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Recent Comments:
Gadling's gift guide for the frequent / business traveler {Gadling}
Jan 17th 2010 12:12AM Sorry, but the alarm clocks are not especially suitable for travel. It's just another gadget to haul around and use batteries. It is true that getting into a hotel alarm clock can be a bit difficult but the average business traveler should be not so dumb as to not figure it out. Then there are wake-up calls from the front desk. Voice recognition that actually works! :) Or you could just use your cell phone for the alarm and learn how to program that thing once instead of adapting to yet a new gadget.
The netbook looks nice, though. And the Wifi antenna is definitely useful.
Were all those gadgets tested before publishing or is this just a compilation of available products?
Till
Gadling gear review - Manfrotto Modo Pocket mini folding camera stand {Gadling}
Sep 2nd 2009 7:32PM Not bad. I like that it can stay on the camera. On the other hand I think it is of limited utility. It doesn't allow for great lift or an uneven surface or really varied inclination angles. It cannot be used to prop the camera against a wall and have it shoot in any direction. If your camera has a flat bottom (most do) this add little extra use.
Instead I use this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/141864-REG/Giottos_QB2081_Compact_Ball_Pod_Tripod_with.html
Mine is a version with fixed legs but otherwise looks just like it. It holds a Canon G9 with attached RRS L-bracket just fine even is pointed down (weight 415g). Mine weighs 55g (2oz) without the leather sheath. With it it weighs 71g. The sheath has a belt loop, too.
I really like how I can hold it against a wall and shoot with great stability either with direct trigger or with the two second timer. At less than $20 highly recommended.
Till
Gadling gear review - Heys xCase - world's lightest carry-on luggage {Gadling}
Aug 19th 2009 1:29AM I am afraid the title of "World's lightest carry-on luggage" is a bit too sensational and factually not quite correct. In fact, it is not even the lightest one with wheels.
Interested readers should refer to this thread on FT:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products/895927-lightest-carry-bag.html
Check posts #9 and #48 in particular. The Travelite and the Landor&Hawa Sub-0 G bags are both lighter and have wheels. The Travelite is also much better quality than the Heys but it is pricier and hard to get a hold of in the US. But you can go through Canada or order direct from Germany.
For the lightest carry-on luggage with good quality and functionality check the A. Saks 21" Expandable bag at less than 600 gram. This is what will be perfect for those airlines where carry-on is limited to less than 8kg. Plastic bags won't be needed.
Another point of contention with the Heys is that the single pole telescope handle is totally unsuited to attach another bag on top of the case, unless you like luggage pirouettes.
For the royal way of beating carry-on restrictions while keeping comfort and versatility check out this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products/969135-en-lightened-travel-micro-mover-mega-effect.html
Cheers,
Till
Gadling gear review - Briggs & Riley Baseline collection 20" upright {Gadling}
Aug 12th 2009 4:50AM While I am myself a big fan of Briggs and Riley luggage and own a few pieces, I find the review not very useful and also incorrect or at least not precise in some regards.
The handle on the outside does NOT gain you more space on the inside. Look at the geometry of it. The volume that the handle takes away is less than the volume lost by putting it on the outside. BR also cheats somewhat with the dimensions. The dimensions they give are for the case without the handle. It would be interesting to know if this case will still fit in a 22x14x9 sizer. The 16 inch width should pretty much kill that effort. But I have a suspicion that the 8 inch depth plus handle might be at least very just on top of that. From the experience of many members of the Flyertalk forum it is well known that the 22" model of the same line does not fit the sizer because of the so-called outsider handle. And even this bag might not fit.
The advertised positive effect of being able to pack flat is really taking people for less intelligent than they are. In a case where the handles are integrated you just fill the space around the handles up with soft things. This creates a flat packing surface and provides extra cushioning.
Finally, looking at how it is constructed, I doubt that the so-called compression panel really does fulfill this function. I'd call it a separation panel.
If you want to read an in-depth review of a bag that is at least as good, fits the sizer and costs half while still offering the same warranty (lifetime, airline damage specifically included) check out my review of the Travelpro Platinum 5 22" roller here:
http://www.1bag1world.com/blog/2009/1/28/travelpro-roller-reader-review.html
Also check out this thread on how to pack a case like this or a comparable size shoulder carry-on bag:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products/957505-packing-techniques-good-22-a.html
Cheers,
Till
