by Editor | Sep 29, 2008 | Products
By Gary Cox
Pathfinder Luggage’s Checkpoint-Friendly Laptop Bag
Post 9/11 air travel has become increasingly cumbersome, especially when it comes to crossing through security checkpoints to reach departure gates. In the United States, federal security staff force passengers with little ceremony to remove shoes, jackets, belts and more. If that wasn’t enough the screening areas seem to have spawned airport thieves who troll the airports in search of easy prey, travelers who are distracted or unfamiliar with the security process.
Security personnel can and often do ask anyone with laptop computers, video equipment, battery operated items and even cameras to take them out of the carry-on case or shoulder bag and place them in bins to pass through the x-ray machines. In addition to being highly annoying and time consuming this process means there is always time when passenger valuables are exposed and unprotected while they are crossing the security walk through area.
Enter the new Pathfinder Luggage’s Checkpoint-Friendly Laptop Bag. I recently traveled with it through West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Dallas, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Las Vegas airports. It worked like a charm!
Only one security checkpoint staff person at the Las Vegas airport was unfamiliar with the concept and asked me to take the laptop out of the case. Although I pointed out the case was Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) approved she wasn’t convinced. Fortunately one of her coworkers arrived at that moment and confirmed what I said was true, allowing me to keep my laptop securely inside the case.
The convenience of keeping my laptop secure inside the case would make it worthwhile. Fortunately in addition to being TSA approved there are several features I like about Pathfinder Luggage’s Checkpoint-Friendly Laptop Bag. It stays steady when I place it on a table or the floor without toppling over unlike my previous computer case.
The case, made of 1680 Denier Ballistic Nylon in black with Top Grain Leather Trim, hold laptops of up to 15.4” (MacBook Pro need not apply) and sells for $99. It weighs 4 pounds and measures 13″ x 8″ x 17″. It has multiple compartments where I can place business cards, pens, small electronics and file folders. It has become my new favorite carry on bag when I travel with my laptop computer.
The bag lies flat, allowing screeners to see the laptop securely in its pocket
by Editor | Aug 11, 2008 | New Articles, Products
By Josette King
Scottevest Women’s Travel Vest*
As a frequent adventure traveler, I have long felt the need for a multi-purpose lightweight vest with roomy, secure pockets to organize my travel necessities (a secret additional airline carry-on bag of sorts); and one that would substitute for my day pack once I got to a destination. I wished it comfortable to wear, light enough to double as a windbreaker, and inconspicuously stylish. No bulges to advertise where I stowed my valuables, please! My new Scottevest Women’s Travel Vest delivers it all.
With its discretely tapered waist, the hip-length vest is flattering enough for casual wear, while its lightweight brushed cotton blend water-repellent outer shell makes it well suited for sport activities. Its 21 pockets come in a variety of sizes and purposes to keep things organized and easily accessible in a variety of situations. For instance, a pocket just the right size for travel documents piggybacks on a larger pocket intended for reading material.
Once in the wilderness, these same pockets turned out to be perfect for carrying camera lenses and accessories, while two separate tiny Velcro-secured slots on either side of the front zipper, intended for MP3 ear buds, were just right for camera memory cards. Best of all, the thoughtful design and placement of the pockets allows for comfortable distribution of weight of the items carried, while the no-bulge pockets keep a streamlined look. Click here to read more about the Scottevest Women’s Travel Vest
*Photo courtesy Scottevest
by Editor | May 5, 2008 | Ecotourism, Products
SteriPEN Traveler
The more crowed airplanes and airports become the more we worry about picking up other people’s germs and the infectious diseases they may carry. As anyone who has traveled lately can tell you, it’s almost impossible not to touch one or more surfaces that may be germ infested at the security lines, in the bathrooms, and on airplanes which are often emptied and refilled within minutes. If the seats are still warm the germs may be alive and available to hitch a ride on new guests. We don’t want to be host to any germs.
That’s where portable gadgets to zap germs (viruses and bacteria) with ultraviolet light come in handy. The ultraviolet is as harmful to humans as to the germs so it’s important to keep the light away from skin, eyes and face to avoid burns. That has never happened to us in all the times we have used these ultraviolet travel products.
The handheld Nano UV Scanner
One item is the SteriPEN Traveler, a water cleaner for remote locations, emergencies and situations where the water supply may be less than desirable. Water born microbes can knock travelers out of commission during a trip and spoil a day or more of activities. Although there are inexpensive options (boiling or adding chemicals to the water are the most common) to ensure water is safe to drink they are often cumbersome and time consuming. A lightweight, handheld device capable of killing unhealthy germs can be a god send, especially in exotic destinations including some safari countries.
On planes, trains and automobiles the Nano UV Scanner handheld ultraviolet sanitizer is easy to use and takes up little space in hand luggage. A couple of slow runs over the seatbelt buckle, tray table and armrests is all it takes. A similar operation in the lavatory and public bathrooms will serve the same purpose.
VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer
We always take a VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer with us, especially on extended trips. The VIOlight comes in a handy travel and storage case. A minute of ultraviolet light and our toothbrush seems to be good as new (from a germ point of view). Plus it never seems to pick up odors (even after months on the road or in the travel case). We use it with electric toothbrush heads and regular toothbrushes. It holds up to two heads (or one full size toothbrush) in one case making it ideal for couples.
All three gadgets are lightweight; battery operated, and take little space. The light bulbs that generate the ultraviolet light appear to have a long shelf life. For example, according to the manufacturer, the bulb of the Nano UV Scanner lasts up to 5,000 hours. We haven’t even come close to using it that many hours. It comes with two AAA batteries which seem to last a long time. It’s 3¾ x 1¾” x 1¼” in size and weighs 3 oz. The water cleaner is the most expensive so we try to tuck it inside our carry on luggage along with the handheld cleaner for personal space sanitation on airplanes and during trips. The VIOlight usually travels with the checked in luggage.
by Editor | Mar 24, 2008 | Products
Luxury On The Go set from Silk ‘N Dreams*
Pillows and blankets on domestic flights seem to be going the way of the dinosaur. Rarely do we find pillows and when we find blankets they are are no longer wrapped in hygienic plastic. We wonder who last laid their head on the pillow and what foods were spilled on the blankets.
Recently we decided to try the shamelessly indulgent Luxury On The Go set from Silk ‘N Dreams. Designed for carry on luggage, the Luxury On The Go Set we tried retails for $95 and includes silk EyeMask, silk covered NeckPillow, pair of EarPlugs, and silky drawstring bag in the Classique pattern. Would it be worth the extra hassle of carrying them on board given the increasingly stringent carry on luggage restrictions?
A trip to Chicago provided us an opportunity to test the set and the answer was a resounding yes. The silk pillow felt soft and gentle. Used together with the eye mask they created a cocoon of comfort in the tightly filled economy section. Knowing they were clean and new was a nice feeling inviting sleep and much needed rest in spite of the cabin noises and activity. The only challenge we see for future trips is finding space in our increasingly full carry on luggage to store them. In this trip, they were worth the effort. Although they took up space in the small back pack the items combined weighed less than one pound.
Silk ‘N Dream products are made in the United States of Charmeuse Silk by a California and Florida company. According to the company website, its silk products are washable using a machine delicate cycle set in cold water with gentle soap and tumble drying on gentle cycle or line or flat dry.
* Photo courtesy of Silk ‘N Dreams
by Editor | Dec 17, 2007 | Products
We used to put our vitamins and supplements in small plastic bags or Ziploc bags when we traveled. A couple of years ago we found this Lewis N. Clark Day/Night Pill Organizer for $12. It has been helpful and practical, especially for extended trips.
The lightweight water repellent folding case has 16 individual slide locking vinyl pouches and comes with a one year warranty. Thanks to the vinyl casing the pills are protected from water, dust, and anything that may spill on the case during a trip. We’ve had several spills including mosquito repellent, body lotion and plain rain water wet the suitcases in the past so the extra protection is welcome.
Inside the pill case is divided into two halves of eight pouches each. A Velcro closure keeps the case secure during travel preventing the pills from falling out. Although prescription and essential meds travel in our hand luggage, we often send the vitamin supplements in the pill case and they have always arrived intact.
We are able to fit pills separately for two people for eight days, day and night pills for one or two people for eight days or what we usually do, fill the case with pills for both of us for 16 days.
We often remove the plastic pouch with that day’s pills and carry it with us to breakfast and through the day. At the end of the day or the following morning we replace the empty pouch with a new one. We have traveled in the United States, Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean with the pill case and it has suffered minimum damage.
In two years of regular use we lost one of the vinyl pouches and broke the plastic closure of another. It’s possible to purchase replacement pouches for about $5. – Elena del Valle
Click here for more information on Lewis N. Clark Day/Night Pill Organizer
by Editor | Dec 3, 2007 | Products
Spec.-Ops. gear
With these days of innumerable security checks, removing shoes, belts, jackets and outer layers, it’s sometimes challenging to keep important carry on items organized and protected. We went in search of lightweight and durable gear that could make our lives easier on the road, at airports and during trips in general. As if that wasn’t enough, we wanted it to be sturdy enough and color coordinated to take on safari.
Enter Spec.-Ops. Brand, a manufacturer of high performance tactical nylon gear. They recommend three travel accessories, an organizer pouch that can be moved from a travel bag or suitcase to a day pack or handbag, a travel wallet and an airport-friendly pants belt that can be worn through security.
“We make all Spec.-Ops. Brand gear to withstand the toughest battle conditions, so we’re certain these travel accessories will survive pretty much anything the road warrior can throw at them,” said Jeff Wemmer, founder and CEO of Spec.-Ops. Brand.
The Mini Cargo Pocket Organizer fits into a pocket or purse and is just the right size for essential items to take on board a plane. Although the manufacturer recommends the organizer as an unusual, field-grade iPod case, we used it to carry our cell phones and accessories such as SIM cards, headphones and other small carry on items.
The Pack-Rat is a mid-sized organizer pouch with bright yellow lining for travelers on overnight flights or other dim-light conditions. The bright lining was designed to help travelers find items inside in low light. We found it perfect to carry a book and other small items for use during flights. It stows comfortably in the seat pocket on most airplanes.
T.H.E. Wallet is big enough for a passport and boarding pass, but small enough to fit in a pocket or purse. An optional cord lets the traveler wear it around the neck, a real bonus when juggling bags on the way to the gate. It fits easily in cargo pants thigh pocket but is a little large for a hip pocket.
The Spec.-Ops. BDU Belt NS is durable enough for heavy duty use yet attractive enough to go out to dinner. This allows us to wear it on game viewing drives during the day and to an elegant dinner at night. The bonus is that the single-piece, high-tech polymer buckle won’t set off metal detectors. Finally, a belt that can stay on through airport security check points.
The Spec.-Ops. products, are available on the company website, retail from $19.95 to $39.95 and come with a lifetime guarantee. We have taken the gear on trips within North America, Europe, the Caribbean and Africa and have never needed to take advantage of the lifetime warranty but it’s nice to know it’s there.
Spec.-Ops. Brand designs and manufactures high performance tactical nylon gear for military, law enforcement and other demanding applications in Monahans, Texas. The company’s product line includes organizers, wallets, weapon slings, packs and load bearing equipment, designed to lighten the load and minimize the effort to operate equipment. Click here to read more Simon & Baker articles about Safari Gear.
