arjunrc

NYTA, I've used it in the UK. You need to slide one piece over the other to make it a 3 pronged unit like so:
As an aside, if you were to visit India and need to fit your adaptor into a 3 pronged socket there, you would slide it in the other way around because you have a circular plastic prong at the other end.


Here is a comment for an Amazon reviewer that may help (original link here). The link to their instructions is here. Many people don't know one of the blocks actually slides on top the other and locks in place to become a 3 pronged plug. The PDF shows how (see the HK/India section)

boltjames

I recommend that anyone interested in adapters goes the a-la carte route.

For what you'll spend on 1 convoluted 'all in one' adapter you can get multiples of the individual adapters you use in the countries you travel to the most.

For me, the Hong Kong/UK and Europe adapters are the only ones I've ever needed (Chinese hotels have the HK outlets too) so I purchased 3 adapters for each of those 2 countries and I'm all set. Better than a bulky all-in-one which only gives you a single adapter for the country you're in and almost always is too heavy to remain in the wall anyway.

BJ

NYTA

Do any of you have a dedicated charger only for travel? I travel every other week and was thinking about getting a second charger and set of cables just to keep in my bag so I won't have to remember to grab it as I leave home.

dtsm

Monoprice or Anker seems to be the favorites here

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-solution.html

boltjames

You definitely want a duplicate set of everything redundant so that you never have to hunt them down in the house before a trip. This not only goes for phone chargers, cables, and adapters but also toothbrush and razor handles. If you are packing a bag and traveling 26 weeks a year, you literally should have a set of everything travel-hardware related that is left in your bag and never removed from it when you return home from a trip.

I have so many old iPods, iPhones, and iPads that I have multiple sets of the larger 10W bricks and the smaller wattage variant along with the cables. So bringing one Apple iPad brick and one Apple small charger allows me to charge not only my iOS devices but also anything else needing USB.

Since I always travel with my Ultrabook, I always have four USB ports that can charge. In my hotel room, the notebook is the first thing that is plugged in the wall and thus I wind up with enough USB charging capability at the desk right away. I use the individual Apple chargers for charging my iPhone on the nightstand as my iPhone is my alarm clock and I like to do some online news reading as it helps me to fall asleep.

BJ

Scifience

I'm a bit late to the party, but here goes:

1. Ram Suction Mount for iPhone
   Since I use my phone as my satnav when travelling, having a way to mount it in rental cars is critical. This suction mount sticks to just about anything and breaks down into three parts for easy packing.
2. Anker 15000mAh Portable Dual USB Charger
   Great for charging my iPhone, iPad, and other devices when there's not an outlet handy (e.g. long flights on UA 747s).
3. Apple Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
   I sometimes run into places where I still need to connect to a wired network, either because it's the only option or it's just so much faster. Some client sites also require wired connections for security.
4. SanDisk Extreme 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive
   While I usually use Dropbox to transfer files these days, there are times where it's just easier to throw a PPT or video on a flash drive. Also useful for minor computer repairs such as reinstalling OSes. I also keep a Ubuntu image around to throw on here if I need to use a potentially insecure public computer.
5. Assorted Cables
   Lightning and micro USB cables.
6. Anker 36W 4-Port USB Charger
   Charges two Apple and two Android (or other) USB devices at full speed. Best one I've found, and I've tried a bunch of these.
7. GorillaPod Mini Tripod
   Works great with my iPhone and okay with my A7r. Not only good for photos but also works as a backup phone mount for cars and/or other strange places.
8. Bose QuietComfort 20i Headphones
   These were a big upgrade from the old, bulky QC15s. Not only are they much, much smaller, but they are more comfortable to wear on long (6+ hour) flights, they charge off micro USB, and seem to do an even better job at noise cancellation.
9. Apple 60W MagSafe Charger
   Technically, this charger is only for the MacBook Air and 13" MBP, but it actually works just fine with my 15" MBP and is a good bit more compact. I guess it charges a bit more slowly, but I can't say I notice.
10. Apple 12W USB Charger
    An extra 12W USB charger in addition to the Anker. I went with the 12W for versatility, but I primarily use it for keeping my phone next to my bed while charging other stuff at the desk.
11. Another Micro USB Cable
    Because you can never have too many of these (okay, within reason).
12. Apple iPad mini with Retina Display, 128GB
    Good for reading Kindle books, watching movies/TV shows, and random web surfing and emails. I'm very jealous of the people that can essentially use their iPads as laptop replacements; unfortunately, my work requires a ton of specialised software.
13. Sony A7r Full Frame Mirrorless Camera
    I used to shoot with a D600 but recently switched to the A7r and couldn't be happier. It's amazingly tiny, especially when paired with the Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 lens shown here. Adds very little bulk to my bag and takes amazing photos.
14. Apple MacBook Pro Retina 15"
    The first Retina MBP was a bit of a kludge, but the latest generation shines. I can do almost everything I can do on my workstation, and it's surprisingly thin and light for how powerful it is. 7-8 hour battery life, too. I wish it was as tiny as an Air, but again, work means I need the power.

All of this fits comfortably in a Timbuk2 Uptown TSA-Friendly Laptop Backpack with room to spare for whatever else I need at hand.

I've put a longer version of this up on my website: A Nomad's Gear Bag.

dtsm

Many thanks for this - got via amazon prime just before current trip to dallas. Portable, fits well on my rental car, saves packing a suction mount!

boltjames

Here goes, after 20 years of domestic and international travel, these are my essentials:

A. iPad 4G LTE 64GB - Movies on the plane, Adult video at night, Slingbox DVR at breakfast. An indispensable media tool.

B. Sony Pro 13 Ultrabook - At under ½ inch thick, under 2½ pounds, and with 8 hours of continuous battery life, it's just about the best Windows notebook for the road warrior. I have to keep checking my backpack to make sure its there. That's how light this thing is.

C. $1,000 Cash - Always good to pull a stack of cash out and place it on the tray table as you're filling out your immigration paperwork, let's the person next to you know what's-what.

D. Mini Massager - A great conversation starter to lie on the tray table next to the $1,000 cash if the person sitting next to you is an attractive female.

E. BMW Keyfob - Hey, you need to put it somewhere, might as well be where you can use it as a deal-sealer if the $1,000 cash and the mini massager didn't do the trick.

F. Rolex Submariner - For emergencies only, if putting this on the tray table next to the BMW keyfob and the mini massager and the $1,000 cash doesn't seal the deal, nothing else will.

G. Luminox Navy Seal - For walking the mean streets of Tsim Sha Tsui or Amsterdam's red light district, leave the Rolex in the safe and wear something light and non-attention grabbing, matches the flip-flops you get after coming out of the Kobe Sauna on Mody Road.

H. Tera Grand Retractable Ethernet Cable - Nice and compact, for those times when the hotel's wi-fi is brutal and there's no cable for that beckoning hi-speed port just inches away.

I. Tera Grand Retractable HDMI Cable - New to the market, allows those of us with HDMI notebooks and an HD Slingbox to put the New York Jets on the hotel flat-screen at 4AM so you can start your day depressed and aggravated.

J. ASUS Micro Wi-Fi Router - Allows you to create your own private wi-fi network so that once signed onto the hotel internet-entry page on the notebook you are one-click away from getting all your iOS devices

K. iPhone Suction Car Mount - Small and light, allows you to put your iPhone in a rental car for free turn-by-turn navigation.

L. Mophie Juicepack - Double your iPhone's battery life in this rechargeable pack molded into a sleek phone case. A must-have for any road warrior, far superior to the basic brick batteries that you can't hold up to your ear and use during charging.

M. Monoprice USB Ethernet Adapter - Modern ultrabooks lack Ethernet ports to keep the size/weight down.

N. Sony HDMI To VGA Adapter - Modern ultrabooks lack VGA ports to keep the size/weight down.

O. Wrigley's 5 Gum - The world's best gum with the longest-lasting flavor, Willy Wonka himself couldn't do it any better.

P. Dr. Dre Beats Earbuds - Active noise cancellation is overrated, these passive earbuds seal your canals from noise and provide the deepest bass of any earbuds on the market.

Q. Sony Vaio Power Supply - The ultrabook charger isn't very compact so a tight case is a good idea to keep its footprint minimal.

R. Spyder "Gaiter" Neck-Up - A great winter accessory, weighs nothing and packs down smaller than a single sock. It's a headband, a scarf, and a face protector, not just for skiing but walking Chicago in January when the wind can give you frostbite in minutes.

S. Apple Bricks and Cables - I carry both bricks and both cables as I like to keep my iPhone and iPad by the bed on the nightstand and charge them both overnight so they're fresh for the morning.

T. Asia and Europe Wall Adapters - Forget those bulky all-in-one adapters that force you to carry around plastic for countries you never visit, just get a few HK/UK adapters and the European adapter and you're all set. Note it's key to find the HK/UK adapter that can take a US 3-prong power cord and its mis-matched left/right tabs if you want to charge your notebook during your travels.

U. Monoprice 3" Lightning Cable - Lastly, I carry a tiny lightning cable with me in trendy black color so that if my phone needs a quick charge or I need to transfer a photo to my notebook I have something light and unobtrusive in my backpack.

That's it. Hope its insightful.

BJ

ck777

Here goes, after 20 years of domestic and international travel, these are my essentials:

A. iPad 4G LTE 64GB - Movies on the plane, Adult video at night, Slingbox DVR at breakfast. An indispensable media tool.

B. Sony Pro 13 Ultrabook - At under ½ inch thick, under 2½ pounds, and with 8 hours of continuous battery life, it's just about the best Windows notebook for the road warrior. I have to keep checking my backpack to make sure its there. That's how light this thing is.

C. $1,000 Cash - Always good to pull a stack of cash out and place it on the tray table as you're filling out your immigration paperwork, let's the person next to you know what's-what.

D. Mini Massager - A great conversation starter to lie on the tray table next to the $1,000 cash if the person sitting next to you is an attractive female.

E. BMW Keyfob - Hey, you need to put it somewhere, might as well be where you can use it as a deal-sealer if the $1,000 cash and the mini massager didn't do the trick.

F. Rolex Submariner - For emergencies only, if putting this on the tray table next to the BMW keyfob and the mini massager and the $1,000 cash doesn't seal the deal, nothing else will.

G. Luminox Navy Seal - For walking the mean streets of Tsim Sha Tsui or Amsterdam's red light district, leave the Rolex in the safe and wear something light and non-attention grabbing, matches the flip-flops you get after coming out of the Kobe Sauna on Mody Road.


BJ[/QUOTE]

That totally made my day!! Too funny

arjunrc

Hi Scifience, thanks for chiming in. A picture is worth a 1000 words, so love the neatly laid out picture too.
Some comments:

Have you looked at the Kenu Airframe that was listed above in this thread? I am looking to purchase that.

I've seen a lot of good worked about the Anker. Have you owned the Skiva quadfire before? Besides the fact that people seem to report that the Skiva's casing is not robust is there any other difference? What about Anker did you like that was missing in the others you tried?


I hear you. I started with the Bose QC3 then left it for the Audio Technica earbuds with mic+NC because it was more compact and was easy to sleep with it. And then I upgraded to the Bose QC20i, which is absolutely incredible in all ways. While the ATs were good, the QC20is are incredible.

I own a 13" MBP - not the new ones - 2011 early - I use a 60W too since the start. Never had an issue too.

Yup, I often dream on never having to carry my laptop. With the logitech keyboard folio attached, it really has replaced my needs for meetings where I only need to create and present powerpoints. But If I am on a long travel, just the mini won't cut it. Also, its quite a pain adapting powerpoint ppts to keynote - some slides are always broken. I don't have the liberty to create them in keynote to begin with because I work for an org. where most people use powerpoint.

arjunrc

Hi BJ, thanks for the very entertaining post. It sometimes gets a little hard to decipher what you actually believe in and what you are kidding about

Just one question:

That Massager - its so tiny - besides using it to start a conversation as you say, how do you really use it and is it effective?

boltjames

That was sort of the point, LOL. Let's just say there's a modicum of truth in all of it.

I don't use it, but my wife has and, ah, well, um, yes I would say that it is 'effective'.

BJ

Scifience

I used a very similar product for a while, but found that while it was really lightweight and compact, I occasionally ended up in cars that it wouldn't attach to or would only attach in a very awkward location. I remember one offender as a Mercedes that had spiral-ish air vents with no straight fins at all. The suction mount, meanwhile, sticks pretty much anywhere.

Never tried the Skiva, but the Anker had the most power output I could find (36W). While most of these can manage to charge one or two devices at full speed, the Anker was the only I found that can deliver full power to all four ports at once thanks to the 36W capacity.

I've pretty much given up on Keynote at this point. You can make some really slick looking presentations with it, but the as soon as you try to export in another format everything falls apart. Last time I tried there were also weird font issues that came up even when just trying to transfer files between the Mac and iOS versions. I hate PowerPoint so much, though, that I've moved to using Prezi, which is entirely web-based.

igneous

Love these, my setup is so basic with either my iPhone 5 or Nexus 5, ipad mini retina, and retina macbook 15". Great power adapter ideas in here though, I need them now with some first time international travel coming

arjunrc

Yup. In another thread I posted what I plan to use as my charging configuration.
I'm wondering if it will benefit replacing my skiva with the anker or mono price. They seem to have more wattage. My iPad mini retina takes a long time to juice up.

Here is my config (proposed) - I haven't yet purchased the 3 outlet splitter