Electronics to take along?
 

I will be traveling in Bavaria later this month and would like advice on what electronic gear to bring along. In the past, I have gotten by with a film SLR for photos and calling cards purchased in country for telephone calls. This time, after problems with the camera and navigating on previous trips, I have added a new DSLR camera and a GPS for the rental car. I am also thinking of taking a laptop and my cellphone with an international chip. We do not check luggage and do not want to start now, We have not needed the cellphone or laptop in the past, but I can see how they might be helpful. But, is this too much? If not, what is the best way to pack and carry them?

I bring my iPhone and a separate small digital camera and that's it.

I rarely use the phone, but it does come in handy on those rare occasions when I need one. And I don't use data roaming, instead using wifi to access email and web sites as necessary. I also download podcasts ("Wait, wait, don't tell me" is available for free on iTunes) and movies (not free, but on iTunes), take random pictures to email to friends easily, and load applications like foreign language dictionaires. And you can make outgoing calls on skype or Truphone.

If your hotel has an ethernet connection but no wifi, you can use an Airport (from Apple) to generate a local wifi network. Very easy.

Everyone has different ideas about this. I don't travel with any electronics myself. Real easy!!

Since you say you don't check luggage, you'll have to cut back somewhere in your usual packing if you are planning to add a laptop, cellphone, camera, and GPS (which seems like it would be at least one additional bag, just for those).

As Suze stated, everyone is different. I have a lot lot of "must have" electronics, but also check luggage.

I always take my cell phone although I usually don't use it as a phone except as emergency backup. It's small and has many convenient apps on it including language dictionaries, maps, alarm clock, notepad etc.

Rental companies often provide a GPS if requested, probably for an extra fee, but may be worth it if you're trying to travel light.

You may also want to look into getting a netbook, especially if you travel often. They're much smaller and lighter than a normal laptop and are relatively inexpensive. They're great for internet access, backing up/viewing photos from your digital camera, watching movies/listening to music etc.

I carry a netbook - less than 2lbs and it also doubles as my phone to call home. I use skype and pay a small monthly fee to call landlines and cellphones back in the US. It also gives the ability to check on flights and make trip plans and changes on the fly. I also back up my photos on it as I travel in case I lose the camera. I wouldn't travel without it.

I appreciate the advise each of you has provided. I am not sure how a 13' Macbook Pro differs from a laptop, but that is what I will be taking. I may not use the cellphone, but it is not a big part of my travel plans, anyway. Both the laptop an the cellphone are necessary, as we will be meeting friends in Germany, and these could keep us from missing connections.

A 13" Mac is a laptop, but on the smaller end. Netbooks are even smaller with usually a 10" screen. Your Mac is a good size for travelling, compared to the 15-17" laptops anyway.

I don't leave home without my digital book. :) I also travel with my cell phone, or an unlocked cell phone when going international (I usually travel alone so it's partially a safety thing). Sometimes I take an iPod but sometimes I just use my digital book for mp3's.

Often a computer would be helpful, but I've never truly needed one and not been able to find one fairly easy.

Thanks for the advice. I am finding that I can pack the camera, extra lens, cell phone and GPS in the backpack and still have room for everything else, including an empty messenger bag for in-country use. I will take the laptop in its own bag as a carryon. BTW, I replaced the film camera because the lead-lined film bag kept freaking out airport security on previous trips.