Gear & Gadgets 2008
By Judi Dash
                          • Packing: Hold Everything
                                • Peace of mind on the go
                                • Take Care of yourself
                                • Weathering the winter
                                • Cameras, camcorders
 
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Newfangled lighting products can brighten your travels.  

1. Zelco 2Light

1.  HEAD TRIP:
 A nice bright flashlight is useful to have on hand --  but sometimes more useful hands-free.  Enter the 2Light (CQ) from Zelco.  A flick of a latch at the business end of the flashlight opens the cover.  Pull out the light and it becomes a headlamp thanks to the attached adjustable headband, which was hidden in the flashlight housing.

The headlamp pivots for aiming light via a rotating cylinder that also houses the light's three AAA batteries (not included).  A rubber-sealed push-button switch  --  operable in both the headlamp and handheld mode -- provides a choice of hi beam or low beam.  The flashlight housing design is kind of fun  --  it's black with big yellow polka dots, and has integrated rubber grips.

Zelco 2Light (43222) is $40 at www.zelco.com; (800) 431-2486

2. Lamp and radio

2.  WIND-UP PITCH:
LifeGear has taken the crank-powered electronic device to new levels.  The new LED Flashlight/Reading Lamp/Radio has a hand crank that recharges the built-in NiMH battery for operation of the device's flashlight, pop-up reading light, siren, red emergency LED flashers, AM/FM radio and emergency weather alert.

The amount of  operational time you get from cranking varies with the function, but averages about 20 minutes per 60-second crank.  Don't feel like cranking?  The device also operates on three AA batteries (not included), or a wall- or car adapter, which are supplied free, though there's a mailing fee.  When fully charged via the adaptors,  the radio runs about 8 hours, the flashlight one hour).  An incorporated cell-phone charger provides about three minutes talk time per 60-second crank. Phone adaptor tips are provided free, except for the mailing fee. 

LED Flashlight/Reading Lamp/Radio (model LGTF38) is $60 at www.lifegearcompany.com; (800) 497-6650.

3. UV Monitor

3.  SHEDDING LIGHT:  Sunlight can be healthy or not, depending on exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays.  But how much is too much?  The Personal UV Monitor from Oregon Scientific monitors the current UV levels and temperature, then calculates your recommended exposure time based on information you key in about your skin type and your sunscreen cream protection level.  Then click on the exposure timer and it will beep when it's time to cover up.

A countdown clock on the monitor keeps track of the time left.  About the size of a cell phone, the bright orange device has a digital clock display and wrist strap.  It automatically updates recommended exposure time based on changes in UV intensity.  Runs on one included coin cell battery.
   
Personal UV Monitor (EB612) is $30 at www2.oregonscientific.com; (800) 853-8883.

4. Air bed pump

4.  PUMPING IONS:  First there was the electric air bed pump.  Then came the battery operated air bed pump.  Now, from Aero Products, which pioneered quick-inflate air beds and pumps, comes the battery operated air bed pump with a built-in flashlight, so you no longer have to set up camp or pump up your air mattress in the dark.

Built into the front handle of the pump are three bright LED bulbs that turn on and off with the push of a button.  The pump and lights are powered by 8 "C" batteries (not included), or plug into your car cigarette lighter using the included adapter.  The device comes with three pump adapters to inflate a variety of products.  What's next  --  a built-in finger to press the button?

Air Light Air Flashlight Pump is about $35. Info at www.thinkaero.com; (888) 462-4468.

5. Reading light

5.  BOOKING AGENT:   The Marklight is a battery powered book light that earns its keep even when it's not illuminating a page  --  as a bookmark.  The engineers at Showertek started with the idea of a typical long narrow paper bookmark, then substituted two layers of flexible leather in place of the paper, and inserted a slim LED flashlight between the layers at the top end. Voila  --  the Marklight.

The flashlight has three tiny permanent LED bulbs and two brightness settings.  The leather can be bent to aim the light where needed, then flattened to function as a bookmark.  Runs on two included replaceable coin cell batteries.
  
Marklight is $20 at www.mylight.com; or call Showertek, Inc: (800) 776-6364.

1.  GOT YOUR BACK BAG:
Baggallini pioneered featherweight nylon bags with multiple pockets, first in basic black, then in a kaleidoscope of bright colors in an ever-growing range of styles and sizes.  The Downtown Bagg is likely to become a favorite.

 Weighing in at less than one pound, the 12-inch by 11-inch by 3.5-inch-thick crinkle nylon bag converts from a backpack to a side-hugging sling shoulder bag when the two back straps are zipped together.  Unzip the bag's main compartment and you'll find a spacious interior with a gusseted cell phone pocket, credit card compartments, a key fob and a detachable ID coin purse with a built-in mirror.  Outside, two zippered side pockets and a front zippered pocket with additional inside compartments make for easy access to frequently used items.  When empty, the Downtown Bagg collapses nearly flat, making it great for taking along as an extra bag.

One quibble:  The length of the back straps is not adjustable, so the bag could hang uncomfortably low for smaller users, possibly slipping off the shoulders or putting strain on the neck.  Perhaps Baggallini will remedy that problem next production round. Available in eight color combinations.

Baggallini Downtown Bagg is $69.99 at www.ebags.com; (800) 820-6126.

2. CARRYING ON WITH STEVES:
Rarely does a celebrity name attached to a product add anything but cache.  That's  not the case with Kiva's new Rick Steves luggage line.  Steves, whose Europe guidebooks and public television series helps independent travelers save money and experience the local flavor of destinations, had a direct hand in designing this  well-thought-out collection. My favorite item is the Convertible Carry On Bag.  At 21 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches deep, the bag has an impressive 2500 cubic inches of packing space.  Zip open the external expansion panel and the bag holds an additional 500 cubic inches of gear.

The sturdy, but lightweight (3.5 pounds), nylon bag can be carried as a backpack via the padded back straps and waste belt.  Or, tuck the straps into the back panel and carry the bag like a suitcase using the top or side handle, or by the detachable padded shoulder strap. The bag has plenty of pockets inside and out, internal and external compression straps to stabilize the load, and two mesh organizer bags for laundry or other items.  An included clip-on zippered pouch can provide quick access to cash, a passport or other travel papers.   Comes in five colors.

Rick Steves Convertible Carry On (RSK-43) lists for $99.95.  Info at www.kivadesigns.com; (800) 645-8818.
 

3.   METAL PROTECTOR:
If you hate having to empty the metal contents of your pockets  --  coins, keys, cell phone, etc. --  into those open (and thus vulnerable) plastic bins at airport X-ray checkpoints, here's a welcome alternative.

The Quick Pass Luggage Tag is a 4-inch by 3-inch ID Tag that unfolds into a zippered 10-inch by 7-inch mesh pouch. 

Before going through the metal detector, unfold the Velcro-closure tag (which buckles onto any luggage handle and does not need to be detached at any point during the process), and empty your pockets into the pouch.  Then send the bag through the X-ray machine, reloading your pockets after you and your bag pass through security.  An added advantage:  you won't accidentally forget to retrieve items from a bin when you grab your carry-on bag after it goes through the X-ray machine  -- an all-too common occurrence.

Quick Pass Luggage Tag (LA590) is $12.85 from Magellan's; (800) 962-4943; www.magellans.com. 

4. FLAT-OUT SUCCESS:  Travelon's Pack-Flat Back-Up Bag is designed to stash nearly flat in a wheeled carryon bag.  Measuring 19 inches by 13 inches  --  typical dimensions for wheel-aboard bags  --  the bag unzips to become a spacious 10-inch-deep carry-on-size bag.  Made of heavy duty Cordura nylon, the bag can be carried by the double sewn-in handles or the padded adjustable shoulder strap.

 I would have liked to see double zippers on the bag, so it could be padlocked when left in a hotel room or when sent through as checked baggage at the airport (secured by a TSA-approved padlock).  I also wish the shoulder strap was detachable to minimize the risk of it getting torn off or entangled in machinery if the bag is checked through.  All-in-all, though, this is a great extra bag, whether or not you're traveling with wheel-aboard luggage.
 
Pack-Flat Back-Up Bag (22825) is $23.99 at www.organize.com; (800) 600-9817. 

5.  DYNAMIC DUFFLE:
High Sierra has developed some of the most innovative wheeled duffle/backpack hybrids around.  Now comes the cavernous 32-inch Drop-Bottom Wheeled Duffrite (an amalgam of the words duffle and upright), which packs like a spacious unstructured duffle but has a reinforced spine that allows it to stand, wheel or be hand-carried like an upright.

In addition to inline skate wheels and a telescoping handle, the bag has back straps that stash into a zippered back panel, built-in double carry straps and a padded top handle.  The 32- by 15- by 15.5-inch-deep (18-inch deep when expanded) bag provides up to 7980 cubic inches of packing space.  The big open main section can be separated into two compartments by zipping up a sewn-in nylon divider sheet.

Two mesh inside pockets and three outside pockets (one of which unzips for quick access to items inside the bag) provide additional storage, and four external compression straps reduce pressure on the zippers.  The bag, which comes in five color combinations, weighs in at a reasonable (for the size) 11.9 pounds.
  
32-inch Drop-Bottom Wheeled Duffrite (AT459) lists for $320 but is available for less online.  Info: www.highsierrasport.com; (800) 323-9590.

Helpful self-care products for travelers are on the rise.  These innovations rate consideration for a place in your luggage.

1.Calming sensitive travel set

 1. SWEET CREAMS:
Babor, a maker of botanical skin care products, has introduced a line of travel sets that are appropriate for men and women.  The gels, creams, liquids and lotions come in sturdy containers in small sizes that meet federal security regulations for carry-on items (less than three ounces).

Sets range from an Anti-Jet-lag Flight Set with skin cream and eye fluids that tackle the dry air aloft, to a hypoallergenic Calming Sensitive Travel Set containing day-cream, night cream, eye fluid and cleansing liquids that are particularly gentle with easily irritated skin.  Makes a nice bon voyage gift. 

Anti-Jet-lag Flight Set is $15; Calming Sensitive Travel Set, $45 at www.babor.com; (888) 222-6791.

2. Travelon Mini Scale

2. WEIGH TO GO:
There goes your excuse for not watching your weight while traveling.  The new Mini Scale from Travelon measures 10- by 6- by 1.3 inches high and weighs about a pound. Two sliding panels pull out from the center to reveal a median section with a backlit digital weight read-out in pounds or kilograms.

Just step onto the two open panels --  one foot on each --  and, presto, the bitter truth.  (Tip: don't try this after that big French dinner out).  The digital scale runs on one included lithium battery and comes with a padded zippered nylon carry case.

Travelon Mini Scale (item JF1191) is $40 at www.luggage.com; (800) 675-3451.

3. Soapy Toes

3. THERE'S THE RUB:
McNaughton's rubber travel bath products make soaping up all over more than a little bit easier. Take for example the company's bath brush, a two-sided wonder that truly hits the spot.  The soap side is for lathering up and the soft-bristled side is for cleaning and massaging your back, legs and feet.  The long curved handle lets you reach hard to get at spots.

The soap side pops out so you can pop in other inserts, sold separately.  Among these are a  pumice stone to exfoliate dry skin, a reflex massager insert, and a liquid soap dispenser.  Then there's Soapy Toes, a little foot scrubber  with soft rubber bristles.  Lather up the bristles with any soap, lay Soapy Toes on the shower floor, and rub your foot back and forth over it. No bending or balancing act.

Bath brush with soap is $20; inserts $5 apiece; Soapy toes, $10 at www.mcnaughtoninc.com; (800) 423-5487.

4. Swiss Clipper

4. NAILING A NEED:
Finally, a Swiss Army Knife that answers that burning question:  What about my nails?  The Swiss Clipper is a full-size stainless steel nail clipper that swivels out of a a Swiss Army Knife chassis.  The sharp curved blades clip as neatly and efficiently as any well-made nail clipper.  The Swiss Clipper also includes a fold-out nail file and cleaner, scissors, and knife, as well as tweezers and a plastic toothpick. 

An alternative model, called the Swiss Clipper AT. (short for Air Travel), has a micro screwdriver instead of the knife, for those who would rather not risk the possibility of security officials confiscating a Swiss Army Knife with a blade during heightened alerts.  Both models are available in a traditional red housing, as well as pastel pink, or translucent watermelon pink or plum ice purple.

Swiss Clipper, with blade or screwdriver, is $33 at www.wengerna.com; (800) 267-3577.

5. DreamSack        Luxury Travel Kit

5.  BLANKET APPROVAL:
Airline-supplied blankets, when available, are scratchy, and who knows how clean?  Good thing you brought DreamSacks' Luxury Travel Kit, a luxuriantly soft, lightweight, 42- by 76-inch blanket, that comes with silk eyeshades and a silk carry pouch that reverses to a pillowcase.

If the nearly $200 price tag is too high for comfort, opt instead for DreamSacks' Airline Comfort Set, a silk blanket, eyeshades and pillow case in a pouch that still makes for great nestling at about one-third the cost.  Both sets can be hand-washed; the cashmere/silk blend also can be dry-cleaned; the silk version machine washed.      

Luxury Travel Kit is $196; Airline Comfort Set, $59, at www.dreamsack.com; (800) 670-7661.