I love to travel, but I don’t like carrying a bunch of luggage. Unfortunately, the geek in me needs a few tools to make it through the day. In this first travel kit entry I’d like to present my choices for trips where computing isn’t meant to play a large role. When travelling to destinations where “getting away from almost it all” is the goal here’s my ultralight travel gear for geeks.
- iPhone 3G
- iPhone USB Power Adapter
- Air Jacket set
- Zip-Linq Retractable USB Cable
- Nike Flight Headphones
Surprisingly, the iPhone has been a pleasantly capable travel companion. Besides allowing for phone calls the iPhone also serves as a digital camera, media player, and computing platform. While I wouldn’t try to do any programming on it, the iPhone is sufficient for some blogging, web surfing, e-mail services, and limited general purpose computing. The iTunes App Store provides a wealth of programs to extend the capability of the iPhone. Some of the more useful apps for on the go geeks:
- Maps: Google Maps functionality w/GPS integration
- Free Translator – iPhone interface to Google Translation Services
- Ultralingua Dictionaries – Expensive but comprehensive foreign language dictionaries
- WeatherBug – international weather information
- WordPress – makes is easier to blog while traveling
- Netshare: computer tethering (no longer available)
- iSSH – ssh and telnet client
- Jaadu VNC – remote computer control
- iWant – find various types of nearby services/vendors
- fring – use the iPhone for Skype over wireless connections
- Google Earth – neat and sometimes useful while traveling
and for good measure some games for entertainment:
The other items in my travel kit just support the iPhone 3G. The Air Jacket is a minimalist hard plastic cover and clear screen protector. The usb cable and power adapter allows me to recharge the iPhone anywhere in the States. International travel might require a different or additional adapter.
I used this kit while I was in Jamaica over the summer, and it was great being able to travel without a laptop. The minimal addition to my baggage was not an imposition, and Kim still managed to send her resume in for a promotion from the beach-side bar.
What tools are essential to you when you travel?
Ditch the crappy Nike headphones and spring for a pair of higher quality headphones. I’ve been using the Shure E2Cs for years and swear by them. When I misplaced the last pair I had I upgraded to the i2C-M which are virtually the same but add a microphone.
Why upgrade to the Shures or similar Etymonics? Two reasons:
1) Quality of sound. There’s simply no comparison between a high quality pair of headphones and the crappy ones from Nike or any similar low end consumer brand.
2) Noise isolation. Even the low end Shure and Etymonics block out ALL background noise and allow you to keep the volume turned way down. With conventional headphones like the Nike ones you mentioned the louder it is around you the louder you turn up the volume to hear your music. With my Shures that isn’t the case; the volume is at about 15-20% regardless of whether I’m in a quiet office, at the gym, on a plane or walking down the street. Ultimately this means that I’m less likely to damage my hearing any more than I already have.
Check eBay and you’ll find the Shure i2c-m’s for around $40. They’re a bargain at twice that price.
FYI I prefer the Shures because they have a thicker cord and more sound in the lower frequencies. The thicker cord means I feel less likely to break them through my normally abusive manner with all things electronic. Since I have high frequency hearing loss and a bit of tinnitus the Etymonic’s quality in the higher frequencies don’t do me any good. Dave prefers the Etymonics because he’s more careful and isn’t already going deaf. 🙂
As for what’s in my kit: iPhone, retractable cables (Ethernet, USB, iPod), a car to USB charger, the tiny iPod/iPhone charger, a Sony Reader, and a cordless mouse. Oh and a laptop.
Ditch the crappy Nike headphones and spring for a pair of higher quality headphones. I’ve been using the Shure E2Cs for years and swear by them. When I misplaced the last pair I had I upgraded to the i2C-M which are virtually the same but add a microphone.
Why upgrade to the Shures or similar Etymonics? Two reasons:
1) Quality of sound. There’s simply no comparison between a high quality pair of headphones and the crappy ones from Nike or any similar low end consumer brand.
2) Noise isolation. Even the low end Shure and Etymonics block out ALL background noise and allow you to keep the volume turned way down. With conventional headphones like the Nike ones you mentioned the louder it is around you the louder you turn up the volume to hear your music. With my Shures that isn’t the case; the volume is at about 15-20% regardless of whether I’m in a quiet office, at the gym, on a plane or walking down the street. Ultimately this means that I’m less likely to damage my hearing any more than I already have.
Check eBay and you’ll find the Shure i2c-m’s for around $40. They’re a bargain at twice that price.
FYI I prefer the Shures because they have a thicker cord and more sound in the lower frequencies. The thicker cord means I feel less likely to break them through my normally abusive manner with all things electronic. Since I have high frequency hearing loss and a bit of tinnitus the Etymonic’s quality in the higher frequencies don’t do me any good. Dave prefers the Etymonics because he’s more careful and isn’t already going deaf. 🙂
As for what’s in my kit: iPhone, retractable cables (Ethernet, USB, iPod), a car to USB charger, the tiny iPod/iPhone charger, a Sony Reader, and a cordless mouse. Oh and a laptop.
Thanks for the tip Chris. You’re not the first person that’s recommended Shure or Etymonics.
I actually ditched earbuds since they irritated my ears. I have to admit I don’t really listen to much music using those Nike headphones unless I’m working out. I usually use Jabra noise-canceling headphones for most listening while on planes. I only use the Nike set if I’m not taking the larger set with me.
I’ll have to give the nicer earphones a try.
Thanks for the tip Chris. You’re not the first person that’s recommended Shure or Etymonics.
I actually ditched earbuds since they irritated my ears. I have to admit I don’t really listen to much music using those Nike headphones unless I’m working out. I usually use Jabra noise-canceling headphones for most listening while on planes. I only use the Nike set if I’m not taking the larger set with me.
I’ll have to give the nicer earphones a try.