MP3 players are great, but how do you recharge them on the road? And how do you top up your rechargeable batteries? Can you warm the baby's bottle when you are miles from civilization? Read this article for the answers to these and other questions.
Travel by vehicle poses unique problems that you can solve with a little advance preparation and a few useful gadgets. This article describes several of these gadgets. An Internet search that you can use to find each item follows its description.
1. Universal USB Car Charger
Electronic marvels like iPods and MP3 players make it easy to listen to music and watch videos. However, many devices require recharging via computer USB ports. How can you accomplish this when you are on the road?
A universal USB car charger solves the dilemma. The most versatile of these chargers will plug into household current as well as a vehicle's power point or cigarette lighter. Use your device's USB cable to connect to the charger's pseudo-USB port, and it will recharge without a computer.
If you would like to fabricate your own adapter, you can splice together a 5-volt car charger and a USB female plug. Many websites provide complete instructions.
2. Mobile Rechargeable Battery Charger
You may own a digital camera, GPS, or PDA that uses rechargeable batteries instead of alkalines. Rechargeables are a great environmental choice - until they run out of juice in the middle of a road trip. Luckily, there are car chargers available. Carry one in your glove box.
3. Solar-Powered Rechargeable Battery Charger
You can use a solar-panel system to recharge your batteries whenever the sun is shining. The best of these devices will also operate through your vehicle's cigarette lighter as well as household current. If you do your research well, you may even find one with special adapters for your PDA or cell phone.
4. Portable Water Heater
Many travel and automotive shops carry small water heaters that look like household kettles. These plug into your car's cigarette lighter, enabling you to enjoy soup, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate - anytime.
If you have a very young baby who needs a warm bottle, try to find an immersible heater. These devices have a small heating coil that you can place in any liquid. Heat water in an appropriate container, and then place the baby bottle in the liquid until it reaches the proper temperature.
5. Multi-Tool
Many different varieties of multi-tools are available - with tool combinations that may include knives, screwdrivers, scissors, bottle openers, corkscrews, pliers, and other useful gadgets. Shop around until you find one containing everything you might need for your next trip.
6. Portable Hand-Held UV Water Purifier
Contaminated drinking water can quickly cause 'traveler's diarrhea'. No problem! Purchase a portable pen-sized ultraviolet water sterilizer. UV light efficiently destroys viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. These sterilizers are so small that you can carry them practically anywhere - in a shirt pocket or purse, stashed in the glove compartment, or in the baby's diaper bag.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.