If you’re planning a trip, you’re going to want the best tools to capture all the memories you make along the way. Whether it’s your ol’ trusty camera or a spankin’ new laptop, your travel electronics are important to you and your trip. Which is exactly why you need to take steps to keep them in proper working order for the long haul.
Here are 7 tips to keep your travel electronics buzzing:
1. Gear ties: You’ve got multiple devices. Therefore, you’ve got multiple cables. Unless you don’t mind depending on Chinese knock-offs from a third world market, you probably want to keep your trusted cables ship shape. Nite Ize gear ties keep them from kinking or tangling. You can always use a simple twist tie, but it won’t last long.
2. Spare Batteries: Headed to Angkor Wat at sunrise and plan to be out all day? Why risk having to take a tuk-tuk back to the hotel? If you’re like me, you’ve got a Go Pro that likes to turn itself on while in your day pack. Having the spare battery keeps me in the game even when things go wrong. In terms of phones, changeable batteries are on the outs (for solutions see the next item on this list) but I’m telling you, it’s been a lifesaver for us. Having a spare battery keeps us connected, even on the longest of journeys.
3. Power Bank (we call it a “Buzz Stick”): The great thing about a power bank is that you can use them with any device that charges off a USB connection. Having this in your kit ensures you’ll always have juice.
4. Battery/Card/Cable Organizer: Many gadgets = many cables and accessories. You need to keep them neat, easy to find and in working order. We use this soft case to keep things neat and in one place. We use the BUBM Universal Electronic Organizer because it’s small, adjustable and can carry different electronic elements securely.
5. Laptop/Ipad Protection: “The road” is a rough and dirty place. Laptops HATE dirt and being roughed around. So you’ve gotta do what you can to protect them. Having a good sleeve will help keep the grit out. It’s probably best to travel with one that doesn’t shout, “Computer in here. Take Me!” Our sleeves are denim or black and just like a pair of pants in a stack of clothes. A keyboard cloth/screen protector to put over the keys when the screen is closed will keep your screen in better shape. Plus, it doubles as a cleaning cloth. We like to affix a hard case onto the exterior of the computer as well. Adding a little weight for protection is an investment we consider “worth the weight”.
6. Water Resistant Packing Sleeve: I like to be ready for EVERY situation. Say you throw backpack, holding your electronics, under a bus in sunny Kathmandu. Then, your bag gets chucked out in the pouring down rain when you arrive in stormy Pokhara. These packs by Travelon protect and organize at the same time. So, next time your clothes might get wet, but your gadgets will be safe and dry.
7. Dry Bag: Let’s just say you and your travel mate are paddling back to El Nido beach, when a wave dumps your kayak 5 feet from the shore line. So everything probably ends up in the water. I’m definitely not speaking from experience…and no one lost their favorite hat. If you’ve played it smart and packed everything in a dry bag, then the only things you’ve lost is your $5 hat and your pride instead of your $1,000 camera and ever important phone.
Whatever your travel plans, you’re going to want to keep your gadgets working, so you can capture memories all trip long. We don’t have all the answers, so tell us how you maintain your travel electronics in the comments below.
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It’s Win-Win type stuff. Cheers!
