To GPS or not to GPS
 

When we travel my DH carries a modest amount of clothing (especially if we can identify likely sources of laundry service) -- BUT he does carry a slightly embarrassing amount of "gear" in what has become known as his "toy sack." Camera, extra batteries, charger, binoculars, iPhone (for Wi-Fi use only), netbook for photo storage and its associated chargers, and his ever-trusty GPS. I used to fuss about this last one...but at least I know that he'll get back if he goes jogging, as he did in Pushkar, Jaipur and Khajuraho. And, admittedly, many of our fellow travelers did start asking him on a regular basis, "where are we now?" Those kind of questions just feed the soul of a closet techie! If you're headed to India and are thinking that you too might take a GPS, we've posted a Garmin map of India (City Navigator NT on a micro SD card) on eBay. We're not going back again any time soon (new grandbaby on the way), so it might help someone else? You can search eBay for "Garmin map India." (BTW, another group member DID get lost while jogging in Pushkar!)

Nothing wrong with your hubbys packing list.
Seems a bit light compared to mine. I have an 18 kg back pack full of camera gear as well..

why not update or add software to the netbook so you can eliminate the iphone and GPS?

lcuy: it's a portability issue...he likes to be able to access the internet in the hotel lobby without setting up the netbook -- or find where he is/check miles-to-go while riding in the bus/car. At least he doesn't take the remote-controlled helicopter except on car trips.

;-) As my niece says, "It's a guy thing!"

This list seems reasonable to me, though a bit short of camera equipment.
Icuy, is there GPS software for a netbook that eliminates the need for a wi-fi (or 3G) connection? That's what a stand-alone GPS allows.

skibumette ,

If it weren't for this being in the Asia forum, I'd swear my wife was online carping about me! :)

I have to admit that it even surprised me the amount of electronic gear I've started packing as part of a typical trip: laptop, cell, digital camera and of course trusty GPS to track where we've been when. We're inveterate wanderers and it's fun to look at things after the fact and see our track.

Our last trip to Paris and Italy, the GPS also came in handy in keeping the cab from the station to our hotel honest. The cabbie had a TomTom and I'd pre-loaded the hotel's street address into my Garmin. Away we went but when I noticed a few "recalculations" on the way by his TomTom (matched by my Garmin), I turned the volume up. Suddenly the route got rather more direct.