Travel Technology - Can I pack, or can I pack?

Three weeks in China coming up next week, and it's a combination of business and pleasure. Because I'll be dragging commercial samples with me, I want to minimize my load. I usually take a rolling TUMI computer-case and a Lowepro backpack as carry on. I wanted to see if I could manage without the Lowepro, primarily because I'm in economy for the flight and I want to stow my bag in the bin, rather than under the seat in front of me.

Here's what I've gotten into my TUMI, with straining:

Full-size laptop computer (Sony Vaio SZ440)

Targus power supply with cords of US, HK and China

Scanner (Visioneer RoadWarrior)

Printer (Canon iP100) with power supply and extra ink cartridges

4-outlet power strip (Monster Power to Go)

7-port powered USB hub with power supply

USB gooseneck LCD light

Webcam (Creative Livecam)

MagicJack

Mouse (Logitech Bluetooth)

Extra battery (high capacity) for the laptop

HD camcorder (Canon HV20) plus 8 tapes and power supply

4 batteries and 2 chargers for HV20

Wide angle and telephoto lenses for HV20

Digital stereo audio recorder (Zoom H2)

Digital camera (Nikon CoolPix)

USB card reader

2 external USB drives (WD 320 gig -- one is a backup of the computer, the other is for additional data storage)

2 external eSATA drives (100 gig each -- used for storage of video)

eSATA PCExpress card

Sony Clie PDA with power supply

Bose QC2 headphones

iPod with iLUV extended battery

Various cables to connect everything together

Kensington cable lock for the laptop

Linksys travel router

Various plug adapters

Portable pharmacy (prescription meds and others)

Extra AA and AAA batteries

Leather legal-size portfolio case

and

my passport. :)

Though it's on the heavy side, the bag isn't bulging, nor are the zippers stressed. I hope TSA doesn't do a bag check -- it will take some time to repack everything so it fits. However, I have complete office capability in a nice portable form, plus everything I need to shoot my travel videos and take photos.

Dear god man.. I'm glad I don't have to travel with all the stuff you're hauling. That makes my back hurt just looking at it.

How about getting one big external HD for the next trip?

The weight really isn't bad at all, and the bag is on wheels so it's easy to carry. As for the hard drives, they're what I've accumulated. The two eSATA drives are old laptop hard drives that I put in cases. They're 6 times faster than USB so I can start capturing and editing while I'm on the road. The USB drives are what I usually carry -- one is a backup of my laptop, the other carries most (but not all) of the data stored on my home LAN. The data is available via FTP, but includes databases that I'll need access to.

geez. just geez. when i have to go to EUR (>10 times a year) for work, i do some of that stuff but not all.

in all honesty, it would kick a$$ if you took some pics of your packing job. just a request.

sorry about having to fly to china in Y though. :(

Give that man a his Scout badge for packing... well done, Paul! :D

Did i miss something on the list, or are you only wearing the clothes you stand up in? ;)

Did i miss something on the list, or are you only wearing the clothes you stand up in? ;)I'm checking a bag with my clothes. :)

Not that its too much of a factor at this point, though the webcam kind of seems like overkill. I guess your computer does not have one built in. Though my guess is that you should be able to connect either the digital camera or the video camera and use that as a webcam too.

The USB drives are what I usually carry -- one is a backup of my laptop, the other carries most (but not all) of the data stored on my home LAN. The data is available via FTP, but includes databases that I'll need access to.

I really hope you encrypted it.

I really hope you encrypted it.I haven't. I'd rather let TSA paw through it than have it confiscated.

Would the Chinese authorities want to comb through your data? Also, I know the QC2's are comfy, but have you considered noise blocking earbuds to save space?

I haven't. I'd rather let TSA paw through it than have it confiscated.

It isn't the TSA you have to fear :D

Would the Chinese authorities want to comb through your data?Highly unlikely. I've never had my bags so much as opened when traveling to and from China.

Also, I know the QC2's are comfy, but have you considered noise blocking earbuds to save space?I have a set of Etymotics that I carry with me (they don't take up much room), but I find them uncomfortable over long periods. I'll probably switch between them.

Always bring a change of underwear in your carry-on. If you get stuck overnight somewhere along the way (as tends to happen to me about 1x/year) you will learn why.

Always bring a change of underwear in your carry-on. If you get stuck overnight somewhere along the way (as tends to happen to me about 1x/year) you will learn why.Sounds like good advice, thanks.

I haven't. I'd rather let TSA paw through it than have it confiscated.

Now I'm afraid I've been caught flat-footed as something I've never considered... is this (external drives being examined) a genuine occurrence or happening?

Now I'm afraid I've been caught flat-footed as something I've never considered... is this (external drives being examined) a genuine occurrence or happening?Good question. There have been reports of DHS people at customs demanding to examine files on laptops. I don't know if they've also demanded to review portable drives, but they couldn't be so stupid as to look at laptops and ignore other storage media. Or maybe they could.

I have had CBP make me boot my laptop and look around and ignore the 80gb Ipod in my bag. (holding, in an encrypted fashion, all the data just off my newly re-imaged laptop). They really are not all that smart at some things.