Travel Adapters

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Mal

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I've been looking for a while for a compact all-in-one travel adapter to save me carrying up to 3 different plugs or one of those "tubes" of adapters on some trips.

This is for laptop/camera/phone etc ... all the small electrical items.

A lot of the plugs tend to be US Centric, and not accept the Australian plugs, although they will convert US/EU/UK plugs to Australian.

Some examples of all-in-ones I've found

Kensington 33117 International Plug Adapter http://us.kensington.com/html/5519.html (seems to be Australian compatible), also here http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002H4YUI/

Belkin UNIV AC TRAVEL ADPT http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008O393/ (Not sure if it works for Australian devices).



So my question is, does anyone here currently use a compact all-in-one travel adapter? Any recommendations as to what to buy?
 
Mal,

I use an all in one compact adaptor I found in Hong Kong and set me back about AUD50. It is badged as swiss travel products, and measures 65x55x50mm and will take all plugs inwards, and allow selection of all adaptors.

I would say it is close to being the best travel item I have ever bought.

Reggie
 
.........and measures 650x550x500mm .........

That is one big adapter. :shock:

Cheers
:wink:

AB
 
abtwo said:
.........and measures 650x550x500mm .........

That is one big adapter. :shock:

Cheers
:wink:

AB

Okay Okay, shouldn't try and measure things on a Friday night after a few drinks correct size is 65mm x 55mm x 50mm. Sorry for the the confusion. Good thing for the edit button
 
I have a collection of all sorts of things I have picked up over the years and carry in an old AA business class amenities bag (zipper type). It contains a "SMART International Adaptor" (model TA-105) that I picked up in a cheap department store in KL for about MYR50.

It accepts Aus, UK, US and Europe (2 round pins) plugs, and can be inserted into all the same sockets. With the pins retracted, it measures 80 x 50 x 40 mm.
 
I prefer the single adapters for different pin types rather than multi ones. Those multi style ones are always too big and a pain to plug into power boards when there are other connections in the other sockets. Also, these single ones nearly always include the "third" (earth?) pin. I like the ones Korjo make.

So I carry a hand full of those as well as an aussie 4-slot board.

I find this website on requirements for every country very useful, especially because the tables give you all the likely pin placements for a country, not just the main one.

http://users.pandora.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm
Make sure you scroll down the first few pages before you get to the handy stuff
 
browski said:
I prefer the single adapters for different pin types rather than multi ones. Those multi style ones are always too big and a pain to plug into power boards when there are other connections in the other sockets. Also, these single ones nearly always include the "third" (earth?) pin. I like the ones Korjo make.

So I carry a hand full of those as well as an aussie 4-slot board.

I used to be a powerboard fan, but I now have quite a collection of power leads with the correct plugs on the end. I just choose the correct plug end and, which means I carry no more than what I do when travelling within Australia.
 
Won't be in HKG, KUL or SIN for a couple of months, maybe more.

Anyone seen these multi adapters in Australia anywhere? Online maybe?
 
browski said:
I prefer the single adapters for different pin types rather than multi ones. Those multi style ones are always too big and a pain to plug into power boards when there are other connections in the other sockets. Also, these single ones nearly always include the "third" (earth?) pin. I like the ones Korjo make.


Ta for the link. The information is very handy, and better than a lot of other "travel" type sites.

I'm yet to take something overseas that needs the third pin... Actually, can't think of anything I would take overseas that has the earth pin!

2 pins are fine. I agree with the bulkiness issue, but only rarely need to actually use this type of adapter. Just sick of carrying up to three different ones with me when travelling places...
 
Reggie said:
I use an all in one compact adaptor I found in Hong Kong and set me back about AUD50. It is badged as swiss travel products, and measures 65x55x50mm and will take all plugs inwards, and allow selection of all adaptors.

I would say it is close to being the best travel item I have ever bought.

Concur. This is the same as the Kensington adaptor mentioned above. I got mine in Hong Kong too, and seem to have paid a bit over the best rate, but I love it.

Typically my trips are RTW, so there's no point in trying for just one adaptor or one set of plug ends - I need all three. I like the convenience of having just one item, even if it's a little bulkier than a single adaptor. That way I can cut down clutter, and believe me, by the time you've done 21 flights in thirty days, things start to gather and breed in the bottom corners of bags.

I had to get a knife and carve out the earth socket for my Aussie laptop plug, but it was already marked out and there was no connection behind it.
 
I was a sucker who bought one of the multi ones from BA inflight DF and then proceeded to ruin it on the next trip. It was good while it lasted but a bit bulky. I know have a couple of mini ones for each of the main sockets. I like the power board idea BTW.
 
I use the Kensington

Mal said:
http://us.kensington.com/html/5519.html
that you found online Mal.

It's great in that it's compact, seems to work anywhere and it looks very sleek too.

The only downside for me is when I plug my laptop power in (a mac adaptor) it becomes heavy and bulky sitting in the main power slot. Easily knocked when it sticks out so far from the wall.
 
Over and above the issue of wall plug adaptors, I have used for a couple of years a (mostly) good universal power transformer..... an iGo Juice. This compact unit replaces the separate transformers for my PDA, mobile phone and laptop, saving weight and space. It also is able to draw power from everything - wall sockets, aircraft power (both low voltage Mpower and 110V on newer seats), car cigar lighter etc. I can even charge two at once - commonly using it for both my phone and Laptop.

The 'mostly' great is tempered by the issue that iGO still don't provide connectors for my camera batteries (very common Canon item) or new powered speakers I take for my PC and iPod from Logitech. So I still have to carry a couple of extra transformers. But in the past it was up to half a dozen!!!!!
 
Ok, I think I've been sold on the Kensington / swiss travel one .

Have looked online and multiple shops sell the Kensington online in Australia for around $35-$45. However all charge ~$15 shipping.

The swiss travel one is also available for roughly the same prices.

Has anyone seen it in a Bricks and Mortar shop like Officeworks or Harris Tech or Hardly Normal etc?
 
Mal said:
Ok, I think I've been sold on the Kensington / swiss travel one .

Have looked online and multiple shops sell the Kensington online in Australia for around $35-$45. However all charge ~$15 shipping.

The swiss travel one is also available for roughly the same prices.

Has anyone seen it in a Bricks and Mortar shop like Officeworks or Harris Tech or Hardly Normal etc?

Found http://www.frequency.com.au/sales/pwr_accessories/ after a google search and they have a shop at 1/137 Bayswater Rd Rushcutters Bay Sydney 2011. The Kensington adapter retails there for $44.95. The same page has other adapters.
 
Mal said:
Has anyone seen it in a Bricks and Mortar shop like Officeworks or Harris Tech or Hardly Normal etc?


I actually got mine on a flight with MH. I don't know if that was the cheapest way to purchase it but it was convenient.
 
Twp final questions (hopefully)

Is the Swiss Travel one a rebadged Kensington? The other way around? Or are they seperate products but look similar?

Also, looking at this picture of the Swiss Travel Products one from the BA In-flight mag,

http://www.bagiftshop.com/isroot/stw/ProductImages/ADA_xlg.jpg

What are the two additional pieces? One looks to be a USB charger, and the other a face plate that I assume accepts different plugs, but just curious.
 
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Mal said:
What are the two additional pieces? One looks to be a USB charger, and the other a face plate that I assume accepts different plugs, but just curious.

The two pieces are the same thing from two different sides. The body of the adaptor (and yes the Swiss Travel and Kensington brands are the same product just different badges) accepts plain Euro plugs, and the smaller piece just plugs straight in and takes Euro, US, UK and Aus plugs. Be careful taking the top off, as one of the prongs has a hook in it and you need to press down on the safety button to release it.

The USB socket isn't on mine - must be a higher spec.
 
The advice given here was very handy.

Spent time in SIN over the weekend, and looked around. Most shops there have (what appears to be) another rebadged version of the Swiss Travel USB version, for roughly $S39 - $S49. A Couple of shops have the Kensington one, but prices weren't displayed. There is another multi adapter available there, but I didn't like it as much as the Swiss Travel one.

The non USB version was slightly cheaper.

I ended up buying mine through BA on-board Duty Free. 15 Pounds gave me the Swiss Travel USB one.

Have played with it, and think it's amazing. Truly a good buy. I'm a little worried it's a little chunky, but hopefully won't run into any dramas.

Thanks for the tips and recommendations given.
 
Not sure if it's the same as the one I bought on BA but mine went wheels up after about 2 trips. I have this feeling they don't handle earth pins (ie the 3rd pin) on Aussie plugs very well so be aware if you have the option of using a 2 pin config it may increase the life.
 
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