Must Pack Tech Gadgets for Your Next Trip

When I go traveling I am the type of person that makes lists of all the things that I need to bring along. As I pack each item I am fastidious in checking that item off of my list. Some people have even at times called me compulsive as I have been known to take my lists too far, whereas I will even make a note as to where I packed such and such.

Regardless if you are a list preparer or one who relies on their memory when preparing for your trip I have found through my own travel a few items that one must always remember to pack along. The first item is a given and as we are all addicted to our phones I hesitate to add it to the list of items to pack, but then again, my list would not be complete if I did not include the words..."You're Cell Phone!" My full list of high tech items to travel with I have the following categories; communications, navigation, entertainment, productivity and recharging.

As I mentioned the very first Item that I make sure is packed is my cell phone and with that my Bluetooth ear piece. Nowadays seems like most of the other items are built into the cell phone. When packing, do not forget to include any additional charging cords that you might need. For example I even pack the charging cord used in my car, too often I have gotten on the road only to realize that my phone was just about out of juice and there I was without my cigarette lighter charging cord. It is the small things that can make a big difference.

Nothing is more exciting than flying into a new city in the middle of the night when everything is dark and all you have to navigate yourself to the hotel or other destination is the travel map provided by the rental car company. I have done my fair share of trying to read the map or other written directions while cruising down the highway at 60+ miles per hour. Whether it is your Garmin or TomTom or Magellan, the GPS unit will save your mind and your trip. Plus it is a great help when looking for fuel and food on your trip. The beauty of these units is that you can preprogram all the information needed for your trip before you arrive at your destination.

Third on my list is entertainment, and this is a must. There is no better way to ensure that you have some time to yourself on the plane, train or bus than put in your headphones and start playing some music or listen to an iPod download or whatever suits your fancy. Not wanting to be rude to anyone, I enjoy the chit-chat just about as much as everyone else. I have even been known to carry out a good conversation from time to time. But once you found out where the person sitting next to you works, lives, has previously lived and their opinions on everything from politics to the weather you are ready for your headphones. So break out the iPod or Play station, listen to your music, play your games, watch your movies. I can tell you this I won't be offended, as I will be doing the same.

Unless your trip is for 100% pleasure and fun most likely you are traveling for business and need the productivity of your laptop or Netbook. So make sure to have it fully charged before you go, and don't forget all the cords that you might need. When I pack my laptop I double check my power cord is in the case as well as a network cord. Yes I have wireless built into my laptop, but I have checked into "that hotel" that said they had high speed internet, but they mean wired and they don't have any more network cords. True story, I was once in Spokane working and the hotel offered high speed internet connectivity through wireless, but their wireless. I had to plug a special wireless adapter into my laptop's network port and they did not have any more of these units available. They did have high speed in some rooms using a network cable. I had the hotel move me into a room that had the standard network connection via cable, pulled out my network cable and took care of business. Had I not had my cable, I would have been searching for an electronics store via my GPS unit.

Finally, find a good universal charging system that will accommodate most of your electronic gadgets. Your high tech items are only good if you can keep them in power. The nice advantage of finding a good kit is that you can have one power cord and charge most of your items. This will cut down on all the things that you will need to pack, keep it more organized, and help to reduce the weight of the bag you're carrying. Most units have both wall and cigarette lighter adapters where you just change out the end that plugs into your tech gadget.

Now that you have all you need to keep you in touch, entertained, productive and on the correct road to your destination you can concentrate on packing the rest of the essential items like clothes and money. Enjoy your tech gadgets on your trip!