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It's a brave new world

I've been travelling long enough to remember when all you needed were some AA batteries every so often and you were set. Now it's all chargers, chargers, chargers. Make sure you stock up on wall plug adapters before you go, in fact go to A'zon and buy more than you think you'll need because guess what, you're going to be fighting for plug space in your room every night. It's just amazing how devices have taken over. Do some math beforehand and don't get caught short. You might also find things charge more quickly with the juicier juice.

Also, rookie mistake here, keep a charger on you WITH THE RIGHT ADAPTER as you travel during the day and on planes and trains. I failed to remember the part in all caps but luckily didn't get caught out. Best case scenario, you can use a USB port without a charger since that voltage is universal.

The good news is all modern chargers run on either US or 240V electricity, so there is no longer any need to lug those big heavy transformers around. Legal disclaimer - MOST chargers are like this, read the fine print on yours. Every room we stayed in had a hair dryer but my wife has very specific needs and wants, so she purposely bought a 240V unit before we left and was glad she did. It had the two round prongs so still needed plug adapters in some situations but it put out the quantity and temperature she needed for her 'do.

Posted by
507 posts

Phred,

This was part of an article I posted about money-savers. Have you seen this overseas?

"Lastly, if you happen to forget the wall plug-in for your phone charger, check the back of your hotel TV. A lot of the newer models will have a USB port where you can recharge your phone without spending more for a new charger."

Posted by
2081 posts

phred,

I found a plug adapter & 2 port USB combo on my travels. I like it alot and it has most of the plugs i will need. I dont even bring my phone adapters, just USB cords. Also that one plug adapter suits my needs since even with 2 camera charges and an electric shaver about all i ever need to plug is one of my 2 camera chargers. Also, its seldom that both batteries will need charging at the same time, but i have a spare of each so i can usually do both before bedtime.

happy trails.

Posted by
783 posts

Phred, I hear what you are saying about the proliferation of adapters and chargers these days. I have a gadget called "Outlets to Go" that has three power plugs and two USB ports. I bought it on Amazon. It's small and lightweight, and it solves the problem of scrounging for multiple power outlets in hotel rooms. I simply plug my prong adapter into Outlets-To-Go, and I can charge all of my devices at once.

I am also a big believer in spare batteries for my cameras and iPhone while I am out and about for the day.

Posted by
783 posts

@Collette -- That's a terrific idea about using the television's USB port to charge devices!!!

Posted by
4853 posts

Forgot to mention, as an "accommodation" some hotels have 110V outlets in the bathroom labelled shaver. Not sure I would trust those.

And the newest twist is a funky multivoltage outlet that has a whole bunch of holes, if you line them up correctly it looks like you get 110V. Again not sure I would trust that.

Posted by
5687 posts

I not only travel with plug adapters when I go to Europe, I also bring a "mini-power strip" of 110V plugs with me. I don't mean a long power strip with a cord, I mean a 3-1 that turns one power plug into three. Then I need only a single adapter on the end of that. I can then plug in up to three low current chargers/power cords to it, and I don't need a lot of wall outlets in the hotel or apartment available. One is probably enough.

Posted by
339 posts

I am much happier lugging chargers or a mini power strip than all the rolls of film I used to take.

Posted by
1637 posts

I remember a trip to China where I took 30 rolls of film with me.

Posted by
507 posts

2 - Bob

I have you beat. I came home from a Spain/France tour w/52 rolls of film & don't know how many pictures I rejected. I like the delete feature of a digital camera.

Aaah, the days of my youth.

Posted by
4853 posts

When preparing for my recent trip I came upon my old lead-lined travel bag to hide my exposed film from the perils of being X-rayed.

Yes, there is much to recommend digital.