth technology to sync with the phone and are able to display email notifications, Twitter/Facebook updates, and other short messages. They also have a rechargeable battery.

...

Metawatch press release:

Meta WatchTM offers developers freedom to start their own wrist revolution

Richardson, TX, May 3, 2011 - Meta WatchTM is proud to announce a wearable development system that enables rapid development of 'connected-watch' applications. With Meta Watch, developers can quickly and easily extend the interfaces of devices and applications to the wrist. The Meta Watch platforms utilize embedded Bluetooth® technology to connect to smartphones, tablets and other electronics devices. The Meta Watch SDK/API makes it easy for the watch to display information from mobile applications or Internet services. For complete information, visit www.metawatch.org.

Meta Watch platforms are available in analog digital or digital versions, and include: a 3 ATM water resistant stainless steel case; leather strap; mineral glass crystal; vibrating motor; three-axis accelerometer, and ambient light sensor. Optimized for low-power operation, both watch platforms are based on the MSP430TM ultra-low-power microcontroller and CC2560 Bluetooth host controller interface solution from Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI).

"Meta Watch makes our everyday mobile experience much better by enabling us to view important mobile notifications at the right time with virtually no effort", said Bill Geiser, Vice President Watch Technology, Fossil. "Of course, you can get this information today, but it requires many different steps. Meta Watch simply makes it more convenient and, in the process, it opens the door to new partnerships like we have with TI and a growing network of development partners."

"TI welcomes the opportunity to work with the Meta Watch team on creating a new channel for the community, and to helping developers push the watch's capabilities to the next level," said Eran Sandhaus, Director of marketing, wireless connectivity solutions, TI. "TI's MSP430 ultra-low-power microcontroller and CC2560 Bluetooth host controller interface provide a solid foundation for the next- generation, connected devices based on the Meta Watch's sleek form factor. We look forward to seeing the Meta Watch community flourish with ideas for wearable technology that will spark new consumer experiences for years to come."

Why good to have on a trip:
- easily view messages, emails and notifications without taking out the phone
- safety, no need to display your expensive phone/gadget
- a reason to keep wearing a wrist watch

Earn Cash for Gadgets With Trade-In Programs

Here is a list of current trade-in programs:

(via laptopmag.com)

Amazon
www.amazon.com/trade-in

One of the latest to enter the tech trade-in fray, online retailer Amazon recently expanded its trade-in service to include gadgets such as tablets, phones, MP3 players, and cameras. Users looking to get rid of old gear will receive reimbursement in the form of store credit deposited directly into their Amazon accounts. The site sends you a box and a label to cover the cost of shipping.

BuyBackWorld
www.buybackworld.com

BuyBackWorld covers the basics, letting you sell old gadgets or donate them for recycling if they’re not worth anything. When you visit the site you’re greeted by a video avatar, which offers the basic directions. This site looks the least professional in terms of the design, but it also offers a referral program where you can make $10 for every $100 worth of electronics that one of your friends sells.

BuyMyTronics
www.buymytronics.com

This site will accept cell phones, smartphones, digital cameras, MP3 players, eReaders, game consoles, GPS devices, and all Apple products. BuyMyTronics promises to wipe all personal data before the devices are recycled. The service covers the cost of shipping and then pays you via check or PayPal. BuyMyTronics also offers a unique fundraising option; the site will send you a giant box that you could place, say, in the middle of an office space. People can then deposit their old gadgets in the donation box. When you’re done, you mail it in using the pre-paid shipping labels. You can then have the funds sent directly to your charity of choice, along with a 5-percent bump, courtesy of BuyMyTronics.

Gazelle
www.gazelle.com

Thanks to an aggressive advertising campaign and excellent service, Gazelle is the most prominent company in this space; it handles the trade-in program for Walmart, where you can get store credit for your old gadgets. In addition to buying your gadgets (everything from laptops and eReaders to Blu-ray players and video games) for cash, Gazelle allows you to send them in for recycling. However, the service won’t pay for shipping if your device is worth less than $1.

The site also has a charitable side. You can organize a gadget drive, where a group donates its old gadgets to Gazelle, with the proceeds from the sales going to a charity of your choosing. And if you’re in Boston, you can drop off the gadget directly at the Gazelle office.

NextWorth
www.nextworth.com

Helpfully, NextWorth offers in-store drop-off. You can take your used cell phones, cameras, game consoles, DVDs, and other gear into one of 850 more than Target stores nationwide, and exchange them on the spot for either a gift card or store credit. If you’re in range of a Target, it’s hard to beat that level of convenience.

YouRenew
www.yourenew.com

YouRenew offers the basics in the cash-for-gadgets space, and its claim to fame is that it’s the “easiest, fastest, and greenest way to turn your old electronic devices into cash.” If your gadget isn’t worth anything, or if you don’t want any money, you can simply turn it in and recycle it. For every device YouRenew takes in, the company lets you choose between a donation to Carbonfund.org (one metric ton of carbon offset per 20 recycled devices) or Americanforests.org (one planted tree for every four YouRenew customers who choose this option). YouRenew also offsets all its carbon emissions through CO2stats.com.

Did You Know?:
Some of the recycled gadgets get refurbished and donated to schools, armed forces, or 3rd world countries. Additional info on recycling your no longer needed gadgets: Recycling Old Gadgets

Summer is just around the corner - enjoy the sun, protect your skin

Update: The Sun Authority - sun safety guide from sunglasswarehouse

With summer just around the corner its time to think about outdoors, beach, sun, and most importantly sun protection.
There is a great article on hubpages.com regarding protecting your skin and details on different types of sun rays and protection: Sun Protection Against Ultraviolet Rays and How to Make Your Own Natural Sunscreen

Protect Your Skin Against the Damaging Effects of UV Rays.
Source: hubpages.com
The sun emits electromagnetic radiation in the form of heat and light. In fact, 99 percent of the electromagnetic radiation reaches the Earth in the form of ultraviolet (UV) rays, infrared rays (heat) and light. While heat and light are necessary for sustaining life, too much UV exposure can have undue effects on the skin and health. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, UV radiation, from the sun as well as tanning beds, is classified as a human carcinogen. It is not surprising, therefore, that UV radiation is the main culprit behind the ugly effects of photoaging—wrinkles, premature aging skin, age spots and the risk factor in skin cancer. The U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) also has grim statistics to show the dangerous effects of UV radiation—one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime and it claims the life of one American every hour.
Sounds scary?  If you’re a sun-worshipper or have been negligent about sun protection, there is good news: Skin cancer can be prevented by limiting unprotected exposure to UV rays. But what are UV rays? Are there different types of UV rays and what do they do to your skin and health. Here’s the lowdown:

What are UV Rays?
UV rays are energy emitted by the sun and they travel in wavelengths. Shorter wavelengths have more energy and vice versa. By definition, UV rays are shorter than infrared rays and therefore have more energy than visible radiation. This attribution makes UV rays more harmful than infrared rays. Why? The higher energy found in UV rays is strong enough to cause the breakdown of molecules of any substance, changing the chemical structure of the molecule. Prolonged periods of UV radiation can cause cell damage and deformities by altering its genetic code. For the skin, it can mean premature wrinkles, photoaging and in the worst case scenario, skin cancer. Eyes can develop cataract, pigmentation or macular degeneration.
However, not all UV rays exert the same kind of effects. Within the UV rays spectrum, there are 3 main types and they’re classified according to their wave ranges: UVA, UVB and UVB

UVA Rays
UVA rays have the longest wavelength and therefore exert the least energy of all the UV rays. They range from 320 to 400 nanometers (nm, or billions of a meter). You can get technical and further divide UVA into UVA1 (340 to 400 nm) and UVA2 (320 to 400 nm). They also account for most of the radiation from the sun, a whopping 95 percent. Although they are less intense due to their longer wavelength, they are 30 to 50 percent more prevalent and their effects are more consistent throughout the day. Their longer wavelengths also enable them to penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB rays. Premature wrinkles, skin aging, age spots –in one word—photoaging develops with unprotected exposure to UVA rays.

UVB Rays
UVB rays fall mid-range in the UV spectrum, ranging from 290 to 320 nm. Although the ozone layer does much to absorb UVB rays, some still manage to find their way to Earth. With increasing depletion of ozone layer, more UVB rays will reach Earth. Unlike UVA consistency, the intensity of UVB rays varies by location, season and time of the day. Higher altitude will have more UVB rays and reflection off light-reflecting surfaces such as snow and sea will intensify their presence as well. UVB rays are strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM and in the hot summer months. Indiscriminate and prolonged exposure to UVB rays will cause skin reddening and sunburn, causing damage to the skin’s superficial epidermal layers. The ugly effects of photoaging will show and skin cancer may develop.

UVC Rays
UVC rays are the shortest of the UV rays and therefore the most intense and damaging. Thankfully, its high intensity causes it to react with the ozone layer, causing the breakdown of molecules. UVC rays rarely reach the Earth due to that. However, certain energy-producing procedures such welding (where high heat and light are created) can produce UVC rays. Prolonged exposure to UVC rays can cause cataracts and eye problems.

Dangers of UV Rays
While some sun exposure is necessary for the formation of vitamin D, too much sun exposure can results in health ramifications. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, UV radiation may cause the following:
Premature skin aging and other skin problems
Skin cancer (Melanoma and nonmelanoma)
Cataracts and other eye damage such as pigmentation
Immune System Suppression
How to Protect Against UV Radiation
Short of hiding indoor to avoid UV radiation, there are some ways to enjoy the sun without suffering the consequences. It is often better to err on the side of caution but if you’re in doubt as to how to go about protecting your skin and health, here’s the recommendation from the experts. The Center for Disease Control suggests the following ways:
Always use a sunscreen with a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or higher. Look for one with both UVA and UVB protection.
Wear clothing to protect exposed skin. For example, wear a long-sleeved shirt while working in the sun.
Wear a hat with a wide brim to protect the face, head, ears and neck.
Wear sunglasses that block as close to 100% of the UVA and UVB rays as possible. Preferably choose sunglasses that wrap around the eyes for maximum protection.
Whenever possible, choose shade during the midday hours when radiation is the strongest.

Make Your Own Natural Sunscreen
Of course, it’s easier to go to the store to buy sunscreen and some brands even carry SPF up to 90. But what if you’re allergic to some of the chemicals used or you’re quite a natural health nut and would much prefer using natural ingredients, after all, the solution is going on your skin? You can actually make your own sunscreen! Here’s a very basic recipe by Sophie Uliano of the “Gorgeously Green” series fame:
Sesame Sunscreen
2 tbs virgin coconut oil (SPF 2)
1 tbs shea butter (SPF 6)
½ tsp sesame oil (SPF 2)
½ tsp aloe vera gel
2 tsp zinc oxide
Put the first 4 ingredients in a ceramic bowl and put the bowl inside a saucepan filled with an inch or two of gently boiling water. Melt all the ingredients and add zinc oxide (the sun protection ingredient). Pour into a dark glass jar and keep it in a cool dark place. Will last for 6 months.
Note: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are two of the natural minerals approved by FDA for use in sunscreen. Both are gentle and non-irritating and the least likely to cause photosensitivity disorders. Titanium dioxide offers protection against both UVA and UVA rays and zinc oxide offers an even wider spectrum of protection in the UVA range.

Oils with Natural Sun Protection
You can also substitute the oils used in the above recipe with any of these oils, all with natural sun protection, some higher than others.
Avocado oil (SPF 6 to 8): My personal favorite and I use it under foundation.
Red Raspberry Seed Oil (SPF 28 to 50)
Cannabis Oil (SPF 6)
Macadamia Oil (SPF 6)
Jojoba oil (SPF 6)
Hemp Seed oil (SPF 6)
Herbal Sun Protection
Some herbs pull their own weight when it comes to sun protection. Here are some heavy weights:
Vitamin C and E offers protection free radical damage caused by UV rays. According to the Duke University research, vitamin C and E help to counter the effects of sun exposure.
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) protects against skin cancer. How? Topical application of green tea blocks UV rays by nullifying damaging effects of free radicals and reducing inflammation.
Horse Chestnut extract, esculin, is high in antioxidants and offers protection against UV rays.
Extract of Helichrysum (part of the Sunflower family) has anti-inflammatory and regenerative qualities. Acts as an effective sunscreen.

New Cool Gadgets for Today: bike power, lifehammer, and pearly wipes

1. Phone charger powered by bike power. Nokia came out with a gadget that is able to charge your cell phone while paddling. Speed of 8 mph is enough to generate juice that equates what a wall charger can output to your phone.
There is also ReeCharge power pack by BioLogic that can charge most any USB-chargeable device, including iPhones, iPods, cell phones, cameras or GPS units
Why good to have on a trip:
- power up your cell phone while bike touring,
- no need to stop and look for an outlet
- no extra batteries to carry around
- use less electricity
- make the planet greener

2. LifeHammer® allows people to escape from being trapped in vehicles by cutting jammed seat belts and breaking car windows. Saw a demonstration of how it works on a show today, and it is definitely a tool to have in the car and it can have other uses in emergency situations.

3. Pearly wipes - moist towelettes for cleaning your teeth from stains while on the go.
These wipes have all natural ingredients as described below from the official website (http://www.winewipes.com/pearly-wipes.php)
Ingredients: Baking soda, Hydrogen Peroxide, Calcium, Glycerin, Peppermint oil
Why good to have on a trip:
- remove coffee and tea stains, red wine reside, and other staining beverages from teeth
- freshen your breath
- keeps teeth and gums germ-free
- quick and easy to use
- compact and cheap
- peppermint oil can naturally relieve toothaches, stress, headaches, and indigestion

The Racktrap - packing it in for your next trip

  Earlier this morning I, for the first time, heard about this gadget for ladies that I thought is a great idea and would be awesome to have along on a trip. And it seems quite a few people agree as it has been written up about in a lot publications and has been discussed on several shows.

The Racktrap™ (http://www.theracktrap.com/) is an undetectable one-size-fits-all personal bra pocket that holds everyday essentials including license, cash, credit cards, and a photo ID, conveniently in a bra.

If you put stuff for "safe keeping" in your bra, this is a great product. Not that I would know first hand, though I recently got myself one of these things that is a bit similar, to keep valuables close to me. But it seems it would a great accessory for a trip to keep your money and other documents close while on a trip. It is a great solution for females who need to carry the essentials, but either don’t have pockets or a purse to store them in. It is an undetectable pocket that fits inside a sports bra while exercising, walking around town, on a tour or on a trail.

These smart little pockets are made of smooth fabric that nestles right inside the bra. It is hypoallergenic and fits well no matter the bra cup size.

They also could be useful when it’s time to hit up the club for a night of drinking and dancing. You would not have to worry about your bag and who’s going to keep an eye on it while on the dance floor.

Using the Racktrap™ is also a lot more sanitary than just tucking in the dollar bills straight into your bra, since as the research shows, US dollars have been found to have the most bacteria on them compared to other currencies.

http://www.theracktrap.com/

  

Why good to have on a trip: 

- Designed to fit comfortably in any size or style bra

- Designed for women on the go

- Holds your small essentials in one safe place
- No need for purse or pockets

- Perfect for running errands, jogging, touring, trailing...

Did You Know?:
A study of American coins and currency revealed the presence of bacteria, including staphylococcus, E. coli, and klebsiella, on 18 percent of the coins and 7 percent of the bills.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/67218/title/Science_%2B_the_Public__Dirty_money_1_Expect_germs

Little stone that could ... clean up your trip

  On a recent shopping trip not food related, we picked up a little gizmo that we saw in the store in the last minute before going to the checkout. I have somewhat known about these but for a different purpose. The little item we got was lint removing sweater stone.
  When I first saw it, out loud I was asking if we should get it and if it will be useful. Though to myself, almost subconsciously, I thought this might be a savior for a couple of my most favorite apparel items that from a glance look like they have had better days. I have a zip up sweater that I like a lot since it is comfortable, easily goes with most of the things I wear so great to take a long on a trip, and it has a double zipper. As with most things that you like, you tend to wear these quite a bit. I wore this sweater just about any chance I had. After awhile and a few washes, it started to look that way with a bunch of rolls and such on the front of it. The other article is my winter black wool jacket. It was a great find. It fits me well and also easy to go with and looks cool. It is warm in the winter with layers underneath and great in the fall and in beginning of spring. So as you can imagine, I was also wearing quite a bit. It came to a point where my wife was telling I need to get a new winter jacket as this just looks worn out. I didn't like the idea. However, I did indulge the request by trying on several jackets in several stores, but none of them fit as well or looked as good.

  And this is where the story goes back to the little rectangular stone with ruff surface. I first used in on the sweater and it removed a lot of the lint relatively easy. After, I decided to use it on my jacket to see if I can save it as well. It worked great. Areas that looked gray and worn out because of the lint and fuss build up on the top, started to clear up and look black again. My wife took a look at the progress I was making on small areas of the jacket and decided to help me clean the entire thing. Once finished, it looked a whole lot better and prolonged the life of the jacket for maybe another couple of years.
  The lint removing stoneis light and is easily packed into a plastic sleeve. It is also very inexpensive. It is a great tool to have on winter trips when you take along sweaters or jackets, or pants for that matter, to quickly clean them up.

Why good to have on a trip:
- light
- compact
- easily removes lint
- can be uses for other purposes: file, sharpen, stain clean, remove pet hair ...

Did You Know?:
How to Remove Lint Balls From Sweaters

Travel essentials for easy travel by frequent flyers

6 essential items to ease your travel experience

article by By William Bailey from Budget Travel

The folks on this list have quite an extensive travel itineraries and a whole lot of miles under their belts. In the article the provide some of the essential travel items that they always take a long on their journey. I found this post very interesting as it included some of our favorite items to take a long as well.

Matthew Kleinosky, one of the travelers on the list, always has a water filter with him while traveling as well as a water bottle.

From another frequent traveler: "My first aid kit and my Swiss Army knife (in checked bags): I've used the knife to open items, to eat, and for other useful functions..."

Another one takes along earplugs to tune out "loud, unhappy children." While that is great, I like to not only tune out but also tune into some enjoyable relaxing music. And that is where noise-canceling headphone come in handy as they do both and work great to get you through the flight, train ride, or just the wait for both.

Did You Know?:
Be a Packing Genius: Step-by-Step Photos

Keep your travels neat during and after

Update: There is an app for it, and its free. I came across the article below about an app that lets you record and snap photos of receipts to create monthly/annual reports. This app is available for multiple smartphone operating systems, quick to input and import receipts and such into accounting software. And its free.

App of the Week: Track Your Expenses – For Free

This week's cool gadget is Portable Scanner.

This gadget I have come across on several occasions. Mostly in really good advertisements that got my attention. Ok, maybe they were not that great, but I did notice them as someone who is into gadgets and read through and then read up a bit more about it on the site.
The first one of this type I came across was NeatReceipts. I really like what it promised. All of the receipts that I have all over the desk and then "neatly" put a way in a filing case would instead be scanned onto my computer and then I can organize them whatever way I want in digital format. Moreover, since these are now digitized they can be inputted into accounting software or simple data sheet. That is awesome, as that would make it much easier to see what we have spent on and create tracking for the various little purchases. You can also scan business cards and such to keep digital copy of and create pdf files and contact lists.
NeatReceipts is USB-powered, slick at only 14 inches width x 4 inches height and weighs 1.6 pounds, comparable with both PC and Mac, which makes it great for traveling since it fits easily into laptop bag or a backpack.
That is all great, though the thing that kept me away from this gadget is the price. NeatReceipts goes for around 200 dollars. While its a nice tool to have to organize receipts and such, my current filing system works and it cost me about $5, the price of the plastic filing folder.
The other portable scanner I came across was CopyCat Portable Scanner. By dragging your hand across a piece of paper you able to digitize a document into picture file on the Micro SD card in the scanner. It can scan photos, magazines, typed documents, and more. Text processing software also enables you to edit any words scanned. This one is a bit less, but still a pricey gadget.

What do you think? Would this be a good travel gadget purchase or should be left in the office?

Why good to have on a trip:
- easily scan receipts, instead of having a pile somewhere in the bag
- able to create data sheets, reports, and other documents
- easy tracking of small and large purchases
- light and compact
- easily connects to any computer

Did You Know?: IRS accepts digital versions of receipts, bills or other tax deduction documents.
Publication 552 - "Electronic records. All requirements that apply to hard copy books and records also apply to electronic storage systems that maintain tax books and records. When you replace hard copy books and records, you must maintain the electronic storage systems for as long as they are material to the administration of tax law."

Follow up...Rechargeable batteries charger plus cool camera plus pics

Update to "Rechargeable batteries charger - saves money saves planet" ...

This weekend, we took a 4 day trip to Maryland. It was great, we went to Baltimore Inner Harbor, got on top of the World Trade Center to see all of Baltimore laid out in-front of us in 360 degree view. We also went down to Annapolis and visited the Naval Academy as well as the town, even though it was pouring all day. And relaxed across the bridge in Tilghman Island and Kent County. All in all it was a great road trip. And you know it was scenic as my wife took 510 photos in three and a half days. That is around 146 shots per day. I thought it was quite a bit.
We had the Canon Powershot camera I mentioned in the last post with us. And we took along our "new" rechargeable battery charger set including the 4 batteries that it came with. I would like to report that it was an awesome gadget purchase and it was great to have on the trip.
We only had to switch the batteries twice while actually walking around. Which is in itself a wonder as the camera usually goes through a lot more changes. On the third day of the trip my wife even said that she was surprised and impressed how long these batteries lasted as compared to regular batteries. We put not yet used batteries into the camera and charged the other 2 in the evening and were set to go. Moreover, as we do a lot walking we like to travel light, so having only 2 batteries on stand by in my pocket was great.

Why good to have on a trip:
- less batteries to drag around
- surprisingly longer life span
- cheaper than regular batteries
- for us, they work

I do not usually recommend any products. In my posts I am looking to describe the coolness and usefulness of  gadgets on a trip. However, I am partial to the camera that we have in terms of the quality of pictures that it takes, the ease of taking them, and the awesome resolution of those pictures when printed or on computer screen. The latest version of the digital camera we have is Canon PowerShot SX130IS 12.1 which comes with 12x optical zoom compared to our 10x which was the only option at the time. This camera is not the smallest, slimmest, or cutest, but it is one of the better point-and-shoots I have seen.

Laptopmag.com review: "Big zoo, small price. This 10X optical zoom camera is perfect for soccer moms (or dads) who want to get that perfect shot from afar. The SX120 IS also has a large 3-inch screen for framing and reviewing your 10-mp photos, optical image stabilization (IS), and motion detection for blur-free pics. If your friend isn't tech-savvy, have no fear, the Canon has Smart Auto mode and Easy mode, so that anyone can get the best shot without having to tweak the settings."

Some pics from the trip: Maryland trip

ZOMM Wireless Leash for Mobile Phones

Key chain finder have come a long way. The original keys finder is well known and is a marketing giveaway nowadays. This is the gadget that would start beeping when you whistle while trying to find where you left your keys.

ZOMM Wireless Leash is a lot more technologically advanced way to make sure that you do not loose and/or misplace your expensive phone. I came across this gadgets awhile back when it was still a concept in development and was not available for purchase. It has hit the market and developed quite a few additional features since then.
ZOMM will begin vibrating, flashing, and sounding a distinct alarm when you are about to walk 20-40 feet from your mobile phone. It uses Bluetooth® technology to connect with the phone and keep the monitor its location relative to the key chain gadget.
It also has a built-in panic alarm that can be activated with a simple press of a button. Continue to hold that button, and ZOMM will automatically call any emergency number of your choice. ZOMM comes with fully functioning speakerphone with a noise-canceling microphone, belt/bag clip, instructions manual, wall charger, and USB cable.

Why good to have on a trip:
- keep your phone close by without leaving it behind
- safeguard your phone and all the data on it
- keep safe with emergency call feature and alarm

Did You Know?: More than a third of consumers have had cell phones lost or stolen. On average 32 percent of people had had their phones lost of stolen, with the age group 18 – 24 most likely to have experienced loss or theft with 51 percent. Today’s mobile phones are capable of storing a lot of valuable information, which can be used for malicious purposes if the phone falls into the wrong hands. Keep your phones close and locked.

Norton Smartphone Security

Top 25 GIfts Under $50

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/roundups/top-25-under-50.aspx - a list from Laptopmag of cool gadgets for travel and other gift ideas

Our favorites:

Bedol Water Clock
For the jaded gadget geek who thinks he's seen everything, this 6.5-inch clock runs on H20. It converts ions from ordinary tap water into electrical power that'll keep the hands spinning for three months or more before a refill is needed.
Why good to have on a trip:
- no batteries.
- water available in most countries, even if not clean or drinkable

Belkin Conserve Valet
Kill four volt-sucking chargers at once with this four-device USB smart-charging station. Once all your gadgets are fully juiced, the Valet shuts down so no power is drained needlessly. To eliminate spaghetti cables, the cords wrap around the unit itself.
Why good to have on a trip:
- less wires and less plugs
- keeps your gadgets powered up all at the same time

Energizer Energi To Go SP1000
All you need is light--artificial or solar--to keep this portable charger full and, therefore, any cell phone or MP3 player powered. The 1000-mAh lithium polymer battery can be solar-filled up to 500 times, and two free TipFit connectors a year from Energizer.
Why good to have on a trip:
- light is available, especially when traveling to warm sunny destination
- keeps all the gadgets charged

Naftali Easy2Pick Wireless Luggage Finder System
For all those with lookalike black luggage, this wireless tag system alerts forgetful loved ones via a blinking red LED on the keychain when their bag is within 90 feet - on the carousel someplace. It also works in reverse: Use the luggage tag to help locate lost keys.
Why good to have on a trip:
- no straining neck to look for luggage on carousel
- no picking up strangers luggage just because it looks like yours
- find luggage and/or keys

ThinkGeek Guitar Shirt
Seriously, it's a T-shirt with a playable guitar on it. Connect a shirt to a belt-clipped amp/speaker (four AAA), or jack into to a real amp. The guitar neck detaches like Velcro for washing. There are also drum and keyboard shirts coming to complete your T-shirt family band.
Why good to have on a trip:
- its fun and could be cool

New Cool Gadget Find of Today: Wallet Made of Stainless Steel

Woven using 25,000 flexible stainless-steel threads that are three times thinner than a piece of paper, this wallet is resistant to stretching or staining and corrosives such as salts, acids, and seawater. It does not have sharp corners or the inherent bulk of other wallets so it easily fits in front or back pocket.
Also, since it is made out of steel, it passively resists radio-frequency hacking. Which is the latest identity theft technique that attempts to scan newer credit cards and other cards that are RF-enabled (Radio frequency identification chip).
This virtually indestructible wallet feels like silk. Features 6 credit card, two internal and currency slots with a divided large pocket for bills.

Why good to have on a trip:
- it is durable
- resistant to stretching and staining and corrosives
- made out of steel, yet feels as smooth as silk
- resists radio-frequency hacking
- slim, fits easily in front/back pocket
- protects your hard cash

Did You Know?:
Wireless identity theft is a relatively new technique of gathering an individual's personal information from RF-enabled cards carried on a person in their access control, credit, debit, or government issued identification cards.[6] Each of these cards carry a Radio frequency identification chip which responds to certain radio frequencies. When these "tags" come into contact with radio waves, they respond with a slightly altered signal. The response can contain encoded personal identifying information, including the card holder's name, address, Social Security Number, phone number, and pertinent account or employee information. Upon capturing (or 'harvesting') this data, the thief is then able to program their own cards to respond in an identical fashion (via 'cloning').(Wikipedia.org)

10 Travel Gadgets for the warm weather travel

10. Digital Luggage Scale - an essential gadget for today's traveler. Take the guesswork out of packing and avoid paying extra fees by finding out luggage weight before check-in.

9. Charging pad - lets you charge multiple electronics at once without having to plug all of them in an outlet. Only the charging pad gets plugged in and all other gadgets are placed on top of it. The devices are charged using inductive charging. It is a wireless charging method used for mid-sized items such as cell phones, MP3 players and PDAs.

8. Joby Gorilla pod - Gorillapod is a very bendy tripod composed of more than two dozen plastic “leg joints” that once connected to your camera’s tripod mount hole can be twisted around and secured to virtually any surface

7. Noise canceling headphones - Music just makes the day go faster and helps you immerse in your own world and your relaxation.
more here:
Gadget that would be considered a must have by frequent travelers
Noise canceling headphones - life saver for travelers?

6. Swiss Army knife - its a classic multi-tool. Everything you need and more within one device. Now it also comes with tech gadgets such as USB, flashlight, digital clock and thermometer. (Traveller Lite)

5. Reusable water bottle - keeps you hydrated during the trip, keeps the liquid cool, and can be used over and over instead buying and carrying multiple water bottle. Hence these bottles save money space and weight. And they also help save our planet.
How to take care of reusable water bottle
Review of the Best BPA-Free Water Bottles
Green travel: how to ditch the plastic water bottle

4. First aid kit -
Good items to include in the kit are:
•first-aid manual
•sterile gauze
•adhesive tape and bandages in several sizes
•antiseptic wipes
•antibiotic cream/solution (triple-antibiotic ointment)
•hydrocortisone cream (1%)
•acetaminophen and ibuprofen
•tweezers
•sharp scissors
•safety pins
•disposable instant cold packs
•calamine lotion
•alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
•plastic gloves (at least 2 pairs)

3. Digital Camera - an essential gadget on any trip. A good camera will give you great resolution shots and memories

2. E-reader - These gadgets hold multiple books and magazines within one small light package. No more dragging multiple heavy books on a trip. They also come with wi-fi and a web browser included.

1. Smartphone - Built in gps, cameras, emailing and texting, Apps with maps, directions, games, reviews and recommendations. Needless to say these phones make a great companion on any trip.

Did You Know?:
Travel Tip: Avoiding International Roaming Charges

Best headphones ad ... ever

ZippearZ earbuds commercial:



Why good to have on a trip: They don't fall out :)

Rechargeable batteries charger - saves money saves planet

Update : http://traveltechgadgets.blogspot.com/2011/04/follow-uprechargeable-batteries-charger.html

My wife loves taking pictures. It is her hobby. It is really a great thing that the digital camera was invented since she takes hundreds if not thousand of pictures when we go on a trip. Can you imagine all of the rolls of films or the cost of processing those?
When going on longer trips or tours that would be better taken in without a lot of bags to drag around, we take along with us a point-and-shoot camera. Ours is a Canon Powershot SX120 SI, which is a great camera to have when cannot shoot with a DSLR. It is far better than most "lighter" digital cameras with a 10x optical zoom. The drawback of this and most other digital cameras are the batteries that you have to take a long on a trip. While we really like this camera and it produces great pictures, it eats a couple of batteries for breakfast lunch and dinner. So we had to take with us quite a few spare batteries in the luggage. And with all of the weight restriction these days at the airport this extra weight does not help.
Then, a couple of months ago with had a Eureka! moment. We can use rechargeable batteries.
I used to have one of those recharging stations quite a few years ago. It was bulky, not that easy to use, and would not charge the batteries that well. So based on these pre-conceptions, this idea did not pop-up right away. However, with all of the improvements and innovation in technology, we figured this gadget had to change as well.
As we do with any purchase, we began our research to figure out what is out there and what would be the best lightweight and quick portable battery charger that would also give us the best bang for our buck. To our surprise and great benefit, what we found to be the better of the bunch was not a main brand name, but a lesser known one, that had a lot of the features that we were looking for at a great price. We chose Sanyo Eneloop 4 Pack Rechargable Set. It received great reviews from users and rated high for fast and complete charging. It is lightweight and easy to store as you can fold the prongs into the casing. And at just over $11, it is a great travel gadget to throw in a bag for next trip.
We have already used it on several occasions and it is great to not have a baggy of 20 plus batteries weighing down. It also keeps our camera nice and full. It still uses up the power quickly, but the batteries can be recharged just as quickly 4 at-a-time, and it has worldwide voltage so can charge just about anywhere. And we spend a lot less money on getting new ones every so often.

Reviews and comparisons for the battery chargers:
http://battery-charger-review.toptenreviews.com/
http://www.consumersearch.com/batteries/review
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/12/aa-rechargeable-battery-shootout-energizer-powergenix-and-sany/

Why good to have on a trip:
- less bulky than a bag of batteries
- also weighs less
- saves money on buying batteries for high tech devices
- helps you be more green and saves the planet

Did You Know?: Some batteries may contain mercury and need to be properly disposed off and/or recycled. Recycling batteries keeps heavy metals out of landfills and the air. Recycling saves resources because recovered plastic and metals can be used to make new batteries.

Gadget that would be considered a must have by frequent travelers

This morning I came across a review on Gadling.com that talks about active noise canceling headphones and that this gadget would be something that is at the top of the list of things to take along on flight by most frequent fliers. As I have been raving about headphones as a great feature to have on a trip or otherwise, I think this would be an interesting read as they go in depth on how this headphones actually work to cancel out the outside noise

"Review: Denon AH-NC800 active noise canceling headphones"

Why good to have on trip:
- reduce the whoosh of airplanes' air-conditioning systems
- tune out snoring neighbors
- tune out kid noise
- just tune out
- no need to crank up the volume, leads to reduced ear fatigue

SeatGuru also has a pretty good review of headphones for traveling: Noise-Cancelling Headphones Review

Do Electronic Gadgets Really Affect an Airplane's Instruments?

An article by David Parker Brown on Aol Travel: "Do Electronic Gadgets Really Affect an Airplane's Instruments?"

"The official reason for the requirement that electronic devices need to be turned off is to make sure passengers listen to the safety instructions from the flight attendants, reduce the presence of loose objects getting in the way in case of an emergency and to eliminate the possibility of the devices interfering with the airline's avionics.
It is not just about putting away your electronic devices, but actually shutting them completely down
... Electronic devices must be kept off under 10,000 feet since take off and landing are two of the most critical parts of a flight, experts say. It's considered a matter of safety."

Did You Know?: Most cellphones today have an Airplane Mode. By turning this feature on before the take off, would allow you to use other features of the phone such as music players, games, calendars, and so forth while in flight.
Airplane mode is a setting on many cellphones which disables their wireless communication abilities, theoretically making them approved for use on aircraft. While in airplane mode, a phone cannot send or receive phone calls, text messages, picture messages, or video messages, and the user may not browse the Internet on the phone or use Bluetooth® devices with it.

For when you have 10 or more devices charging at once ... charging pad

Latest News: the newest entry into the charging pad market is Qi by Energizer. With no magnets to line up or secret spot to find, you don't have to be precise about how or where you set your phone down on the two large areas on the charging station. The drawback, at least for now is that the phones have to have a correct Qi-enabled sleeve

While checking in on my twitter feeds earlier today, I noticed a post, below, by @geekbabe, who I have been following for awhile and has some great posts.
- "Ok I have 10 devices charging, seriously 10, all with cords, there isn't a spare outlet anywhere"
What came to mind as soon as I read it was "charging pad." It is a relatively new cool gadget that lets you charge multiple electronics at once without having to plug all of them in an outlet. Only the charging pad gets plugged in and all other gadgets are placed on top of it. The devices are charged using inductive charging. It is a wireless charging method used for mid-sized items such as cell phones, MP3 players and PDAs. Once the contact points come in contact with the conductive surface of the charging pad, a small current moves through the coils of the charging pad, creating a small magnetic field which is gathered by the contact points of the adapter and converted into energy. The energy gathered is transferred to the device's battery as efficiently as if the device were connected to a wall socket with its regular wired adapter.
This method has already been utilized successfully in several household items such as electric toothbrushes and waterproof vibrating razors. It is in early stages of being used for charging phones and such but is showing promise in de-cluttering the desktops surfaces. These are also great for traveling as a lot of them fold up or roll up to fit into small space and keep your gadgets charging one space for easier pack up.

Here is what others are saying about the charging mats:
CNET - Powermat Review:
"Though we reviewed the Powermat Home and Office Mat, the Portable Mat serves the same purpose but with a compact, foldable design. We updated this review on April 2, 2010, to reflect further testing.
If you had told us five years ago that innovation was coming in cell phone chargers, we wouldn't have believed you. Our response would have been, "What's the point?" We're perfectly happy with the wall charger that came in the box."
PC Mag - Duracell MyGrid Review:
"Pros - Can charge up to four devices at once. Long list of compatible devices. Little extra weight on phone.
Cons - Expensive. Finicky connections.
Bottom Line - The Duracell MyGrid Charging Pad is a convenient way to charge all your gadgets without a mess of wires, but it can be frustratingly finicky."


UPDATE: 

I have been looking more into these. And after reading quite a few reviews, articles, and see video demonstrations  I think that while that is a great gadget and just tossing the phone on a charging pad seems like a dream come true, it still has quite of bit of development to undergo. Charging pads have very useful features and great potential for making it easier to charge multiple gadgets, clean up desktop, and decrease amount of wires.  Though it is still has quite a way to go before it becomes something that anyone would use. Currently, with the multitude of adapters needed and the time and effort of setting these up, I think that a few of the earlier adopters would consider buying these and using them.

Here are some reviews of various charging pads for you to decide:

http://reviews.cnet.com/power-devices-batteries/wildcharger-bundle-at-t/4505-3509_7-32821393.html

http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/pure_energy_wildcharger_pad

http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20100210/wildcharger-pad-powermat-wireless-charging-pad-showdown/

http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/review/mobile_phones/powermat/wireless_charging_pad/342208

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uLGP1P3rfE (video)

What do you think, are these ready for mainstream or need more development?

Packing your essential travel gadgets

Interesting article on CodeFrenzy.com

"Traveling with your tech gadgets"

It provided tips and information on what to take a long and how to pack your tech gadgets for the trip as well as other accessories that are good to have along with your gadgets on prolonged trip.

Spring Break Gadgets and Gear Under $200

Spring Break is here or just about here for a lot of the folks in school. Just in time Yahoo! Shopping has published a list of gadgets that are cool to take along on the break.
Spring Break Gadgets and Gear Under $200
There is a T&TG favorite that are also on the list:
A digital travel scale - It is almost unthinkable at this point to show up at the airport and not know the weight of the luggage. The sitting around on the floor trying to re-sort all your belongings into an additional bag, which you hopefully brought along, or even having to toss some stuff out because the bag is a few pounds over. The other choice is to put up a huge fee that airlines levy these days on overweight bags. Though it does not have to be this way. That is why there are more and more cool travel scales out there and why I have wrote about them in several postings (see below) and also purchased one for myself at long last.

Travel tech blogger without a gadget, til now

Travel Gadgets: Handy Gizmos for Stress-Free Travelling

Digital Luggage Weighing Scales Review on TechyZone

USB Universal Charger: No More Dead Devices

"About the size of a stick of gum, the Powerstick USB Charger is a self-contained charger that fits most mobile devices, including iPhones, iPads, Kindles, digital cameras and MP3 players. In fact, if your device has a micro- or mini-USB port, Powerstick can charge it." ..
Full article:
USB Universal Charger: No More Dead Devices

Cool Find of Today: How Do Noise Reducing Headphones Work?

As a follow up to several posts (More on making travel fun with cool headphones,Travel gadgets for the frugal traveler, Traveling in comfort, Noise canceling headphones - life saver for travelers?) about headphones and especially about noise reducing headphones that make travel oh so much better, here is an article that explains different types of headphones available and how they work to reduce outside unnecessary noise:
HTG Explains: How Do Noise Reducing Headphones Work?

Did you know that listening to music can make you more productive?
- studies done by F. F. Cripe (1986) , L. Morton, J. Keshner and L. Seigel 1990) that conclude that music with a prominent beat stimulates an increased arousal in students which overrides the effect of environmental distractors…repetitive beat produces a reduction in muscle tension, thus reducing hyperactivity… (there was) significant reduction in distractability among students after being exposed to music. Short term memory was also beneficially affected by having to listened to music

25 travel gadgets under $25

25 travel gadgets under $25
http://www.nydailynews.com/travel/galleries/25_travel_gadgets_under_25/25_travel_gadgets_under_25.html

This list includes some of the T&TG favorites such as:

RingerWraps - clear, disposable protective sleeves that allow you to use the touchscreen on phones and other devices

Safetytats - this one is a new find for us. SafetyTats are temporary tattoos that read 'If Lost, Please Call' and includes a space to write a parent's or guardian’s phone number.

MicciMicci Snapback Bags

Digital Luggage Scale - an essential gadget for today's traveler

TuGo Cup Holder

More on making travel fun with cool headphones

In-Ear Monitors (IEMs) / Portable Headphones
Great information from Head-fi.org about some cool in-ear headphones to use while traveling. My earlier post describes great and fun benefits of having one of these on a trip - Noise canceling headphones - life saver for travelers?

• JH Audio JH16 Pro. Jerry Harvey (the "JH" in JH Audio) is the man who pretty much invented the custom IEM segment. After leaving Ultimate Ears, he set out to improve on all his previous designs via JH Audio, and he did it, forcing JH Audio's competitors to elevate their games, too. In 2009, the JH13 Pro set our Head-Fi world on fire, with its excellent soundstaging, and an ability to convey detail and treble extension like no IEM before it. Not surprisingly, the JH13 Pro continues to be one of the best-selling custom IEMs available. The JH16 Pro might reasonably be described as similar to the JH13 Pro, but with subwoofers--the low-bass on the JH16 Pro is extremely detailed, yet thunderous. With its boosted bass, the JH16 Pro remains my top recommendation for money-no-object IEMs for frequent travelers. The 6-drivers-per side JH13 Pro starts at $1099.00, and the 8-drivers-per-side JH16 Pro at $1149.00.
• Ultimate Ears In-Ear Reference Monitor. Designed in conjunction with Capitol Studios, the In-Ear Reference Monitor was designed to have a flat curve--to be neutral--to be used as a studio reference monitor. I found this piece to be very resolving, and currently one of my favorites to turn to when evaluating gear further up the chain, as well as for listening for pleasure. As it was designed to be, I find the In-Ear Reference Monitor virtually uncolored, which brings with it its own flavor of fun. As might be expected from something intended to be used as a studio reference monitor, the UE In-Ear Reference Monitor's imaging is wide for an IEM, yet very precise. The UE In-Ear Reference Monitor starts at $999.00, and I suspect it will be one of the most popular custom IEMs in the coming year.
• Westone ES5. It might be fairly said that Westone was last to the custom IEM game with what I'll call a latest-generation piece, but their effort paid off. The ES5 was introduced at CanJam 2010 in Chicago, and it is now starting to make big waves in the rarified world of bespoke IEMs. More on the neutral side--though not as dead-flat as the UE In-Ear Reference Monitor--the ES5 is highly resolving, and an amazing all-'rounder. I also find Westone's heat-activated tips (that soften at body temperature) makes the ES5 the most comfortable custom IEM I've yet worn (not to mention the most isolating custom I've yet worn). The Westone ES5 starts at $900.00.
• Westone 1. Of all the IEMs I've used (universal-fit and custom), none can match the Westone universals for comfort while laying one's head down, as the earpiece bodies of all the Westone univerals I've used sit deeper than flush with the ear. And every Westone universal I've heard so far also sounds exceedingly good at its price point, so, even if your budget is higher than the Westone 1's price, look at the other Westone universal-fit IEMs. MSRP $199.99.
• Monster Cable Turbine Pro (Copper Edition). This IEM (often referred to simply as "The Copper" in our forums) is so far the best sounding headphone from Monster Cable, to my ears. It is also among my favorite of the vast universal-fit IEM heap. Fun and resolving is how I'd describe The Copper--I enjoy it a lot. Easy to drive, and scales up with good gear. MSRP $399.95.
• Bowers & Wilkins P5. B&W's first headphone, the P5 is the only over-ear headphone I've ever carried with me pretty much everywhere. With a sound signature tailored for mobile use (as opposed to straight reference listening), very good passive noise isolation, and one of the most durable builds I've yet seen in a portable headphone, the P5 is almost perfect in its execution for what it was designed for--being used on-the-go. With its included microphone/control cable, it can be used as a headset with an iPhone, too (and will control iPhones and the later-generation iPods). I'll be posting a review of the P5 this coming weekend on Head-Fi. MSRP $299.95.
• SHURE SE425. SHURE's SE425 is their latest-generation two-driver-per-side universal-fit IEM. The SE425 has all the richness and detail SHURE has become known for, and it's not surprising that the SE425 is a popular choice for pro audio applications. The new 360-degree rotating cable plugs on the SE425 make for a more comfortable, tangle-free cable, compared to most other IEMs I've used. The durable SHURE "olive" foam tips make the SE425 very comfortable and very isolating. MSRP $349.99.
• HiFiMAN RE-262. This is the best of the RE family of earphones so far, with more extended bass and a more balanced output, to my ears, than its predecessor. I've found the RE262 to be a great match for the HiFiMAN digital players (HM-601/602 and HM-801). It's also matches up well with my portable rigs with dedicated amps, and also with the VentureCraft GO-DAP (see below). With its 150-ohm impedance, the RE-262 is best suited for use with these dedicated amps, so keep that in mind. The RE-262 is so new I can't yet find it on the Head-Direct website. I believe MSRP will be around $249.00.
• Sennheiser PMX 680 Sports. Yes, it sounds good--so do a lot of other headphones by Sennheiser. But unlike my other headphones, I sweat all over my PMX 680 Sports, and then rinse it under running water. It doesn't fall off--or even budge--when I exercise, and yet it's very comfortable. For those who wear their iPods in an armband while exercising, the two-part cable can be quickly shortened to the perfect length for that. The styling by adidas is very cool. The Sennheiser PMX680 Sports is my #1 recommendation for exercise headphones. MSRP $79.95.
• Etymotic MC5. I heard the MC5 at at CanJam 2010 (Chicago), and was mightily impressed. Etymotic calls the MC5 "The world's most accurate noise-isolating earphones under $100." I was surprised to hear a bit more bass emphasis than I might expect from something bearing the Etymotic name, but I found it done well, and considered it a positive MC5 trait. Etymotic's claim for the MC5 is a bold one, but the MC5 certainly does sound exceptionally good for $79.00.

Travel Gadgets: Gear for Getting Ready

Travel resolutions for the New Year

And just in case you are wondering about the first travel gadgets depicted in the slideshow, I know I was, here is the description for the product:

"Scalex Map Wheel -Easily calculate distances between two points on a globe or map with the Scalex MapWheel digital measuring device. Simply enter the scale that matches your map and roll the MapWheel along the route you wish to measure to instantly display the distance in miles, kilometers, or nautical miles. Perfect for use by boaters, RV users, campers, map enthusiasts, or any travelers. Also great for when you are traveling on the road and wish to calculate the shortest route on your road map. The map wheel is also a great classroom educational tool to assist in the teaching of scale and distance on maps."

Best Valentine's Day Travel Gifts and Gadgets for Travel-Lovers

Best Valentine's Day Travel Gifts and Gadgets for Travel-Lovers