Ever wonder what to take in terms of technology on a trip, tour, or cruise??? As a tech-loving wandering blogger such as I with a backpack chock-full of gadgets such as a camera, lenses, video recorder, iPod, tablet, laptop, smartphone, and portable gaming system (for off time use, of course), I have to make sure I have all I need to charge, protect, and maintain all my electronics… In fact, one of the most crucial yet simplest processes to forget to do or forget to even consider is back-up redundancy. I can’t back up my stuff ENOUGH… I have a 4-terabyte external hard drive connected to the home computer with a copy of all pictures, videos, music, movies, and programs, which I can access from the road… I also have a 2 terabyte portable external hard drive that I take everywhere to accompany my MacBook pro, which houses a 1-terabyte internal hard drive… Everything I do is stored and copied so as to avoid and or prevent loss. I never know when I might find or for that matter need that picture or video for my next blog post; in conclusion, back-up is the only friend you have when keeping stuff like this safe, which is why you can never go wrong with redundancy in terms of back up to your back-up. BTW, if you haven’t already done so, remember to categorize and sub-categorize all folders in order to minimize time taken to find what you’ve stored…
And on the subject of storage, make sure to take the necessary amount of SD Cards for your camera and video recorder. With the amount of pictures I take and recording I do, 4 gigabytes is the bare minimum I use in terms of space; however, there’s more to sd cards than just space… Depending on the speed not to mention quality in which those pictures are taken, you might want to look into fast performance or high capacity cards such as those reading SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) & UHS (Ultra High Speed) standards, especially when using a DSLR or Digital SLR or Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera. To make it easier than pie to figure out which card is best for your equipment, check your equipment’s user manual, which will help you pair the device with its corresponding sd card.
Some people have asked me, “What type of camera and video recorder should I consider when taking high-definition pics & vids?” Everyone you come across has their favorites, but my answer is usually Canon PowerShot… It is by far the savviest device you’ll ever need. I’m not a pro by any means, which is why I need all the help I can get with capturing the best shot & clearest vids. In addition to taking exceptional pictures, what I love about these cameras is the high quality videos that can be captured in Full HD (1920X1080), HD (1280X720), or VGA (640X480) > the higher the pixels, the clearer the picture. Furthermore, the powershot has its own dedicated movie button! Rather than going through the motions of searching the menu to access video, you simply press the button located to the right of the screen and VOILA, recording has started… And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better for this camera, the powershot is set up with an image stabilization feature that automatically kicks in when you’re walking or panning while taking a pic or a vid, and if you’ve had a little too much caffeine like me, no worries! Powershot’s improved dynamic IS automatically analyzes camera movement and applies the best stabilizer to keep your pictures and videos smooth. For more information on the Canon Powershot, click HERE.
Let’s talk adapters as in power plug adapters… Whether we’re on vacay or on a gig to blog about a person, place, or thing located overseas, the one important piece of equipment that will or should be on your “packing for your tech punch list” is the Power Plug adapter. For years I’d carry a ziplock bag chock-full of different adapters until I ran into the Kensington ALL IN ONE! It’s compact and it’s so easy to use! You can find it for under $20 on Amazon.
Can’t find an Internet Café, Starbucks, or Barnes & Noble??? Then your personal smartphone hotspot is the answer… My Verizon contract is set up with hotspot capabilities on my Samsung Note 2 phone. I can piggy back up to 5 devices and I can use it anywhere with a signal. Make sure you’re near a power outlet as your phone may need to charge during hotspot use. Depending on your provider’s terms, you can add the hotspot feature temporarily as in during a set time frame or permanently. Contact your provider for details.
Apps are another important subject to touch on, especially if you’re traveling… One of my all-time favorites is SKYPE! As a rule of thumb for me, all international calls that are between me and someone else, will take place on Skype over my WiFi, no if, ands, or buts about it. Roaming calls are becoming way too expensive and using Skype is quick and easy! Another app to think about is the Pocket Travel Consultant, which delivers key destination information through mobile devices (Android, Apple, Kindle Fire) without the need of an Internet Connection. Google Translate is another great app to have on your device, which lets you download language packs for offline use.
Last, but certainly not least… Don’t forget to bring your Chargers & Connection Cables such as HDMI, USB, & Firewire if necessary. Some may not mind stuffing their cables and chargers into a backpack pocket, but I on the other hand like to be as organized as possible, not only so I know where to find the right cable, but to also care for it; cables aren’t cheap, especially chargers. You might want to also think about surge protection as well… I carry around a handy dandy 4-outlet surge protector, which is especially helpful when in a room full of other fellow bloggers who need just as much outlets as me… Check out Jake Rochleau’s piece on Taming Gadget Cables. It’s filled with great ideas!
Making the right choices in terms of what to bring with your gear is paramount, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming either… Keeping your cords, chargers, and cables organized is a BIG part of it all and if you take a moment to read Jake Rochleau’s Taming Gadget Cables, you’ll see that it can be fun in keeping it together. Size matters… Try to keep your tools (Power Adapters & Surge Protectors) small & compact > the smaller the tool, the lighter the load. You already have a laptop and a few other not so light gadgets in your back, no need to continue weighing it down.
I am forever the student in life and with that being said, even though I will always do all I can to help my fellow wanderers, I hope each and every one of you would take some time to give your tips and suggestions on gadgets you bring on your trips that are not included on this list.
