travelgourmet, I'm curious - why bring an iPhone *and* a dedicated MP3 player? I don't have an iPhone but thought part of the beauty was that it's an iPod and a phone all in one.

jent103 - because I hate the Mp3 part of the iPhone. The lack of dedicated buttons makes it a hassle to switch between tracks, which I often do. Also, the sound quality of my Sony player is significantly better than the iPhone. Finally, my Mp3 player gets something like 30 hours of battery life, while my iPhone gets run down from using it for other things.

I like the iPhone for its internet/email/texting capabilities and the apps, but give it a D as a music player.

To me, there isn't much benefit in ditching the Mp3 player. It is barely bigger than a book of matches, so it isn't a big deal to carry it in addition to the phone.

All I take is my camera. I did take a cell phone on a couple of trips, but never had a reason to use it, so I stopped. It's just one more thing to carry. BUT it's all about what each individual needs to make him or her comfortable while traveling. If a bunch of electronic aids make your trip better, great. If not, great. It's your trip.

No need for a cell phone. I use local calling cards and the public phone system when I need to call. Much cheaper.

But I do carry two cameras, a DVR, and a netbook with wifi. I also bring a 250 volt power/surge strip so I can charge everything every night. Hotel rooms are short on outlets.

Hi flygirl,

Ever since DH got me a netbook last Christmas, I've been taking it with me on long-ish trips if the places we stay at have wifi. It was very useful for our week-long trip to Berlin and week-long trip to Barcelona. We used it to double-check opening hours of attractions, as well as plot out transportation routes using each city's public transit website.

I don't have an iphone or smartphone - but I bring my Int'l phone with me just in case. I hardly use it (rates are high) but it's handy at some situations.

travelgourmet - thanks for the explanation! Makes sense. Not having drunk the iPhone Kool-Aid just yet (I'm on Verizon anyway), I wasn't sure how the different functions combined.

No cell, no camera, no laptop when I go to Europe (from US).

I usually travel with someone who has a camera if I want pictures. I never make hard copies anymore, I just post them on Facebook to share with friends and family. When I was younger I loved taking pictures and compiling photo albums but I've found I don't ever look at them nor do my family or friends.

I do crazy amounts of research prior to trips then carry a hard copy of the info so I don't find it worth lugging a laptop. Every couple of days I pop into an internet cafe or use the hotel computer to send an email home. If there is an emergency at home DH also has a copy of my travel plans and can reach me via my accommodations.

When I travel within the US with DH he takes his laptop to answer work related emails in the evenings but I rarely use it.

This year to Portugal we took our cell phone and GPS. Also, I bought one of those netbooks. I really like it. Our apartment had WiFi and I used Skype to call my parents and the kids.
Usually, we use the cell phone, but we only used that to text our friends in Lisbon.
Oops. Forgot that Mr. Sher takes his camera AND I have a very basic MP3 player which I use to download books to listen to on the trip over. And also for down time since we don't watch ev.


I guess we are somewhat attached.

When escorting school groups (which I have done a few times) we are required to carry a cell phone. I purchased a mobalphone which they say works anywhere in the world (except a few places I'm sure). Students are discouraged from taking cell phones when we travel, but nearly all take the ubiquitous mp3 player or ipod as well as digital cameras.

For personal travel I usually take my cell, but only turn it on when I need to use it to call home.

I have an mp3 player I purchased several years ago thinking I would join the hip generation, but have never used it.

US cell phone
Telestial "Europe" cell phone
I Touch
digital camera
GPS, if renting car

Cell phone, each
One netbook
One digital pocket camera
- that's the optimum combination
Maybe the 220v immersion heater if we have a very early departure

NO: hairdryer, curling iron, shaver, travel iron, wrinkle steamer, kettle

I'm technologically challenged. That said, I couldn't live without a cell phone, ipod, netbook, and of course digital camera. I have a european conair hairdryer that I like to pack too, because hair dryers in hotel rooms are often not so good. I'm on a packing diet though so the hairdryer will probably have to go.

Normally I take my laptop, a USB GPS antenna, digital cameras and cell phone.

This trip is a bit different, so we are bringing a bit more stuff than normal, but we're being sponsored so it is to test out some stuff.

Canon D500 DSLR with 4 lenses
Canon HD Camcorder w/ 2 lenses
Sony 3ccd Camcorder linked to an HP Netbook with 160 gb internal and 500 gb external USB drive
Olympus digital sound recorder
2 wireless mics
2 wired mics
2 cell phones
About 40 AA rechargeable batteries for the powerpacks for all the stuff.
3 remote controls with fiber-optic controls I built.

Should I include the steadicam rig? Naw, that's not digital. But to the positive, I'm not bringing the GPS antenna, since we aren't driving anywhere this time.



dave

a digital camera
a little battery powered light that clips onto a book so I can read at night even if the B&B does not have a good reading light by the bed.

Spaarne -- I'm curious: you said you take a DVR when you travel? Do you use it to record TV on your travels, or to watch something you've already recorded?

I am studying a language (Welsh) in which I can't buy movies/TV shows or watch them online, because the online versions of the Welsh-language BBC channel restricts non-UK access to its programming. I'm now pondering whether it'd be worth taking a DVR on my next trip and recording shows off the hotel's TV.

Tahl,

I don't use it that much when I travel. I have some recordings of the crazy Dutch on Queen's Day in Amsterdam. I also videoed some street traffic scenes in London. It's amazing the way they drive. Mine is palm size so it isn't a burden. It should record off a UK TV. I just tested it in MI and the results are fine. I'd recommend a tripod.

I just bought a digital audio recorder, an Olympus WS-400S. This thing is less than shirt pocket size. Maybe that will give you what you want? It uses one AAA non-rechargeable battery.