I'm trying to co-ordinate all of my travel necessities with the same interchangeable battery type. Preferably all AAA like my camera so I can carry only one battery type/rechargeable that is readily available worldwide incase I run out or lose the charger.
Can anyone name brands of the following that take AAA or AA batteries?
A mini travel alarm (could use my wristwatch but want a backup)
A mini flashlight which takes only one or two AAA or AA
Anything else that might be essential?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
1317 posts
Rick Steves sells a Timex Alarm clock that takes (one, I think) AAA batteries. Just look under the travel store.
Mag-Lite flashlights come highly recommended and take one AAA battery.
Posted by
Renton, WA, USA
81 posts
Make sure your charger works on both US and Europe voltage--I toasted mine because I didn't check and had to buy batteries, which are NOT CHEAP anywhere in Europe.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1883 posts
the only item that should need to be recharged is your camera. If you make sure your alarm clock and flash light have new batteries in them before you leave, you should be fine...unless you are traveling for over a year!
You use the camera with flash, and just taking photos you should get 200-300 shots (based on the size of the image) before needing to recharge.
The alarm clock battery should last for years, no need to replace. the flash light should also last, unless you plan to keep it lite through out the night as a night light?? However, most "Mag-lite" mini flash lights (Penlight size) use AAA.
Bottom line...no need to purchase new items so they all have the same batteries
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32201 posts
I wouldn't be too concerned about "standardizing" with just one size of battery (AAA or AA) for all travel gear. That would probably limit your choice of what devices to use, to some extent.
Some comments on the devices you mentioned:
Mini Travel Alarm - I normally use my Cellphone, rather than carry two devices. Is that an option for you? If you want a Travel Alarm, you might check Rick's store, Magellans or The Sharger Image (I wouldn't recommend the average "big box" store, as they usually just have cheap stuff).
Mini Flashlight - I find that the "micro" Lights that use only one AAA battery are quite limited in terms of the light output (and therefore limited in terms of their usefulness!). Have a look at the MagLite "Mini-Mag" (2-AA), the Pelican Lights or StreamLight. One of the newer LED lights would be a good idea, so that you don't have to worry about replacement Bulbs.
Hope this helps?
Posted by
OP
Niagara Wine Country, Canada
808 posts
Thanks for all the suggestions.
IME, a charger purchased at destination can be helpful if you are going to the same destination frequently. That eliminates the need for a convertor or plugs. That's why I'm hoping to find travel products that take universal AAA or AA batteries.
Thanks, everyone!