gadgets,gadgets, and more gadgets, and a DSLR

I'm a geek. I like the lastest and the greatest, and the smaller, the better (ok, hold on,it's not what you're thinking!). I have been itching to go out and travel somewhere - the 8-7(yes,extended hours ) isn't cutting for me. But in daydreaming about my future travels, I think I ought to have at least 1 gadget, and that's a digital camera - ok, maybe two, which is a portable digital storage thingie, like an ipod, to store the images. Ok, maybe one of those global GSM phones - just in case (really,the point is to be away,so it's really just in case). I'd like to also bring a GPS tracker thingie so it would automatically map my wanderings. Maybe a handheld, with an external mini keyboard so I can type my journal entries? (I am a web programmer..I hardly write these days). I'm a amateur photographer - I'd like an Digital SLR as well...you're catching my drift, right?.. I'd like to hear experiences of people who have thought along the same lines as myself - I know for purists you will all cry 'no,dont bring all that junk, what you carry on the first day, you'll lug on the last!' - or 'it will all get stolen' or - 'youll worry sick about it all getting stolen'. In all sense, I'm really exagerating about all the gadgets, but I'd probably carry the both cameras, the P&S for always in the pocket action, and the DSLR for when I'm really looking for good shots. What are the major considerations (besides what I mentioned above) regarding a DSLR/other gadgets?

Let's move this question over to where the like-minded hang out. That would be in the "Travel Photography and Video" topic.

ops, i ran into the vagabond forums and i didn't even notice there was a specific forums exactly for that. I'll read it first!...

(Joe, I looked for this post on the other board, but didn't find it.)

Hey Rogerio!

You are SO the Silicon Valley man, eh?! While I am not out there now, that is my home area and I am very into many gadgets. Having both traveled and lived overseas, here is what I thought as a techy-type... I have a high-end, not digital SLR camera that will absolutely go with me, as I am an artist. I also have a good quality digital camera that is in the "point and click" catagory that will go for the hanging-out and quick email-type shots. I have an HP Pocket PC as well that will be great for keeping the journal, schedules, general emailing (depending on the internet cafe), and even books and music. I also have a large capacity mp3 player that I will likely take less for the music (as I like to encounter the sounds and music of the places as well as interact with the people) than for possible travel-sized file back-up. I will say that I am a minimalist packer, so I go with little, yet I wouldn't go without the first three at least. I really didn't see a need for the GPS or phone thing. To me those things were not only un-important, but frivolous... but that is just me and my minimalist ways. If you want to discuss more, let me know!

escapeartist

"Everything unknown passes for something magnificent." Tacitus

Ah, Rogerio, you're speakin' my language! I've been overseas for 2.5 months now to Oz, New Zealand, and back again and have carried my laptop, PDA, and digicam with me all along. I couldn't imagine travelling without each of them, have never regretted the choice, and have used all of them constantly. But, I am leaving the old corporate life behind and these among whatever else fits into the big pack are ALL I own.

Needless to say, they call came in handy on my travels, even more minimalist trips. Sure, the other backpackers look at you like you're showy or rich, but then they admit they wish they had their laptop for more convenient emailing, keeping their journal, storing remembrances from home, downloading their pictures, maintaining their website, etc.

I searched for the lightest, most efficient, most durable, etc. and ended up with a Sony Vaio w/ double capacity battery (I mean, I've used the thing to play movies or music on to entertain entire civilization-deprived crowds; it's tons of fun!), Sony Clie w/ a nice QWERTY keyboard for jotting down notes, holding those addresses and important contact info, scheduling, and even taking low resolution pics, and a Sony digital camera. REally, I'm not tied to Sony, but they had the best for what I was looking for.

What I HIGHLY recommend is making sure your gadgets all fit into one bag. All mine can go in a snazzy laptop backpack....everything's cushioned and all in one place. It was handy to just grab the thing to carry with me at all times or have within view, even to set next to my head in a hostel bed at night. I never worried about the expensive stuff getting stolen and they were never a burden that way.

Oh, I also ended up picking up a GSM phone once over here. I don't talk on the phone AT ALL, never thought I"d need one. Next thing you know, I'm meeting locals, wanting to keep in touch with them, coordinating get togethers, and it was darn handy to have a way to keep in touch with all of them, meet up later down the road, etc. And once you have the phone, you find it comes in handy when you've gotta book a hostel room and there's no public phone around or if you want to take care of that business while lying on the beach. Just pick up a local SIM card in your first destination.

So, if you've got the money, buy the BEST....go for light, durable, large capacity, ...you know what to look for. You don't want to be worrying about recharging and things like that anymore than necessary. Buy some retractable telephone and USB cables, etc....anything to save space and weight.

And have fun with it all! If you want more input, send me a private note or check out my website. Cheers!

_________________________
www.whereisjustine.com

"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live." –Flora Whittemore

Justine, you seem to have prepared well for your journey. I am nearing the time to move back to the UK and prepare for a trip to NZ with a view to possibly working there in the future. I also have a Vaio for my trip and aready use a Sony F717 camera.

The smaller the better is also my mantra for travelling and I have been looking at a PDA also and yes the Sony is on my shortlist! I think Sony owe us a drink should we ever visit their headquarters.

I was debating about getting a Treo 600 which is also a quad band phone as well as a PDA. I like the idea of having a phone when you need it but I don't fancy having large bills from calling friends in the UK and USA just to tell them how wonderful the sunset is that I am viewing from Waitemate Harbour!

Any other tips about maintaining your gadgets while travelling would be welcomed.

PS - I must stop buying these things..