INBOX:AS THE holiday season beckons, there are a few gadgets the dedicated technofile is going to want to carry with them. Mobile? Check. MP3 player? Check. What about those of you though who really are uber-geeks?
Here are a few suggestions for your tech-filled vacation.
Obviously, you'll need to record your kite-surfing antics or maybe just hitting the beach in a more relaxed manner. For that you'll need something to record video.
One option is the the Flip miniature camcorder (expansys.ie, €27.99), billed by some as one of this summer's hottest gadgets. The pocket-sized video recorder does exactly what it says on the box. You press record to record. You press stop to stop. That's it.
It has 2GB of memory built into it, enough for one hour of video. A built-in USB connector folds out of the unit for transferring videos to PC or Mac and uploading to YouTube.
However, the 640 x 480 resolution is poor so only use it for videos you want to keep for posterity, like the kids building sandcastles. In fact you will probably be better-off with the video record mode of any normal compact digital camera these days, so consider the Flip if you really do want to keep it simple.
Out in the sun, you'll still want to use your gadgets all day, so what better option than to bring a solar recharger with you.
The Freeplay Mini Solar Wind- Up Radio (Ethicalsuperstore.com, €25) is an AM/FM radio and torch that can run off solar power.
If the rain hits, you can use the hand-crank to wind it up manually.
The mini-USB connector means you can charge most mobile phones for an extra two or three minutes of talk-time after a minute's wind. Prices start at €25.40 but there are more expensive DAB and multiband models available as well.
You're going on a biking holiday where there won't be much sun? No sweat. The HY Mini Wind Turbine (Firebox.com, €50) is a little fan that can turn a mild breeze into electrical energy and store it in a rechargeable battery for powering up iPods, mobiles or whatever.
It comes with a set of adaptors to fit most types of handset or MP3 players. An add-on extra is a kit for sitting it to the handlebars of a bike as the HY Mini only requires a piddly wind speed of 9mph. They've thought of everything.
What will you carry all the gadgets around in?
Try the Kensington Contour Cargo Notebook Backpack which comes with a padded sleeve to protect your laptop and a variety of handy pockets and pouches for other gadgets.
A waterproof base and lumbar support complete the package. Or check out the Crumpler range of techno bags which most tech-heads swear by.
Finally, you might need a SatNav where you're going - if you get there.
The Satmap Active 10 (pre-order from expansys.ie or see satmap.com) will be pricier than an in-car unit as it is waterproof and solidly built. However you will thank the 3½in colour screen for being bright enough to view in sunlight and at night.
These gadgets should kick you off on your hols, even if you may not have much room in the suitcase left for clothes.
