Best and Worst [travel gadgets/items you have ever purchased]

[simongr]

There is no such thing as an iPad 3.

 

[k3nnis]

The new iPad I meant.

 

[harvyk]

The two best in no particular order
- mp3 player
- iPad

The worst
- An adapter for headphones to use the 2 prong plugs on planes. It never worked properly. Whilst I still want to get another one, me thinks I will be spending more than a couple of dollars on the next one.

 

[hedge]

Best gadgets: Samsung Galaxy 3, and Kindle Touch.

I read much much more now that I have a Kindle. I also sleep less :mrgreen:

 

[chrisb]

The new iPad I meant.

The new iPad is better, but probably not worth the upgrade if you already have an iPad 2. Wait for the new new iPad next year.

 

[k3nnis]

Hahah. I don't have an ipad so may go for the new ipad. Hoping the price will drop more. Do you guys normally get the3G version or wifi only and connect to your smartphones hotspot?

 

[chrisb]

Hahah. I don't have an ipad so may go for the new ipad. Hoping the price will drop more. Do you guys normally get the3G version or wifi only and connect to your smartphones hotspot?

3G version. The wifi version also misses out on GPS so those two features make it worthwhile.

 

[JessicaTam]

Hahah. I don't have an ipad so may go for the new ipad. Hoping the price will drop more. Do you guys normally get the3G version or wifi only and connect to your smartphones hotspot?

Definately go for the 3G version as that will give you proper GPS functionality, even if you don't use the 3G services.


Sent from my iThing.
Why, because iCan.

 

[k3nnis]

oh ok. The GPS is not a big thing for me as I will use it on an iphone. I always wondered is the 3G version worth ~$150 extra over the wifi version..

 

[JessicaTam]

The two best in no particular order
- mp3 player
- iPad

The worst
- An adapter for headphones to use the 2 prong plugs on planes. It never worked properly. Whilst I still want to get another one, me thinks I will be spending more than a couple of dollars on the next one.

Remind me next time we are in the same place - I have a spare adapter.

 

[harvyk]

Remind me next time we are in the same place - I have a spare adapter.

Thanks...
In Melbourne on Friday, so PM sent.

 

[simongr]

oh ok. The GPS is not a big thing for me as I will use it on an iphone. I always wondered is the 3G version worth ~$150 extra over the wifi version..

It is certainly great for me - wifi only would only be of use if it was a home based iPad.

Personally I use it for webmail when at my Melbourne office if I don't take my laptop (which I try not to), we use it in the car to get youtube videos either for the small boy or if getting recipes/instructions/directions.

I think the issue is not so much the $150 up front cost but the ongoing monthly cost.

I am on my third iPad having upgraded (and passed down) the first two and will upgrade to the latest version when released (and similarly pass down) - as coincidentally they get relased around bonus payment time

 

[Mardi]

I have a wifi only iPad and next time I'll get the wifi/3G. I thought I could use my iPhone personal hotspot with the iPad but it's a PITA and drops out all the time so next time I'll cut out the middle man. I wish that you could get shared data plans here like they have in the US, it seems silly for my husband to be on a prepaid plan that he doesn't fully use, and me on another one ditto when we could sign up for a shared one.

Best gadget: iPad of course
Worst: digital luggage scales that run out of battery between every trip, and it's a coin shaped one not a rechargeable AA or AAA.

 

[chrisb]

Worst: digital luggage scales that run out of battery between every trip, and it's a coin shaped one not a rechargeable AA or AAA.

Slip a bit of paper or plastic into the battery compartment to isolate the battery between trips. (I do agree, that's a stupid design)

 

[Bundy Bear]

Iphone any version wins by a mile, the ability to use maps when traveling is invaluable.

I also found it rather neat to be replying on the Off Topic Thread in June 2011 while waiting to go up the Eiffel Tower.

Last year I purchased a neck pillow, totally useless on the flight, but then I reached the hotel where I was staying for 4 nights I found the neck pillow very useful in getting some sleep as the hotel supplied pillows were useless.

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

Iphone any version wins by a mile, the ability to use maps when traveling is invaluable.

I also found it rather neat to be replying on the Off Topic Thread in June 2011 while waiting to go up the Eiffel Tower.

Last year I purchased a neck pillow, totally useless on the flight, but then I reached the hotel where I was staying for 4 nights I found the neck pillow very useful in getting some sleep as the hotel supplied pillows were useless.

I have always take my own pillow with me,when I travel both interstate and internationally, some friends think I'm a little strange, but I have never had a problem sleeping in any hotel or on the plane .

 

[Mardi]

Slip a bit of paper or plastic into the battery compartment to isolate the battery between trips. (I do agree, that's a stupid design)

Great tip, thanks Chris, will do that!

 

[SeatBackForward]

Probably not the most appropriate thread, but its current so "meh"..

I recently got one of these:

Its a universal Laptop charger by Huntkey 90w output including a 2000mA USB port. Thought I'd use it on my trip over to HKG yesterday. I was sitting in J, and apparently the charger was shorting the seat power output. Thankfully the FA knew the problem, and said "try taking the battery out of the laptop" and hey presto it worked. Was able to keep using the laptop in flight, as long as the battery was out.

Of course this made me doubly careful about not disconnecting the power source, as without a battery, the laptop would've been instant shut-down, but luckily this didnt happen...I know its this particular charger as the OEM Toshiba charger I would otherwise use doesnt have this issue.

 

[Major]

Best...My Toshiba notebook...it still does all the things I need

Worst..some stupid power adapter thingy which I broke trying to pull apart for the correct fitting. Chucked it in the hotel room bin in pieces

 

[equus]

I wish that you could get shared data plans here like they have in the US, it seems silly for my husband to be on a prepaid plan that he doesn't fully use, and me on another one ditto when we could sign up for a shared one.

It is possible (not pre-paid though). Optus Small Business accounts allow sharing of data between all devices on the account. So, 2 iPhones with 3Gb each, and 1 iPad with 10Gb = 16Gb total which can be used in any way over any of the devices.

Optus will also "sell" you an iPad on a plan - just like a phone. Convenient for business (YMMV, this is not advice), as the monthly account is tax deductible straight off, without having to worry about depreciating the device. Also saves on having to pay up-front for the iPad.