Top Ten Travel Gadgets (San Diego Transcript)

This past year I logged a half-dozen international trips, mostly to Asia, and dozens of domestic trips, cross-country and up and down the West Coast. I'm always trying new gadgets and software applications that are designed to make my trips more productive.

My measure of a useful travel product is one that I still use after three or four trips and one that brings a smile as I use it for its neat design or cleverness. So here's my top 10 favorites that I don't leave home without.

Apple AirPort Express Base Station -- This little device that resembles a power adapter for an Apple notebook without a cord, turns your hotel room with a wired connection into a WiFi hotspot. Plug the room's Ethernet cable into it and plug it into an AC outlet. In about 30 seconds you'll have a secure WiFi zone allowing you to use your computer anywhere in the room, even the bed, and not tied to a desk. It also lets multiple users have Internet access. $99.

Google Maps -- Google Maps on a BlackBerry, iPhone or other smart phones has been amazingly useful while traveling to faraway places. The free application shows where you are down to street level and lets you mark locations on the map to find them again. I've used it in the middle of the Australian Outback, in China and in Europe. I recently used it on a train outside of Amsterdam to figure out that I had gotten onto the wrong line and was heading in the wrong direction. While not required, it works best with a smartphone that has built-in GPS.

The LugBuddy -- This clever elastic cord contraption lets me carry any bag on top of my rolling bag by just strapping it up against the handle. It's easily adjustable and holds everything from a wide duffle bag to a briefcase, jacket or package of any size or shape. $15 (lugbuddy.com).

ScottEVest Evolution Jacket -- This helps solve the problem of high fees for checked luggage. By stuffing the 25 pockets you can carry on an additional 20 or 30 pounds of gadgets including phones, water bottles (empty of course), cameras, magazines and music players. Or you can wear it while strolling for a walk in a far-away city carrying your camera and accessories in the pockets instead of carrying a separate bag. $150 (scottevest.com).

Belkin portable mini surge outlet -- As soon as I get into my hotel room I plug this into one of the scarce outlets and have three AC outlets plus 2 USB ports for keeping all my electronics charged. The unit rotates on the socket so it works regardless of the outlet's location. $24 (belkin.com).

iPhone case and battery -- I've been using the InCase Power Slider battery and case that works with the iPhone 3G, a great phone, but with hardly enough battery power to get through the day. This case turns the phone into a chunky, yet streamlined package that doubles the battery life, great for my transpacific flights. $99 (goincase.com).

A leather case with battery from Tekkeon does much the same for $70. Its boxier design looks less sleek, but it enables the iPhone to stand up on its side to watch movies. (tekkeon.com).

Garmin Nuvi GPS -- If you plan to drive in strange cities a portable GPS is a must. I've been using an old model Garmin Nuvi, proving that even the basic model works fine. It relieves stress and provides guidance wherever you are. Some of the newer models now contain maps of Europe as well as North America. $149 to about $700 (garmin.com).

Skype -- Less a gadget and more a service, Skype lets me call home from anywhere in the world for about 2 cents per minute. I use it with a MacBook with its built-in mic and speaker. No extra headphones needed.

3G data modem -- While WiFi is fine where it's available, it can't compete with the broad availability of a cellular 3G connection that's accessible nearly everywhere. I've been using Sprint's 3G data service and a Novatel U727 USB modem that connects in seconds. The biggest problem is you can't roam outside the United States, as none of the U.S. carriers have widespread data roaming agreements.

FlightStats -- This great Web site (flightstats.com) provides a wealth of up-to-date travel information including flight status, delays, airport conditions, and even free alerts of a flight's departure and arrival. A great feature is its historical data showing on-time stats of every flight. Flight status info using the same data is available as an iPhone app called Flight Status ($5).

So what have I abandoned for 2009?

Universal adapters such as the iGo for powering multiple devices. They're bulky, use expensive proprietary tips that easily get lost, and are not as useful as more and more devices are using USB connectors to charge.

Tiny Bluetooth headphones -- They're more of a pain than a simple wired headset. Their talk quality is inferior, you need to remember to keep them charged, and they often fail to connect to the phone.

Netbooks -- While a real novelty and very compact for travel, I've found them to be very slow and often missing the applications and files I needed. In addition the small keyboard makes typing painful. And even though it saves two or three pounds, that's insignificant when your briefcase weights 25 or 30 pounds. I may be the exception with others touting these products, but I do think the luster will wear off during the year.

Comments

[Ray Tetz]

Great list, Phil, thanks.

I also carry an Apple Airport Express, but lately I've been using the Cradlepoint PHS300 PERSONAL WIFI HOTSPOT in combination with the USB cellular modem from Verizon (Sierra Wireless AC595U) as an alternative to hotel internet charges.
The combination provides a wireless cellular network that can be shared with other users, and is often as fast as the so-called "high-speed" internet service available in hotels. I travel with a media crew, and it takes less than a minute for us to all be online in a boarding gate, on the road in the van, in the planning meetings, and in the hotel at the end of the day.
As you noted, it's limited by the US only coverage, so that's a factor to be considered, but it's easily the biggest innovation in my travel gear this year.
I'm still packing the Airport Express for wi-fi applications.

[Melinda]

A great column, as always, Phil. I just wanted to add something to your 3G modem idea. You can in fact use this kind of device abroad and I have done so myself. If you buy a GSM modem (small USB device that's easier to pack than your cell phone!) that's not locked to a particular provider, you can put in any SIM card with an international data plan. You can either use a local provider's SIM card that you buy on your trip or you can use your SIM card from a US carrier if you have an international BlackBerry plan. In my experience, carriers don't differentiate the type of data going back and forth with this usage from what usually goes back and forth when the card is inside your BlackBerry (perhaps if you used an outrageous amount of data they'd notice, though). I used the latter method and had amazingly fast internet in the Frankfurt airport for no extra cost. It was great!