The NYT Frugel Traveler recently posted his top 10 travel gadgets that cost less than $50. It is an interesting list with several items you might not typically think about. I've been looking at getting a Gorilla Pod tripod for a while. One note: for international travelers - I'm not certain that the Belkin mini surge protector works outside of the US. From what I can tell, it is only rated 115v. I looked a bit on-line and I can't tell for certain if it works in Europe or not. It might work fine if your electrical device has a cord with power adapter brick but I'm a little concerned about using the USB plugs to charge in countries that use a voltage other than 115v. But for travel in NA, it would be very useful or even in your home for a charging station.

NYT Top 10 Travel Gadgets under $50

Now you have me wondering if the power outlet with surge protection that I have will work in Italy. Here it is:

Targus

Its specs say:
Maximum Electrical Rating: 125V, 10A
Maximum current surge handling: 300 joules

Shoot! I thought I was all set with it!

Nancy

I don't know enough about surge protectors and strips but I would not use something that is only for 110v in an outlet that provides 220v or higher. I did see this travel surge protector that specifically mentions both voltages. The downside of this protector is it only has one outlet. They also have one with two outlets.

You might just want to wait and buy one when you get to Italy and then you can have it for all future trips without worrying...

Hi Marta, thanks for sharing this very interesting article. I'm such a gadget person when I travel. Although I don't have the specific brands he mentions I have # 1, 2, 4, 5 and 10. And after seeing some of my photos and videos that I took from my last trip I want to add (#7) a Gorillapod to my list. I've seen these before at REI, and have been thinking about getting one as opposed to the traditional travel tripod. I'm still wondering and contemplating how effective it will be if I can't find a good surface to rest it on or attach it to for a particular shot. But I really like that it is small, flexible, light and can support an SLR.

Thanks again for sharing the article.

Are opera glasses a "gadget". If so, those should top the list.

Peter

quote:

Originally posted by trekcapri:
And after seeing some of my photos and videos that I took from my last trip I want to add (#7) a Gorillapod to my list. I've seen these before at REI, and have been thinking about getting one as opposed to the traditional travel tripod. I'm still wondering and contemplating how effective it will be if I can't find a good surface to rest it on or attach it to for a particular shot. But I really like that it is small, flexible, light and can support an SLR.

A tripod isn't much use unless you have a cable release. Pressing on the camera's shutter button (and letting up on the pressure) imparts enough motion to the camera and tripod to wiggle the exposure. I doubt any point-and-shoot digital cameras have a cable release port.

I guess a tripod would help, some, but really for most pictures the best thing to do is get your exposure time correct, so that you're taking the picture with the shortest possible exposure time. How to do that with digital cameras I don't know!

I thought the Gorilla Pod would be the cat's meow, but it has not lived up to its claims and it rarely travels with me. It supposedly is easy to use as a camera support wrapped around a post or a small tree trunk, but getting a secure grip is tough if not impossible. Its best use is as a table tripod.

quote:

I thought the Gorilla Pod would be the cat's meow, but it has not lived up to its claims

I have a Gorilla pod and an Ultrapod. I have used the Ultrapod much more that the Gorilla pod.

You can't really tell from this picture, but with the legs closed, the velcro strap lets you strap it down very tightly to a post, or a railing or a small tree or limb or a hiking stick. I have used mine with a full-sized SLR with good result.

quote:

I'm not certain that the Belkin mini surge protector works outside of the US. From what I can tell, it is only rated 115v.

My colleagues and I have "blown-up" several power strips in Italy. They were US products rated for 120 volts and quit immediately when plugged into 220 volts.

I finally found a couple of power strips rated for 220v that would take the standard US plugs as well as the Italian plugs.

Thanks Bill for the information on the power strips. I kinda expected that is what would happen but I didn't know for certain.

RE: Gorilla pod - I also have an Ultrapod. It is good to know that it is not any better than an Ultrapod. I haven't tried to Velcro the ultrapod on something. It works pretty good with my DSLR except I think I've had problems with a long lens.

Bucky - many of the DSLR or other digital cameras have a timer (time delay) that can be used with these small tripods if you don't have a remote or cable shutter release. You can even adjust the time delay. I've used the time delay to take pictures of my husband and myself along with one of these small tripods.

Hi Bucky, thanks for your comments. I don't think my camera takes a cable release but I'm not sure and will have to check or I could learn to use the self timer as Marta mentioned. I did find a Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote gadget though that looks interesting. While taking photos in the Alhambra last year and some night shots I realized that I need to improve and have been practicing to get it right under different lighting conditions. I'm strictly amateur but would love to improve. Too many blurred shots from last year has sparked my interest.

Anne and Bill and Marta, I really found your comments on the Gorilla Pod and Ultra pod interesting and very helpful. I do have a tripod but it is way to heavy to travel with. Interesting and very helpful discussions.

The wireless remote would much more preferable than a cable shutter release.

Most of the posted photos that I see are blurred to one degree or another, which I think--among possible other factors--is a result from using the LED Panel and not the viewfinder for framing the image. I think it close to impossible to obtain a clear, sharp image while framing the scene when holding the camera away from one's body at arm's length.