Power converters
 

Last time I was in Germany was oh...35 years ago so if this is a dumb question sorry! Just wondering if you still need a converter for hair dryer and batter chargers and the like. Thanks!

Yes, sort of.
Yiou will at a minumum need an adaptor that converts your two/three prong connection to the local plugs.

Some fo your equipment may be 115/220, in which case you are done.

If not, you require a transformer that converts the votalge from their outlets to your voltage. Because these transformers are small (travel size) they cannot handle large currents without melting. A hait dryer is one such device. So either leave it at home, or buy one over there.

Lot of travel places will sell a travel package that includes all of the above. I bought my stuff at Walmart

You will find many, many threads on this, but I've traveled in Europe for the last two years (just planning next year's), and I've never taken a converter. You need to make sure hair dryers, flat irons, etc. have dual voltage, then you just need an adapter, not a converter. Phones, cameras, gps have internal converters and just need adapters. Last year, I charged an ipad, blackberry, and camera batteries every night.

Okay, all you experts...what have I left out?

I'd check my equipment before assuming dual voltage.

I would be curious to know if anyone has had to have a converter to charge any kind of a phone, ipod, gps, or camera batteries.

PS-Oops, I've traveled to Europe every year since 2007, four years,not two. Many of you have traveled there for many, many years. Isn't the whole converter adapter thing a lot easier now?

Most battery chargers/computer power supplies- that sort of thing are dual voltage and work just fine w/ just a plug adapter. Just be sure to check that it is dual voltage

Hair dryers are provided in almost every hotel/B&B so why schlepp one? But if you do make sure it is dual volatge and use the same plug adapter. (But even dual voltage models will fail frequently enough that I wouldn't take one. 'Fali' doesn't just mean no working - but burning up or blowing the circuits in the entire B&B -which can be pretty embarrassing)

Curling/flat irons are a problem. Yes there are dual voltage models -- but they will not work on the highest temps/settings. If a hair iron is important to you -- I'd buy a cheap one after you are in Europe. It will work better.

You do need a converter but I never leave home without this. Charges everthing in one swell swoop. You can pick them up on ebay, I just checked there is one for .99 right now. I love mine.
Belkin Mini Surge Suppressors with USB Charger. It plugs right into any converter.

I traveled to Europe with my netbook and had no problems.This year I took it to England 240V used a converter adapter to charge it & it destroyed my screen. it seems on PCs etc one should use a power surger. to be on the safe side. had no problem with hair curler etc.