What are your must have gadgets for long travels?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › What are your must have gadgets for long travels?

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89 posts

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#822605 20-May-2013 18:27

hobsonlea: I'm looking to replace my tired AirNZ (gift) noise cancelling headphones.

I like the idea of APT-X Bluetooth - and have bought one of the following http://www.amazon.com/Avantree-Bluetooth-Music-Receiver-Stereo/dp/B00ABIVN16/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1369025127&sr=1-4&keywords=apt-x
which works well on the sound system at home - but for travel am interested in noise cancelling wireless
headphones. I have seen a shout out on forums here +1 for the sennheiser mm 550-x and recent positive public review of the Logitech UE9000 http://ue.logitech.com/en-nz/headphones/ue9000

Both both of these are pricey and wondering if anyone else has found a good alternative - wireless noise cancelling headphones.

Pete (currently using Samsung S3 )

Depends on whether you want ear or headphones.

I am still using my airnz gifted NC headphones. They are a bit bulky though and occasionally will use NC earphones instead.

I bought some audio-technica ATH ANC23 earphones for around $90 from wellington airport (so you can likely get them much cheaper elsewhere) and found them to be excellent.

I still think for best performance you need over-ear headphones, but have found nothing cheap that works well (except my free ones from air nz).

gazbo

89 posts

Master Geek
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#822628 20-May-2013 19:39

Krishant007:
gazbo: I travel often, mostly domestic but occasionally international and (as long as I am travelling without family) with carry on luggage only:
1. My Kathmandu day pack, carry on size and can store my kit plus clothes for a week.
2. iPad, Logitech ultra slim keyboard with non slip pads, NC over ear headphones - essential on the plane
3. Scottevest jacket (headphones installed) and pants - multiple pockets in each and the jacket will even take the iPad.
4. Win 8 Samsung Ativ S or iPhone 4S - I have not decided on a winner of these two yet.
5. Grid it - 1x10w 4 port USB charger, 3x retractable multi cables (Micro USB, mini USB, 30 pin iphone connector on each), audio jack splitter (to share your ipad with bored child, spouse, neighbour), spare retractable headphones, international power adapter, compressed cloths in a tube (just add water), 10w 2xUSB port car power adapter
6. 1x small paperback (for those stupid times when all electronics must be turned off)
7. toiletries - travel size: deodorant, toothbrush and paste, beard trimmer - no blade shaving for me
8. clothes - the last to pack and the least I can get away with, but use multi purpose items a lot, ie jacket is also vest with tuck away hood, pants are also shorts, shoes are black (slip ons for stupid airport security) that look dressy but are comfortable all day.

I shall lead by your example.

Which Scottevest have you got? I am looking to invest in that when I go to USA this july.. and which pants?

Definitely buy in the US as the first time I bought a jacket I got one for the wife as well then had to pay duty and GST (including GST on the free shipping which customs estimated at $60) before it was released. It is not that high a sum before duty kicks in, can't remember exactly but under $200.

http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/Revolution-Jacket.shtml

http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/Convertible_Travel_Pants.shtml

I may get the sports coat at some stage as I can probably get away with wearing that for most business meetings.

blakamin

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#822630 20-May-2013 19:45

2 pairs of IEMs
Nexus 7 3g
Acer Iconia
2 Androids (next trip will be s4 & s3)
Chargers
Spare batteries
Car charger
4-6 usb cables

All in my laptop bag.

gazbo

89 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 14

#822748 21-May-2013 02:41

hobsonlea: I'm looking to replace my tired AirNZ (gift) noise cancelling headphones.

I like the idea of APT-X Bluetooth - and have bought one of the following http://www.amazon.com/Avantree-Bluetooth-Music-Receiver-Stereo/dp/B00ABIVN16/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1369025127&sr=1-4&keywords=apt-x
which works well on the sound system at home - but for travel am interested in noise cancelling wireless
headphones. I have seen a shout out on forums here +1 for the sennheiser mm 550-x and recent positive public review of the Logitech UE9000 http://ue.logitech.com/en-nz/headphones/ue9000

Both both of these are pricey and wondering if anyone else has found a good alternative - wireless noise cancelling headphones.

Pete (currently using Samsung S3 )

Sorry, ignore my last post. I missed the wireless part of all that.

You're not actually supposed to use wireless headphones at all as you're not supposed to use any transmitting functions while in flight. Stupid rule.

For the gym I use Motorola BT headphones that have a mic to answer calls but that is not what you're after.

jarledb

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#822805 21-May-2013 10:00

sbiddle: Noise cancelling headphones are an absolute must when flying.

Did some research before I landed on ear plugs and in-ear headphones, and the advice I got was that it was tiering to wear noise canceling headphones - because the way they work. (Using sound to cancel out the noise).

I have no experience with noise canceling headphones myself, so I don't know how much of a problem it actually is.

I do wonder: Do they cancel out screaming babies too? Because good ear plugs deal nicely with that problem as well.

A couple of very low tech gadgets I carry is a face mask so that I can have complete darkness whenever I want it, and compression socks (makes me feel like a pensionist, but should make it less likely I have a blood clots). They also make my legs feel less tired after the long travels and cramped travel on economy class.

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hobsonlea

314 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#822833 21-May-2013 10:23

jarledb:
sbiddle: Noise cancelling headphones are an absolute must when flying.

Did some research before I landed on ear plugs and in-ear headphones, and the advice I got was that it was tiering to wear noise canceling headphones - because the way they work. (Using sound to cancel out the noise).

I have no experience with noise canceling headphones myself, so I don't know how much of a problem it actually is.

I do wonder: Do they cancel out screaming babies too? Because good ear plugs deal nicely with that problem as well.

A couple of very low tech gadgets I carry is a face mask so that I can have complete darkness whenever I want it, and compression socks (makes me feel like a pensionist, but should make it less likely I have a blood clots). They also make my legs feel less tired after the long travels and cramped travel on economy class.

I find Noise cancelling headphones a must. Yes they help shut out the noise of babies, coughing, engines, air conditioning... the provide a cocoon that enables me to sleep and relax. Worst prob is cables.. I would use the headphones without cables just for their noise cancelling features..
I dont find them tiring.

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rossmnz

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Ultimate Geek
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#822888 21-May-2013 12:13

1. iPhone -phone, music, maps etc
2. iPad (loaded with multiple books and movies and games) with 10W charger and international adaptor. Also charges phone up extra quick.
3. Over ear noise cancelling headphones. A MUST!
4. Travel pack of moisturiser, toothpaste, shaving gel etc. Makes me feel human at end of long haul.
5. Eye mask for complete darkness - A MUST!

Thats all.

The force is strong with this one!

OmniouS

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#822937 21-May-2013 13:20

I just pledged for one of these 18000mAh portable USB chargers which will be ideal for tramping/camping/travel!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mylimeade/limeade-blast-18000mah-ultra-high-capacity-battery

Krishant007

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#822947 21-May-2013 13:33

OmniouS: I just pledged for one of these 18000mAh portable USB chargers which will be ideal for tramping/camping/travel!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mylimeade/limeade-blast-18000mah-ultra-high-capacity-battery

I have just pledged for this as well. Seems like a decent product and its much better than what is currently available in the market. It would be handy for those times when I am away from power (quite rare, but even Tom Hanks was stuck on an island ;))

DarthKermit

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#823033 21-May-2013 16:25

My camera and my electric razor I suppose. I don't have many other gadgets at all.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

MikeB4

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#823034 21-May-2013 16:28

My Car
Phone ( Galaxy S3)
Surface RT
Canon DSLR

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

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jarledb

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#823252 21-May-2013 22:31

KiwiNZ: My Car

Car? Out of New Zealand? How do you manage that?

kiwijunglist

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#823279 21-May-2013 23:29

If on a plane

Noise cancelling headphones with airplane adapter, U shaped pillow, ear plugs and sleeping pills.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

nate

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#823290 22-May-2013 00:08

I'm off to the States next week for three weeks, here's what I take in my carry-on

- Blackbox C20 noise cancelling headphones - they are in-ear and very comfy to sleep with on
- Samsung Galaxy S4 with Spotify in offline mode (for music) and BeyondPod with all my downloaded podcasts
- My laptop
- USB cables to plug everything into USB port on plane
- Sweatshirt (some planes are freezing cold)
- U shaped sleeping pillow and eye mask
- Toothpaste, toothbrush and change of t-shirt (nothing like flying 12 hours and feeling gross)
- Pen - required for filling in declaration card

psychrn

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#823308 22-May-2013 02:17

Apart from my Asus Transformer TF300T and Samsung S3 with its 7000 Mah aftermarket Battery (Zero Lemon) i Usually carry an Choniix external Battery (x2)with Mini USB cables. Its 2700 mah and Capacity is 10 wh.
We were burgled recently and my Macbook was pinched unfortunately I dont think Ill be replacing it at this stage to tell the truth.
I generally tether data from my S3 so no etra sim cards required either.
Recent trip to Aussie I got an Sim card from Vf at airport for the S3 for tethering.
Portable Garmin Oregon 450 for geocaching.
Garmin Zumo 660 GPS for Car with associated cables for power supply and geocaching
This Zumo GPS I also use on my Cam Am Spyder as needed in NZ-its one of those motorbike waterproof units

GZMCC. Lenovo Yoga C640. 8 gb Ram and 256Gb SSD, Cam Am Spyder 2016 F3 LTD. GoPro 5 Black, Samsung S22 Ultra, Huawei Watch D. Samsung S6 Lite Tablet, Amateur Radio Callsign ZL1CJH

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