Dependable High Technology Gadgets for the Business Traveler

Business travel is often involves little free time and maximizes office time at the travel destination. For this reason, business travelers pack light and check that every item will be used at least once. Nothing is more painful than carting heavy bags across airports at a run. Smart business travelers know what low weight high technology gadgets can aid them and what they can leave at home. Here's my list of the high technology gadgets business travelers rely upon:

Business Travelers Require Wireless Communication

Wireless telephones are a terrific aid to the business traveler than must be available at any time in any place. Additional features like a business calendar, contact list, place to take notes, store data, access the internet, take and share photographs, and the ability to upload and download information from the above are almost as essential. Why all of the above when one lightweight wireless phone with internet or Bluetooth access is enough?

Popular products that meet these requirements cost about $500 and include:

Blackberry 9700 Black Smartphone

Apple Iphone 3G S 16GB

GPS Devices Make Sure Business Travelers Don't Miss Important Meetings

GPS Devices use satellite positioning data to locate your position and place you on a map. Buying a GPS device can insure that you don't miss your appointments or spend lengthy time researching on the internet when your rental car does not provide the capability. It can also save you many of the fees charged by rental companies for GPS use. Many GPS products enable you to get a map view and get directions visually. Some provide verbal instructions and download live traffic and general location information from the internet.

Popular products that meet these requirements cost from $150-400 and include:

Garmin

Magellan

Packetizing the Recharging Units Helps the Business Traveler Grab and Go

Many of the high technology equipment business travelers use have batteries that require recharging. Putting the chargers in a small stuff sack with a label can save packing time. A battery charger needs to work with the local electricity so a power convertor may be required. Most devices require device specific rechargers because even a small change in model may mean a different battery is used. Additionally, if business travelers journey by car, a car charger can more effectively keep your PC or phone operating and accessible.

Popular Products that meet the requirements for power conversion for international products cost about : $20-50

Hammacher

HiLo Tranformer Kit

Smart Business Travelers are Never Disconnected from the Internet

Hotel rooms advertise free internet access but don't convey the real picture many of the times. Some offer wireless, some offer access to a PC in the lobby, some offer access via television with a high charge and no capability to download or upload information, and some provide direct line high speed internet access. Sometimes, to use the high speed internet access, you must have an internet cable or you'll be charged extra fees. Also, bring a travel surge protector. I've burned out two which is better than losing two computers.

Radio Shack Cost: $20-80

Electronic Presentations Simplify Meeting Preparations and Reduce Business Travel Weight

Because business travelers often share information with a large group of people, they often prepare their resource presentation in advance then walk through a series of visuals for the group. Pocket Projectors have the ability to take information created on a PC via an SD memory chip and display it against a white background wall, table etc.

Two of the most popular brands cost $200-700 depending on memory storage and lumens :

3M Pocket Projector

Mitsubishi

Business Travelers Know How to Make their Presentation Points

It's not enough to just display a visual, business travelers often need to lead an audience through a presentation. A laser pointer can direct attention to a point being displayed on a presentation from a distance, allowing the presenter to stay in contact with the audience needs.

Two of the most popular brands cost $2-30:

Radio Shack Pointers

Green Laser Pointer

Business Travelers Arrive Well Rested

The days when redeye flights caused business travelers to arrive cranky and half-rested have been cured by sound reduction headphones. Business travelers that bring their own headphones with sound reduction can sleep better and have a more personalized fit.

Two of the most popular brands cost $200-300:

Bose

Sony

Business Travelers Never Stumble For the Correct Greeting in the Proper Language

Business travelers often meet customers from around the world. Many times taking the time to say hello, thank you, please and good day in someone's native language can help break the ice. Portable translators allow business travelers to type in a phrase in one language and have it display or verbalize the phrase in another language.

Popular portable translators costs $200-400 :

Hammacher

Lingo Ambassador 40

No Business Transaction is Lost to Theft by the Savvy Business Traveler

Many business transactions can be subject to competition or can contain sensitive information about a company or their customer that business travelers would not like exposed if their equipment was lost or stolen. Protecting that information can be provided by software encryption tools or by hardware encryption or lock equipment. Prices vary depending on the product:

Folder Lock File Encryption Software

Encrypted Flash Drives

Business Travelers Need to Work on the Portable PC

Although a business traveler may have a set presentation and have access to their customers information and meeting dates with a wireless telephone, business travelers may also need to do work on their computer. A lightweight computer can make carrying that equipment much easier but requirements may vary.

Read Best Types and Brands of Laptops for Travel