What to Bring: The Tech Gear List
11. Jun, 2008 
9 Comments
GUEST BLOG POST: Today’s post is brought to you by my darling husband Drew. Normally he can be found online, at drewgilbert.com where he occasionally posts some of his animation projects, but mostly he just talks about Moustache March.
Hello discerning reader. I first want to mention that I am thrilled at how this blog has gone over with most of you thus far. I kind-of-sort-of strong armed her onto this internet space, because I love her writing and way of telling stories, and figured I should not keep that joy to myself, so I like to think I am sharing her journey with all of you.
You’re welcome.
Anyways, The Wife (You know, the one mentioned earlier) was not looking forward to the post regarding our travel gear, so I very foolishly blurted out that I would be willing to be her first guest poster.
I do that. I am a blurter. So deadlines be damned, let’s get to business. Here is a list of some of the more essential gear that we are taking with us on our trip:
Dell XPS M1330
We saved some dinero by buying this sleek sexy number refurbished, and I have to say, I am deeply jealous. It’s super small, perfect for travel, and her 220 gigs of hard drive space alone makes me so jealous I break out in a rash. I have a work laptop that I love dearly, but mine is like the Marmaduke of laptops. It drags the neighbor’s kids around on their wagons, slobbers all over the mail, honestly. I don’t even know what to do with it sometimes.
I’m getting off track though, back to the “good” computer. It comes with a webcam attachment, which will be useful for talking with family back home. In addition to the webcam, we thought it would also be essential to buy:
Skype
For those unfamiliar, this is a great software that allows us to make computer to computer “calls” for free. The pro account is a low monthly rate that will allow us to call actual telephones for a low(ish) per-minute rate. It’s what I personally will be using for those really fun client calls and internal meetings. We will also most likely be taking our cell phones for absolute emergencies, but we haven’t decided that just yet (Psst… I am open to suggestions). Oh, and to make the calls easier, we are also getting a headset:
Plantronics .Audio 50 Headset
Confession time: We haven’t bought this component yet. I don’t expect we will need to spend much, and I pulled this from the Skype site, but to be honest we will probably just pop into Target and get whatever looks like it won’t break in a month. (Again, open to suggestions.)
Sony ICDP620 Digital Voice Recorder
We bought a mini tape player ages ago, which was great when I made an effort to sleepily recount whatever I was dreaming before I woke up, but otherwise wasn’t getting much use. In our Brave New World it seemed like too much of a hassle to figure out how to get the tape to convert digitally into our computer, so this week we dropped some money for this handy little device, which I love so far. At some point I believe we might dip our toes into podcasting, and this device will be essential for “on the road” recounts, interviews and making personal notes. It’s simple to use and easy to get on the computer.
You may have noticed the Photo Essay post from yesterday, and that will continue to be something Christine explores. My opinion was that she has always had a natural eye for photography, and it’s something she was always interested in, so we made an investment in a fine piece of photographic goodness:
Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
These came in a bundle, and we didn’t get the standard lens for the camera, so Christine gets to lug around this monster of a camera until we decide it’s worth buying a less conspicuous lens. It takes fantastic pictures, so expect to see much more photography once we are actually in Madrid (Seriously, Christine? No pressure or anything, but you know, make with the clickity.).
Essential software for any budding Photographer: Photoshop. Honestly, do I need to go into much more detail?
Last and certainly least:
Canon ZR80 MiniDV Camcorder
Honestly, Christine at one point almost had me convinced on buying a sweet prosumer HD Video Camera. Visions of the little Speilberg living inside me swirled in my head. Then I remembered we had this. It’s not lying when it says MINI in the title. It’s very handy and has worked well for us – in the handful of times we have used it. It was a wonderful gift from Christine, the thought being… I’m not remembering now, I am sure there was some promise I made of doing stop-motion animation. The image size is super small, it’s definitely not a pro camera, but I personally don’t expect much in the way of video blogging coming out from us. If, however, it turns out I am wrong, then I will happily shell out some money for the nice camera. For now though, this thing will give us something that will look fine on Youtube, and that’s enough for me.
Okay peanut gallery, let’s hear about your gear. Many of you are seasoned travelers, and I would love to know if I am forgetting anything.
Hi, Drew-
Nice to meet you!
I love Skype; it’s essential for folks on the road. I have an Andrea Anti-Noise NC 91 headset I like a lot that I picked up at Radio Shack for under $20. Agree with you on all the other gear, too, especially the handheld digital recorder, which I’ve found invaluable for capturing material for potential stories and podcasts.
Julies last blog post..Francisco’s Tips for Cool Cooking
The voice recorder: great idea. I would say take a tripod also. Nothing big or fancy. Nothing like watching “Cloverfield” all over again. I came close to purchasing a prosumer camcorder, the Canon GL2. Then figured it would be too much of a hassle carrying that around. Went for the Canon HV30 instead. I’d recommend a high def camcorder, awesome video. Hopefully I’ll have a laptop for the next trip… Cheers
Anthonys last blog post..Soñar
great list but you forgot the ipod!!! A great little companion for those long, long bus rides…
Hi Drew…nice to meet ‘the other half’. The tech info is timely – we’ve just started to discuss what we’ll bring. We’re thinking a small laptop (Christine, and others, have inspired me to maybe start my own blog of our adventures), the Skype software and headset (a year is a long time to not call Mom), a camera (of course) and an iPod with a set of small speakers to keep us entertained (exactly for the reason Matt stated above).
Thanks for your thoughts…oh, and I LOVE the moustache march…and no, I’m not going to tell my partner about it lest…
Cheers,
G.
It feels like all I carry around with me is wires! So many wires…
I’ve got a camaera like you with three lenses, two of which are huge. Laptop is nice and small, a Thinkpad 12.1 screen. Your 220 gigs of space is making me very envious though. Ipod, microphone for Skype, cell phone, and I’m considering buying a camcorder.
God help me.
Kirstys last blog post..Finding a Good Work/Travel Balance
I’m saving my pennies for a new MacBook. My current laptop is far too heavy to travel with, and ever since Vista, I’ve been dying to end my reliance on Microsoft.
I have a Nikon D40 that I bought last year specifically for my upcoming move to Germany. I’d like to get a slimmer camera for snapshots (at bars, etc.), but the MacBook’s a greater priority.
I’ve never used Skype, but I plan to once I move.
K.s last blog post..You Decide!
The voice recorder is a great idea.
I have no idea about what to buy, but my financial side cringes every time I see a long list of electronics. It’s just me, as my natural reaction to buying anything is, “I don’t need it.” However, you definitely need everything on your list to get the most out of your travel.
Chad @ Sentient Moneys last blog post..Motivated…but nothing happens
Thanks for the feedback guys… Drew had more fun writng this post than he lets one.
Everything on the list has a ‘professional’ purpose, so hopefully it will allow us to create content while we’re overseas.
Chad– I totally agree, I cringe too, but I justify is as a business expense, so hopefully that will make the accountant in you a little happier.
Matt– The iPod is a great idea, although we’ve danced around getting one forever.
Julie– I’m very excited about the new recorder. I had the same things in mind– taking notes verbally, interviewing people.
Anthony– Tripod is great idea, we actually have one but it’s too bulky. If we end up doing a lot of video, then we’ll just have to bite the bullet and lug one around with us.
Gillian– Please don’t tell your partner. Trust me, it’s better for everyone.
Kirsty and K– Two more photographers in the bunch, yay! I love having a decent camera, it makes everything so much easier.
Not one single person I know has/or has ever heard of the little diddy called, italk. It’s a pinky sized device that plugs right into an ipod and becomes a voice recorder. The quality is perfect, it charges via your ipod, you can get them for about $10 online and when you link up your ipod to your MAC, the crystal clear voice recording just pops right into itunes. And, it’s one less thing to lug, haul, sort out, plug in, re-charge. BRILLIANT.