Must-have gadgets for vacations

If a vacation has been on your mind for some time now, then this is the best time to leave the heat behind and head towards that ideal destination. Whether you plan a weekend getaway or a long vacation – be it trekking, camping, lounging by the beach or amidst wildlife, there are several gadgets that could accompany you. Though smartphones these days are multi-tasking, a device crafted for a specific purpose will definitely be an add-on. We’ve jotted down a list of such must-have gadgets that you could carry on a vacation.

Camera
Most of us cannot think about a vacation without a camera. In fact, some of us can’t wait to get back home and show off our clicks over social networking sites, especially Facebook. For such socially-inclined, enthusiastic users, an Internet connected camera could be a great option. One such device is the Coolpix S9500, a latest addition to Nikon’s range. It has a gigantic 18.1 megapixel sensor with 22x optical zoom and delivers superior close-up shots. It has a 3-inch OLED display and supports Panaroma mode too. The S9500 comes with support for GPS and HDMI. Priced at Rs 18,950, the camera is available in different colour options like red, black, brown and silver.

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For those with an adventurous streak who love just about everything from camping, rock climbing and trekking to river crossing, white water rafting and scuba diving, the Olympus TG-2 iHS is a cool option. You can take it for a swim as the waterproof camera can go deep underwater up to 50 feet; it is also shockproof, freezeproof, dustproof and even crushproof. Complementing its solid built are its neat features such as 12 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor,TruePic VI image processor, 3-inch OLED display, GPS, e-compass, Linear PCM stereo audio recording and support for 1080p videos. It is priced at around Rs 28,000.

Apt for long zoom shots

If you love capturing wildlife safaris or landscapes, then the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS is apt to carry on your vacation. It has an awesome 50x lens and delivers a solid overall performance. The DSLR is priced at around Rs 25,000 and features a 12MP CMOS sensor. It has a good focal range to play with – be it macro, wide landscapes, portraits or capturing the minute details in distant objects, one lens does it all.

GPS Navigator
Whether you love long drives or visiting new places, a navigator is a handy device to carry around. One such option is MapMyIndia’s Lx340 in-car navigation system. Besides guiding your route, it also lets you load videos and music in the SD card slot (supporting up to 8GB memory). Sporting a large 10.8 cm touchscreen, you can easily mark your start point and destination. It also comes with a special pedestrian navigation mode that allows you to explore/navigate any area in 4751 cities on foot. It comes with superior maps of India offering street level turn-by-turn directions in 4,787 cities. There are numerous POIs and 10.33 million unique destinations. Another option could be the Garmin Nuvi 40 LM, available for around the same price. It has a 4.3-inch touchscreen to show directions and also offer voice guidance. Both Lx340 and Nuvi 40 LM are priced around Rs 8,000.

Explore new places

Those who are quite serious about week long treks and hikes and are looking for a high-end product can check out the Garmin Foretrex 401 waterproof hiking GPS mini tool box. The device features a high-sensitivity GPS receiver with HotFix for superior  reception even in heavy tree cover or deep canyons. It keeps a tab on your routes, tracks and waypoints, and also has the capability to trace back your path. Some other features include trip computer, sunrise/sunset times, hunting/fishing information, electronic compass and barometric altimeter. This device carries a hefty price tag of Rs 90,000.

Charger and battery pack
While we wouldn’t suggest carrying a phone or tablet on a leisure vacation, we doubt a tech enthusiast would leave these devices behind. Moreover, it could prove to be a handy tool while on a short trip or vacation. However, if the only hiccup is its battery life, then portable battery packs could come to your rescue. The Targus APB27US is a cool battery backup for your iPad or other tablets. It features a 4800 mAh battery capable of providing an additional 5 to 10 hours of use on the iPad. The RoHS compliant device comes with a 4 level LED battery indicator. Another similar option for tablets and smartphones is the Sony CP-A2LS with a 4000 mAh Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery. It comes with two USB ports, conventional AC input and 500 charging cycles.

Extra juice for your devices

Those who wish to go green can opt for the Solmate solar charging solution, which also doubles as a flashlight and a lantern. The combination of a portable charger and flashlight makes it a cool option for eco-friendly and adventurous tech-freaks who can’t leave their gadgets behind. Along with the solar charging option, you can also charge it via AC mains or USB. The device equips a Li-ion rechargeable, 3.7V, 1200 mAh battery. 

Portable music
Music fiends who love to groove to music even on vacations can opt for portable speakers that can easily connect to mobile devices. An option is the Jabra Solemate, a wireless Bluetooth speaker that fits in your palm. It can play music streamed from your smartphone and hold an impromptu party anywhere, negating the need for cables or electrical plug. It is a well-built and cleverly-designed product priced at Rs 11,000. Another option, a high-end one, is the SoundLink wireless mobile speakers. Though slightly old, it is among the best portable speakers one can lug around. Besides, you can carry your music players or iPods for personal listening.

Well-built and cleverly-designed

Besides, a Victoriana Swiss Army Flash USB could always be a handy option. Which one of these gadgets would you like to carry on a vacation?

Image credit: Harshad Gujare