52 in 1 Card Readers
How did we get into this situation? 52 formats for memory cards! Granted some of the cards are the same format just a higher speed version, but why can’t gadget manufacturers settle on at most 3 media cards.
Well with 52 formats you should be covered for whatever formats you encounter or gadgets you buy during a trip.
It’s not as if they vary tremendously in volume and memory storage sizes. OK the CF cards are a little larger but SD and MMC are pretty damn close in size, both physically and storage wise.
This MSI 52 in 1 “StarReader” card reader is the most portable unit I’ve seen so far.
Want to go even more insane?! How about a 52 in 1 with Bluetooth, huh? How about that?
This Hong Kong company has one for you. The “Dtech" memory card reader with Bluetooth with “multi moody colours indicate power ON” and a reasonable $25. This unit is larger than the MSI so I normally wouldn’t recommend a larger unit but if you are travelling and don’t already have a Bluetooth unit this might do you.
However, it needs a cable so a small Bluetooth adapter with the MSI might actually take up less space without the hassle of hooking up a USB travel cable.
Travel Tent Opens in Two Seconds
French outdoor sports equipment maker Quechua makes a series of portable tents that open in 2 seconds. The videos of the tent opening by tossing are cool to me because I’m not much of a camper and convenience is my middle name.
American store that sell the tents.
Just toss and open and about 15 seconds to fold it back up. It folds up into a large hockey puck like disc. These are said to be backpacing tents but seem just a tad too larger for that unless you want to look like a travelling Viking. They can fit nicely in a car or the roof though.
Quechua makes quite a few models and even have a larger 3 man unit that opens in an excruciatingly long three seconds.
More multilingual videos from their site.
Kensington Pocketlink 4 in 1 Travel Cables-Most Flexible
I talked about what to consider when deciding what computer cables to bring for a trip.
In my quest for the perfect travel cable I have purchased numerous travel cables of all lengths. Flat cables, short lengths bound together with velcro for easy carrying, and various self winding travel cables with adapters I’ve tried them all.
From all my experimenting I have only come across one that is both portable AND fulfills all my requirements listed.
The Kensington Pocketlink 4 in 1 cable is the only commercially available unit that includes Ethernet, phone cord for modem, USB and Firewire all in the same compact self winding casing.
Most all inclusive units I have come across will have Ethernet, phone and either USB or Firewire but not both. Kensington themselves make a 3 in 1 cable with all of the above but Firewire.
The 4 in 1 covers all the bases and includes adapters for 4 pin Firewire and standard USB A and USB mini-B. The non network cable ends are actually native Firewire cables. The adapters turn them into USB cables.
The cable lengths are an acceptable 5 feet for USB/Firewire and 6.5 feet for Ethernet.
So there you have it the perfect portable cable system that combines connection flexibility in a portable unit. With this gadget most of your basic cable needs are covered. Of course the only thing drawback is if you need more than one cable at one time.
Having one extra bus cable support jacks up the price over other cables but at $49.99 suggested retail, it is a reasonable price if you never have to carry extra cables again.