Electronics Check (11 days to go)

WOW! I feel like you are all speaking a foreign language. I don't take all this stuff with me, but just for future reference could someone please explain these two to me.

Blow dryer (dual-voltage with switch)

Curling iron (dual-voltage, no switch)

"Dual-voltage" does that mean you don't need a converter?

What's the "switch" and what does it mean if you have one or don't have one?

Thanks for you patience. :)

Yes on the adapter (one) but you may want a second adapter for the bathroom and the hair stuff. Charger electronics in the room, others in the bath. Also a bit safer to keep the power stuff away from the delicate stuff.

No problem on the power outlet in the car for your electronics.

No issue on switches. Better.

Don't let people say you have too much, especially since you're not schlepping it in a backpack across the continent and have a car. Just be careful where you leave it in the car. Have fun!

Which iPhone do you have? It could certainly replace the Point&Shoot camera, especially since you are also taking a DSLR for high-quality shots.

If it's the iPhone 4, it could also replace the FlipVideo.

It's possible it could replace the Garmin also (I've read the GPS chip works separate from Data), although I haven't used the GPS apps on the phone.

You are taking a lot of devices. Just saying it sounds like you could eliminate a couple, and not have to worry about charging as many items.

Also - have you checked to see whether the hotels you'll be staying in have hairdryers. Most do. Granted they aren't always as good as yours, but they do blow hot air.

Steve, I just checked on the power strip and it is NOT dual-voltage. Would I need a converter to make it work? If so, I think I'll just cancel that order. Are there dual-voltage power strips?

GPS

Have you purchased European maps for it? (AFAIK, the x5x model only have US/Canada maps.)

Is it an issue that most of my devices don't have switches?

If its input is listed as dual voltage ("120-240V"), it will automatically switch, so no worries.

Paul, I just ordered the European maps for the gps.

Steve, thanks...I think I'm beginning to understand (but correct me if I'm wrong). If the power strip has nothing 'extra' in it, it is just an extension of the outlet and requires an adapter only...no converter...and the items I plug into it will work fine because they are dual-voltage. So, basically I don't need a dual-voltage power strip.

Most of your electronics don't draw much power and shouldn't raise too much of a problem, but depending upon the hotels you are in, many were not built for our electric lifestyles. Having a power strip helps a lot because I've been in rooms that had just one or two outlets and most or all of them were already in use for the lights. I wouldn't try to plug in both your curling iron and your hair dryer (and some of the other stuff) at the same time.

Cindy,

Just to confirm the point that Paul mentioned concerning GPS maps. The Nüvi 855 is only supplied with North American maps, so it's great that you've ordered European maps.

Regarding the Power Bar issue, you might have a look at This Website. These Power Bars are apparently designed for "travel". However, I'd suggest choosing a model without USB Charging, just to be safe.

You could also have a look at This product from Magellans. The USB Charger on this model is apparently designed for dual-voltage operation. If you're close to Santa Barbara or Santa Monica, you could visit one of the stores. They also have a Live Chat on their website, should you have questions.

Happy travels!

Ruth,

I'll do my best to explain the terminology, based on my interpretation of the OP, since I haven't actually seen the various appliances.....

Blow Dryer - this is designed for operation on either 115 VAC or 230 VAC, with the operating voltage selected via a switch on the device. The inherent problem with this design principle is that the user might forget to place the switch in the "230-volt" position and then connect it to an outlet in Europe, which will have "unfortunate consequences".

Curling Iron - this is also designed for operation on either voltage, but no switch is necessary to select the operating voltage. Simply connect to an outlet and it should operate without any problems with either voltage.

Dual Voltage - this refers to products which are designed for "world" operation on either 115 or 230 VAC electrical systems. Usually a range of 100-240 VAC is specified, and the product will operate on any voltage within those limits.

"The Switch" - if a product is specified as "dual voltage", it may or may not have a switch to select the operating voltage. If it doesn't have a switch, then the product should operate on either voltage level without any action by the end user.

Many older products were designed with a selection switch, as most times it was used to select taps on a Transformer (it's a bit technical but I can elaborate if you want). Most newer Chargers and appliances use a specially designed power supply or other methods, and a selection switch isn't necessary (or desirable).

Hope this helps?

Cheers!

Cindy, you've had good advice. A couple of further thoughts.

Anything which can charge from USB could charge from a USB cable plugged into your netbook, which you then charge from the wall. That's how I charge my Blackberry, Garmin Nuvi, and Ipod.

My cameras, video, snapshot, and micro 4/3 all have similar chargers which have a detachable wall cord with sort of a figure-8 small plug which plugs into the actual battery charger. I have found that although they are different brands, the wall cord fits all three! So I just take one wall cord and the collection of chargers. None really needs charging very often, so I don't have conflict.

Don't forget to have the right adapters for the countries you are travelling through.

And finally, about that hair dryer... as said above, even the most humble hovel usually has one nowadays, if not in the room, then at the desk. (your mileage may vary, and all bets are off at hostels and zimmers). We found, some years ago yes, that when we brought US dual voltage dryers over here that when switched to European voltage only the low speed worked. We still fried two, as well. And they weigh, too. You know your hair needs better than us, but if t'were me, I'd chunk it.

Enjoy your adventure!

Ken, thank you for answering Ruth's question. I am pretty knowledgable in many areas, but electronics is not one of them. I am good at using electronics, just don't understand how they work.

Also, thanks for the link to Magellan's. I did order their dual-voltage power strip...and a few other things.

Nigel, I usually would not take a hair dryer with me, but I checked the three apartments we are renting and they do not provide them, so I purchased a small travel dryer...it's actually pretty light and compact.

Cindy,

You're very welcome! That was somewhat my "field of expertise" when I was working, so I have a good background in "electrical matters".

Thanks Ken. You made perfect sense. I didn't even know that there are personal care electronic things that had dual-voltage capacity. YEARS ago you had to buy something to plug it into as well as an adapter for the outlet. I usually ignore the itty bitty curling iron in the Magellan's catalog because I figured that I'd need (to drag along) the voltage converter and adapter, blah, blah. Thanks again.

Ruth,

Most of the appliances that Magellans offer are designed for dual-voltage operation. If there's a particular product that you think you might need, read the product information, and I think you'll find that the products are designed to work in Europe.

In the case of Hair Dryers, many Hotels these days are providing them. In some cases, they're kept behind the front desk and you have to ask for them. In other cases, they're permanently affixed to the wall in the bathroom.

With other appliances like Curling Irons, many travellers just buy an inexpensive unit when they arrive in Europe. With that approach, there's no question that it's designed to operate with the electrical system there.

However, there's also the option of taking dual-voltage appliances from Magellans or other suppliers.

Cheers!

Why even bother going anywhere?

Nigel,

My cameras, video, snapshot, and micro 4/3 all have similar chargers which have a detachable wall cord with sort of a figure-8 small plug which plugs into the actual battery charger. I have found that although they are different brands, the wall cord fits all three!

This is a world standard plug and you could actually purchase a cord with the appropriate wall plug, eliminating the need for an adapter at all. I did this when I moved to Europe for a couple of years. (See, for example, http://www.laptoptravel.com/ProductList.aspx?ID=5868 -- note there is the ungrounded "figure eight" plug and the "Mickey Mouse" ground plug. )

Marshall, I have the iPhone 3G. I've used the gps function a few times...the problem is how small the display is and that it doesn't talk to me. I need my reading glasses to see it, but don't need glasses to drive. Last night, my husband and I used it to find a movie theater in an unfamiliar city (we had left the gps in the other car) and it said it was actually on the freeway!

The point & shoot camera is my son's and he wants to take his own pictures...he'll be carrying it, so I can't complain.

Tami, excellent post! Thank you for your well thought out advice...I will absolutely take it into consideration.

I saw a lady at security struggling with having to turn on her plethora of electronics. She was on her last nerve and her frustration was obvious since she was holding up the line.

People that can't unplug on vacation might not get the full benefit of vacation. Bringing too much can be counterproductive.

The opinions expressed in my response box are not necessarily the opinions of the forum, maybe just me :)

Tami, are you the same poster who wanted to know if electronics were necessary on vacation?

Personally, I think whatever someone is willing to lug around with them is really their business. If a person feels that these items are necessary to their enjoyment of a vacation, so be it.

We carry a lot less, but it still seems to be too much for some here, and we certainly didn't care :-)

You have strong feelings about what a vacation should be, but that is YOUR idea of a vacation. Not everyone will agree. Just sayin'

I don't know how long you're going for but I bought a cheap hairdryer at a drug store when I arrived in France and then didn't have to worry about the conversion....

Tom,

"Excuse my ignorance, but what is a dSLR camera"

Paul provided a good description of a dSLR Camera. They're usually considerably larger and heavier than a P&S, but allow far greater flexibility in taking photos.

I use the same method as Paul - I travel with both a dSLR and a small P&S. Photography is part of the reason I travel, so there's no way the dSLR is staying at home! I use the P&S for "snapshot" photos of less important subject matter (ie: meals that I want to remember) and it's also a good "backup" to have on hand.

I also use it to capture short video clips of performers. While my dSLR is also capable of capturing HD 1080 video, that requires a LOT of memory cpapacity so I prefer to use the P&S.

Cheers!

This whole thread reminds me of the movie about the guy who had wires and Christmas lights all over the place and blew up the neighborhood.

If anybody wants to talk to Cindy, they're going to have to push all the tails out of the way to find her darn ears. Like the lady with the snake hair, everwho she was.

Just curious---are you going to a nudist colony or do you have room to pack clothes? Whatever or wherever you go, have a great trip.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is a dSLR camera, and why would one need both that and a point-and-shoot?

And Cindy... I can't believe you're bringing all that stuff! But, you'll be carrying it, not me, so bring what you want.

John! You outted me! Yes, we are going to a nudist resort...Cap d'Agde in France. My 14 year old son is especially looking forward to it.

Tom, a dSLR is a digital single lens reflex camera. You can read more about it at this site (among thousands of others) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_single-lens_reflex_camera.

I am an amateur photographer and love the versatility of my dSLR. I admit I really wish I could leave it at home...but I can't.

The point & shoot is for my son. He enjoys taking weird, quirky photos...I can't really begrudge him being able to take his own camera.

When I took my 3 daughters to Europe in 2004, we each had a camera. I had my SLR (not digital, so had tons of film), one had a point & shoot, one had a video camera (3x the size of the Flip), and the youngest had a disposable black & white camera. Every few days we would switch cameras. I loved coming home and seeing all the different perspectives.

I weighed all the electronics I am taking and it came out at 12 pounds...four pounds for each person. I weighed 4 guidebooks and my Bible (the minimum books I'd want to take) and it came out to 6.2 pounds...but those are currently all on my Kindle. So, for an extra 6 pounds I'm able to bring 3 cameras (dSLR, P&S, Flip...one for each of us); 2 items to help me look half way decent each day; a GPS to prevent us from getting lost while driving in a foreign country; a netbook to watch movies and blog and pay bills and email my 3 daughters who are still at home; an iPhone for music and any emergency involving said daughters. I'm pretty happy with that.

One good thing about spending your vacation at a nudist camp - it's easy to pack light and you don't have to worry about doing laundry while you are gone! ;-)

but what is a dSLR camera, and why would one need both that and a point-and-shoot?

I always bring both my dSLR and P&S. (In fact, I sometimes bring two P&Ss.) The dSLR is used for the bulk of my photos, especially serious ones. I like to use the P&S when going out for dinner or other times when I'm not likely to have a lot of photo time or where carrying the larger bag is not appropriate. Also, having it serves as a backup should the dSLR malfunction.

Tami, John, & Ed:

Please stay on topic by reading the original post carefully. If you don't have anything useful to add to a discussion, please move on to the next topic. Keep your opinions regarding other posters' personality, character or experience to yourself.

I thought I would copy and paste the above guideline for you. As strange as it may seem, you are under no obligation to post to every thread. I have read hundreds of threads myself, yet post to a very small percentage of them.

If you utilize electronics of ANY kind while on vacation...you are no different than I...I am just choosing to take mine with me on this trip. I did the 'internet cafe' thing on my last trip...I am looking forward to being able to check my email or update my blog in the comfort of my own room/apartment before I go to sleep. If you stop in to an internet cafe any time on your vacation...you are not unplugged. If you use the hotel's blow dryer or buy one when you get to Europe...you're still using it...I'm just choosing to bring my own. Between my husband, my son, and myself, we are able to handle the weight of our luggage...easily. We've done two trial runs already on road trips...lugging our stuff upstairs one day and down the next...with no problems. And Ed, how silly...

So enough from those of you who have nothing intelligent to add. I have my answer...and thank you to all of you who have helped and continue to provide intelligent, constructive advice.

Cindy,

Look on the back of the power strip. If it doesn't say 110/230 or similar, don't use it without a voltage converter unless you like fireworks. Since it has a little power supply built in to give 5 volts DC for the USB port, if it doesn't say 110/230, the 230 volts in Europe will fry the USB port. If you have electronic devices plugged in, you could also fry them! Get yourself a "3 way" plug for a couple of dollars at the hardware store.

Have fun,

Jeff (the ex electronics engineer)

Hey Cindy, I took a flip with me this summer to Belgium, Amsterdam and Scotland and loved it! I uploaded videos and had fun watching them. I am a novice with video and definitely got better as my trip progressed. (Learned to let it go longer and to hold it steadier and to not take pictures of feet.) The hardest part was seeing what I was filming. I too take both a DSLR and a point and shoot. I don't take a curling iron or hair drying anymore. I go naturale.... ; ) Pam